Anglia105E

Yes Peter, I agree that it is surprising there is no plastic kit version of the Morris Minor Traveller...... the Hachette / IXO version is 1:24 scale diecast, and there is a resin body version available in the UK from which I have scratch built a Morris Minor Traveller, also in 1:24 scale. David

Well JC..... not only did you get the water right, but also you got the smoke absolutely right too! This has turned out to be an extremely well built diorama setting, and the model of the paddle steamer is superb...... realistic and highly detailed. I do like that smoke. David

Really nice build you have there, lsmo.. Liking the paint colour also. I do know all about VW Beetles, but I did not realise there was a custom built gooseneck caravan for the Bug David

Two excellent Shapeways figures that you have there, Pat....... and here is my ' What did you get today? ' item..... 1:24 scale 1958 Morris Minor Traveller diecast by Hachette. David

Just to say..... I hadn't seen those Plastruct letters before..... and unfortunately they are not available in UK, or at least not listed by Plastruct over here. David

The 1:25 Lindberg kit of the '48 Lincoln Continental looks to be quite a challenge for you Pat, but at least with the '41 car available you do have a few options. Although I am not familiar with these particular kits, I would consider the suggestion to use the spare wheel hub cap from the '48 Lindberg and make a cast seems to be a good option. Out of all the kit manufacturers I would say that Lindberg is the one brand that I haven't built a model from..... maybe I should have a go? Did Lindberg ever do a Rolls-Royce? David

I see what you mean about the large scale of the previous dioramas, John !....... and so realistic looking in the outdoor setting. David

Thanks Pat..... over the next few weeks I need to examine each of the scale model cars that will be part of the International show exhibition on 21st June. There will be 35 of the 1:24 scale cars and 22 of the 1:43 scale cars. All of the 1:24 models need dusting and some need a few minor repairs. David

The first floor showroom window of the 1:43 scale Hooper building was not only buckled badly, but also the glass was fogged and misted by white spirit. It was not possible to clean off the white spirit residue due to the close grid of white lines that represent the window frame. The white paint would have been rubbed off all too easily. So it was decided to construct a new replacement window, which is made of a thicker polyester material and the lines have been laid down much better. The white lines are done with a Pentel Paint Marker pen with an extra fine point. By using a steel ruler with masking tape on the back face of the ruler, this prevents the white paint from leaking under the ruler while scribing the straight lines. The horse-drawn carriage stands proudly behind this first floor window glass, and the carriage is now much more visible since the poorly made window was replaced.. David

Thanks for your efforts, Dave Ambrose..... I shall be patient ! David Watson

I am getting the error message as mentioned, and I am only uploading ONE photo.... There was a problem processing the uploaded file. -200 David

When I was looking for ideas to make newspapers and books in 1:24 scale I saw doll's house items for sale on Ebay, but I guess you could easily print images of books, newspapers and magazines by reducing the size of the image by 24. Here is a photo of 1:24 scale office desk with a book and sheets of paper on the desk top. The telephone is too large, even though it was stated as being a 1:24 scale doll's house furniture item. Cannot upload the photo for you...... I am getting this error message... There was a problem processing the uploaded file. -200 David

Those tail lights do make quite a difference, Pat........ I suppose you could place a 1:24 scale seated figure on the seat, and then see if his feet are placed squarely on the floor...... that way, you will know if you need to raise the height of the bumper. David

Pretty good effort for your first try Rick..... and as long as you are enjoying the process of putting it all together, that what counts. David

Nice job you have done on the restoration there Roberto..... I used to own a Suzuki SJ413 Samurai hardtop, and later a soft top version also. David

Don't panic Pat !....... for the upcoming exhibition in June there will be two Hooper & Co buildings on display, one is the 1:24 scale diorama from last year's event, showing the building as it was in 1958, then the 1:43 scale diorama that shows the building as it was in 1959. The later Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud that was produced in 1960 will be positioned slightly to one side of the two main dioramas, with Osmond Rivers standing alongside the motor car. He didn't purchase this car until 1963, so I had the idea that as the CEO of the company it was conceivable that he might have visited the empty building 4 years later, assuming the building has taken 4 years to be sold. David

Welcome to MCM forum Brian...... and you will find all the help and inspiration you need here. David

The only company that produced a 1:24 kit of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was Minicraft of the United States, which is also available as the Revell version, and the dashboard is LHD. Most of my builds for Silver Clouds are RHD so I converted these relatively easily. Drilled a hole for the RHD steering column, filled in the hole for the LHD steering column, and a little bit of tweaking for the glove compartment and instrument panel details. Having said ' relatively easily ' this is a very basic kit, it has to be said ( 26 pieces max ). David

Just realised you have four figures working on the excavator, and not two! That is why you mentioned adding a fifth figure! David

Brilliant Charles..... and the two mechanic figures working in different areas of the diorama give the whole scene a very realistic appearance. So much to see, and so much going on ! David

Thanks for the information, Geoff of Solihull, England and I look forward to the availability of a 1:24 scale Ford Cortina MK1. Way back in 1970 the car that I passed my driving test in was a MK 1 Cortina belonging to my Dad, and he bought me a Ford Anglia 105E as my first car ever. I have a resin body for an Anglia 105E in 1:24 scale but cannot find a 1:24 Cortina anywhere, apart from the the Airtrax Lotus Cortina MK1, which is a two door body and my Dad's Cortina was a 4-door. The MMiM release sounds very interesting to me and I would love to get my hands on one if possible, later this year? David

It is 1963 and Osmond Rivers has returned to 54 St James's Street in London SW1, four years after the closure of the Hooper & Co business. As the previous Chief Draughtsman and Managing Director of the famous coachbuilders, Osmond Rivers is now tasked with the removal of any remaining documents and fittings following the sale of the Hooper building. By the end of December 1959 all of the staff and the cars had left the building so all that remains for the manager to do is to ensure that anything belonging to the reorganised company is secured. Although the showroom premises have been closed, there will be some coachbuilding work and engineering projects that will continue at the Hooper & Co factory over in Acton. Many important plan drawings and other confidential documents will go into a private collection at the Science Museum of London, while other more specific documents and photographs will go into what will be known as the Rippey-Rivers private collection across the Atlantic in Denver, Colorado and in the ownership of Arthur G. Rippey. The motor car in which Osmond Rivers has arrived to carry out his task is a 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, finished in Mason's Black over Sand, with a cream beige for the interior upholstery. This motor car has the 6.2 litre V8 engine as opposed to the earlier 4.9 litre 6 cylinder inline engine of the Silver Cloud I. ' He stepped out of the motor car and stood for a moment looking at the building. A successful business spanning 154 years...... was no more. He gazed upon the empty showroom with more than a hint of sadness. ' David

Oh yes, that works Pat..... and it sits right on that wall too. David

Yes Gary, you are correct.... this Ford lorry was produced from 1947 to around 1958, so it fits in nicely with the Bedford coach from 1939 to 1951. David

The latest addition to the collection of 1:43 scale diecast vehicles has arrived for the Hooper & Co diorama in 1:43 scale.... this is a Ford Thames ET6 by IXO carrying a load of Calor Gas butane gas bottles, and here it is photographed alongside the Bedford OB Coach, which is also by IXO / Hachette..... David