Matt Bacon

Well, it's been a while... Scale Model World is behind me, and my B-26 Marauder Box Art diorama has seen the light of day, so progress is now being made on these at last... Engines under way. The Italeri 365 GTB V12 is beautifully crisp, with a nice detail, and noticeably bigger than the 599 GTOs. The Revell parts are well-designed and simple, responding well to detail painting, but have slightly more flash and not so precise fit. The "flying buttresses" are very well engineered, and to fit properly you need to have no primer on the "tab" element or in the slot on the car body. These are cleaned, sanded and pressed into place, where they fit really well....now! Lots of priming and prep going on off-camera... bestest, M.

Hi, all... inspired by an article in this month's Evo, I'd love to build a model of a Singer 911. I'm not normally a Porsche guy, but it just looks SOOOO cool. http://www.singervehicledesign.com/gallery/index.php I need some advice on where to start, kit wise. The article says the cars start out as "964" 911s, but the bodywork is inspired by the 2.8 RSR, which even I know is an earlier car... My question is, which Fujimi or Revell (or even Tamiya) Porsche should I be looking for to base my build on? I think I want to do minimum bodywork changes, so even if the mechanicals are a 964, if the body's not right I might want something earlier-style. Any suggestions, folks? bestest, M.

I think the Dino is one of the coolest cars EVER! You've done a wonderful job on it, and I really love the colour. One of the things I like about Dino's is that they aren't all red. There was a beautiful one in Classic Cars a few months back that was ice white with a deep blue interior trim -- gorgeous. I'd love to hear more about the Enthusiast Model kit -- I have the regular Fujimi one, but I'd kind of like an engine... As for the "is it a Ferrari?" question... does it really matter? It's a lovely car, whether it's a Fiat or a Ferrari. Personally, I WOULDN'T put a prancing horse on mine if I owned one, but if I owned one I'd still be a VERY happy man. (Mine would be Blu Dino or Giallo Fly, by the way...) bestest, M.

That is sooooo cool... I love it. Brilliant build of a great kit, and the figure is the icing on the cake. I'd really like that car on my shelf! bestest, M.

This guy is 1/32: If John Rosengrant did a few 1/24 car guys, I'd be first in the queue! bestest, M.

I'd love some decent figures to go with my builds (but then I _like_ figure painting...). I don't necessarily want a full-blown diorama, but I find that with aircraft, a complementary figure or two really adds interest, and, especially, an instant sense of scale. I'd like drivers, too, but I know that's harder, since they have to fit inside specific car set-ups. I didn't have any issues getting the Fujimi modern driver figure into their own Aventador, as The Stig, but the 60s guy wasn't going to sit in the DB4GT from Doyusha. I've tried the Fujimi figures in a few of their cars, though, and they seem to be OK pretty much in any one. It's just a shame that they are really the only game in town... bestest, M.

Well, that IS an interesting question... I think pretty much everything here: http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-shows/the-art-of-the-automobile/gallery is beautiful. So, when I think about what's in there, and what's built and on the shelves, what do they have in common? 1) Curves -- the right curves, though. I don't like the BAT cars, for example. However the Alfa TZs and Tipo 33 Stradale are gorgeous 2) I generally like Deco streamliners, especially Figoni and Falaschi, and anything by Delahaye 3) Long bonnets and curvy cabins at the back (see 250 GTO, Cobra Daytona Coupe, E-Type coupe) 4) In a slightly separate category -- purposefulness. I like the SLS and Uhlenhaut Coupes. I like the R8. None of them are really curvy, but they look like they mean business. 5) The curves should flow into each other, and be about form following function, mostly. 6) The "je ne sais quoi" That Toyota 2000GT looks quite like an e-Type, and although I like the Toyota very much, it's no E-Type. It's the execution. 7) Agreed: pretty much anything from Pininfarina or Scaglietti or Gandini. Less so from Giugaro. A LOT less so from Zagato, which I find very hit and miss. What don't I like: 1) Three boxes. Flat-tall-flat and square cornered, no matter how nicely dressed. 2) Chrome. Please, window frames and a few details only. The odd restrained line along a flank or wing. No more 3) Fins, rockets, turbines and anything with the word Dyne involved. Unless they actually work (like the jets in the CX-75) One honourable exception: the Corvette Stingray. That's just cool. Otherwise, I think it's pretty hard to improve on a Series 1 E-type Coupe, a 250 Testarossa or GT, an Alfa Tipo 33 Stradale or a DB4Gt Zagato. YMMV, obviously... bestest, M.

Compare and contrast, once more... Slow beginnings, but I wanted to get the body shells painted so that they can cure properly before final polishing while other work gets under way. The Daytona is Zero's "Blu Dino"; the 599GTO is "Rosso Scuderia", and a matt (ish) black (ish) homebrew for the roof. These will go slowly while I work on some stuff for SMW 2012, but at least I've started! bestest, M.

A shooting brake was a light horsedrawn carriage used for, err... shooting over the grouse moors of North Britain, mostly. A few seats at the front for the shooters, and a platform/box at the back for carrying guns, picnic baskets and flasks of malt whiskey. In a car version, you need a long flat load space for the gun cases, so they tend to be proportioned differently from an "estate" car or station wagon: There have been quite a few Aston Shooting Brakes over the years -- something to do with the kind of people who buy them, I reckon, and Overfinch does Range Rovers fitted out as shooting brakes as well, with built in gun cabinets, cocktail bars, food heaters etc. Of course, the servants follow along behind in a Landy. (Actually, Land Rovers and Range Rovers have pretty much done for the specialist shooting brake these days, I imagine. Except maybe in Dubai!) Probably more than you wanted to know... bestest, M.

While we're discussing detailing (and this isn't a criticism, it's just for if someone else who's planning to build the kit is reading this in the future), the BACKS of those thin first generation seats are actually covered with carpet, not leather like the fronts... bestest, M.

That's an Entex 1/32 Ford C900 (also issued by Airfix). The Airfix version has "Ferrari" decals, but I can't find any evidence that Ferrari ever used this truck (every Ferrari transporter I've ever found pictures of is a FIAT or FIAT/Iveco truck). I can't guarantee that Porsche DIDN'T use that truck, ever, but the fact that Entex made a kit of it doesn't mean they DID, either... bestest, M.

That looks pretty good to me! I do remember the windscreen being a complete pain, and it's always tough to know what to do with the body seams. The colour's great and the detail painting looks very nice. Personally, I wouldn't have bothered with the mirrors... I think they detract from the the sleek lines, myself... If you want to do another, the Heller Coupe is a nice kit... bestest, M.

Errr... They aren't MOVING production to Saudi, they are thinking about building an additional assembly plant there, and looking at making aluminium components there as well, sometime in the future. Makes sense, given that it's one of JLRs largest markets, They also have an assembly plant in Chengdu, because the Chinese are buying Jags like they are going out of fashion. JLR accounts a significant chunk of Britain's exports, employs 16,000 people of which they've HIRED 8000 in the last couple of years, and has just announced another 1100 jobs at Ford's old Halewood plant because they've moved to 24 hours production to try to fill demand. They are building a new engine plant near Birmingham for for new models. It's nice to have a chunk of the car industry in Britain being successful (though apparently, most of it is today -- we're now building about 80% as many cars a year as we did when production was at its height in the 1970s)... Oh, and BTW, this... This... and this... are not "warmed over Fords"... Jags haven't been for a good few years... Generally, I wouldn't believe Fox News if it told me that the sun was likely to rise in the morning.... bestest, M. (who, on this occasion, is British and rather proud of what JLR and our car industry are doing at the moment...)

This is the Heller Bentley, as built by (not so...) small daughter: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=61833&hl= It's a really nice kit -- basically identical to the big Airfix one but half the size. The parts breakdown is almost identical and there's pretty much the same level of detail... Make sure you get the Heller one, though... the Revell/Union 1/24 Bentley is NOT the same, and isn't as good... bestest, M.

Thanks, guys... @volvoman.... www.hiroboy.com ...you won't go wrong. Steve is the nicest guy, so if there's something listed that you don't understand, or something you want (mostly paintwise) that's not on the site, phone him and ask... bestest, M.

Thanks guys! @harry -- YMMV, obviously! The "Blitzbau" is a bit of a signature thing over at UAMF, and mostly, people think it's a way to get their modelling mojo restarted, or take a break from lengthy builds and recapture the "good old days" when you'd buy a model at the store on Saturday morning with your pocket money, and have it built and zooming around the room in a dogfight with Biggles at the controls by the end of the afternoon... You might be surprised by what people can bang out in 24 hours... http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=217&t=4438 bestest, M.

And finally... …with a couple of other 1/32 Airfix racing cars of different generations. That Ford 3-litre is SMALL… bestest, M.

Thanks, DC... So, I gave up for the Blitz, cut off the wheel arches and reinstated them in the right place. With that, the body shells fitted really well… Decalling took a while, but was mostly OK -- the small sponsors logos on the Jag are one decal, for example. The biggest problem is the orange Gulf bonnet stripe and intake surround on the DBR9. It's the wrong size, and trying to get it around the bonnet cut-outs, with the Aston badge on the raised moulding, and the intake surround in the right place is impossible in one piece. I cut it in several places, and still ended up having to touch in the orange here and there… bestest, M.

Hi, all... forgive the odd posting, but these two began life as a "Blitzbau" -- see if you can finish a model in 24 hours -- over at the Unofficial Airfix Modeller's Forum. I didn't quite make it, but that's why you're getting the build and the finished models in one thread... This is the starting point: Two very full boxes of plastic, The detail is very impressive, and the engraving is very fine. I don't think these started life as Scalextric cars (i.e. I don't think these are just the sprue trees that they make the Scalextric versions from) but I think they definitely share a common CAD heritage) An hour in, and the roll cages are assembled using the cabin as a jig. The bodies are in the paint booth behind me… Three hours in and the bodies and chassis are painted in base coats, the roll cages are drying, and the cabins are starting to be painted (lots of Humbrol rattle cans in action here). DBR9 is in Zero Paints Gulf Blue. End of the evening, and the bodies are ready for clear coating. The XKR is Zero Paints Palladium Silver, intended for a Merc SLR. It's a bit lighter than Airfix's recommended Gunmetal, but I wanted it to match the grey "slashes" on the decals, which are meant to be the same colour on the real thing. Next morning, and the clear coat has been setting overnight. Off to the airing cupboard to bak more while I get on with the insides… Two cabins completed. There are not many parts, but the ones that there are respond very well to detail painting. Two hours to go, so I'm not going to get the decalling done, and this is where it started to go pear-shaped. I had no end of trouble with the fit of the body shells to the chassis… …and this is where I called it. A failed Blitz. The problem was that right back at the beginning, I'd attached the wheel arches incorrectly. They fit OUTBOARD of the the location tabs on the chassis plate, not INSIDE, so they were too close together. They'd have to come off, and was too disheartened and rushed to try it that night… The story continues… bestest, M.

I dunno... that looks pretty good to me! I'd happily have one like that on the shelf (though maybe in Balboni Orange with a white cigarette packet stripe...). What's different/additional in the Sportec "de Luxe" kit from the regular one? Is it worth seeking out? bestest, M.

This started life as the later Airfix Aston Martin DB5, which is actually the Doyusha kit that is also available in a James Bond version with all the spy gadgets. I chopped 5mm out of the roof and doors and revised the bonnet air scoop to the more aggressive style of DB4GT. I also replaced the grille with mesh for the historic racer look. It's a bit of a hybrid between a period version and a modern historic racer (I didn't want to build a roll cage, and back in the day they didn't even have seat belts!) ...and a couple with a DB5 in James Bond guise You can see how much shorter the DB4 is, and the longer bonnet intake. and finally, with its greatest track rival (which won most of the time, due to a rather lighter and handier chassis... and perhaps being driven by Stirling Moss rather than Innes Ireland...) bestest, M.

Right... I'm calling this done. Home made decals for the race numbers, various sponsor logos from an Aoshima MGB kit, and a home made number plate (which is a legal British plate, albeit with illegal spacing...) More pictures over in Under Glass. bestest, M

On the home straight now... The BMF was more of a pain than I'd have liked -- mine seems to have gone "wrinkly" and it cracks everywhere there's a wrinkle. It must be half a decade old, though, at least, so maybe it doesn't owe me anything. The side windows are acetate sheet, which gives a better view inside. I wanted to make a windscreen from acetate as well, but after several tries I just couldn't make it work. Just a few external details to add now, and then on to decals. I have to figure out what number plate and race numbers to carry, since it's a bit of a hybrid, rather than being based on any real car I have pictures of... DBA6T is springing to mind at the moment (you have to think of it in number plate font) bestest, M

Thanks, Pat... The rear lights in place. Tamiya Clear Orange and Red, with Humbrol Metalcote for the silver parts. The close-up is a bit unforgiving, but they look the part in making the DB4 visually different from the DB5 base kit. You can just about see (out of focus) the fuel filler cap. BMF work has started. The transparent headlight fairings were just too thick and badly fitting, so these are made from a clear plastic water bottle. I put a piece of Tamiya masking tape over the hole, pressed it inward slightly to dish it, then drew around the outline with a pencil. Then I stuck the tape onto an appropriately "double curved" bit of the neck of the bottle, and cut around the outline, now bulging outward instead. Glued in place with Formula 560 white canopy glue -- the silver "rivets" are still to painted on, but there are only four per light. bestest, M.

Thanks, guys! @bigphoto... Thanks to a fellow automotive modeller I now have a Monogram DB4, but I'm going to build that as a straight DB4. It's a really nice kit, and too good to chop up! With luck, when I've finished, I'll have a DB4, DB4GT, DB5 James Bond "parked" and DB5 James Bond "in action" (using the super rare Airfix kit which cost me peanuts in a charity shop, and so deserves to be built!) @volvoman... I do have a spare set of Tamiya MkII Jag wires and tyres, which ARE brilliant, but I only have the one set and they are earmarked for my "best efforts" 1/24 E-type coupe, starting from the Heller kit. For that build, I'm still trying to decide whether to use the kit engine, or cross kit with the white metal engine from the Gunze "hi-tech" E-type (and use the Heller plastic engine in that kit)... bestest, M.