Nick851

I'm currently building the Italeri and MFH at the same time, using the best bits off the Italeri kit on the MFH. Just started swapping the tails. I'll also use the bonnet off the Italeri. I hope to end up with one nice Type 35 and one not so nice! MFH kits usually need a lot of fettling and sometimes bits don't actually fit. I'd be very interested in a replacement engine too (depending on cost!). In swapping the tails of the body, I've noticed that the body work that goes along the side of the chassis, part nos 1D and 18D are about 4mm longer at the back than the MFH ones. Which is right I'm not sure.

Lovely to see this Vincent. I have had this kit for 40 years and not built it! I bought it from the factory shop when I worked there. I wasn't there long as Matchbox went bust in 1982. I've been waiting until I thought I could do it justice! Not there yet :-(

This is my third MFH kit, 1st was the Lotus 79. The lotus was a real pig to get everything to line up. 2nd was the Brough Superior, spoking the wheels wasn't easy as the rims needed drilling. Generally everything fitted. I had to check the thickness of the cylinder fins so that they were parallel, but in the end it looked really good. I must post some pics sometime. I have designed 4 multimedia O gauge locomotive kits in the past and you have to make allowances for the different materials shrinking during the production process. I think MFH don't always get this right. I have also produced the instructions for several kits - it can be a bit of a black art! If you look on the DJH website https://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/prodpage.asp?productid=3319 the Britannia in all black livery was made by me (Nick) and I did the instructions. Your Shark Nose is looking good. I think these MFH kits when they are completed have a much better 'feel' than Tamiya.

'printing' - painting!

I'm also making this kit. I found the engine/gearbox didn't quite fit the frame. I added a spacer between the engine and gearbox to get it to fit. I also found that the petrol tank fillers didn't line up with part nos M105 and M104. Parts V2 and V4, brake cooling vents were a problem too. I ended up making my own, including making a small vacuum forming machine! I have the Bugatti Type 35 to make next. As MFH kits often need a fair bit of tweaking I'm going largely make it without printing it, then disassemble it to paint and put it back together.

I worked for Matchbox in 1982, just before they went bust, and bought the Vincent from the factory shop. I still have it. I have the MFH version too and will be making it soon. Once I've finished my Sharknose Ferrari.

Like Kiwidave4, I don't like a Honda (Ducati/Norton man) and I don't like the contemporary styling. At least it doesn't have knobbly tyres! - BUT a beautiful model and fantastic photography. I'd love to see some close up detail shots. I've only ever made one 1/6th scale bike, the BMW R90S, an 18th birthday present in 1976!

Glad you enjoyed the build. I'm a Ducati fan - I'm lucky to have 5 real ones of from new to 45 years old. Can I point out one thing? The clip-on handlebars are back to front, look at the angle on the box top. I hope they are not too solidly glued to rectify.

The new book from Wingleader, "Supermarine Spitfire Mk I" in the Photo Archive series has a picture on page 28 of this Spit with the elevators horizontal. A pilot is in it, whether this makes a difference, I don't know.