MGB Custom Build - RAC Rally of the Tests Spec
Discussion
I have decided that a perfect Christmas present for my Dad this year is to create an exact replica model of his historic rally MGB, as per the 2016 RAC Rally of the Tests we just came third in.
Here is the car in the flesh...
Now I have the challenge of building this as a model in a month.
So I am thinking of using a base kit model to start with, so picked up a 1/32 Airfix kit for a fiver off eBay (from randomly a PHer's wife)
The kit is not brilliant after opening it up, for example the grille here.
So has me thinking whether to choose a different base model, as there is another one on eBay at 1/24 scale, but not sure if any good either.
But what scale depends on the mods I need to do, which are:
- 14" minilite wheels (thinking scalextric wheels)
- front spots (take from another kit, or buy some scalextric mods)
- tyre rack on boot (not sure what to do for rack)
- custom decals (photoshop and some sort of decal I can print)
- rally plates (plasticard scratch built)
- leather bonnet strap (plasticard too)
- ideally have both me and my dad in the car as figures (???)
So using scalextric mods makes 1/32 the better choice, unless anyone knows of better 1/24 supplies?
Also, the car is MG Tarten Red - anyone know the model paint colour equivalent?
Will update here with the build as I go.
Here is the car in the flesh...
Now I have the challenge of building this as a model in a month.
So I am thinking of using a base kit model to start with, so picked up a 1/32 Airfix kit for a fiver off eBay (from randomly a PHer's wife)
The kit is not brilliant after opening it up, for example the grille here.
So has me thinking whether to choose a different base model, as there is another one on eBay at 1/24 scale, but not sure if any good either.
But what scale depends on the mods I need to do, which are:
- 14" minilite wheels (thinking scalextric wheels)
- front spots (take from another kit, or buy some scalextric mods)
- tyre rack on boot (not sure what to do for rack)
- custom decals (photoshop and some sort of decal I can print)
- rally plates (plasticard scratch built)
- leather bonnet strap (plasticard too)
- ideally have both me and my dad in the car as figures (???)
So using scalextric mods makes 1/32 the better choice, unless anyone knows of better 1/24 supplies?
Also, the car is MG Tarten Red - anyone know the model paint colour equivalent?
Will update here with the build as I go.
I've built the Airfix MGB - as you say the grille kills it, along with the wheels. Apart from that it's not bad.
Aoshima do different variants of the MGB, including a club racer with the correct wheels, and the "Club Rally" (Marathon de la Route?) version with some driving lights (probably too big though):
I've not built one, but they look nice.
You could also look for a 1:18 Kyosho model (ready built) and modify it. I've got one, and it's pretty good.
Other options are a host of 1:43 white metal kits (which never look amazing IMO), and modified Scalextric cars.
As for the colour, just get a Halfords acrylic spray and use that with the appropriate primer. Ideally use an airbrush on the smaller scales.
Check out Hiroboy and Grand Prix Models for detail parts - they might even do Minilite wheels.
Aoshima do different variants of the MGB, including a club racer with the correct wheels, and the "Club Rally" (Marathon de la Route?) version with some driving lights (probably too big though):
I've not built one, but they look nice.
You could also look for a 1:18 Kyosho model (ready built) and modify it. I've got one, and it's pretty good.
Other options are a host of 1:43 white metal kits (which never look amazing IMO), and modified Scalextric cars.
As for the colour, just get a Halfords acrylic spray and use that with the appropriate primer. Ideally use an airbrush on the smaller scales.
Check out Hiroboy and Grand Prix Models for detail parts - they might even do Minilite wheels.
Probably shouldn't say this but personally I would start with the Aoshima 1:24 kit. Easier to find resin wheels etc. to give the look you want in that scale, plus its a more modern kit. The "Club rally" version is 90% of the way there, just need some slightly different spotlights. IIRC in that kit you get hard and soft top parts included as all the kits use a common clear parts mould.
Alternatively there's the Scalextric MGB you could customise.
Alternatively there's the Scalextric MGB you could customise.
Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 22 November 16:38
Thanks all for the input, really helps.
I have searched the Internet for the Rally version, and there is one in Japan but it won't be here by Christmas. So instead I have managed to get hold of the Club Race version, which will hopefully give me the rollbar too (which wasn't in my list of options above, but want to get the inside sorted). I am hoping (and looking at the pictures) it has the soft top and hard top in it, and also the bumpers. If not I still might pick up a standard kit from ebay if it doesn't go too high.
The kit is coming from Italy, so won't be here till the end of the month, which gives me chance to have a play with the Airfix kit and get back into modelling on that as well as try and source the other parts.
I have also started designing the decals for the car - not really researched this yet, but can you get decal sheets you print yourself to put on the car, or any other alternatives?
Also looked through Hiroboy and Grand Prix Models and can't see any decent drivers to put in the cars - prefer ones with flat caps that I can paint, anyone think of other sources for these at 1/24 scale?
I have searched the Internet for the Rally version, and there is one in Japan but it won't be here by Christmas. So instead I have managed to get hold of the Club Race version, which will hopefully give me the rollbar too (which wasn't in my list of options above, but want to get the inside sorted). I am hoping (and looking at the pictures) it has the soft top and hard top in it, and also the bumpers. If not I still might pick up a standard kit from ebay if it doesn't go too high.
The kit is coming from Italy, so won't be here till the end of the month, which gives me chance to have a play with the Airfix kit and get back into modelling on that as well as try and source the other parts.
I have also started designing the decals for the car - not really researched this yet, but can you get decal sheets you print yourself to put on the car, or any other alternatives?
Also looked through Hiroboy and Grand Prix Models and can't see any decent drivers to put in the cars - prefer ones with flat caps that I can paint, anyone think of other sources for these at 1/24 scale?
Murph7355 said:
Does the laserjet stuff need sealing with varnish?
I recently used some inkjet decal paper which did, and it was a bit of a pain
Laser toner isn't water soluble so doesn't need sealing in my experience. Just have to make sure you set the printer up for the right thickness, and I think I found a setting for "delicate" media so it doesn't get it too hot.I recently used some inkjet decal paper which did, and it was a bit of a pain
Over the last few days I have been busy trying to source the details I need to finish this project.
I have got two versions of the Ayoshima kit coming: the racing spec one, and the standard one - so hoping one of those turns up in the next few days so I can start building.
In the meantime I have been "playing" with the Airfix kit and modifying it to a) get my eye in on modelling again as been a while since I did a car kit, and b) to trial a mockup before doing the real thing.
So for the Airfix kit I manage to get hold of some SCX minilite wheels for a couple of quid and have started to modify those to fit on the car. I have re-profiled the bumpers so that they are the rally spec version without the chrome bump stop parts (not sure what you call the lumps). Also modified the back of the car to include a little semi-circle where the exhaust is, which isn't in the original design
Bumpers before
And after (with primer)
I have also been up to my parents and measured most things on the car to get the scale for the decals, spots, brantz rally computers and what I think will be the hardest thing to scratch build - the rear luggage rack!
I am thinking of plasticard for this, so will make a mockup in CAD first to get the real size and scale down the components - hopefully!
I have also got hold of the actual graphics used by Hero for the Rally of the Tests numbers and rally plates (so a big thanks to them for supplying those). And a massive thank you to LufbraMatt for the decal paper he sent through.
I have got two versions of the Ayoshima kit coming: the racing spec one, and the standard one - so hoping one of those turns up in the next few days so I can start building.
In the meantime I have been "playing" with the Airfix kit and modifying it to a) get my eye in on modelling again as been a while since I did a car kit, and b) to trial a mockup before doing the real thing.
So for the Airfix kit I manage to get hold of some SCX minilite wheels for a couple of quid and have started to modify those to fit on the car. I have re-profiled the bumpers so that they are the rally spec version without the chrome bump stop parts (not sure what you call the lumps). Also modified the back of the car to include a little semi-circle where the exhaust is, which isn't in the original design
Bumpers before
And after (with primer)
I have also been up to my parents and measured most things on the car to get the scale for the decals, spots, brantz rally computers and what I think will be the hardest thing to scratch build - the rear luggage rack!
I am thinking of plasticard for this, so will make a mockup in CAD first to get the real size and scale down the components - hopefully!
I have also got hold of the actual graphics used by Hero for the Rally of the Tests numbers and rally plates (so a big thanks to them for supplying those). And a massive thank you to LufbraMatt for the decal paper he sent through.
dr_gn said:
Have you considered getting a new grille RP'd for the Airfix kit? I had a part done for a small scale aircraft model, and it worked very well.
As the airfix is my dummy trial I am not too bothered it is a bit rubbish (plus where the spots will go will hard the worst part of the flashing (sp?))Hopefully on the Aoshima it will be decent (will see when it comes) - though interestingly there might be some parts to think about getting done through RP'd - do you have any contacts/links as not sure what it would involve?
Tonight I came home from work to find two parcels waiting for me... And now proud owner of these two kits.
So the proper build can start.
Looking through the kits I see that the bumpers in both have the overriders (thanks Yertis for the name), so need to experiment cutting the chrome parts.
I am also struggling to find the right colour to paint the car, or find an equivalent colour in one of the model paint ranges (MG tartan red). Things I read says that you should use car paints over model paints, but not sure if true.
So the proper build can start.
Looking through the kits I see that the bumpers in both have the overriders (thanks Yertis for the name), so need to experiment cutting the chrome parts.
I am also struggling to find the right colour to paint the car, or find an equivalent colour in one of the model paint ranges (MG tartan red). Things I read says that you should use car paints over model paints, but not sure if true.
RacingPete said:
Tonight I came home from work to find two parcels waiting for me... And now proud owner of these two kits.
So the proper build can start.
Looking through the kits I see that the bumpers in both have the overriders (thanks Yertis for the name), so need to experiment cutting the chrome parts.
I am also struggling to find the right colour to paint the car, or find an equivalent colour in one of the model paint ranges (MG tartan red). Things I read says that you should use car paints over model paints, but not sure if true.
Plastic primer and Halfords acrylic. So the proper build can start.
Looking through the kits I see that the bumpers in both have the overriders (thanks Yertis for the name), so need to experiment cutting the chrome parts.
I am also struggling to find the right colour to paint the car, or find an equivalent colour in one of the model paint ranges (MG tartan red). Things I read says that you should use car paints over model paints, but not sure if true.
Do a test on some scrap first to make sure the plastic doesn't dissolve.
Maybe these guys can mix the paint: http://motorcolour.ie/4-large-area-aerosol-paint
Have a look here for missing parts: http://www.spotmodel.com/index.php?cPath=298
Have a look here for missing parts: http://www.spotmodel.com/index.php?cPath=298
Edited by MCWS on Friday 2nd December 22:47
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