Alvis 4.3 Open Tourer by J&M Classics

[LUW]

Cool. BUT I wouldn't put the tires directly in contact with the resin, with fear of both plastics interacting. I would use the pedestal under the chassis, that is metal, and even so, would put a sheet of paper or something inbetween as a buffer.

[Jean B.]

I like those pedestals, just don't knock the display or you'll have some restoration work to do...

Cool. BUT I wouldn't put the tires directly in contact with the resin, with fear of both plastics interacting. I would use the pedestal under the chassis, that is metal, and even so, would put a sheet of paper or something inbetween as a buffer.

Thanks for your caring, really nice ! Each of the two displays is firmly screwed to the wall. It would need a medium earthquake to shake them, and this is rather unusual in Berlin... And I don't mind interacting of tires and pedestals. This is usually the case when two different "softeners" of thermoplastics collide. The epoxy resin does not contain such softeners, and my self-built models have epoxy-cast tires, anyway. But I will have a look regularly, simply when taking my models out for playing with them im the sandpit



Beside several small works I designed the remaining p/e parts and I hope that I have not forgotten anything (like usual... ). So tomorrow this will be one of the major works:

[Tom]

That does look quite good, with the raised model.

[DeadCanDanceR]

That does look quite good, with the raised model.

x 2

[GBOAC002]

It's nice to know your toys get played with...

[Jean B.]

That does look quite good, with the raised model.

x 2

First I've tried with clear Lego bricks, but for this unique showcase I wanted to have a specially designed solution. Now it's much more work, but I think it's worth it

It's nice to know your toys get played with...

You know, if I finish my meals, they let me out for an hour each day...

Etching is o.k., but I'm not sure if I have to repeat some parts which don't fit that good than I've expected... :



Dash is ready now:





Good news: masking and airbrushing the darker blue worked very well:



Bad news: the Maskol (latex) for masking made the light blue greenish (the front wings show the original colour), so I guess I have to repeat painting the body... :

[Tom]

That is a shame. Is it permanent?

The dash looks amazing.

[Jager]

It’s such a classy looking car, I wonder if it even needs a 2-tone paint scheme ?

[klubman01]

I have had similar experiences with Maskol.
I now use MicroScale's Super Mask. Similar concept and use, but no discolouration.

[Jean B.]

That is a shame. Is it permanent?The dash looks amazing.

Unfortunately it is! I waited over night if the yellow shade would vanish, but it hasn't. Then I thought about simply spraying over, but I fear that the latex softener would spread from the lower paint layers to the new ones above, so I decided to make a cut and strip off the body completely. Well, at least I now know how I have to do it...

It’s such a classy looking car, I wonder if it even needs a 2-tone paint scheme ?

I think it does. There are lots of vintage pictures, always showing a two-tone scheme. Generally the car had spoke wheels, and often the rear wheels had the contrasting colour, quite funny! The picture I refer to also shows a slightly darker beltline and trunk, and the relief of the different areas suggest a two-tone scheme, too.

I have had similar experiences with Maskol. I now use MicroScale's Super Mask. Similar concept and use, but no discolouration.

Thanks a lot for the hint! This time I worked with Revell's "Colour Stop" which seems to be yellowish natural latex. The last years I used Humbrol's "Maskol", which is tinted violet - at least I cannot remember that this discoloured the paint. But I will try MicroScale, always looking for better solutions...

No surprise, we had this level already, but nevertheless a pic' of today's work, body stripped off again and primed another time:



Something more pleasant: the mascot! Alvis seems to have had no own original mascot, this one - an Indian - was also used by other manufacturers. Sometimes the Indian held a spear, but not always.

[Tom]

The mascot is a miniature work of art.

[Jean B.]

The mascot is a miniature work of art.

Not at all, but thanks! It's quite easy, you only have to take a photo from the web showing a mascot from the side and then to draw the outline in your graphic programme. But it's nice to make all the different mascots you need for your collection this way...

At least it's blue again:



Licence plates:



And detailing of some small parts:

[Tom]

Those number plates look like proper plates, correct typeface and all! The steering wheels's beautiful too.

[Jean B.]

Those number plates look like proper plates, correct typeface and all! The steering wheels's beautiful too.

I use this typeface quite often, it's one of the "Agency" fonts which suits English and US cars perfectly. Although making steering wheels mostly by etching, this one's made so nicely with the three small knobs, that I wanted to keep it

And finally, masking and airbrushing worked well and I've already sprayed the first layer of clear lacquer:



Everything will be fine now

[Tom]

Ahhh yes, superb choice of colours!

[reeft1]

Looks lovely

[Jean B.]

Ahhh yes, superb choice of colours!

..isn't it ? Below you'll find a picture taken under daylight. With the clear lacquer the colours look a little bit softer, not so ultra-bright as unfinished and under LED light.

Looks lovely

Thanks! It was a very spontaneous choice which colours I'd take, and I'm happy with the combination

With a second layer of clear lacquer (if there should be a third one, I'll decide tomorrow...):



Interior is almost ready:



And the wheels are ready, too:

[Tom]

Moving along very nicely indeed! As usual, every little detail is modelled to perfection. This might turn out to be my favourite of your creations...

[DeadCanDanceR]

Looking great!

Nice choice of colours.

[Jean B.]

Moving along very nicely indeed! As usual, every little detail is modelled to perfection. This might turn out to be my favourite of your creations...

Perhaps due to the elegant blue shades? Making more and more models, I meanwhile have to divide between "front row" and "second row" models, in a few years this will cause hard decisions...

Looking great! Nice choice of colours.

Thank you And congratulations to Mexico for reaching next round of World Cup! Germany has fallen into a deep depression...

After a third coating with clear lacquer, body parts are polished and ready, interior is started to be painted:



Hoods are ready:



...and windshield with window panes as well:

[Jager]

I'll admit I wasn't that convinced of the colour scheme when the first coats of paint were applied, but have to admit that's looking really good, especially with the matching disc wheels.

[reeft1]

Roof is the bees knees. I echo my colleague- this may be my favourite so far.

[Jean B.]

I'll admit I wasn't that convinced of the colour scheme when the first coats of paint were applied, but have to admit that's looking really good, especially with the matching disc wheels.

And I'm so glad that the car now finds your approval ! It's funny, for me the car looks with disc wheels more "adult" and less like a Morgan 4/4

Roof is the bees knees. I echo my colleague- this may be my favourite so far.

I remember that I bought this car only as I had some withdrawal symptoms, and now I obviously exactly meet the taste of you guys...

Chassis, wheels and bumpers are mounted:



Already looking like a car:

[Tom]

Wow. Utterly fantastic.
The dash is a real work of art, an eyecatcher. The paintwork is amazing too.