Smooth job there Rowan, great to see some paint on that Tamiya stand as well, it is officially part of the crew now!
Cheers, D
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Airfix MGB Roadster
AussieReg
Associate Editor
#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 01:27 AM UTC
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 09:54 PM UTC
Cheers guys
I've checked this morning and the paint's curing OK, but I'll give it plenty of extra time before risking sanding/polishing.
Hi Mark
A "disaster" is pretty apt description - it's a rather misshapen lump, thanks to sinkage and all the flash.
It's another case where I'd like to see an original 1960s moulding, because that may well look much better - but let's say time hasn't been kind to the moulds.
I've seen comments that it's moulded "inside out", which is a bit misleading. True, the detail is ironically crisper on the reverse (i.e. you can actually make out the bars of the grill clearly), but if it was the other way 'round, it'd be far too deeply inset.
Whatever, it'll take a fair bit of TLC to make something presentable of it, but we all love a challenge now again, don't we.
And, of course, if it does turn out looking half decent, it'll be a big confidence booster when tackling the other "horrors" that are bound to crop up now and again.
All the best
Rowan
I've checked this morning and the paint's curing OK, but I'll give it plenty of extra time before risking sanding/polishing.
Quoted Text
I watched a build review of the Airfix MGB and the reviewer had nothing nice to say about the grill, seems it was a bit of a disaster. What does your sample look like?
Hi Mark
A "disaster" is pretty apt description - it's a rather misshapen lump, thanks to sinkage and all the flash.
It's another case where I'd like to see an original 1960s moulding, because that may well look much better - but let's say time hasn't been kind to the moulds.
I've seen comments that it's moulded "inside out", which is a bit misleading. True, the detail is ironically crisper on the reverse (i.e. you can actually make out the bars of the grill clearly), but if it was the other way 'round, it'd be far too deeply inset.
Whatever, it'll take a fair bit of TLC to make something presentable of it, but we all love a challenge now again, don't we.
And, of course, if it does turn out looking half decent, it'll be a big confidence booster when tackling the other "horrors" that are bound to crop up now and again.All the best
Rowan
tinbanger
Joined: February 04, 2008
KitMaker: 2,507 posts
Auto Modeler: 409 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 10:45 PM UTC
Hi Rowan!
I have a Chev that I am going to polish (first time trying this!) looking forward to see how you do it.
Following this build!
Richard
I have a Chev that I am going to polish (first time trying this!) looking forward to see how you do it.
Following this build!
Richard
md72
#439
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Auto Modeler: 555 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 11:50 PM UTC
Yes, Rowan, that the exact same lump he showed in his video. I've got the .94 boxing in the stash, I hope it's not a bad off as the 2009 offering 
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 12:29 AM UTC
Hi Mark
As, you say, hopefully better! I have to say I think it's bad that Airfix sold this boxing as a Starter Set - it's not exactly the ideal way to encourage new modellers...
All the best
Rowan
As, you say, hopefully better! I have to say I think it's bad that Airfix sold this boxing as a Starter Set - it's not exactly the ideal way to encourage new modellers...
All the best
Rowan
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 01:12 AM UTC
Rowan,
Egads, that front grill really does look like crap
But I'm sure with your talented hands you'll make it look a whole lot better.
Joel
Egads, that front grill really does look like crap
But I'm sure with your talented hands you'll make it look a whole lot better.Joel
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 07:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Rowan,
Egads, that front grill really does look like crap
Joel
Hi Joel
You have a wonderful way with words! 
With the paint on the body still drying, I had a quick tinker with the grill to see what's lurking under the flash. This is the result of about 30 mins work with a needle file on one half of the grill:
I guess you could call it "the first stage of the first stage", because there's a lot more to do refining the bars - and then I'll have to start sorting out the surrounding frame. But something's happening...
All the best
Rowan
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 08:05 AM UTC
Rowan,
It's already like night & day.
My mother always said I had not only a gift for gab, but a way with words. Gee, I wonder why
Joel
It's already like night & day.
My mother always said I had not only a gift for gab, but a way with words. Gee, I wonder why
Joel
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 09:00 AM UTC
Cheers Joel
There's obviously still a lot to do, but it's kind of encouraging after my first reaction to "the blob" (as I shall now christen it) when Mark prompted me to look at the radiator grill!
I'm winging it a bit, thinking up possible approaches while working on other stuff. In a strange way I welcome the challenge - it's one of those fun modelling problems (I know... we don't say "problems", we say "opportunities"! ) that force me out of my comfort zone and get me considering techniques I haven't used before.
Which, I guess, pretty much sums up my new-found interest in car modelling after some 40 years or so of pretty much solely building aircraft kits; it's almost all outside my comfort zone - which is, of course, what makes it so much fun!
All the best
Rowan
There's obviously still a lot to do, but it's kind of encouraging after my first reaction to "the blob" (as I shall now christen it) when Mark prompted me to look at the radiator grill!
I'm winging it a bit, thinking up possible approaches while working on other stuff. In a strange way I welcome the challenge - it's one of those fun modelling problems (I know... we don't say "problems", we say "opportunities"!
) that force me out of my comfort zone and get me considering techniques I haven't used before. Which, I guess, pretty much sums up my new-found interest in car modelling after some 40 years or so of pretty much solely building aircraft kits; it's almost all outside my comfort zone - which is, of course, what makes it so much fun!
All the best
Rowan
md72
#439
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 09:54 AM UTC
Color me impressed. (might be a bit lighter shade than BRG ) That's fantastic. I'll have to see if I have a needle file that thin.
) That's fantastic. I'll have to see if I have a needle file that thin. AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 12:54 PM UTC
Huge improvement Rowan, very satifying to turn a "blob" into a recognisable component! You will find a good needle file set gets a lot of use on these old car kits.
Totally agree. I was 99% aircraft for so many years and going a bit stale on it, but taking a new direction and working through the different challenges it brings has given me a whole new enthusiasm.
Cheers, D
Quoted Text
Which, I guess, pretty much sums up my new-found interest in car modelling after some 40 years or so of pretty much solely building aircraft kits; it's almost all outside my comfort zone - which is, of course, what makes it so much fun!
Totally agree. I was 99% aircraft for so many years and going a bit stale on it, but taking a new direction and working through the different challenges it brings has given me a whole new enthusiasm.
Cheers, D
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 01:55 AM UTC
Rowan & D,
Like you guys, I just switched from those wingy things, and started to model what I've always loved: Race Cars. Time is no longer on my side, so I'm going to go down that final path doing exactly what I want to do.
Joel
Like you guys, I just switched from those wingy things, and started to model what I've always loved: Race Cars. Time is no longer on my side, so I'm going to go down that final path doing exactly what I want to do.
Joel
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 07:44 AM UTC
Hi Joel
With my 60th birthday looming in a few days' time, I know what you mean about time not being on our side! These few days off work have been great, though - I might not have actually finished any of the modelling tasks I'd intended, but I've got back into the swing of building after being totally "dead in the water" since before Christmas!
As for your "final path" - I sincerely hope it's a long and enjoyable road, devoid of potholes and other mishaps, dotted with plenty more great builds along the way!
All the best
Rowan
With my 60th birthday looming in a few days' time, I know what you mean about time not being on our side! These few days off work have been great, though - I might not have actually finished any of the modelling tasks I'd intended, but I've got back into the swing of building after being totally "dead in the water" since before Christmas!
As for your "final path" - I sincerely hope it's a long and enjoyable road, devoid of potholes and other mishaps, dotted with plenty more great builds along the way!
All the best
Rowan
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 07:57 AM UTC
Hi again
No photo this time, but I've finished opening up the other side of the radiator grill, so that's "stage one" thankfully out of the way without any mishaps (I'd have cursed if I'd filed right through one of the bars!
).
I've been trying to find a really clear close-up shot of the real grill online without any success, so perhaps this is the moment to post another SOS to Warren! Airfix have got a gap in the centre where I think there should be a raised bar running down from the MG badge. Could you take a couple of shots of the radiator on your MGB to set me straight on what to aim for?
All the best
Rowan
No photo this time, but I've finished opening up the other side of the radiator grill, so that's "stage one" thankfully out of the way without any mishaps (I'd have cursed if I'd filed right through one of the bars!
). I've been trying to find a really clear close-up shot of the real grill online without any success, so perhaps this is the moment to post another SOS to Warren! Airfix have got a gap in the centre where I think there should be a raised bar running down from the MG badge. Could you take a couple of shots of the radiator on your MGB to set me straight on what to aim for?
All the best
Rowan
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 09:04 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Joel
With my 60th birthday looming in a few days' time, I know what you mean about time not being on our side! These few days off work have been great, though - I might not have actually finished any of the modelling tasks I'd intended, but I've got back into the swing of building after being totally "dead in the water" since before Christmas!
As for your "final path" - I sincerely hope it's a long and enjoyable road, devoid of potholes and other mishaps, dotted with plenty more great builds along the way!
All the best
Rowan
Rowan,
Funny thing, but now being 71, 60 sounds pretty darn good. Happy Birthday.
Joel
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 09:11 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi again
No photo this time, but I've finished opening up the other side of the radiator grill, so that's "stage one" thankfully out of the way without any mishaps (I'd have cursed if I'd filed right through one of the bars!
I've been trying to find a really clear close-up shot of the real grill online without any success, so perhaps this is the moment to post another SOS to Warren! Airfix have got a gap in the centre where I think there should be a raised bar running down from the MG badge. Could you take a couple of shots of the radiator on your MGB to set me straight on what to aim for?
All the best
Rowan
Rowan,
Hope this helps.
Joel
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 09:14 AM UTC
Cheers Joel
It certainly does - there's definitely something in the middle where Airfix left a hole!
All the best
Rowan
It certainly does - there's definitely something in the middle where Airfix left a hole!
All the best
Rowan
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 09:27 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Rowan,
Funny thing, but now being 71, 60 sounds pretty darn good. Happy Birthday.
Joel
Cheers Joel
Of course age cuts both ways - both my former manager when I was a player and my vinyl specialist at Oxfam these days are about 12 years older than me, and they got to see all the bands in the '60s playing live that I can only dream of!
My Mum was friends with Jimmy Page at the time he was forming Led Zeppelin, but I was too young to be interested! A few years later I'd have given anything I had to spend half an hour with him trying to learn a few licks!
All the best
Rowan
warreni
Joined: August 14, 2007
KitMaker: 5,926 posts
Auto Modeler: 116 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 09:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Joel
With my 60th birthday looming in a few days' time, I know what you mean about time not being on our side! These few days off work have been great, though - I might not have actually finished any of the modelling tasks I'd intended, but I've got back into the swing of building after being totally "dead in the water" since before Christmas!
As for your "final path" - I sincerely hope it's a long and enjoyable road, devoid of potholes and other mishaps, dotted with plenty more great builds along the way!
All the best
Rowan
Two things, one, you are old
. I am only 56 so I can say that. Second, MGBs on their original suspension don't like potholes much.. Cheers
Warren
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 09:42 AM UTC
Cheers Warren!
I know I'm old! Thankfully, I've never grown up!
All the best
Rowan
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 09:54 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHi Joel
With my 60th birthday looming in a few days' time, I know what you mean about time not being on our side! These few days off work have been great, though - I might not have actually finished any of the modelling tasks I'd intended, but I've got back into the swing of building after being totally "dead in the water" since before Christmas!
As for your "final path" - I sincerely hope it's a long and enjoyable road, devoid of potholes and other mishaps, dotted with plenty more great builds along the way!
All the best
Rowan
Two things, one, you are old
Cheers
Warren
Warren,
Not many cars with a stiffer sports suspension much cares for potholes. Believe me, I know only too well.
Joel
DaveCox
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 4,307 posts
Auto Modeler: 231 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 10:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Two things, one, you are old
Cheers
Warren
Warren,
Not many cars with a stiffer sports suspension much cares for potholes. Believe me, I know only too well.
Joel
[/quote]
MGBs don't like speed humps on UK roads either. I built my own exhausts without a centre box to give more ground clearance (only a cherry bomb in the tail pipe as well - sounded great!)
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 10:24 PM UTC
Hi again
I think a good old 2CV would be ideal here on the Isle of Wight. Some of the potholes are notorious - bad enough to feel like they're going to rip the axles off!
All the best
Rowan
I think a good old 2CV would be ideal here on the Isle of Wight. Some of the potholes are notorious - bad enough to feel like they're going to rip the axles off!
All the best
Rowan
AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2019 - 12:25 AM UTC
Rowan, I found a couple of good close-up images HERE for your grille reference.
Hope this helps, and I hope your fingers aren't bleeding too much!
Cheers, D
Hope this helps, and I hope your fingers aren't bleeding too much!
Cheers, D
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
Auto Modeler: 388 posts
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2019 - 02:16 AM UTC
Cheers Damian
That's a huge help. I've just watched the video on their site and it looks a really interesting company. They've even got some Moggies!
All the best
Rowan
That's a huge help. I've just watched the video on their site and it looks a really interesting company. They've even got some Moggies!
All the best
Rowan
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