Progress; London Cabby, AKA Austin FX-4

Hi guys!

Seen the originality of the subject, I thought I d put up a progress thread about this big cab!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/item4-fx4-e.jpg
It's officially called the Austin FX-4, but we all know it from our collective conscience as the london cabby, the monument of English motion!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/Cabby001.jpg
The kit itself is, as you can see it, an old release by revell, the decals say 1986, with the necessary yellowing that comes with age too, off course.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/Cabby003.jpg
I believe it is an old ARII rebox tho, because it s supposed to be powered, and the interior detail, is as you can see it, pretty scarse, although the basics for detail are well there. Pieces that are not pictured are the dash, and separation wall.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/Cabby002.jpg

I have been looking for interior pics of cabbies all over the net, but strangely, I haven't found that many, so I was wondering if some of you guys have some, or live in london, please post them, as I m probably am going to build a fac-simile of the interior and door panels.

Hope you guys are interested, and yes, it will be black :-) , with a nice chrome paint on chrome parts, to make it look exactly like it was driving around town just yesterday...

Lots of little mods will be needed, so stay tuned for this little build.

Comments and ideas welcome

Ciao

Olivier

had that kit a long time ago was a tidy build if i remmeber.

maybe thses pic's will help
http://uk.msnusers.com/londontaxicabs/shoebox.msnw

Very cool! This will be a great model. I wish I could help you with interior shots, and am interested int what you find; it's been my understanding that these cars are very uniquely designed with funny seat and door arrangements since they are built specifically as taxis. Can't wait to see this underway!

Interesting project Oli. I can't help you either but if I find something ... ;)

This looks like it's going to be a cool build. I can't help with the pics though.

interesting project, something quite different from the models usually seen on af.
often tried to get this kit to....

Great project, love the old English Taxi, much nicer than the new style ones. good work !!!

Mike :sunglasse

this is going to be an interesting build. i can't wait to see more

Shiny Hoppin Hydro's or Pegasus wheels under it, some lowering, the roof chopped, the original TAXI-decals on it,..............

Sorry, I was dreaming!! :screwy:

Hell...didnt even think they made this kit.
Be keen to see how it turns out.

After about 2 years... I got back to continueing this model.


As a simple cabby, it was in need for some graphical appeal.
That's why I decided to experiment with BMF masking.

Here were the first results.

White primer, mask, black paint. Mask off... color if needed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010755_zpsf2e82d77.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010755_zpsf2e82d77.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010758_zps48b3ae37.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010758_zps48b3ae37.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010759_zpsb496d018.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010759_zpsb496d018.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010760_zps6c14b138.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010760_zps6c14b138.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010761_zps241c2115.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010761_zps241c2115.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010764_zps1226506f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010764_zps1226506f.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010767_zpsb1809ed0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010767_zpsb1809ed0.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/Beatles_zps7734467e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/Beatles_zps7734467e.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P1010771_zpsfe768b6b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P1010771_zpsfe768b6b.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/P10107721024x758_zpsb359d729.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/P10107721024x758_zpsb359d729.jpg.html)


Then I put some clear on it.

This is the result how it stood then.

No way! :D

Cool! Great idea!

Good to see you back here, Oli!

So Beatles and Pink Floyd on just one Cab? Nice masking job! I´ll stay tuned. :icon16:

Sweet! Great idea!

Needs this on the bonnet, perhaps?

http://camyna.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/pantallazo050.jpg

I vote for this:

http://cdn.buzznet.com/assets/users16/christinaqueen/default/queen-crest-black-white--large-msg-118383471955.jpg

Thanks for your comments, but the logos have already been made :)

However, if you look at it, it was still kinda bland. The taxi model doesn't really have details that stand out so I felt the urge to experiment with something that gave some depth.

SO : BASICALLY :

A taxi that has been abandoned in the 60's in a humid place in England.
It broke it's rear axle and the owner never had the cash to repair.
So it rusted like hell but the overall condition is still good.

For sale :Austin Taxi. Good overall shape, slight rust but good for parts.
500 pounds. Call 0044/555433210

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130705_171916_zpsf3d1432d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130705_171916_zpsf3d1432d.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130705_172024_zps30e9fe91.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130705_172024_zps30e9fe91.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130705_172122_zpsbeaa95ed.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130705_172122_zpsbeaa95ed.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130712_195051_zpsc90488c8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130712_195051_zpsc90488c8.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130712_195153_zps66b223eb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130712_195153_zps66b223eb.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130712_195235_zps319ff0f6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130712_195235_zps319ff0f6.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130712_195311_zpsca5ebb91.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130712_195311_zpsca5ebb91.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/Cabby/20130712_195346_zpsc024439a.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigfrit/media/Cabby/20130712_195346_zpsc024439a.jpg.html)


Basically an experiment with MIG products
Used: Old Rust, Standard Rust, Ochre Rust.
Acrylic resin for texture, Thinner for washes and Pigment Fixer.

It was a very nice change, I really liked to experiment with these pigments.
The results might have been a bit exaggerated, but to me this is how it would look in some kind of comicbook story. The windows have been treated with a mix of old rust, gunmetal pigment and dirt, mixed with white glue.

Tyres have been flatted with acrylic resin (MIG). Great product for texturing!

That's about it, I hope you like it! I know I 'm happy (even if it's not perfect!)