Shite in Miniature II

[vulgalour]

I'll take some better shots eventually when I get access to good outdoor weather and a good camera at the same time.  For now, here's the completed Beetle which I have nicknamed Orange Peel for obvious reasons.  It actually looks orange in this pictures too, so that's a bonus.

Now, there is one problem with this kit.  I had hoped it would sit nicely alongside the Grandma Torino and the High School Hot Rod since they're all ostensibley 1:24th scale.  Putting the Beetle and Torino side by side I think someone is telling fibs about what scale they really are.

[vulgalour]

In Pobeda news... IT'S FRIKKIN SMOL

Also, can someone tell me why I decided it would be a good idea to make this model my first attempt at a custom opening panel and scratchbuilding an engine bay?  Because that's what I've decided to do and it's pretty silly of me.  Look how ridiculously tiny the steering wheel and column are!  That's two separate pieces that you have to glue into the dash which is another separate piece which glues into the bodyshell which is 4 separate pieces (well 5 since I cut the bonnet out).

Front axle needs narrowing a smidge.  Doesn't look so obvious in person, it's pretty glaring in photos.  The headlights are separate clear plastic inserts on this one too.  Fully detailed interior including door cards with furniture, and even pedals and sunvisors you can't see when the model is constructed.  Check out the surprisingly well detailed dashboard!  Only got the first coat of paint on so far, still lots to do.

The underside isn't quite as detailed as the UAZ I'm also building but they still bothered to make the axles and exhaust separate pieces.

It's not all wonderful though.  The bodyshell is difficult to build.  On dry fit, it was clear the sides were slightly warped so I had to glue the sides to the front panel and then glue the rear centre seam once that had set.  That has left me with a mould line down the centre of the boot that I thought I'd dealt with when it was in primer but then showed up badly once it was in gloss, so I'm filling it again and I'll hand paint the boot since I can't risk another coat of paint over the whole thing because of how light the detailing is.  You can't fit the roof panel until you've glued the front and rear seams because of the slightly warped side panels.  Happily, you can slide the body over the chassis in one piece, so at least you can do all the joint correction before painting and not make a mess on glue up.

The colour I've chosen is Probably Grey.  That's not what it's actually called, it's what it should be called.  Some lights it looks grey, others it looks blue, others it looks green, it's very odd.

Wheels are maybe a little oversized for the kit.  The hubcaps certainly are.  At this scale I'm not going to be too fussy though, I'm amazed it has as much detail as it does and overall the proportions seem pretty true to the original.  Now, I'll just have to make sure the next kit I start doesn't end up being even smaller because this is getting a bit silly.

[vulgalour]

It's heeeere~  Another fine instalment from the Ramrod Collection.

 

I'll fill you all in on this a little later, it's a massive selection so I'll only be posting highlights.  Cheers, Eddy, you're a star!

[bunglebus]

A few new ones;

 

Majorette Nissan 300ZX with pop-up headlights

 

20190902_113609 by RS, on Flickr

 

Adventure 2000 K 2002 Flight Hunter

 

20190902_113440 by RS, on Flickr

 

MB Superkings Jaaaag

 

20190902_113513 by RS, on Flickr

 

Who did it better, Corgi or MB?

 

20190902_113727 by RS, on Flickr

 

Have to say I think the new MB Jag XK is better than the old

 

20190902_121205 by RS, on Flickr

 

Spot the difference;

 

20190902_124519 by RS, on Flickr

 

20190902_124605 by RS, on Flickr

 

And yet more MB multipacks;

 

20190903_191945 by RS, on Flickr

 

20190903_191931 by RS, on Flickr

 

 

[vulgalour]

Let's have a look in the Ramrod box of delight, see what there is.  Several Husky models I didn't have, which is not surprising, I don't have many.  4 DS Safaris, one of which is quite broken.  Why do I need 4?  It's because I'm going to make a Tissier transporter out of two of them

A remarkably good condition wrecker.  This base model truck was used for a few variants, I've already done a resto-mod on the camper version.

Another Zephyr estate, this one in a fantastic shade of purple.  If I repaint this one in the future, it will go the same colour.

An ungainly looking Guy Warrior.

This delightful little Lancia Flaminia which I initially thought was a Peugeot.

Dustbin lorry.  I'd been holding out for a scruffy but complete example of one of these and this fits the bill perfectly.  I really quite like it.

A Studebaker Wagonaire, with clear sliding roof intact and working no less.  I'll have to dig out my Lesney version of this and see how they compare.

A new one on me is this shovel truck.  I really like the wheels on it and that massive shiny bucket, this is just the sort of thing I would've spent my pocket money if Husky had been available when I was in short trousers.

[vulgalour]

In the Lesney-Matchbox assortment, there's this Muir Hill Dumper.  I've got a spare wheel to put this right.  A surprisingly elusive model when I've been looking for it so I'm happy to have this one.

This early Austin taxi is another that has eluded me, I wasn't willing to pay much for a broken one (they're always broken it seems), and intact ones were more than I wanted to spend.  This one is broken in the usual way so will need a bit of pillar rebuilding, that's no great hardship.

Amazingly, I didn't have the Lomas Ambulance which is one that's really easy to find, even in good shape. Happily, I have this one now.

An earlier version of the Ford Cortina I also didn't have.  I've been on the lookout for one of these since both the ones I already have are Superfast versions.  This is the steering front wheel system too.

Thames Trader Compressor truck another one that has been elusive.  I believe I already have one (I'll have to visit the archives), but this will be a good addition nonetheless, it's an interesting model.

I might have a container for this truck.  I haven't got many Matchbox from this era, which is a shame since these are really the ones I grew up with.

My first Unimog with obligatory missing tyres.

And finally, this little slice of nostalgia. I used to have one exactly like this, even the playwear was pretty much the same, so I'll likely keep it as it is.  Never had a trailer for it, the trailers always seemed really hard to find.

[vulgalour]

I wonder if this is the other half to a strange model I played with at my grans when I was tiny.  The other half was a single axle, cab, and long bonnet with an eye on the back that this grader would have probably slotted into.  It was probably a Corgi or Dinky, since most of the stuff in the tin then was.

I really like this Kidco van, it has bags of potential.

Lonestar Tuff Tots tiny trailer.  It's so smol!

No-name Cadlliac is a little bit broken but has potential.  Some fresh wheels, a replacement headlight, and a bit of care could see this looking pretty sweet.  The paint is nice and in reasonable shape so I'm hoping I can dismantle and repair this without repainting it since I want to keep that metallic red.

A literal Noddy car.  My first Morestone in the collection and not one I would have gone out of my way to acquire.  A novelty, all the same, and it can stay.  I used to find Noddy really creepy when I was a kid, something about the stop motion animation style always felt off in a way that The Magic Roundabout never did.

[vulgalour]

A couple of newer redlines were in the mix.  I've never seen The Hood before.  It's missing the interior and maybe some glazing?  It's otherwise in reasonable shape.

This Custom Firebird is only missing one front wheel and replacements are readily available.  It's nice that all the parts are there and in good shape.  I'll definitely be restoring this one in the future, it's a good candidate.

And finally, my pick of the selection is this repaint.  I already have it in my little display cabinet as is, I see nothing I want to change so it can stay exactly as it is.  The green is much more appealing than the original orange and the detailing is nicely done.

[Datsuncog]

^^^ That's an absolutely cracking haul there, Vulg - the stuff of dreams!

The Tissier DS transporter conversion sounds amazing, really looking forward to that one.

And, by my calculations, you should have more tat due to land on your doorstep some time tomorrow...  (not quite as exciting as this little lot, mind).

 

I'm going to have to get my arse down to Tesco and see if I can bag myself a W123 estate...

[bunglebus]

22 hours ago, vulgalour said:

 

 

 

Got the lowrider look going on!

 

[bunglebus]

Anyway - this has arrived;

 

20190904_183356 by RS, on Flickr

 

Along with the civilian version of the MB Jaaag, so now I can do a better comparison with the Corgi;

 

20190904_182434 by RS, on Flickr

 

Freed some of the MB multipack cars from their packaging;

 

20190904_183201 by RS, on Flickr

 

20190904_183150 by RS, on Flickr

 

20190904_183128 by RS, on Flickr

 

20190904_183112 by RS, on Flickr

 

20190904_183101 by RS, on Flickr

 

20190904_183042 by RS, on Flickr

[egg]

Folks, a guy on one of the French diecast groups I'm in on Facebook is looking for a bulb for his Corgi Maestro with the headlights - what bulbs are used - does anyone know? He isn't getting any light at all.

[vulgalour]

Oooh, diecast hearse.  Might have to keep an eye out for one of those for myself.

[Noel Tidybeard]

3 hours ago, egg said:

Folks, a guy on one of the French diecast groups I'm in on Facebook is looking for a bulb for his Corgi Maestro with the headlights - what bulbs are used - does anyone know? He isn't getting any light at all.

i really have no idea ??

as far as i can make out its 2.5v 0.5a pre focused- iirc same as duracell used in the durabeam torch etc

[Datsuncog]

9 hours ago, vulgalour said:

Oooh, diecast hearse.  Might have to keep an eye out for one of those for myself.

They're nicely done, I picked up a plain black one in the mainline range a few years back (maybe ten or more years ago, now I think on it...) - IIRC there's a coffin just about visible in the back, with a hand emerging from the askew lid...

[eddyramrod]

Seriously?  Oh now I HAVE to have one!

[egg]

This nice little Morestone Rover arrived today.

[egg]

Also, I can haz Sea King. Yay*

[egg]

11 hours ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

as far as i can make out its 2.5v 0.5a pre focused- iirc same as duracell used in the durabeam torch etc

Thanks, I passed that info on to Mr French chappie, and he gave it a 'heart' so I think he is pleased to know.

[155V6]

4 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

They're nicely done, I picked up a plain black one in the mainline range a few years back (maybe ten or more years ago, now I think on it...) - IIRC there's a coffin just about visible in the back, with a hand emerging from the askew lid...

The mainline came in black,silver or white.There's a Scooby Doo version from a multi pack,& also a couple of more expensive versions with nicer details & wheels ?

[vulgalour]

Highlights from the DatsunCog delivery that arrived today since I've a few minutes spare before work kicks off.

Been after one of these for a while since I fancied the Countach without all the 80s shoulderpads.

I'm now overrun with Unimogs.  There were two in this parcel, of which this is one, and what I thought was my first one from the Eddy parcel turns out to actually be my second one since I found another in a box last night.  Hopefully between the four of them I have enough bits to make at least one really nice example.  The beige and teal is my preferred colour on these.

Dodge Charger Mk3 is another that has eluded me.  A recent HWbaremetal video did a restoration on one of these and he mentioned there's no register on the canopy for the glazing, however there is on this one.  I assume they changed the canopy casting, presumably to stop the glazing falling/getting pushed out.

A near pristine Hellraiser.  This is from that era of Matchbox where the paint was incredibly robust, and usually incredibly thick, though this one seems to have survived by just not being played with.

I've seen the trailers for this plenty of times and not the tractor units, so I've always avoided buying the trailers.  Sods Law dictates that now I have the tractor unit I shan't be able to find any trailers.  Aside from the usual chipped paint, this is in remarkably good shape.

That's me spent up for a bit now.  Got to be good and not buy any more things until I've finished a few projects.  Trouble is, buying things is so much fun!  Cheers Datsuncog, for being such an enabler.

[egg]

Picked this Pickford's van a while back, needed a rear door, so I got one...

Then I decided to turn it into a Beales Bealeson replica, a special edition from the period, and got some decals. Finished it today...

[sierraman]

Nice restoration that. The real beales bealson models are worth an absolute bomb, I read they weren’t supplied in the traditional Matchbox box either. 

[sierraman]

http://www.mokolesneymatchbox.com/fakes-frauds/f-f-46b-beales-bealeson.html

[egg]

Yep, interesting info thanks - I think I read that as well at some point. I won't be passing mine off as the real thing ?

[quicksilver]

Excellent acquisitions everyone, I'm especially keen to see how the Tissier DS turns out as I'm overrun with Husky DSs and looking for things to do with them. I'm on the lookout for a Husky Zephyr estate for restoration if anyone can help.

[bunglebus]

8 hours ago, 155V6 said:

The mainline came in black,silver or white.There's a Scooby Doo version from a multi pack,& also a couple of more expensive versions with nicer details & wheels ?

DSC_0140_zpstbxtp40l by RS, on Flickr

 

Surprised hearses are in the lineup again - I read they stopped doing them as some cultures disapproved of children playing with them due to their association with death - so they were released as ambulances. Now to my mind, there's a lot more pain, suffering and death in ambulances than in hearses...

 

Wheels 004_zpsnnpivooa by RS, on Flickr

 

 

[155V6]

Some of mine,with a bonus Holden at the back

[vulgalour]

I got all the windows installed on the Pobeda.  The windscreen was quite easy, the side windows needed to be first trimmed in half and then the bit that goes on the inside of the B pillar filed down a little so that they could be slotted in.  The rear screen just needed careful filing of the surround so it clicked into place nicely.  The interior is now fully detailed and awaiting assembly.  Headlights have been glued in but I'm not entirely happy with how they sit so I'm going to pop them back out, drill the headlight sockets a little larger/deeper, and put the headlights back in so they hopefully sit more flush.

For the engine, I finally found a suitable donor since there's not really anything off the shelf at this scale.  The Bedford tanker isn't the same scale but the engine looks similar enough in general that it's a suitable donor for this particular project.  I took a plasticine mould of the engine and have cast some two-part epoxy into it like I did for the missing parts on the Mercury kit.  I've added hinges to the Pobeda bonnet so it can be opened just not fully, I'm finding the scale and my lack of experience at this sort of job to be limiting factors so I'm going with what works before it frustrates me on this one.  I made several attempts at a bulkhead and none worked but because the bonnet doesn't open very far, there's a good amount of shadow that obscures the lack of bulkhead so I'm fine with that.  The fact this has an opening bonnet and will have an engine visible at all is perhaps a little on the ambitious side anyway.  The axles were trimmed and the wheels glued on yesterday, then I dropped it putting it away and blasted three of the wheels off so had to reglue them again today which has meant I couldn't finish the painting and assembly I wanted to.

It's coming along, at any rate.  Tomorrow I should have nicely dried components, and some sort of engine blob to work with and hopefully, barring mishaps, have the whole thing fully painted and assembled.  It's been more difficult to build this than much more complex larger scale kits I've done, it's been a fun challenge but I'm not sure I'd put myself through it again.

In more basic news, the container truck that arrived in a recent assortment was married up with the randome Walls container I had from a previous eBay purchase.  They slot together perfectly but I feel like there's something missing because they don't lock together, one just sort of sits on top of the other.  If this is really how they are then that would explain why the containers are always missing.

[sierraman]

That’s how they sit, just resting on the chassis. I think when new they came with a rubber band round them. The walls container is from the scania T142 Convoy range from about 85/86. Interestingly the Lansing bagnall forklift works on the containers as well.