Jaguar Mk. II Saloon Is Done!

[wmobie]

I sigh each time I see  Morse's Jaguar sedan. Just as beautiful (read cultured) as the XKE is beautiful (read sexy) wonderful build

Walt aka: wmobie

[mrmike]

I agree, Walter!  The Mk. II styling has a cultured look that only a Jaguar can carry.  The same goes for the XKE.  The sexy styling is unmatched by anyone!

[Anglia105E]

Nice realistic effect with the floor mats Mike, and the body colour will look good when you get the clear on. I take your point about the pressed steel wheels and of course the wire spoked wheels look way better, so it is just the 1955 MK I car that needs the pressed steel wheels to be accurate. ' Accuracy ' is everything as you know! At least the Tamiya chrome wire spoked wheels will go on the Tamiya Morgan. Just got my 3.8 litre Jaguar engine assembled last night, which needs painting. Your build is going well and this Jaguar is such a beautiful design, almost as beautiful as the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud !

David

[HotRodaSaurus]

I built this kit when it first came out, painted it Ivory with a red oxblood colour interior. I found it a great build but never noticed the 3.8 on the engine block. The fiddliest parts were the metal detailing but I got it on in the end. Don't have it anymore which is a shame.

The plain steel wheels were often seen on the 240 series together with simple wrap around bumpers rather than the fluted ones in this kit. In my opinion and I guess that is only my opinion is that this car looks best with plain blackwall tyres rather than the big whitewalls so often seen on some versions, same with the E-Type, though the thin white bands may be more acceptable.

Want to see a Mk2 doing what it does best? Catch the Youtube car chase from the British crime drama 'Robbery', Directed by Peter Yates who was also responsible for the chase in Bullitt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlFAn_8vuig      It is in sort of real time as they say so chase starts at around 08:20

Another Jaguar chase, this time it looks like a 420 rather than a Mk2 from John Wayne's Brannigan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLyydMrg5_s And there is a Beetle in it......seen more than once

[mrmike]

I have heard  the same about the metal parts for the Jaguar as they can be difficult to install.  Whitewalls?  IMHO, the white stripe tires look better than a wide whitewall tire, but I am going for a blackwall tire on my build.  I have seen 'Brannigan' several times over the years since it's release in 1975.  I never heard of 'Robbery' and it seems to be an interesting movie.  I may have to rent it somewhere and watch it.  

[Ron Hamilton]

That Charcoal Gray with the Dark Red Interior looks great. The car does look better with the wires, and when I get around to building mine, that is the combination I am going with. I like that Blue with the Gray too.

[HotRodaSaurus]

14 hours ago, mrmike said:

I have heard  the same about the metal parts for the Jaguar as they can be difficult to install.  Whitewalls?  IMHO, the white stripe tires look better than a wide whitewall tire, but I am going for a blackwall tire on my build.  I have seen 'Brannigan' several times over the years since it's release in 1975.  I never heard of 'Robbery' and it seems to be an interesting movie.  I may have to rent it somewhere and watch it.  

Robbery is loosely based around the 'Great Train Robbery', a real life British crime that at the time was the biggest cash theft up until then(ear, most of the money has never been recovered. An interesting case where the thieves stole money from a Royal Mail night train no guns were used though physical violence and threats were. It is typical of a lot of 1960s British crime films but not to be mistaken for another titled 'Villain'. 

The whitewall tyres are often seen as featured on the Monogram 1/8 E-Type original issue box(XKE to our American friends). As you say the white stripe look far more at home than the wider versions, but blackwall is really the way to go.

I wish someone would kit the Mk 10 though, obviously not as popular as the Mk2.

[mrmike]

To me, the Mk. 10 doesn't have any appeal at all.  Over sized and ungainly looking, even if it is a Jag. 

Having followed some sport cars from overseas, I have known what an E-Type is (an XKE).  I'm sure that there are those who have no idea about what an E-Type, D-Type, Peugeot, Jensen, or Morgan is.  They would probably talk about Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Aston Martin instead, if they know what those are. 

I vaguely remember hearing about "The Great Train Robbery" some years ago.  I wasn't aware that the movie "Robbery" was loosely based on it.

[Matt Bacon]

If you want to learn more about the biggest robbery in English history, then this:

http://a.co/hqYFI4f

If a very enjoyable lightly-fictionalised version!

As for the Mark 10, I'd have to agree, it's a pretty ungainly beast. Though why no one has kitted is successor, the XJ, which was out of this world in its day, and remained Jaguar's flagship for an astonishing 24 years 1968-92.

All the best,

M.

[mrmike]

Thanks Matt!  

[mrmike]

The Story

After DCI Ashenbell and DC Campbell leave McNally's suite, he sits down and reads the notebook again.  He notes three names written by Crumbelt...Colin Spencer who's already in custody, Dane Parker, and Frank Duncan.  Colin has lawyered up and won't talk to anyone.  Dane Parker and Frank Duncan are the two unknowns and he needs to find out more about the two criminals.  He doubts DCI Ashenbell would be willing to run the two remaining names for him.

The following morning, McNally gets up from bed, cleans up and shaves his face.  He gets dressed for another day of detecting.  He puts on his shoulder holster and checks the action and magazine on his SIG P227, and they are ready.  The loaded SIG is put into his shoulder holster as well as his many permits are in his jacket pocket.  As he is getting ready, there's a knock on the door.

McNally looks into the peephole on the door and sees Detective Constable Ashley Campbell.  He opens the door to her and she walks into the suite announcing that she got several names off of Crumbelt's computer for them to interview and that they should be going.  He suspects that he is being lead around this investigation, but he doesn't show his anger.  He decides to let this play out to see where it is going.

The Build

I cleaned up the painted Jaguar body and it is ready for clear coat.  I have been struggling with the Detail Master Battery Hardware Set that I bought last year.  There has to be an easy way to assemble these clamps and wires.

McNally will return...

 

Edited March 28, 2018 by mrmike

[mrmike]

The Story

McNally and DC Campbell interview the people whose names were taken from David Crumbelt's computer.  McNally had suspected that these people were already interviewed by Scotland Yard and his suspicions were correct.  The last person interviewed had inadvertently spilled the beans about previously being interviewed.  As they drive down the road, DC Campbell say there is one last name on the list and this person lives inland about two hours from London.  That was the final straw!

McNally swerves the rental car onto a side street and stops.  He says to DC Campbell, "These people have already been interviewed, haven't they?"  Ashley says, "I don't know what you are talking about."  He replies, "Don't lie to me!  Scotland Yard has already talked to them and I am on a wild goose chase, aren't I?"  Ashley sighs and says, "Yes, they already have been interviewed."

McNally starts the car and drives away from the curb.  DC Campbell asks, "Where are we going?"  "Back to your car at the Hotel," he says.  "Why," she asks?  "I need time to be alone to think and I can't do it with you around.  Go back to Headquarters.  I need to think."

The Build

I started work on the interior with some detailing and I still have a ways to go.  The dash is partially done and I need to finish detailing it with more decals and my Molotow Liquid Chrome pen.

McNally will return...

Edited April 1, 2018 by mrmike

[1972coronet]

That looks like a fun kit , Mike !  Your attention to the details is spot-on as usual . I agree with you and everyone here : those wire wheels are fantastic ! Especially considering their one-piece , injection-moulded plastic nature .

I love the dead-flat finish that those Chimneyville (?) paints provide --- I've used the "exhaust soot" (don't remember its actual name right now) extensively on my 1967 SS-396 Chevelle build .

Keep up the outstanding work , Mike !

[HotRodaSaurus]

 The walnut dash decals look great. I used a Fujimi decal sheet as a few of the British magazines said it was superior to the kit supplied item. have to admit I juggled the numbers around so as not to read TMY(can't remember what it was). For my next British car kit I got onto one of those numberplate services, put in a genuine Jaguar reg plate from the past and screen shot it. Then it was just a case of size it down and print on decal sheet.

[mrmike]

10 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

That looks like a fun kit , Mike !  Your attention to the details is spot-on as usual . I agree with you and everyone here : those wire wheels are fantastic ! Especially considering their one-piece , injection-moulded plastic nature .

I love the dead-flat finish that those Chimneyville (?) paints provide --- I've used the "exhaust soot" (don't remember its actual name right now) extensively on my 1967 SS-396 Chevelle build .

Keep up the outstanding work , Mike !

Thank you John Shoe!  The name of the paint I used is called Polly Scale and they are usually for railroad modeling.  I got about twenty plus bottles of Polly Scale paints from a friend who was getting out of models and into sketching.  My wife bought his entire lot of paints (Polly Scale, Model Master, Testors) as a surprise for me several years ago.  This is the first time I have used the Polly Scale paint and this color, CSX Blue, is a direct match for Opalescent Dark Blue.

4 hours ago, HotRodaSaurus said:

 The walnut dash decals look great. I used a Fujimi decal sheet as a few of the British magazines said it was superior to the kit supplied item. have to admit I juggled the numbers around so as not to read TMY(can't remember what it was). For my next British car kit I got onto one of those numberplate services, put in a genuine Jaguar reg plate from the past and screen shot it. Then it was just a case of size it down and print on decal sheet.

Thank you John Tee!  My plan right now is to use the unmodified kit decals for the registration plates.  I haven't gone looking for British license plates yet, but it is on my list of things to do.

[mrmike]

The Story

McNally stops at a small restuarant for lunch and starts thinking about this case.  He sits at a table and starts writing in a small notebook about the facts he has gathered.  He wonders about the opposition from DCI Ashenbell and Scotland Yard.  Ashenbell wants to solve this case on his own and anything the Boston PI offers him maybe a waste of time.  DC Campbell seems to be following orders from DCI Ashenbell, but she truly seems to want to help McNally.

Crumbelt seems to have been a blockage to whomever wanted to import drugs to the States.  It was clearly stated in his notebook that McNally found.  Colin Spencer's arrest might be on the right track, but Ashenbell seems to be basing the entire case on just Spencer alone and McNally thinks there are others involved.  The other two names listed in Crumbelt's notebook are the one's heading this case.  They had Crumbelt killed because he objected to being used to smuggle drugs into the US using his company.

As much as DC Campbell was guiding his investigation, he owes her an apology for getting mad at her and dumping her off at her car early this afternoon.  After lunch, he gets into his rental car and drives around London trying to get back to his Hotel.  He does get back to his Hotel in mid afternoon and he decides to take a walk still thinking about this case.  He expected a lack of cooperation from Scotland Yard and all he got was DC Campbell following orders to what seems to be an impeding of his investigation.

The Build

I finally got the interior finished up this morning.  The gauge decals got a coating of Tamiya X-22 Clear as a lens over them.  I touched up the ends of the dash with some Testors #1166 Flat Brown since there is nothing covering the ends of the dash.

McNally will return...

Edited April 2, 2018 by mrmike

[mrmike]

The Story

McNally calls DC Ashley Campbell at Scotland Yard with the hope of meeting her somewhere and apologizing to her for getting angry at her earlier in the day.  He is informed that she has left for the day and would he like to leave a message for her.  He replies no and sets off trying to find her.  He walks out of his Hotel and sees a Metro cop on foot patrol just up the street and stops him to ask about any bars or taverns near Scotland Yard.  There is one nearby called Croft's Tavern and McNally makes his way over to it. 

He enters the tavern and sides up to the bar and asks and pays for a cold beer.  He looks around the tavern and sees Ashley sitting by herself in the back poking at her dinner with her fork.  McNally goes over to her table and asks if he can sit and talk to her.  He tells her about his frustration and how he thinks Scotland Yard is leading his investigation and he tells her he is sorry for getting mad at her.  "I'm off the case now thanks to your frustration," she says.  "How can I get you back to helping me?  I doubt DCI Ashenbell will allow it."

Suddenly, there is a roar in the tavern as a well dressed gentleman walks into the tavern.  Ashley says, "That Superintendent Connolly.  If you talk to him maybe he can help get me back to helping you.  And, yes, I'll guide around London and help you along as you wish."  "Thank you.  Excuse me," says McNally as he gets up from the table and goes over to talk to Supt. Connolly.

The Build

Here is the clear coated body and hood, ready for some cleanup and polishing.

McNally will return...

[GlueTube]

I have this kit as well. Have not got into as the side moldings look like a rather daunting install....

Regards

Brian Kroon

[mrmike]

I am concerned with the side moldings as well.  I have heard and read horror stories about them not sticking.  If worse comes to worse, I'll make my own with some plastic strip and Bare Metal 
Foil or my Molotow Liquid Chrome pen.  Since I used a flat paint for the body and hood, I will wait until the body was clear coated so I would have a smooth surface to apply them to. 

[mrmike]

The Story

McNally goes over to the bar and introduces himself to Supt. Connolly and buys him a draft and invites him over to the table with DC Ashley Campbell.  They chat for a few minutes and then McNally asks about DC Campbell being taken away from him as his guide around London and the Metro's procedures and the UK's laws.  Supt. Connolly will reassign DC Campbell to him and have a serious chat with DCI Ashenbell about the Crumbelt case.  They continue chatting about the case and what evidence that McNally has found, or lack of and the possible interference from Scotland Yard.  Connolly says if McNally has any issues with DCI Ashenbell, to call him directly and he hands McNally his business card.

The following morning, McNally and DC Campbell are summoned to David Crumbelt's flat by Scotland Yard.  The garage door is open and his Jag has been pushed out of the stall by someone and was found with the hood and driver's door open.  McNally asks DCI Ashenbell if he can take a look and is sternly told, "This is a Police matter and you don't.  Stay out of our way!"  DCI Ashenbell directs DC Campbell to help the other officers and McNally stands back out of the way, making his way to the street and back to his rental car.  He knows who might have been involved with the possible heist of the Jag and he is not telling anyone from Scotland Yard.

The Build

I went and grabbed my new sheet of BMF the other day, only to discover that the adhesive had dried up and was starting to seperate itself from the carrier sheet.  I went out this afternoon and bought a new sheet of BMF and some Micro Metal Foil Adhesive by Microscale from my LHS.  I was hoping to be able to finish foiling the body today, but that'll have to wait until tomorrow.

McNally will return...

Edited April 26, 2018 by mrmike

[mrmike]

The Story

Based on Scotland Yard's investigation, Colin Spencer who is already in custody, ran with Dane Parker and they both worked for Frank Duncan, a known crime boss in London.  McNally stops at Dane's flat just outside of London and knocks on the door.  Dane opens the door and is asked if he would talk to him for a moment.  Dane recognizes McNally and refuses to answer any questions and shows McNally a Walther P99 and has him enter the flat, assume the position on the wall and searches him.  Dane takes McNally's SIG and tucks it into his belt, pulls out his cellphone and makes a call.

McNally figures that the call is to Frank Duncan who wants him brought over to his place for questioning.  Dane leads McNally down to his rental and they drive away to Frank's base of operations.  While they are driving, McNally tells Dane that while he has the gun, McNally is in charge and he presses the gas pedal to the floor and the car takes off in a hurry.  "Unload your gun and toss it into the back seat," says McNally!  Dane replies, "Slow down, man or I'll shoot!"  "Shoot me and I'll crash this car," yells McNally.  

Dane cocks the Walther P99 and McNally sends the Astra into a sideways skid and into a large oak tree, passenger side first.  The crash kills Dane and McNally is dazed as he tries to get out of the car by opening the door and falling to the ground after releasing his seat belt.  A Metro Police car stops at the scene with its lights flashing and the cop runs over to McNally lying in the street.  "The man in the car has a gun," says McNally and the cop pulls his weapon and approaches the Astra and removes the Walther P99 from the floor and McNally's SIG after checking Dane for a pulse.  A short while later, McNally is transported to the Hospital to be checked out.

The Build

I mocked up the Jag to see how it was progressing.  I still need to clean the glass, reassemble the Jag and glue the front end down, and finish adding the rest of the chrome bits.

McNally will return...

[mrmike]

The Story

The guard at the front door collapses after being knocked unconscious.  The guard at the back door is unconscious as well and Frank Duncan is now worried that he may be next.  He sends his personal body guard out to check on the other guards, but he doesn't return.  Frank grabs his Webley .41 Caliber revolver from his desk and ventures out into the hallway calling out to his body guard, and he gets no response.  Frank goes back into his office and locks the door only to have the the Webley revolver knocked from his hand and he is surprised by the man holding a gun on him. 

"Who are you," he asks?  "The name's McNally.  Tell me how you had David Crumbelt killed?"  "I don't know what you are talking about," says Frank.  McNally grabs Frank by the shirt collar and throws him to the floor and asks him again, "Tell me how you had David crumbelt killed."  McNally fires his SIG P227 into the carpet several times and Frank says, "What are you talking about?"  Frank is obviously scared now and shaking.

"Tell me how you had David Crumbelt killed," and the SIG is fired into the carpet again.  "Hey, that's an expensive Persian rug!"  "Tell me how you had David Crumbelt killed."  Finally Frank says, "I had Marcos, my body guard kill him on my orders."  McNally rolls Frank over onto his stomach and cuffs the criminal as DC Campbell enters the room.  "I recorded the entire conversation," she says shutting off the digital recorder.

Several days later, McNally stops at Scotland Yard to say goodbye to DC Campbell and to thank her for her help.  DCI Ashenbell is rather angry with the Boston PI and refused to talk to him.  "I know it's not allowed, but I'm doing it anyway," as DC Campbell gives McNally a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  He thanks Ashley for her help and walks out of Scotland Yard and he heads for Heathrow Airport for his flight home to Boston.  

The Build

I have finished my Jaguar Mk. II Saloon and it is posted in Under Glass.  I would like to thank all those who have taken the time to view and to comment on my WIP.

Edited May 5, 2018 by mrmike