Shite in Miniature II

[sierraman]

Wonder how good one would look done up as a tatty old builders van?

[matt79]

35 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Wonder how good one would look done up as a tatty old builders van?

Like this ?

build thread - http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/108150-1984-ford-transit-esci-124/

 

[Spottedlaurel]

That's the one that comes to mind when I think of this kit.

I've a feeling mine has the LHD dashboard.

[Tenmil Socket]

10 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Finished the Transit. Despite some fit issues, it's a splendid model, if a bit basic. I think the tooling is fairly old though.

I couldn't think what to do with it so I opted to fit the front splitter,  made an aerial and left it clean.  I can apply the Police paraphernalia later if I change my mind.

My mum's friend who was mad keen on all aspects of modelmaking,  showed me how to make flexible aerials using a candle and a bit of scrap sprue. The one he made to show me way back in 1994 is still fitted to the MK2 Escort I was building at the time.

That looks ace, good job! Pity about the windscreen. Is the manufacturer of this kit using the same tooling as the Esci kit?

[Tenmil Socket]

Has anyone got an early Hot Wheels VW bus?

https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/the-rarest-hot-wheels-is-worth-more-than-its-full-scale-counterpart/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20_December_07_Newsletter_NewDD

[bunglebus]

Rear loading Beach Bomb?  No chance. I've been trying to track down one of the unofficial replicas with no luck.

Even the side loading Bombs aren't cheap unless you get lucky and find one at a boot sale or charity shop

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, Spottedlaurel said:

That's the one that comes to mind when I think of this kit.

I've a feeling mine has the LHD dashboard.

Mine came with both, unfortunately they didn't supply the corresponding windscreen wipers, something that Tamiya do.

I feel that Tamiya are way better in terms of details and quality. For half the price you get an engine in some of them.

But it's a Transit, the shell moulding is spot on and the opening features have robust mechanisms. The possibilities are endless with the model, that's why I left this one as is for now!

[Tenmil Socket]

This looks interesting.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMER-Plastic-Model-Car-Model-Kit-1-28-Skoda-Favorit/362805667779?hash=item5478e727c3:g:m44AAOSw4xJdxDdB

[sierraman]

Next restoration is this Rover 800, thinking black as in the castle Gresley Rover 800?

[Dick Cheeseburger]

1 hour ago, sierraman said:

Next restoration is this Rover 800, thinking black as in the castle Gresley Rover 800?

The Castle Gresley 800 is green, isn't it? 

[Shite Ron]

10 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

The Castle Gresley 800 is green, isn't it? 

It looks blue to me?

[sierraman]

29 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

The Castle Gresley 800 is green, isn't it? 

So it is! I’ve not got any metallic green paint in so black it’ll have to be. Some really snotty folks who lived on our street as a kid had a black 820E so it’ll be based on that. 

[barrett]

I know it's common, but I just picked up a nice Corgi Fulvia Zagato, because I've always been intrigued by the choice of casting, the prototype is one of my favourite cars and I thought it would make a nice comparison with my Mebetoys Fulvia coupe.

if i had money, and I collected toy cars, I would really like to put together a little agglomeration of 1960s/early 70s European GT and low-volume coachbuilt cars. Some of the subjects were just wild, particularly from the Italian companies, but even Dinky did a few really weird things like the Monteverdi 375.

If anyone sees a cheap Solido Alfa Zagato Junior, let me know...

[sierraman]

A bit like the Matchbox ISO Grifo, a really low volume specialist Italian Car. Those late 60’s Corgi were things of beauty, really nice detailed castings. 

[Mr Pastry]

Both nice models.  I don't know the Mebetoys, but it looks quite accurate.  The Zagato is a very well detailed casting but for some reason it has undersized wheels which rather spoil it.  But it is considerably more robust than the full sized Zagato.

[flat4alfa]

On 12/29/2020 at 11:21 AM, Tenmil Socket said:

This looks interesting.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMER-Plastic-Model-Car-Model-Kit-1-28-Skoda-Favorit/362805667779

They do a rally livery variation too, bundled with a decal sheet

I bought one a while ago to motorise. It’s actually pretty good and well moulded.  The box illustration doesn’t do it justice

13cm by 5.5cm so perfect for what I had in mind

[flat4alfa]

Steamshite, anyone?

Unearthed this Mamod from Parent’s loft.  Not seen it in must be forty years. We had it going when I was a boy - the solid fuel ran out so Dad raided the shed for Meths instead. I remember it being painfully slow to build steam. But I was about 8 at the time and even the console game of Pong was more exciting; despite being for a black and white TV set

[Split_Pin]

Got a nice parcel from NI today, my ABC Dennis Jubilant:

I've pictured it here beside the Collectors' Model Leyland Victory for comparison.

It's an exceptional model for its time, both were released just as the new Millennium was dawning. The ABC was about twice the price of the C'SM  and out of my grasp back in 1999/2000.

It has a proper engine block too, just like the ABC Ailsas I also have. Radiator just visible through the grille.

The following year in January 2001 I made my first ever online order, paid by cheque, of an ABC Ailsa in Harrow Buses livery. 

Others followed in subsequent years, a West Midlands example together with an ex Dundee Fleetline in Fife Scottish Livery. I also have a Collector's Model Fleetline purchased in 2000. I think it's superior in proportions to the ABC effort but has less detail

I also have this Dennis Dominator as it's the only model of Alexander RL bodywork I could find, once common around Scotland on Leyland Olympian and Metrobus chassis.

This one is made by Model Express which turned out to be their only release.

Chinese buses are quite interesting, models of which are catalogues in this wonderful Geocities-esque website that looks like it came right out of 1998:

http://www.orientalmodelbuses.co.uk/modelindex.htm

[Mr Pastry]

2 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Steamshite, anyone?

Unearthed this Mamod from Parent’s loft.  Not seen it in must be forty years. We had it going when I was a boy - the solid fuel ran out so Dad raided the shed for Meths instead. I remember it being painfully slow to build steam. But I was about 8 at the time and even the console game of Pong was more exciting; despite being for a black and white TV set

That is the earlier non-reversible version of the traction engine, and relatively rare.  They run better on liquid meths (especially industrial meths) than on the solid stuff - different type of burner for each.  Should not take long to raise steam unless the boiler is over filled.  It looks reasonably complete, but there is no problem getting parts.  They are well engineered for what they are, and will continue to work even when quite badly worn.   

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, Mr Pastry said:

That is the earlier non-reversible version of the traction engine, and relatively rare.  They run better on liquid meths (especially industrial meths) than on the solid stuff - different type of burner for each.  Should not take long to raise steam unless the boiler is over filled.

Thanks. Since posting this I found there is already a steamshite thread...!

This has both burners and the long steering rod.  Having the pop-riveted body and brass whistle etc I’ve since had a read-around and dated this to 1965-72 ?

Might put some water in and raid the Wife's drinks cupboard - sorry, I meant the garage - for meths and might give it a go after all

[Mr Pastry]

3 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Having the pop-riveted body and brass whistle etc I’ve since had a read-around and dated this to 1965-72 ?

That sounds about right but I'm not an anorak, can't remember that sort of stuff.  I'd have said 1960s.  It is what it is.  Give it a go.  Plenty of oil in and around the cylinder and bearings first, motor oil is fine.  

[Split_Pin]

I noticed a few balls of oose inside the bus and as it's all easily detachable, I went inside to sweep it out.

I've never opened up an ABC model before, the detail is really impressive. Check out the crackle finish on the engine cover.

Look how narrow the throat is. Having been on one a real one of these, I can confirm that it is to scale. Not exactly accessable!

 

[flat4alfa]

On 12/11/2020 at 9:43 AM, Datsuncog said:

Tinplate RC Porsche is by Nikko...

...and, surprisingly, he's only looking a fiver for it.

@bunglebus @Datsuncog

Did you sort out a deal on this ? If so, look what I unearthed.  Not in the same league as Nikko, but still .....MIGHT BE WORTH HAVING A RACE ! 

It’s all-plastic and 17cm long so about 1/22ish

[bunglebus]

Cool. Yes Mr. Cog is holding onto this one for me at the moment. 

[Lord Sterling]

On 12/28/2020 at 11:09 PM, Split_Pin said:

Finished the Transit. Despite some fit issues, it's a splendid model, if a bit basic. I think the tooling is fairly old though.

I couldn't think what to do with it so I opted to fit the front splitter,  made an aerial and left it clean.  I can apply the Police paraphernalia later if I change my mind.

My mum's friend who was mad keen on all aspects of modelmaking,  showed me how to make flexible aerials using a candle and a bit of scrap sprue. The one he made to show me way back in 1994 is still fitted to the MK2 Escort I was building at the time.

Nice! Is that 1/18 or 1/24 in scale? Is it just a case gluing some parts together or is there abuthing else involved? I'm interested because that is a good looking realistic model for display. If its easy enough to fit together I may aswell purchase one myself.

For my part, I had another 1/18 car come through. A 1/18 Abarth 595 (Sporty Fiat 500 in laymans terms) 

Its quite a good model, nicely detailed. The tops of the doors are a bit flimsy and doors themselves don't open up very far but nevertheless a really nice model for display. They seem to be going for higher money £40/£50+ I got mine for a bit less than £40 including delivery.

No "595" badge on the back of this one.

What makes it a bit more special for me is that I regularly drive Abarth 595s when I was a trade plater. I sometimes had them over weekends too which was nice so have a soft spot for them.  I'd have a real one if I could afford it.

[bunglebus]

Looks like this will be a mainline after all. Look out for it when the shops reopen in 2025

 

[Split_Pin]

10 hours ago, Lord Sterling said:

Nice! Is that 1/18 or 1/24 in scale? Is it just a case gluing some parts together or is there abuthing else involved? I'm interested because that is a good looking realistic model for display. If its easy enough to fit together I may aswell purchase one myself.

For my part, I had another 1/18 car come through. A 1/18 Abarth 595 (Sporty Fiat 500 in laymans terms) 

Its quite a good model, nicely detailed. The tops of the doors are a bit flimsy and doors themselves don't open up very far but nevertheless a really nice model for display. They seem to be going for higher money £40/£50+ I got mine for a bit less than £40 including delivery.

No "595" badge on the back of this one.

What makes it a bit more special for me is that I regularly drive Abarth 595s when I was a trade plater. I sometimes had them over weekends too which was nice so have a soft spot for them.  I'd have a real one if I could afford it.

It's 1/24 scale but a pretty basic model. It fits together really easily, apart from the windscreen.  Everything is proportioned just right though so it looks great when built. 

Mainly glued together, except for the hinges which just clip in. Ideally you'll need to paint a few parts as a start such as the windscreen surround and the lights. The indicators and rear lights need to have a black surround, I painted inside with Humbrol clear red and then did the surrounds Matt black on the outside. Inside the were pretty much no frills so I just left it black. Some plastics are slightly textured anyway. You could possibly paint the seats and dash matt grey. These models look best weathered but I don't have the skill or knowledge for that, especially not to try on what is a relatively expensive kit.

[Split_Pin]

9 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Looks like this will be a mainline after all. Look out for it when the shops reopen in 2025

 

Waiting for the red one as it will go with my 1/24 Tamiya kit that I built 25 years ago.

[eddyramrod]

9 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Waiting for the red one as it will go with my 1/24 Tamiya kit that I built 25 years ago.

Also waiting for the red one to represent a Lancashire Police interceptor that passed my truck one morning on the M55, with a telltale forest of antennae on the roof.  Made me giggle at the time and every time I've thought of it  since.  Surely if you want an undercover car, you don't go for bright red?

[Amishtat]

I had an arrival last week from Norn Iron too, on reflection it's probably the first time it's lived anywhere else. Only my third Spot-on and easily the best so far, it won't be restored. I definitely* haven't been idly looking for other releases (PB Cresta, A60 and Mk3 Zephyr in particular) on ebay but for what they seem to make that'll have to wait a while. For now I'm just happy to have this. Thanks DC!