AEC Matador and 5.5" Gun 1:76

[ComMander]

Hi all!

This is my first model for a long time: the roof housing doesnt quite line up, but luckily you cant tell. Also it doesn't quite sit flush on its wheels so a piece must have got bent.

Any advice for cleaning the flash without taking the tread from the tyres?

[Graham Boak]

No, but as the tread is incorrect it doesn't really matter. The real tread pattern is too difficult for simple tooling.

[Niall]

Mould lines like that are easy to remove. Use a scalpel blade in a scraping motion along the mould line.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

As Niall said, followed by a light sanding to roughen the running surface up a bit.

[Courtney]

I'd use a sanding block - the grey ones from the pound shop. They come in various grades so be sure to get a fine one! They are an invaluable tool as are nail sanders from Wilco. They are far easier to sand whilst off the model. You can also add a flat spot for the weight of the vehicle. I'd pop them on a cocktail stick, a quick coat of flat black, dry brush with panzer grey and a wash with khaki. If it is running on a road dry brush just the tread with flat black. Paint and weather the hubs before adding. Good luck with your build.

[steveinns]

Hi Guys,

Hopefully in the not too distant future, Airfix will update this kit to something more in keeping with the rest of their other excellent rereleases ?

[Graham Boak]

Or buy the superior offerings from Milicast etc? Airfix do not seem to have their 1/76 range as a priority of any kind - and there are ones in the range more in need of an upgrade than the Matador. Larger tyres would help, such as the ones on the AEC bowser. The Matador tyres can be used on the old QL (though deeper springs are required to get them in the wheel arches).