Bugatti Fan

A bit of a labour of love there Johnny, but looking good so far. Your model looks big on the bench. Is it the 1/12 Tamiya one? I think they may have done a rally version as well. Going down in scale, did Revell make a 1/24 or 1/25 scale kit way back? The 240Z was a nice looking car in its day, but from what I have heard they were rot boxes unfortunately.

A month later Noddy phones Big E How's my car coming along? Big E It's nearly there. Took a bit longer than I thought as I had to cut back the fenders to accommodate the bigger wheels and tyres. The hood needed cutting on the top for the blower Even got on to the UK DVLA and got you some personalised number plates! Noddy That sounds good Big E and look forward to seeing it soon! Big E I don't think you will be disappointed Noddy. See you in a few days!

Noddy Well Big E, what can you do for my car? Big E Noddy you will have to leave it to me. It will be a complete strip down and re build. Noddy Can you pimp it up with custom alloys, full interior and give it more grunt? Big E Yea! Sure Noddy. I sure will make your car look real cool! One thing though. Let's keep the colour scheme or no one will recognise it's your car! Noddy OK Big E but when you work on the interior, can I have brown leather instead of that old black stuff. Big E I have just the thing Noddy! Two nice brown leather custom seats and door panels to match!

There is a company in the UK named DeAgostini who market large scale kits like Eaglemoss in the US. I was tempted by the Jaguar E Type when it started to be released as a weekly parts purchase. Decided not to due to both the huge expense after buying the initial loss leader parts to tempt you into collecting, and the concern about what if the company suddenly stops trading and I am left with half a kit on my hands? If either company offers full kits to purchase, that would be the way to go, and use a credit card (not a debit card) to buy as it gives you protection to get your money back should things go badly wrong, and also you could spread the cost a bit if you want.

All will be revealed as we go along!

Primers can be a bit hit and miss unfortunately. Here in the UK there is an Auto Accessory outlet named Halfords, and I have found their own brand primers to be ok. I apply mist coats to start off and allow it to harden and continue gradually with more mist coats and allowing it to harden each time until I have built up to the finish required. This method allows the carrier chemical /thinner to evaporate off more quickly and lessen the chance of eating into the plastic as coats are bulit up gradually. Commercial rattle can primers are developed for automotive and general craft use so can be a bit strong on delicate plastic model parts. If in any doubt, and do not want your model to disintegrate like a vampire doused in holy water, then just stick to and use primers that are developed specifically for plastic models like the Tamiya brand

Noddy arives at Big E's Custom Shop. Big E. Yo! Noddy! What brings you here? Noddy. That Blyton woman who created me has left me stuck with this car. Any way to improve it? I asked her for a Fiat Gamine back in the Seventies but was ignored! Big E. Well lets see what we can do Noddy. Have a look at a few of my Custom Options.

Says Noddy. Man, this car is so frustrating! Enid B, my writer has left me driving this heap since 1948! I look around and see all the cool stuff other guys are driving Time to go and see my friend Big E (not allowed to call him Big Ears any more due to political correctness) and see what he can do for me.

Les, I expect you get to see the Northern Lights regularly in your neck of the woods in Scotland! Living about 25 miles north of London I have never seen that spectacular show of nature. Steve, what transmission will be going on to your Anglia? Most of the Anglia/Pops I have seen at shows over here in the UK have Jag rear suspension fitted.

Could not work out why Xingu blocked this thread in the first place, but pleased to see it has been reinstated.

I thought that Revell Germany released a 1/24 scale Cobra. Why would they be looking at anything else?

Saw a restored red E Type Roadster last week on the road. Despite all the modern super cars about, this 1960's icon still turns heads. Reminded me of your kit build that is coming along very nicely.

A cool street for Steve, and coming on well. Over here in the UK the Anglia/Pop has been the basis for quite a number of street rods having seen some really nice ones at shows.

People keep referring to a relaunched magazine! Getting a new associate editor on board is not a relaunch just yet, and in order to do a proper relaunch, a publishing distribution company similar to Kalmbach needs to be sought. In this particular climate where MCM is concerned, a commercial magazine simply cannot be run properly as a one man (or two man) band anymore. Finding a professional company may prove difficult as the magazine has been ailing somewhat for the last three years of so, but it will be the only way to go if print is still to be the main medium, get it back on track with number of issues per year, and get regular distribution sorted out both to subscribers and retail outlets.

Gregg, Interesting to know whereabouts you were when living in England. Nearest base to me at the same time was RAF Greenham Common. My dad used to take me and my brother for a drive around the base as there was a road that ran around it by the security fence. There was a force of B47 bombers there at the time. I can remember seeing an old B29 parked up that i think was used for fire drill practice. The USAF moved out in the late 60's and the base remained unused for a number of years. But it came to life each year for a big air tattoo that has since moved to Fairford. Back in 1972 or 1973 it was re activated temporarily and the F111's that usually flew from Upper Heyford used it for about 6 months while their own runways were being re laid.

Sadly, it looks like a case where people get out of their depth very quickly. It is ok to knock up some stuff for yourself and close friends, but when going on to an open market place they need to comprehend what commitment is being taken on. When people part with money, excuses and platitudes will not be accepted for long, and reputation goes down the pan regardless of how well intentioned.the maker/supplier is. It becomes business, not a hobby when this sort of undertaking is made.

Gregg, where did you live in England as a teen? There were a lot of US air force bases in the UK back in the Sixties and Seventies were you over here as part of a services family at the time?

Maybe the rules about trading can be relaxed a bit to allow selling with the disclaimer/proviso is that any deals are private and personal between the seller and the buyer and that the forum accepts no liability and will not be involved in any disputes that may arise.

Steve. It was a guy named Rod Knott that built the bog standard Anglia who's pictures I posted that I took at a model show. Forgot to mention that my late Dad's first car was one of these in Fern Green. Your rod is coming on really well and look forward to seeing more of the build as it develops. Shay from Dublin....I think that South Eastern Finecast makes a Rover V8 engine in white metal if you are looking for one.

The magazine suffered when Golden Bell Publishing who did all the printing, marketing and distribution closed it's doors. To get MCM off the ground again, I would imagine a similar organisation needs to be sought, and a layout expert/enthusiast like the late Harry Pristovnik as well as the new associate editor now on board.

Interesting development. I wish Larry well with his new challenge reviving MCM.

A really lovely model. The clear gloss over matt has worked a treat! Did you use Acrylics or Enamels?

Magazine subscription requests normally get churned out by computer, so guys don't read too much into it or think that there are any perceived motives. This side of SA closing down has probably just yet got to be sorted out. I am sure that Kalmbach having been around for many years is a perfectly reputable company.

Randy, your Delahaye is coming on really well. You are doing well considering the things you are overcoming on it. Those Heller classics. Nice subjects but some of the kits had some real design quirks. I had the Delage to build but looking at the kit the rear wheel arches were joined right across the middle, a real nightmare to fill in and correct in such a conspicuous place on the model. With regard to the Bugatti T50 kit, the wheels are totally wrong. Fortunately Shapeways make a nice set of 3D printed wheels that are correct especially for the Bugatti.

Steve's Anglia Street Rod is looking good so far and has the makings of a fantastic build. Donor kit not mentioned, but guess it is the Revell Skippers Critter Drag racer. I think they did a van version as well, the Simple Simon Pie Van. The old Anglias and Populars with similar body were called the Ford Puddle Jumpers back in the day in the UK. Have a look and see what a UK Modeller Rod Knott did to this kit. Pics could be better but you get the idea.