Airfix 1:12th scale Blower Bentley

[IanB]

Well, since my 2 current builds are on hold for parts, and I don't want to "start" anything new, I've decided to finally dig out the old Airfix kit that's been in my stash for over 30 years. I did make a start on it back then, but stopped due to lack of good references ( I was obviously not TOO dumb a kid!).
 Since I now have a good few pics as referances and a pretty good build log to check up on from another modeller, I have made a new start on this one, and have spent the last 2 days cleaning up what I'd already done many years ago, and correcting the kit parts. I've got a fair bit done, but there are plenty more improvements needed before construction proper can begin, and that will probably wait until my Muromets is finished.

 Here's where I am now:

The chassis: I've drilled out the front end, thinning the top and bottom parts of the chassis rails and extending the gap in the U frame further forward to where it should be...





 (since these pics were taken I've also removed the big doughnut that is supposed to represent the stearing rack mount).

 The stearing column: The bevel gear end was way too big, so I removed it, cut off the plug on the top and the bevel gear housing, thinned the housing by over 1/2, replaced the shaft with 9/32nd tube, chamfered at one end to blend into the stearing column, and reattached the other bits, blending them in with Mr Dissolved Putty.





 I think the lower part of the bevel housing that was cut off the original may be a little small, but it'll do.

The firewall: I removed the moulded oil lines and the blank over the oil tank hole, the latter was replaced with card. The moulding for the throttle mounting was added from stock rod, glued together to get the right size, then sanded to shape. I added rod to the lower edge of the firewall  where it meets the floor,  then sanded it to the correct slanted profile to match the slope of the floor. 5 thou sheet has also been added to the rear of the firewall to give the correct smooth surface, and the flange around the edge. I also corrected the small lip on both upper corners which shouldn't be there.









 The floor: the hashed steel moulding has been removed, and the floor now needs to be narrowed slightly at the front - the sloped part is only between the firewall edges, not running right up to the bodywork.



The fuel tank: a start has been made on stripping the moulded detail, wire mesh has been ordered to replace it.



There are also some nuts missing on the firewall, I've ordered some and they're on their way!

This is turning out to be very enjoyable!
 Any advice from car model builders will be welcome, it's over 25 years since I built one and it wasn't detailed!

Ian

[Des]

You are doing a splendid job so far Ian on a very ancient kit.

You may have already seen this but this was posted some time ago  http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=2590.0 by another Ian, you might want to contact him to share experiences he had while building this kit.

Des.

[Ian from Doncaster]

I built this recently but the new-ish re-box.

I didn't go too much for corrections or extra detailing, but with a bit of work this can build into a great model.

If you ever read Airfix Model World magazine, there is a build review feature in the August 14 issue (not mine!)  I did find it odd that the modeller made several detailing additions but kept the kit's horrible molded rubber bonnet straps!

Your work so far with the corrections and detailing is a league above mine.

[IanB]

Thanks for the tip Ian.
 I do have a link on my bookmarks to a very detailed build by a guy in (I think) California, but even he made some odd omissions - detailing all the brake cables etc but not removing and scratchbuilding the actuators moulded-on to the chassis rails for instance....
 I do intend to correct and add as much detail as possible as this is one of my all-time favourite cars. The trouble will be in finding details of the precise car as they all seem to be a little different, so it may be a bit of a hybrid.....

Ian

[Ian from Doncaster]

Good luck with this - I agree with you, I was the same finding conflicting photo refs online.  Mind you, I wasn't going out and out for too much historical accuracy.

I never had the original 70's kit and a good job too as I wouldn't have done it justice as a child.  However Airfix seem to expect a lot from the kit at this price.  Going by what is available from other manufacturers I would say the new version is way over priced.  Fortunately mine was a gift.  I look at the radiator grille mesh as an example - an unevenly molded component with a solid white number decal....

Nevertheless, I get the feeling you'll be using the kit only as a baseline for your detailed build.

[IanB]

 Another day spent destroying Airfix's best efforts....
 I took apart the engine (so most of what I'd done 30+ years ago has now been undone!) and opened up the gap that should be between the cylinder block and the valve gear drive train. Plastic stock has been added to fill the gaps left by opening that up and will be sanded to shape tomorrow.
 The front part of the floor has been corrected, and the horns, carbs, and tail lights drilled out. I've also cleaned off all the detail on the fuel tank except the fuel line connections to prepare it for the mesh stone guards.









 This is proving to be more work than I'd anticipated, but enjoyable - it's so big!


Ian

[IanB]

Not too much to report today, I've spent most of it trying to fill all the ejector pin marks and sink holes - the chassis frame parts, suspension parts, and drivetrain are FULL of them! Also sanding down the major parts ready for paint.

 I did get the engine back together and finished the mod to the front end. I added 5 thou sheet to the front and rear of the cylinder block to represent the plates that were bolted on, and removed the moulded on pipe along both sides.

 I also started to modify the suspension leaf spring hangers. The rear ones are done - simply drilled and cut out the middle part to leave the two side plates. The front ones were totally wrong so I've removed them and will add scratchbuilt parts when I come to fit the suspension.

 A quick dry-fit of the modified floor and firewall showed all ok there:





The current state of the engine:



Rear spring hangers, before and after:



and the fuel tank ready for detailing:


Thanks for looking in!

Ian

[coyotemagic]

Excellent start, Ian!  Man, that's a big model!
Cheers,
Bud

[Des]

You are making excellent progress so far Ian, your modifications are going to make a world of difference to this somewhat "basic" kit.

Des.

[Ian from Doncaster]

I couldn't agree more.  For me, the amount of ejector pin marks and flash in some very nasty places really put me off trying to improve the kit.

I am delighted to see, Ian, you have the patience (and the ability of course) to overcome the kit's many failings...,

[IanB]

I've made a little more progress, waiting on my next delivery of resin nuts from Ted's Modeling Marketplace..... (the guy in my local hobby shop didn't even flinch when I asked him if he had resin nuts......) 

 The blobs representing the cylinder block nuts and valve drive train plugs have been removed and replaced, and I've added the sump bolts, but may replace them with slightly smaller ones. I also clipped off the 6 inlet manifold bolts at each end of the manifold which were far too long - they should be flush with the manifold itself. The nuts will be replaced when my next order arrives.



 The kit mounting for the water pump is also wrong - it's too high and sits where the fan bracket should be, so I've added a new one based on what I can figure out from pics - it may not be 100% accurate but at least it's in the right place. That also left me free to add the fan base and bracket and I've started to fabricate a fan assembly. (pic to follow on that one).



 I'm still not sure about the shape and size of the sump, but without definite evidence of this car, it will stay as it is. Airfix couldn't be THAT far off, so I'm assuming that this early race car was different from later road versions.

Ian

[RAGIII]

Outstanding work so far ! Your added detail will make a huge difference in the outcome!
RAGIII

[IanB]

Hi all,
 A little more done on this one, although my main problem seems to be finding a problem, referencing pics to find out what should be there, then noticing something else and getting sidetracked! I need to concentrate on fixing the problem I started with, and the moving on to the new one later....somehow I don't think that will happen!

 I painted the firewall with Model Masters buffing Aluminium, then decided the inner part, which will be body colour, was too bad to paint (previous spraying with primer had "spat" and I couldn't get in too smooth it all out). So I removed the detail I'd added and cut a piece of 5thou card to drop in. The details were then replaced. I also corrected the central bracket mounting on the top edge which is a cutout on the kit and should be a raised part of the structure, and the bolt locations for the plating. The side ones were ok, but there was one missing on each upper corner (where the indents had been) and the top ones weren't spaced correctly. These have all been drilled ready for the bolts to be added when the painting's finished.



 The engine now has some paint (again buffing aluminium), and the cylinder block and nuts/bolts/plugs have been painted. I have some .5mm aluminium dome nuts for the side and end plates which will be added after the painting is finished.





 The other recent work has been on the fuel tank. I've added the straps on each side which will hold the wire mesh side pieces, and made up the mounting brackets from stock rod/strip with pins added from brass rod to ensure a correct fit to the chassis.



I need to find a good match for the BRG, my first try is going to be Tamiya Imperial Japanese Army Green. It doesn't have to be exact as the colour varied a little from car to car, but it needs to be a very deep green so that colour might work.....

Thanks for looking in!

Ian

[RAGIII]

That is a nice looking engine! I may be wrong but I seem to recall somebody(Maybe Testors in their Model Master series), making BRG?
RAGIII

[Des]

Beautiful work on the engine Ian, it certainly is a huge model.

Des.