Airfix Bentley - 1/32nd scale.

[johnboyy]

I picked this kit up at a table-top sale recently and thought I would give it a go. It's a bit of a nostalgia trip and takes me back to the days when I bought a kit on Saturday, started it on the bus on the way home and had it finished by Sunday tea-time!!



The original mould used is over 50 years old so there are some serious fit issues and progress so far has been slow. One major issue is that the right hand chassis rail is approx 3 mm longer than the left hand one! To add to this the relief in the side of the body matches the rail?? This could be fun...



How about this for a wheel? Not sure what painting option I should use here?? I may even have a look for replacements as Matchbox use a decent wheel/tyre combination in their 1/32nd kits.

I intend to build it as close to box stock as possible although I will add a few minor details, the exhaust fish-tail is the first mod. It's going to be British Racing Green with a 'simulated' fabric covered body, but until the damp weather clears it will just have a coat of primer. I will post more pics as I go.

[yenkoman]

I was gonna say that for its age it holds up pretty well but, on second thoughts Good luck!

[allan]

will watch this one,good luck with it.

[axle]

I had one of these a couple of years ago. I gave it away not long after starting because of the fit issues. Hope you have the skill and patience to overcome them. Can't wait to see more

[mopar68]

Should be interesting, I'll be watching

[johnboyy]

Mini update on this 'wonderful' kit. I have cut away the moulded in plastic screen and fabricated a mesh screen to replace it.



Out with the old.



In with the new. The mesh is a wee bit on the big side but a coat of paint will help to hide that.



The semi-finished article. All it needs now is a 5 thou plasticard strip across the front and a couple of minor tweaks so it will follow the bonnet contour better and it will be ready.

[mopar68]

Very cool Johnboyy Great work so far

[johnboyy]

Thanks for that, I am back to work today so nothing much likely to get done. I am hoping to get as many bits prepped for paint this week and then spray them at the week-end, weather permitting.

[johnboyy]

Damp weather here so no chance to paint anything. However, I have managed to do a bit more work and also sorted one or two minor problems along the way!


This is the original dash from the kit, it is completely different to reference photos that I have, surprise, surprise!


The re-shaped dash ready for finishing.



The body in progress. To get it to this stage was pretty traumatic. I had to reduce the length of the off-side by 2mm and extend the nearside from the rear spring back by about the same distance. Both sides were the same length but mis-matched and wouldn't line up with each other??


This will be the replacement centre for the original wheels. I am working on a way to 'machine out' the old centre as I wanted to keep the original tyres. The ones from the Matchbox kit were way too small in profile.

Next up I am looking for a way to simulate dash instruments. I have tried photo-reducing some from another kit but so far, failed miserably. Watch this space!!

[allan]

look's like you are gettting there with this one,what colour are you going to paint it.

[johnboyy]

It's coming on but slow! I am going to paint it British Racing Green. The original car had a fabric covered body so will be trying to simulate this with the paint. I have a jar of Revell enamel that looks a real close match and I was thinking of adding some matt varnish when I spray the fabric area. What do you reckon Allan?

[mopar68]

Looks fantastic! Must be a nightmare fixing problems in 1:32 scale! It's coming along great, keep us posted

[allan]

instead of adding matt varnish look for same colour in a matt,if not just paint the matt varnish over the paint it sould work try on old body or bit of plastic first.

[Ray64]

My hat goes off to you mate, great work, especially being 1/32, hows your eye sight

[johnboyy]

Thanks for the encouraging comments guys, they are most welcome. My eyesight is fine it's my patience that's wearing out! I have all of a sudden realised why I have never seen a built version of this kit at any of the the model shows I have been to!!