Paul H

Ditto! I thought that this was a Tamiya 1:24 kit until I read the text. Really impressed!!!!

That's stunning! Ditto - the shape looks much more pure & sculptural with the moon discs & without all the racing paraphernalia.

Main differences that I can see is that the Tamiya has a servo on the rh side, where the Revell one has the heater air ducting. That may well be correct, due to them representing different versions, but my knowledge on specifics like that about Minis is rather limited. The Revell also has a larger airbox, whereas the Tamiya has individual filters., which will also make the engine bays look different. The Revell also includes the crankcase breather system, which is missing from the Tamiya, and of course plug leads. However, I haven't seen the Revell kit in person, just photos. Geoff - what's your view on the above? Looking great btw - really looking forward to seeing more!

Didn't know that this was the reason - cheers for the info

They're hand built cars, and this sort of thing isn't unusual. I wouldn't get too bogged down with that sort of difference, unless there is a specific car that you are trying to replicate. What I forgot (& meant) to say is imho that pic looks over polished compared to the likely factory finish. Sadly many classic cars end up being heavily over restored, so it is difficult to know what is actually the correct factory finish, as truly accurate reference data can be hard to find. If I ever complete my kit of this car, I'll be using the BMF ally finish foil to create a softer, shine there, which will then contrast with the chrome elsewhere. Perhaps not strictly accurate, but it will look more correct to my eye than if it were gleaming chrome. Also, if those Keiper Recaro mechanisms are the same type as all the ones I have seen, they would have identical (aside from the operating lever) brackets on each sides of the seat.

Agreed! I can almost smell that distinctive BMC interior odour.....

Based on that pic, more likely to be polished aluminium - that's what is used on the Superleggera bodied Astons. They look like the Keiper / early Recaro recliners as fitted to quite a few European cars in the '60s such as Ferraris, and even Volvos, so depending on what level of detail you want to add, they could be made functional....

Regarding the rear valance, it looks possible to install the body with the valance attached. I'd got as far as checking this as a dry assembly with it taped in place, but that's without a lot of other interior & engine bay parts fitted.... I will try to find my kit, and have a closer look. Don't blame you for not wanting to modify the screen as per the pics I emailed - looks rather daunting! However I may well borrow your screen moulding technique for some screens I need to make for a Air Trax resin Volvo 1800 model I'm also building.

Unusual, but great colour! Will be interesting to see how the front subframe era looks when assembled, to see the appearance of the Revell compared to the Tamiya.

Depends on the kit Here's a Monogram 1:25 Cord 812 & Tamiya 1:24 Morris Mini Cooper S compared to a Bandai 1:16 Bugatti T41 Royale Binder coupe....

Great stuff! I started one of these recently, but it ground to a halt as I'm still deciding on whether to sort out the windscreen issue, and if so, how..... Your tutorial is thus of great interest! Btw, it's more than just the top profile of the windscreen that is incorrect - pretty much the whole aperture shape on this kit is wrong. A great pity, as in comparison, the rear screen shape is pretty good. If it's of interest, PM me your email address, & I will send you some reference pics that show this more clearly.

That's actually a big Healey chassis & body substructure, which is extemely complex compared to the Sprite unit. Btw, the Frogeye's mechanicals were based mainly on the Austin A35 (only the steering came from the Morris Minor) but with a new rear suspension design supporting the A35 derived rear axle. Whilst the Minor also used the same basic engine as the A35 & early Sprites, it was an Austin designed unit.

Liking that a lot, & great to see one that isn't in Christine colours! These are probably one of my favourite late '50s designs, as they are so sleek and aggressive. Edited for spelling....

Ditto! If there was a choice, I'd prefer the slightly earlier T77 or T77A, but the T87 is probably more correct for the military theme. I'd happily buy kits of all three though! Details of the parts on ICM's website: http://www.icm.com.ua/catalogue/technics/182-admiral-cabriolet-wwii-german-staff-car.html And instructions on Revell Germany's: http://www.revell.de/manual/03099.PDF

Agreed. Whilst thinking of WW2 related cars, a full detail 1:24 Tatra kit would be fantastic!

No worries at all, and many thanks for clarifying

Cheers for the info - very much appreciated! I'm still slightly confused though as the instructions on Revell's website for the latest version show the different front tyres (& thus without whitewalls) which is strange if they've updated the kit so that the mags fit the whitewalls, or are the other (smaller) tyres supplied purely to change the front ride height for that building option?

And despite the low performance in standard form, one of the most fun to drive, as the controls. especially the steering, are so sharp. Really wish my '61 Mk2* was still on the road rather than sitting in a barn where it has been for the last 7 1/2 years..... *Later outer panels, but same centre section & running gear, so still has the clip-on sidescreens & 1/4 elliptic rear suspension

Cheers! Btw, did all the recent releases of the '31 A have these, and were these same optional wheels that come with the '29 A pickup?

Looks fantastic! Great to see the completed model, btw is the rear badge a PE item from the kit?

The way that the 1:35 ones are done suggests to my mind that they are intended to be used for dioramas, hence that method of construction allowing for doors etc to be displayed in the open position, as the body parts are mostly separated on what are panel gaps on the 1:1. Would be interesting to see if the same is done with the 1:24 versions. I'm undecided as to whether I like that method of construction, as it all depends on the individual car. E.g. for the Admiral, I don't think it detracts from the end result (& would certainly prompt me to want to add hinges so it would have all opening panels), but depending on the panel separation points, it may perhaps not work so well with a body like that on the Packard. Either way, I will be looking forward to hearing more about these releases, as it's been far too long since there were new 1;24 kits of this sort of vehicle (the last ones that spring to mind is Heller's excellent range), and with this sort of subject matter a multipart body wouldn't be enough to put me off provided that the detail is there.

Yup, that looks like the one! That's a stunning kit - I have the roadster in my to-build pile & the detail is excellent. Btw, here's the details of Revell's release of the 1:35 Opel Admiral - if the 1:24 is as good as this, it should be an excellent model: http://www.revell.de/index.php?id=210&KGKANR=0&KGKOGP=10&KGSCHL=73&L=1&page=1&sort=0&nc=&searchactive=&q=&SWO=&ARMAS4=&PHPSESSID=b51d3936d1cdeb50246da53abfba0b2c&KZSLPG=&offset=5&cmd=show&ARARTN=03099&sp=1

That big Opel cabrio and the Packard are very tempting! Any idea if they are going to be full detail or kerbside? Out of interest, do you know whether the 1:35 versions are full detail? Somewhere recently I saw a review of a 1:35 small Merc staff car that was full detail - looked very impressive for that scale.

To clarify, I don't mean the exact ones in that photo - is it that type of Halibrand mags? If not, what type is it?

Great to see this - really looking forward to reading your progress!