Hello Everyone.

I am currently building Airfix's just re-released Blower Bentley that I have had in the stash for many years now.

Thought I may as well start a build blog for anyone who is interested in maybe purchasing one of the re-released versions.

Here is the engine so far. I am trying to build it as it may have come from the factory, not an over-restored one from today..


That's it so far.
Cheers
Warren

Hello Warren.
This look amazing. The car is one of my alltime favorites. I remember my father build one in 1/24 when I was just a little kid. 1/12 means even more detail is included on the motor.
I will follow your build with great interest.

Regards,

Robert Jan

I built one of these when it was first released. One of the best kits ever, bar none!

Look forward to seeing your work on this Warren

Thanks Robert and Dave.
Hope my build lives up to your expectations. Dave, if you built this one when it first came out you must be even older than me!!
Bentley is getting plug leads..


None were supplied with the kit so I have made my own with solder and Tamiya 1/12 vinyl tubing.
Cheers
Warren

Hi Warren.
That's the way to do. Did you do some research on the model.
(I'm still having problems with my DS finding the right plan for electrical and other tubing).
Can't wait to see the rest of the build.

Greetz,

Robert Jan

Hi there Robert.

Yes, I have done lots of research on the internet and Google images. They were never mass produced so each one is different in some way, and as they have gotten older many of them have been over-restored and have changed the looks quite a bit in the engine compartment. I have picked a photo of one that I think looks pretty original and am working off that.

If you go Here you may get some inspiration. Another way is to obtain an owners manual that may have photos of the model you are building.
Cheers and good luck
Warren

Over-restored is the same problem I see on the Citroënforum.
Both, Bentley Blower & DS were automoble revolutions in it self. I took the evolution car.
Thank you for the link.

Robert Jan

Picked up this kit when Airfix re-released it about a year ago, so will be watching this build closely.

Really surprised some aftermarket company hasn't come out with a PE update set for this kit. Gotta be a ton of these out there in stashes.

I would snap one up in an instant if they did and build another one. Be that as it may the basic kit is fantastic, really surprising to me. I have added a few things so far like the spark plug wires but it is all fitting together pretty well and the original car was fairly basic in the engine bay anyway. Just have to add a few wires later.
I got the exhaust manifold looking like baked enamel and I gave the brake drums a shot of black glass..



That's it for now
Cheers
Warren

Hi everyone.

While I was trying to straighten the chassis of the Bentley this morning I applied a little too much heat and the front engine bearer frame was slightly (read lots) melted.. I thought I was beng careful but just as I took the heat away the part started to collapse into a strange shape.. SO now I must await getting in touch with Hornby again to see if I can get another part, or a whole new kit so I can make a resin copy of the original.

Bummer mate!

I find that a bowl of near-boiling water is better than direct heat, and then cold water to set the part in the new shape.

I tried that once before but I mustn't have had the water hot enough.. Also, the chassis is rather large and I had to make it take the shape I wanted so it would have been difficult to get enough water onto it at the same time.. if you get my drift..

This is the part while I was test fitting the engine and finding the chassis warped..


And the result after heating..




Anyway, I will see how I go making a new one until I hear back from Airfix.

Hi Warren.
What a misery. Maybe you could make it your own. Shapes and sizes are available. Seems to me the part on the photos ain't that difficult to make from Styrene.
Succes and keep your head up on this beautiful kit.

Regards,

Robert Jan

Thanks Robert.

Don't worry, I won't be letting it beat me.

Regards
Warren

Great news! Airfix are sending me new parts for the Bentley// won't become a garage queen after all.
Regards
Warren

.. and here are the parts!!



Yes I ordered enough to make a new chassis as the old rails were bent and warped, I didn't realise how much until I saw the new ones..

And here is a close up of the replacement engine support and the original damaged one..



Easy to see why I needed a new one!

Cheers all
Warren

Greetings all.

Well the new chassis is together and has been painted a beautiful dark green, British Racing Green.





It might be a great colour but the Humbrol acrylic I am using for it is not the best for airbrushing. I ended up brush painting the insides of the chassis rails. It is weird acrylic paint as you need laquer thinners to remove it when it is dry.. and it dries in the airbrush nozzle when you use water as a thinner. This leads to it partially drying before reaching the part. I will reserve my final judgement until I receive the Humbrol acrylic thinners I ordered yesterday.

Cheers
Warren

Hopefully the motor gearbox and fuel tank will be in by tomorrow.

Hi Warren. I had the same thing occur when I tried the Humbrol Acrylic using water to thin the paint and it dried in the airbrush. It will be good to see how it goes with the acrylic thinners.

Russ.

Coming along fine there Warren.

Unfortunately I have some close deadlines for two builds for Armorama so the big Bentley must wait for a little while. Never fear I will be getting back to it and testing the Acrylic thinners very soon.

Cheers
Warren

I actually wasn't expecting much from this kit, but I like what I'm seeing here.

It is probably one of the best Airfix kits ever produced before 1980.

I actually got my BRG mix to work and have got some more things painted. I wish someone produced after-market wire-wheels for it. If I had a lathe I might make my own (sure... )

Hi Everyone out there in Automodelling land.

Now that I have finished my HMS Belfast (which you can see on Model Shipwrights) I have started doing 'stuff' on the Bentley again.

First of all I attached the brake drums to the back of the wheels after I have painted both ..



I have seen the drums painted black and metal colour (dull silver) but I chose black for mine. If I had the means (a lather) I would have turned the fins into the drums, although I think that is a later modification. I would have loved to get some proper wire wheels for the Benters but no one makes them yet, and I haven't got a lathe..

Next up was mounting the engine, supercharger and gearbox in the nice straight chassis..





Fits beautifully and I applied the clamp where the engine mounts are just to make sure everything is pulled in tight.

Next up I assembled the differential. I thought I had lost the bevel gear that goes in the differential but after I had glued it together I found the little part in the detached items bag and quickly ripped it in half with the aid of a hobby knife and put the gear in place. I am not motorising it but it will be cool to turn the rear wheels and watch the prop shaft turn as well.



In the absence of 100% proof of what colour the running gear was (diff, prop shaft etc) I am painting them gloss black. The springs with their gaiters will be gloss and matt BRG (British Racing Green). Same as the fabric part of the body won't be gloss.

I got the rear springs assembled but they are not painted as yet. Maybe tomorrow.

The more of this I build the more I like it! This would have to be one of the best, if not the best, Airfix kit from pre-Humbrol days.

Cheers for now
Warren

Looking great Warren.

Thanks Jesper!