1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre Supercharged
An overview of the box's contents.
Stripping the paint off the engine block and supercharger.
The tyres grew moustaches.
This is the result of many days of work. Most of the parts placed in the organiser.
The different green colours set next to each other.
Tamiya TS-43 Racing Green: 1) Paint + Mr. Surfacer 1500 as primer; 2) Paint on untreated surface, and; 3) Paint + Mr. Surfacer 1500 as primer + Tamiya X-35 Semi-Gloss Clear.
Humbrol 003 Brunswick Green: 1) Paint + Mr. Surfacer 1500 as primer; 2) Paint on untreated surface, and; 3) Paint + Mr. Surfacer 1500 as primer + Tamiya X-35 Semi-Gloss Clear. The Humbrol paint was thinned using Humbrol Thinners to a 50/50 ratio.
Humbrol 114 Russian Green: 1) Paint + Mr. Surfacer 1500 as primer. The Humbrol paint was thinned using Humbrol Enamel Thinners to a 50/50 ratio.
The chassis ready for paint. The mudguards will be attached the same time as the wheels.
Painted the base coat of Humbrol 003 Brunswick Green thinned using Humbrol Thinners to a 50/50 ratio. Three very thin coats were applied using a 0.5mm nozzle. After left to dry another two coats will be applied after which detailed painting will be completed.
The “wrapped” leaf springs seen on this reference photograph is one of the key elements that needed to be preserved.
There is a large mould line on each of the leaf springs. Most was removed and the rope wrapping was deepened using a scalpel blade and finally accentuated with Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color (Brown) 87132.
The scabbards for the stabilisers on the front axel was painted in Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color (Brown) 87132 to simulate leather painted over with green paint. The ball ends was painted AMMO Metal Acrylic Color - Polished Metal 192.
The front ends of the hooters were painted in Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color (Black) 87131 and wiped down to accentuate the fine mesh on the front end.
The parts making up the drivetrain laid out to be detailed and painted.
In my pursuit to find the perfect Aluminium to paint the engine parts, I assembled: 1. Humbrol Aluminium 27001 (pigment out of scale); 2. Tamiya Bare Metal Silver AS-12 (good candidate); 3. Tamiya Gloss Aluminium TS-17 (perfect candidate); 4. AMMO Metal Acrylic Color - Polished Metal 192 (pigment out of scale).
In my pursuit to find the perfect Chrome to paint the engine parts, I assembled: 1. Testors Chrome 1290 (superior); 2. Humbrol Polished Aluminium 27002 (good candidate); Humbrol Chrome Silver 191 (less good candidate).
A front view of the supercharger painted in Tamiya Gloss Aluminium TS-17 and detailed with Ammo by Mig Jimenez Metal Acrylic Color – Brass A.MIG-197.
A lefthand view of the supercharger painted in Tamiya Gloss Aluminium TS-17 and detailed with Ammo by Mig Jimenez Metal Acrylic Color – Brass A.MIG-197 plus Testors Chrome 1290 (superior).
A righthand view of the supercharger painted in Tamiya Gloss Aluminium TS-17 and detailed with Ammo by Mig Jimenez Metal Acrylic Color – Brass A.MIG-197.
The two magnetos were painted using Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18, Tamiya Gloss Aluminium TS-17, Ammo by Mig Jimenez Rotbraun A.MIG-014 and Ammo by Mig Jimenez Metal Acrylic Color – Brass A.MIG-197. Following reference photographs, I further drilled out the tops to receive plug wires.
The remainder of the drive train painted up.
The engine fully assembled seen from the front.
The engine fully assembled seen from the righthand side.
The engine fully assembled seen from the lefthand side.
The engine fully assembled seen from the top side.
The gearbox and clutchplate painted using Tamiya Gloss Aluminium TS-17 and Ammo by Mig Jimenez Metal Acrylic Color – Brass A.MIG-197 with which I picked out some of the nuts.
The differential shaft, prop shaft and wheel hubs painted and ready to be mated to the chassis.
Assembling the drivetrain is straightforward. I started with installing the steering linkages, followed by the supercharger working my way back and finally installing the differential shaft.
The parts making up the fuel tank and exhaust. To restore details lost when I initially assembled the fuel tank, I will be using Eduard’s Mesh – gauze/hexagonal 00113.
Thirty years ago, I removed a lot of detail from the fuel tank in an effort to have it fit better. The details will be reinstated using the mesh.
Removing the surface details completely.
Making a paper master which will be used to cut out the mesh.
Making a paper master which will be used to cut out the mesh stone guard.
The mesh stone guard glued into position onto the styrene frame using ZAP Super glue.
Looking at reference photographs, the mesh covering the back, bottom and front of the fuel tank seems to be suspending from a metal frame. I first tried using florist wire, but ran into problems securing the frame to the fuel tank itself. This idea ended up being scuttled.
The frame was finally constructed using Evergreen round rod.
The external details were copied using Evergreen card.
The side wire mesh stone guard panels glued direct to the plastic using Tamiya Cement.
Using strip styrene, the hoops securing the stone guard was secured.
Коментарі
47 24 October 2023, 17:28
Villiers de VosMy oldest shelf queen. She has been languishing for nearly 30 years. She has survived South Africa's heat and two address changes. I hope that all the parts are still here, as well as being able to do justice to this gem.
24 October 2023, 17:33
Villiers de VosThe partially assembled engine block and supercharger was found. Using bleach I am stripping the paint before detailing and priming the sub-assemblies. So far so good.
27 October 2023, 06:38
Villiers de VosGorby: You are welcome.
Yeon Sung Jung: 이 모델을 제작하는 것이 좋습니다. 또한 1975년에 생산된 이 모델을 손에 넣을 수 있었던 것은 매우 행운이었습니다.
This project was started before the introduction of Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. I seem to have used a combination of Tamiya Cement and Super glue. I have been busy checking what is in the box and assess what I have done. I cleaned the parts from dust, assessed damage, paint parts with a primer, removing chrome, fill ejector pin marks, do some repair work and try to determine if there are parts lost. So far, the only part missing is the backing for the back seat. There has also been close to no damage.
This kit is part of the Connoisseurs' Series, which mean that the kit has the potential to be motorised. The kit comes with two sets of instructions: 1) One set for the Connoisseurs' Series, and 2) The standard kit. The only difference that I could identify is that the Connoisseurs allows for inserting gears to accommodate an electric motor. I will not be installing a motor nor the gears.
Fortunately, there are many reference photographs. I do not plan to do a lot of scratch building. What my skills allow and to enhance the exterior of the model. My research indicate that the coachwork/ body was a wood frame covered in green leather.
My plan is to: 1) Start with the chassis, including painting and detailed painting; 2) Engine, drivetrain; 3) Fuel tank and exhaust; 4) Body, firewall, interior; 5) Nose; 6) Wheels.
14 November 2023, 21:34
Villiers de VosThank you Yeon Sung Jung for the compliment.
The search for an accurate colour match is under way. Two objectives: 1) A highly gloss for the chassis, mudguards and fuel tank, and; 2) A similar colour that will show minuscule differences between the metal surface and the leather surface.
16 November 2023, 14:02
Villiers de VosYou are welcome David.
Humbrol 003 Brunswick Green represents the real colour best. I am very satisfied how the Humbrol paints are laying down.
16 November 2023, 17:26
Isaac KiteYea, folks knock humbrol enamels (rightly so for the pricing) but just spend three minutes mixing the stuff and do it well. Some of my 1990s batch are still very good when thoroughly stirred up. (WEM also). Still dislike acrylics.
Watching as usual with awe...
20 November 2023, 16:55
Villiers de VosThank you mates for visiting and your kind comments.
I am not an expert on paint. I use a variety of manufacturers and is very much still in the experimental phase. That being said, there is a lot of nostalgia in using the little tins on a British classic. 🙂
28 November 2023, 06:06
Villiers de VosA lot of time was spent on finding the desired colours, contemplating levels of detailing and stripping back paint just to be painted again. Despite the kit's age and shortcomings, I thoroughly enjoy the model.
7 December 2023, 04:06
RandoDefinitely enjoying your paint selection process, and very cool that you're getting around to building it after so many years. Excited to see how it turns out!
7 December 2023, 04:36
David TaylorDie hard Humbrol and hairy stick guy.This kit has always been a curiosity to me.Always fancied having a go but knowing I would not do it justice.
8 December 2023, 22:30
Villiers de VosProgress on the drivetrain was made.
David. Thank you for your kind words. I am sure you will do it justice.
14 December 2023, 20:54
Michael KohlUnreachable dream kit of my early youth. Special to see it coming together. Keep us posted.
14 December 2023, 21:47
Villiers de VosMichael. I am also happy to eventually working on the Bentley. It has been 30 years languishing in an open box. 🙂
15 December 2023, 07:49
ChrisAs a child, about 45 years ago, I built that big Bentley, but after 4 times changing the houses it is gone. Luckily I found my tiny little 1:32 Bentley I built this year after 23 years of absence. But now I will lean back and enjoy the building of the/your big Bentley while watching your work 😄 Thanks
Btw.: All that is left from my childhood is the instruction book.
18 December 2023, 00:18
Villiers de VosChris, Jorge and Casey, welcome aboard. The project will pick up pace as soon as the fuel tank has been completed.
I am wishing to each and everyone all the best for 2024.
31 December 2023, 19:52
David GoodchildThis really looks excellent, and it's more impressive having sat unfinished in the box for so long! Very much looking forward to seeing the end result...
11 January, 21:31
CaptGPFLove how you step us through your method of madness in restoring the details! Looking forward to seeing this gem all done up after the long wait on the shelf! 😀
19 February, 15:41
Mick BurdettGood work V. I believe it was the first British car to be built using metric measurements, but I could be wrong
4 March, 21:19
David OrrLove the old Airfix Bentley. I built my father's kit last year after it had languished in a closet for nearly 50 years. Unfortunately the tyres had been left loos in the box and melted a few parts, mainly on the engine valve cover and the gearbox, but I was able to rebuild them. I used SMS British Racing Green for the shiny parts of the body. I think it looks similar to the colour you used. I used BRG mixed with Schwarzgrun and a bit of white for the passenger compartment and a BRG/white mix for the leather. You are a braver man than me stripping all that detail off the fuel tank. It's looking good though.
9 May, 01:07
