Bugatti Fan

Some conversions look great to my eyes, but others have me wondering, what was this guy thinking? On production cars the fake wood effect on the sides of a Country Squire and the faux spare wheel on the Cadillac both look tasteless and tacky to modern eyes. I guess back in the day, bling was the thing that American auto manufacturers thought would attract their main US customer base. American cars have become much more European both in styling and size so the bling has long gone!

Lovely looking car and very futuristic looking when it was announced. This should be a nice looking model when finished. Door drop and weak hinges can be a bit of a pain on models in this scale. Better hinges can be made and fitted, but I would probably take the lazy option and fit the doors permanently in the closed position.

It one wants to learn about miniature machining, Joe Martin has written a book about machining using the Sherline range of machines. Details of the book should be on Sherline Machines website. I have a copy and it is a very good introductory book about machining in miniature with many pictures of examples of different miniature engineering projects that are inspirational. A number of years ago Gerald Wingrove wrote a book named Unimat lathe projects that describes how to make useful tools for model making using the little Unimat lathe. Long out of print but worth tracking down as the projects could be done on other small machines like the Sherline range.

Seeing the video brought back many memories of my apprenticeship and the day job many years ago. This thread reminded me. There is a Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum at Carlsbad, California. It was set up by the CEO Joe Martin of Sherline who make miniature machinery for model makers. Some of the engineered model exhibits there are mind blowing. I can only admire from afar living in England.

There is a floor finishing product by a US company named Holloway House in a green container. Works similarly to Johnson's Kleer / Future / Pledge. There is a YouTube video of it being used on a model. Don't know how it would work on Revell Chrome, but maybe worth a try ?

Horses for courses. Kits generally should not be too intimidating depending on your level of experience, and that is the crux of the matter. As modellers we know when a kit might be a bit too difficult to build at the time of purchase and wisely put it to one side temporarily until mastering techniques on less complicared model kits. Enthusiasts rather than modellers often jump in at the deep end buying a complex kit of a subject dear to them, not realising the amount of accumulated modelling experience that is required. I would guess due to this there are many complex old Pocher and MFH kits that are and will remain inbuilt and get eventually sold on.

Apart from the IPMS USA Nationals most model shows / contests appear to be regional in nature. So maybe targeted advertising might be worth while besides the usual suspects on the internet. Realistically, using this forum and other auto modelling forums might be your best bet as a much better spread for targeted advertising for shows / contests etc. There is usually an announcements or what's on thread in many forums. I guess that more auto modellers scan the different forums than take paper magazines these days. I personally like a printed magazine but to get your message out there, the various Auto Modelling forums look to be your best vehicle (excuse the pun) for getting your message across, particularly when closer to the event taking place.

plus excessive aftermarket

Irk by Irk An every day story of auto model building folk !

Very nice model. Judging by appearance the Chrysler Atlantic could have actually been a Bugatti Concept Car with a changed front with horse shoe radiator shell instead. It certainly took its cues from both the classic Bugatti Atlantic body style and having wheels retro styled on the T41 and T50 cars.

I don't think that this has been mentioned yet as a first 'to do'. Even before priming, regardless of the primer to be used I always key the surface with a fine grade wet n dry abrasive paper used wet to give a key to the actual plastic, white metal or die cast of the kit. Washing off the residue with detergent also gets rid of any mould release agents that may be present on the surface. I have never used Zero or Tamiya primers so cannot comment on either. My tendency is to use automotive acrylic primers straight from an aerosol and have not had any bother with these on my models. As a UK modeller I use Halfords own brand primers, white, grey or red oxide, and have used their matt black as a primer too.

Never knew that Renwal made that 1/12th scale kit Rich. You live and learn ! Lovely build considering the age of those kits. I think that Autograph in Germany madame a super detailing kit for Revell's 1/12 scale die cast Ferrari model comprising engine and Borrani wire wheels. Not sure if the Revell model is the same type of Ferrari as your Renwall kits. I can only remember seeing a Revell one quite a number of years ago.

I have been following this build and pleased to hear of your recovery from that injury. Really nice model reaching its final stages here and found the old school engineering of this model fascinating. I would imagine that there is more of a sense of satisfaction making a model from scratch like this than could ever be achieved by designing a kit or parts for a kit to be 3D printed. As an engineer I really like to see models built using traditional engineering methods, turning, milling, drilling, panel beating, soldering and brazing and then painting and finishing to a high degree as displayed on this build. Before I get castigated by the 3D printing fraternity, I am not downplaying their skills in any way having done 3D design work myself in the past, and fully recognise the 3D design skill set required takes time not only to master the CAD to ensure that parts designed fit together properly but also the foibles of using a 3D printer. It's just a different skill set as a means to an end as I see it.

The DeAg E Type looks great built up. Another company, Agora make a 1/8th kit of the Roadster version that to my.kind is the nicer looking car of the two, but both look great none the less. I saw the Agora one built up on their stand at Telford last year and must say it was very impressive along with other items in their range. I have a very rare 1/24th scale E type kit in white metal by SMTS. Looks to be quite accurate just by checking out the bits in the box. SMTS normally make 1/43rd scale but looks like they dipped their toe in the water with a few 1/24th scale kits. The Jag E Type that I have, and they also made the AC Cobra and a Ford GT40 that I know of. Keep looking at my kit and wondering whether to build it or not ! The Gunze kit was nice that I can remember and didn't it have some either white metal or die cast bits? Pretty sure Airfix made it under licence for a while. Apart from that the only others that I can think of may have been made by Heller, and really way back by Aurora/Monogram? Frog made a 1/16th scale motorised kit too.

Wait long enough and Revell might well re pop those old 1/8th scale Monogram Hot Rod kits now they have the moulds. The Big Deuce was the nicest of the rod kits they made, but that's a personal opinion.

A place for everything, and everything in its place. Sound advice from Ace. There is logic to Ace's advice once one becomes self disciplined enough and design a bench layout with holders in an ergonomic fashion will speed up your work where the most used tools are always closer to hand. It can be a combination of various things. My bench has a couple of small multi drawer units plus a number of glass jars for longer items. Getting back to Dremel, they are good tools generally. Regarding losing keys for them, they are generally made of steel so a strategically mounted magnet above your work space might be an idea.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like Cranky has taken another direction away from this particular hobby.

Dr Cranky (Virgil Suarez) was one of those larger than life characters. Is he still about? He used to be a big noise in the hobby what with his books and all. Has he drifted into something else ? Doing his own thing now ? Just simply lost interest? Whatever ! He was certainly good at self promotion, that's for sure. Good car modeller who's style is a bit unique. So where the blazes are you these days Cranky ?

It's well worth a bit of lateral thinking and not be hide bound to what model making paints are on offer. Those Createx Acrylics Brian suggests look interesting and will have to see if they are available in the UK. I have used different artists paints on my models to great effect over the years. There are a number of good makes of artists paints and waterproof inks for brush and air brush like Winsor&Newton, Rowney, Liquitex, and Reeves products that are high quality and been around for years. Lakeland make good ranges of coloured pencils and pens. I have recently used some 0.7mm Posca Acrylic fine tipped pens to do a fair bit of the paint job on my Janis Joplin Porsche which was mostly hand painted with various artists acrylics. What with all the various dedicated and general modelling paints available these days, the model maker never had it so good. Back in the bad old days it was good old Humbrol, Pactra 'namel, Aifix and Testors that were the only paints I can remember, and ofvcourse the AMT spray laquers.

You nailed it with this one Carl ! A nice custom job that retains the lines of the original car with good choice of wheels,colour and trim.

Thanks for the feedback Matt. Those engines got into quite a few tanks. A Conqueror is at Duxford and not too far from where I live. It sure is a big old beast. Don't know of any other examples, so perhaps that might be the only prototype?

Sound rules for cammers from Dan in his post. His encouragement to be polite, understanding and courteous to other road users is to be commended ! LOL ! He forgot one thing to recommend in consideration for other road users. Attach a plate to the rear of your vehicle that says 'Horn broken. Watch for finger !'

Merlins to Meteors for tanks. Didn't know that. You learn something new every day. Not being into AFV's what tank(s) will have been fitted with the Meteor variant of the Merlin ?

I don't have a favourite die cast. But there is one I would like to have. The 1/8th scale IXO Rothchild Bugatti Atlantic Coupe kit to build !

Don't worry about the review. It's what he does to the scammers after locating where they operate from !