has anyone built the 1/12 bentley

[dingmyride]

has anyone built the 1/12 bentley 4 1/2 litre supercharged vintage racer from AMT, Monogram and any other manufacturer who has got their hands on the moulds?

Seen a few on ebay...looks like a nice kit - very detailed but i would be interested in some first hand experience if any one has some.

Thanks in advance

[AmazonSprite]

Haven't built it so can't comment on the quality, but it's still available new. AFAIK, it's always been an Airfix kit (might have been sold elsewhere under different branding though), & it originally dates from the 1970s.

[Ferrari TR]

Well it is really big!
The one that I've seen came from e-bay and may not have been stored under perfect conditions. There were a lot of warped parts and bad plating to contend with. If you are prepared to deal with that, than go for it.

[dingmyride]

Thanks gir the info.

There always seems to be few on ebay so I guess I may have the luxury of choice (regarding condition).

I'm just liking the idea of building a detailed vintage racer, and since seeing one of the genuine supercharged cars while on holiday last year (of which I got lots of pics!) I know this is the one.

Thanks.

[Torana]

Hi

I have actually just bought the same model (Airfix brand - 1/12). It is still available new in Australia where I am. Try this link if you want it new - http://www.stanbridges.com.au/car12.asp (I am not affiliated with the site but I believe they ship worldwide).

I am about to start it within the next few weeks when work eases up so will let you know how it goes? It looks to be quite a good kit. It's big thats for sure.

The car this model is modelled off resides at a museum about 100klms north of me, so intend to go and take detailed pictures soon.

cheers

[mikemechanic]

Originally Posted by Torana

The car this model is modelled off resides at a museum about 100klms north of me, so intend to go and take detailed pictures soon.

First off, welcome to AF. Would love to see the pictures once you take them. I have a nice 1/24 scale kit to build.
Does anyone know why the windscreen is molded as mesh? Can't seem to find a pic of the real thing or why it is that way (usually it is folded down)

[AmazonSprite]

Mike, is that the old Heller kit? I haven't built mine yet but it looks as though it wll make a very nice model.

I'm not certain, but I think that the mesh on the screen is probably supposed to represent a stoneguard over the glass.

[ales]

Originally Posted by Torana

The car this model is modelled off resides at a museum about 100klms north of me, so intend to go and take detailed pictures soon.

Yes please!!! A lot of us would really appreciate it, especially considering that Heller is going to reissue the 1/24 version and, iirc, the 1/12 version too.

[dingmyride]

Torana,

From seeing one in real life the kit would have to be big - the real thing is HUGE! How is the dash board done in the kit coz on the the real thing it is a milled finish - how is this replicated?

Would the one 100kms from you be the Bentley in the Motor Museum in Freemantle? I was over there late last year (I live on the Gold Coast - Qld). I Got some good pics of it but make sure you have a good flash on your camera as the car is in a dark area of the museum.

They also have a nice Lancia Stratos (Alitalia version).

Please do a progress thread of your build up, would love to see it.

Mikemechanic, there is a mesh rectangular screen that folds down in front of 2 small (half circle) glass windscreens. From what I understand it was only fitted to the race cars - not the ones meant for the general public - there were also mesh screens fitted over the supercharger and the headlights and mesh that covered the bottom and lower sides of the fuel tank that were only on the race cars.

[AmazonSprite]

Originally Posted by ales

Heller is going to reissue the 1/24 version and, iirc, the 1/12 version too.

Not sure how the 1:12 can be reissued, seeing as it's still available new especially since as far as I know it's always been an Airfix kit, not a Heller, but it's good that Heller are continuing to release more of their old 1:24 kits

[Torana]

In this model the mesh is modelled in clear plastic, i think the idea is that you paint the cross hatching to simulate the mesh. The idea is that this mesh sits below the windscreens and folded down.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~iredellh/mesh.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~iredellh/box.JPG

the dash board is done in a kind of powdercoated finish - not bad, maybe a little dull, the photo brightens it somewhat, but it is in between chrome plate and painted aluminium i guess. there will be an issue though when it is cut off the sheet I think though...

http://members.iinet.net.au/~iredellh/dash.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~iredellh/dash2.JPG

Actually, the Freo motor museum is a good point, that is actually about 15 klms away from me. The one I was thinking of is the York motor museum, about 150-200 k's north. The car used to reside there and the same person owns both museums. I think however that you may be right and this car has moved to a new home. I hope so, 10mins drive is better than 1 hr... I may go tomorrow...

I will do a progress thread if anyone is interested... I will also post pics of the real thing in this thread when I take them... (i will post proper pics, not links, does anyone know how to shrink a JPG?)

[ales]

Originally Posted by AmazonSprite

Not sure how the 1:12 can be reissued, seeing as it's still available new especially since as far as I know it's always been an Airfix kit, not a Heller, but it's good that Heller are continuing to release more of their old 1:24 kits

What is Heller in some markets in Airfix in other. For example, over here they don't import any Airfix car kits, but those that are sold under Airfix brand in, let's say, the UK, are sold under Heller brand here.

[ales]

Originally Posted by Torana

I will post proper pics, not links, does anyone know how to shrink a JPG?

While shrinking a JPEG is not hard (you just need proper software), you may find that most of us would love to have the reference pictures of the Bentley in as high resolution as possible! Please please please please don't make them smaller

[cfcrules]

It was always an Airfix kit and has never been out of production most shops still have it in stock. Heller is a French company that is owned by Humbrol the same company that owns Airfix. They were seperate compaines but now they sell under different brands in different countries depending on which one originally sold there, some kits are also sold under the brand of Humbrol as well such as there 1/32 series. Many of their kits are of very poor quality with very thick plastic. I made one of there Lancer's but the body was almost 1cm thick in places. Oh well it only cost £3.

[cinqster]

Hi ding,

First off, (and sorry to AmazonSprite for the SAE forum deja-vous) go and look at Tony Allen's lovely 4-part build on Mario's website - www.modelersite.com. You have to pay for the pdf's, but it's well worth it. Tony really made this car come to life with very little scratchbuilding - just a good sense of aesthetics and period surface finishes. May main gripe with the kit is the spoked wheels. If you're up for it, replacing the spokes with real wires is a major improvement...and about as far as I've got with my kit!

Torano,

Are you sure the museum car is the real UU car? IIRC, it now belongs to Ralph Lauren, so I assume it's in the States somewhere? If it's the real deal I'd love some pics - and the Alitalia Stratos please!

To whoever asked about the windscreen, the screen is supposed to be merely a wire mesh gravel guard, but was way beyond Airfix's casting skills back in 1970. Le Mans in the 30's was a dangerous rough circuit - only 50% of it was tarmac, the rest a dirt track. Sharp flying stones were a big issue and tyres were ripped to shreads on an almost single-lap basis. Sounds great to watch doesn't it!

John S.