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

[JR]

Neil, Mark, Tim, Tony, John and Miko - many thanks for such supportive posts :thumb2:

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. :thumb2:

[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 :smiling:

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 :smiling:
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 :thumb2:

[Airborne01]

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

Running boards and bulkhead fitted. The bonnet is not glued.
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The floor and the bodywork have been joined together. Thank the Lord for CA and clamps :smiling:
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.
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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

[Neil Merryweather]

Ooh that looks LUSH!

[Jim R]

Thanks so much for all your supportive posts.
Got the arms on the seats.


The wicker inserts look OK from a distance.

[The Smythe Meister]

Thanks so much for all your supportive posts.
Got the arms on the seats.
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The wicker inserts look OK from a distance.
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Superb paintwork Jim, simply superb :thumb2:

[Jim R]

Now to a part of the build I was rather worried about.
Part C2 is the frame for the windscreen. The lower half is clear part H8.


The bottom of the frame was broken although the missing section, about 1cm long, was in the bag. I tried to glue the missing section in place - hopeless!!




It just wasn't straight. So I decided to replace the whole of the bottom frame.
I built a jig from scrap wood and cut out the bottom frame.


I then dry fitted the clear part H8 to ensure the frame was the right size. I glued two small pieces of wood to the sides to keep everything in place.


I cut a piece of rod and cut out the two notches which locate H8.


Glued it in place.


Removed the frame from the jig and took out H8


Strengthened the joins with CA and hopefully it will work.
I'm not a scratch builder like Mike, Jakko et al but I must confess to being quite pleased :smiling:

[yak face]

Nice work jim , youll never be able to tell its been repaired , cheers tony