Something completely different.......1/12 Austin A35 Panel

[traditional]

Every now and then, I find myself doing something a bit 'off the wall' and this is probably one of them. Airfix (British) makes a model kit in the 'Wallace and Grommet' series of a cute Austin A35 with all the dents and rust holes of the movie version. I find these tiny Austin panels quite cute and I remember seeing a couple of them running around in Canada when I was growing up, so I decided to 'RESTORE' the Airfix model to represent a 'like new' panel. All the simulated rust and dents were filled and finished and the kit's 'dog-leg' door hinges were replaced with tiny brass modified cabinet hinges. I fashioned the small 'flying A' on the hood from a thin sheet of polished aluminum, and painted the finished body in an authentic period color using automotive basecoat/clearcoat. I'm really delighted with this 'not so small' finished model of a tiny vehicle.

Please note; the actual color of the finished model is somewhere in between my pic colors. The various lighting that I used caused some of the pics to come out a bit dark and others a bit light. Hey! life goes on.....

Edited December 4, 2011 by traditional

[F500]

that's an AWESOME job and a great find. way too cool of a kit. I remember Airfix back in the day. made a lot of aircraft, but the cars and trucks they DID make were seemed to be really detailed. again, GREAT BUILD!

[GeeBee]

Beautiful work !! looks like BMC Almond green you used on the body, I've never seen this kit built up as a standard van, and I'm pleased to see the flying A on the bonnet, as this actually the handle for the bonnet latch ....

[traditional]

Beautiful work !! looks like BMC Almond green you used on the body, I've never seen this kit built up as a standard van, and I'm pleased to see the flying A on the bonnet, as this actually the handle for the bonnet latch ....

Yeah, I just mixed the color to match some reference that I'd found and I'm happy to hear the actual name of that color...Thanks.

The kit is a very simple kit...I suppose intended for younger modellers but, fortunately, the proportions are quite good and the plating is smooth and clean (not like the car in the movie). For some reason, I've always had a soft spot for the A35/40 Austins and especially for the little panels, so this simple model filled a void.

Edited December 4, 2011 by traditional

[airb]

I love it, a very fine and clean build, hats off.

And i am a fan of British cars of that era,

and a little desperately looking for the "Wallace and Gromit anti-pesto van",

try a few times on Ebay but with no result,always gone in the last few seconds.

[stump]

Oh yeah....That just screams "I am the koolest".................

GREAT build mate.

Don't suppose you got any "before" pics...? Would love to see how much work required to straighten it up as you have done.

I'm thinking it would make a great tow/service car for a drag build. So, I guess a few dents couldn't hurt.

[peekay]

Really love this one. Clean, precise work, great colours and very nostalgic - they were a common sight in New Zealand when I was growing up.

[84vanagon]

What a cool build!

I've held off on getting one of these,

but now it's on my must have list.