Christmas 2024 Group Build?
Discussion
Are we having one this year? dr_gn usually starts one going and it's made me do something vaguely useful with the time between Christmas and New Year (and usually a bit beyond).
Wanting to do a quick and simple project myself this is what I'm going to do:

1:24 Monogram Triumh TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Not many parts, so there should be a decent chance of making good progress with it.

1:24 Monogram Triumh TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
It definitely looks like a TR7. First built one of these in the very early '80s, so there's some shameless nostalgia in doing another one, hopefully a bit better this time.
I'm planning to paint it something close to Java green and will be swapping the wheels (because I can't build anything 100% OOB).
It's already in primer, ready for when I have time to carry on with it over the next fortnight.
Wanting to do a quick and simple project myself this is what I'm going to do:

1:24 Monogram Triumh TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Not many parts, so there should be a decent chance of making good progress with it.

1:24 Monogram Triumh TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
It definitely looks like a TR7. First built one of these in the very early '80s, so there's some shameless nostalgia in doing another one, hopefully a bit better this time.
I'm planning to paint it something close to Java green and will be swapping the wheels (because I can't build anything 100% OOB).
It's already in primer, ready for when I have time to carry on with it over the next fortnight.
Edited by Spottedlaurel on Sunday 22 December 21:18
I might as well say yes, although I think the last one took me 2 years to finish.
Mine will probably be this dual kit:

I don’t think they’ll need much extra work - maybe aerial wires and brake pipes. I’ll be interested to see how the 3D printed detail parts work out; I’ve never seen them included in a kit before.
Mine will probably be this dual kit:
I don’t think they’ll need much extra work - maybe aerial wires and brake pipes. I’ll be interested to see how the 3D printed detail parts work out; I’ve never seen them included in a kit before.
dr_gn said:
I might as well say yes, although I think the last one took me 2 years to finish.
Mine will probably be this dual kit:

I don’t think they’ll need much extra work - maybe aerial wires and brake pipes. I’ll be interested to see how the 3D printed detail parts work out; I’ve never seen them included in a kit before.
Good luck!Mine will probably be this dual kit:
I don’t think they’ll need much extra work - maybe aerial wires and brake pipes. I’ll be interested to see how the 3D printed detail parts work out; I’ve never seen them included in a kit before.
Spottedlaurel said:
dr_gn said:
I might as well say yes, although I think the last one took me 2 years to finish.
Mine will probably be this dual kit:

I don’t think they’ll need much extra work - maybe aerial wires and brake pipes. I’ll be interested to see how the 3D printed detail parts work out; I’ve never seen them included in a kit before.
Good luck!Mine will probably be this dual kit:
I don’t think they’ll need much extra work - maybe aerial wires and brake pipes. I’ll be interested to see how the 3D printed detail parts work out; I’ve never seen them included in a kit before.

I might have to get my Hunter back off the shelf of doom and finally get it finished, trouble is I’ve got at least 3 kits that are awaiting final weathering, 2 in the 1/2 painted stage that I really must get on with masking up and painting, my 1/8 Ghostbusters kit to finish assembling and a Lego Endurance.
I’m also working up to Christmas Eve, going away for new year and really ought to get my self assessment completed.
I’m also working up to Christmas Eve, going away for new year and really ought to get my self assessment completed.
Making progress on the TR7, colour is a bit more green in real life:

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
I think I know which wheels I'm going to use.....

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
I think I know which wheels I'm going to use.....
Hey Spotted!
Sorry I can't join....was tempted, but haven't even finished the CR-X from last year...and so many others....!!
As a fan of Mann's work, but not BL's execution, have mixed feelings on the TR7; great shape, I think the side swage is genus but boy the panel gaps really do put one off....not an issue with a model though!
Lovely green....vinyl roof yeah? Black pinstripe up the swage?
Sorry I can't join....was tempted, but haven't even finished the CR-X from last year...and so many others....!!
As a fan of Mann's work, but not BL's execution, have mixed feelings on the TR7; great shape, I think the side swage is genus but boy the panel gaps really do put one off....not an issue with a model though!
Lovely green....vinyl roof yeah? Black pinstripe up the swage?
gruffgriff said:
Hey Spotted!
Sorry I can't join....was tempted, but haven't even finished the CR-X from last year...and so many others....!!
As a fan of Mann's work, but not BL's execution, have mixed feelings on the TR7; great shape, I think the side swage is genus but boy the panel gaps really do put one off....not an issue with a model though!
Lovely green....vinyl roof yeah? Black pinstripe up the swage?
Thanks GG! No chance of making a bit of progress on the CR-X?Sorry I can't join....was tempted, but haven't even finished the CR-X from last year...and so many others....!!
As a fan of Mann's work, but not BL's execution, have mixed feelings on the TR7; great shape, I think the side swage is genus but boy the panel gaps really do put one off....not an issue with a model though!
Lovely green....vinyl roof yeah? Black pinstripe up the swage?
If there are any issues with the finished article I can blame it on 1970s BL build quality.....
Yes on the vinyl roof, hoping some Tamiya Rubber Black I bought will be the right shade and texture for it. Pinstripe sounds a bit challenging for my level of decal skill - it does come with the funky stripes on the box art but they're specific to a US special edition but I won't be adding them. Not sure if they'd be useable after 45-odd years anyway.
I was looking for this exact kit on the bay (ridiculous prices!) to join in the "ullo John got a new mota" groupbuild on Britmodeller, but that group build never made the cut so I gave up. Nice to see one being built - I made this kit back in the 70's when it was newly released, so it's bringing back some memories.
I'm currently fighting my way through a Revell Audi R10 which is proving to be hard work (it was supposed to be a quick build!) - I'll share some pictures when it's in a fit state.
I'm currently fighting my way through a Revell Audi R10 which is proving to be hard work (it was supposed to be a quick build!) - I'll share some pictures when it's in a fit state.
tangerine_sedge said:
I was looking for this exact kit on the bay (ridiculous prices!) to join in the "ullo John got a new mota" groupbuild on Britmodeller, but that group build never made the cut so I gave up. Nice to see one being built - I made this kit back in the 70's when it was newly released, so it's bringing back some memories.
I'm currently fighting my way through a Revell Audi R10 which is proving to be hard work (it was supposed to be a quick build!) - I'll share some pictures when it's in a fit state.
Early '80s for me with my original build of it, must have been one of my very first. Perhaps for the best I can't recall what I paid, probably £30-40 so about £1 per part!I'm currently fighting my way through a Revell Audi R10 which is proving to be hard work (it was supposed to be a quick build!) - I'll share some pictures when it's in a fit state.
Good luck with the Audi.
More progress:

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Not many parts to worry about! It's really just bodywork polishing and detailing from here onwards.

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Nice progress on the TR7 - are tartan decals available 
Hasn't exactly gone to plan with my model, I only started the Airacobra today, but better late than never.
Began cleaning up parts from the sprues, which are pretty nice. Seems like the airframe parts of the mould have been media blasted or chemical etched to give a matt finish:


I wonder if that's to give a better key for paint, or to obscure the machining / etching marks that are visible in some other areas:

Whatever - the level of detail is superb, even says "Firestone" on the tyres:

So, onward. Might do some more in front of the fire later, just like 45 years ago.

Hasn't exactly gone to plan with my model, I only started the Airacobra today, but better late than never.
Began cleaning up parts from the sprues, which are pretty nice. Seems like the airframe parts of the mould have been media blasted or chemical etched to give a matt finish:
I wonder if that's to give a better key for paint, or to obscure the machining / etching marks that are visible in some other areas:
Whatever - the level of detail is superb, even says "Firestone" on the tyres:
So, onward. Might do some more in front of the fire later, just like 45 years ago.
Not sure this counts as a "proper" Christmas Build" but I finished it in Christmas Week - so it is nearest I'm going to get.
It's the fairly new Airfix 1/72 Tiger in "starter kit" mode i.e. it doesn't come with separate tracks.
Nice little kit and a diversion for me from my usual aircraft or space subjects.



It's the fairly new Airfix 1/72 Tiger in "starter kit" mode i.e. it doesn't come with separate tracks.
Nice little kit and a diversion for me from my usual aircraft or space subjects.
More fettling. The parts are great, but I'd say not up to the latest Tamiya quality; bits of flash, and some of the sprue gates could be better positioned. Machining marks are quite noticeable on some parts, but time will tell if they are too fine to survive a coat of primer:


The matt finish does give the airframe parts a quality look:

The 3D printed parts are probably the best I've seen in terms of fineness of detail, but I'm not sure why they've duplicated the upper front fuselage - the surface detail might be slightly better, but then it probably won't match that of the adjacent injection-moulded surfaces. I'll see what it looks like under a coat of primer. The guns seem too small to my eyes. The hollow exhausts look great though:


The seat has beautiful detail, but why mould the seatblets onto it?

I doubt it would look as realistic as sepate belts on the p/e seat from the Eduard set:

Debating whether to use the printed seat and apply the decals to it - just to try something new, or whether to just go with what I know works. I think a side-by-side comparison may be in order...
The matt finish does give the airframe parts a quality look:
The 3D printed parts are probably the best I've seen in terms of fineness of detail, but I'm not sure why they've duplicated the upper front fuselage - the surface detail might be slightly better, but then it probably won't match that of the adjacent injection-moulded surfaces. I'll see what it looks like under a coat of primer. The guns seem too small to my eyes. The hollow exhausts look great though:
The seat has beautiful detail, but why mould the seatblets onto it?
I doubt it would look as realistic as sepate belts on the p/e seat from the Eduard set:
Debating whether to use the printed seat and apply the decals to it - just to try something new, or whether to just go with what I know works. I think a side-by-side comparison may be in order...
Jeepers, that's all so small!
Did masking and majority of the black trim and vinyl roof painting yesterday:

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
With the wheels I'm looking to use, after finally finding tyres of the right size. Some tidying and touching-up of the black paint required but I'm pleased with how it's coming on.

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
And on the kit-supplied wheels.
Did masking and majority of the black trim and vinyl roof painting yesterday:

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
With the wheels I'm looking to use, after finally finding tyres of the right size. Some tidying and touching-up of the black paint required but I'm pleased with how it's coming on.

1:24 Monogram Triumph TR7 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
And on the kit-supplied wheels.
dr_gn said:
The seat has beautiful detail, but why mould the seatblets onto it?

Debating whether to use the printed seat and apply the decals to it - just to try something new, or whether to just go with what I know works. I think a side-by-side comparison may be in order...
Wow - 3d resin printing just gets better doesn't it? I've had a little success with decal seatbelts over raised detail, but separate will look better I think. Perhaps it's worth painting this raised detail - that might be best?Debating whether to use the printed seat and apply the decals to it - just to try something new, or whether to just go with what I know works. I think a side-by-side comparison may be in order...
As promised, here are the completed pictures of the Revell Audi R10 TDI I built...





Good things about this kit :
Bad things about this kit :
I've also just noticed a few minor details I need to change - detail the body catches & matt varnish the black driver insert.
Next build is a Heller Porsche 908 for the Heller Group Build on Britmodeller.....





Good things about this kit :
- Find another kit of this vehicle for <£30!
- A couple of options - This was built as Le Mans 2006 3rd place, Number 7 - Capello/McNish/Kristensen
- Plenty of scope for detailing/improving this kit
Bad things about this kit :
- Plastic is soft and silver coloured.
- Over-engineered build
- Details are soft and inconsistent (sometimes deep, sometimes shallow, sometimes thick, sometimes fine).
- Warpage in main components which I could never correct (the back-deck doesn't line up with the front).
- Can't get all 4 wheels pointing in the same direction!
- Michelin decals for wheel sidewalls rather than the better Tamiya style ones which leave no carried film and look perfect).
- Build instructions lack clarity, with respect to colour call-outs and decal placements.
- Decals seem to be 1/23rd scale for this 1/24th scale kit
I've also just noticed a few minor details I need to change - detail the body catches & matt varnish the black driver insert.
Next build is a Heller Porsche 908 for the Heller Group Build on Britmodeller.....
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