Bandai 1/16 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1908 - "Balloon Car"

[Waspie]

Looking at the wheels Jim I think the 'blue air' was worth all the effort. They look amazing.
Nothing like a good blaspheme to sort things out!!

 

[Mark1]

Lovely work with the thread there Jim the wheels look great, do you do socks too as i need a bit of darning done

 

[Ian M]

I have been watching from the wings but those wheels! They look bloody fantastic. Just a thought though. could a dot of CA not have been used to stop to thread runnibg back? Maybe you tried... What ever, to late now anyway lol

A most enjoyable build Jim

 

[Jim R]

Thanks once again for your continued support and sorry for my late response.
A fair bit of progress but its a slow build. The preparation of the parts and getting some sort of reasonable fit is time consuming.
I have finished the bonnet. Masked and sprayed black for the hinges and edgings.


Then Vallejo Metal Color chrome and the masking removed. Then as the red was MRP paint which dries a bit matt the bonnet and the rest of the body was gloss coated with VMS gloss varnish.




The body has some mesh/wicker type inserts. They were sprayed black and then a buff colour.




Then the panels were sanded back to show the black. Looks OK from a distance. I may sand back a little more.


The foot pedals were fitted to the floor.


The leather seats were painted with Vallejo leather brown and then I used various oils to enhance the leather look. The door cards were just painted and given a quick oil wash.


The bulkhead/dash board was built up.




Thanks for all your posts. I really do appreciate them.

 

[Waspie]

Wow Jim, it's all really incredible and those seats!! I'm sure I can smell the leather!!!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Great stuff. This will be a pretty unique build when it’s finished Jim.

 

[yak face]

Stunning work jim , the leather seats look amazingly real and the dash is beautiful , going to be a showstopper , cheers tony

 

[Mark1]

A fantastic job your making of this Jim

 

[scottie3158]

Jim,
Excellent work mate the leather and woodwork are superb.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Wow, amazing paintwork Jim,
This unusual beast is going to be a spectacular piece.

 

[JR]

Neil, Mark, Tim, Tony, John and Miko - many thanks for such supportive posts

As I said in the last update the front mudguard brackets did not fit so I scratched replacements. Looking at photos of the real thing the brackets appear to be riveted in place although there is no sign of any fastenings on the top side of the mudguard.
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...... and painted
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I fitted the exhaust.
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Then I thought I'd tackle the wheels. I have found a few builds of this kit online and one said the wheels were impossible and so the model became a shelf queen and another decided to source after market wheels. A few managed OK. I reasoned that if I couldn't manage the wheels then there was little point in going on with the rest of the build.
The wheels use a jig. The spokes are black, nylon thread. There is a rim and a centre which is laced up using the jig.
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There are two steps - 26 and 27. Both involve lacing. They are then fitted together.
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The problem is that God didn't give me enough hands. I could have done with one or two extras. The thread is slippery and has to be kept taut, the jig has to be turned over and back multiple times and the wheel itself has to be turned in the jig. Anyway after many, many starts I have one wheel. Very, very effective. The two laced rims are glued together.
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And .... drum roll.... I have one wheel.
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Still need the chrome centre and the tyre but it's done. I have actually done the first lacing of a second wheel. Doing the wheels made me think of the late, great Simon T. He spoked wheels and we joked about him have trained spiders - good memories.

Thanks for your continued support.

Yes the spiders , I remember that postfrom Mr T well. Jim that wheel is a master piece of work , afraid too much for me , well done . The set of photos show your great painting skills as well.

 

[Jim R]

Thanks guys. Your supportive posts definitely give my mojo a boost.

 

[minitnkr]

The scratchery, the wheels, the finishes, words fail me.

 

[Jim R]

A bit more progress. In fact it's beginning to look like a car

Running boards and bulkhead fitted. The bonnet is not glued.








The floor and the bodywork have been joined together. Thank the Lord for CA and clamps
Also the seat is in place although the armrests have still to go in. Put together and painted the folding rear seat, it's just dry fitted for now.






Still a way to go but at the risk of jinxing it I think there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks again for all your posts.

 

[Stefee]

Looking superb, a real tour de force. The seats are amazing.

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Now THAT'S a car!

 

[Andy T]

If it wasn't for the background one could easily mistake that for a real life restoration!

 

[minitnkr]

Beautiful, just beautiful.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Absolutely love that. It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again. Those seats are fantastic

 

[Airborne01]

A bit more progress. In fact it's beginning to look like a car

Running boards and bulkhead fitted. The bonnet is not glued.
View attachment 504367

View attachment 504368

View attachment 504369

View attachment 504370

The floor and the bodywork have been joined together. Thank the Lord for CA and clamps
Also the seat is in place although the armrests have still to go in. Put together and painted the folding rear seat, it's just dry fitted for now.
View attachment 504371

View attachment 504372

View attachment 504373

Still a way to go but at the risk of jinxing it I think there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks again for all your posts.

That is beautiful work - looking forward to the finished masterpiece!
Steve