The Cameraman

What a beauty. Regards Reggie

Hi Guys n Gals, when I was last building a kit (over 35 years ago) I wanted to simulate shell damage, to a Hurricane cockpit glass. A mate in the local ATC Sqn suggested that I put the part in the deep freeze and leave it there for a couple of days then to take a small needle, heat it in the flame of a gas hob then quickly remove the part from the freezer and just touch the red hot needle to it. The effect was much better than I expected and looked pretty convincing. Try it on a piece of scrap transparency and see what you think. Obviously, this worked as a type of shell damage, and this may not be the effect you want on a car! Regards Reggie

Hi Biffer, go for it, we'll be learning together matey! I've got the drivers and co-drivers coming en-route from Hong Kong, a bit of left over piping from the builders merchants and I'm just waiting to hear from Andy at Thunderbird models about which cars I'll be using for a base and I'll be off! Of course if we have to wait for the release of the new Revell kit then it'll be delayed by a few months but that would give me some research and testing time. Regards Reggie

HI Keefr22, I've only had a single Mini, which was a 1312cc Oselli conversion, that went like stink, left you prettty much deaf and would shake you to bits but I loved it! Wished I still had one now. It was an oil tight one, something that you don't see very often! Regards Reggie

Hi Paul, that's brilliant. Everytime I head Southbound, on my trusty little Yamaha trail bike (from Lancashire), I usually take it as an excuse to visit the Midland Air Museum, at Coventry. There I grab a cheese n ham toastie and view my all time fave aircraft the DHC-2 Beaver. Looks like the next trip will be via the Coventry Motor Museum! Regards Reggie

Hi Warren, that looks superb! Thanks for posting. Regards Reggie

Hi Brian, well that'a a new one on me! My own fave modified Mini was based on my fave Mini body, the pickup. When you looked at it front on, it just appeared to have wider wheels than normal, with suitable flared arches and a transverse radiator. When you looked at it side on, it just appeared to have a nice cover (over the back) and had bigger rear wheels. When you looked at it from the rear, it had four massive exhaust pipes and plenty of air slots. It's only when the owner started it up that I found it had a turbo Rover V8 in the pickup bed, driving through the rear wheels! What a stunning piece of engineering it was. Don't you just love proper Mini's! Regards Reggie

Hi Warren, thanks for the comments re LED's and I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on with the SMD's (never heard of those before, yet something else new to get my little brain around! Regards Reggie

Hi Chris, thanks for that. Regards Reggie

Hi Brian, I to am somewhat intrigued as to what this work will create! Regards Reggie

Hi Paul, ahh, I didn't know they came with different helmets, that's fab. I'd spotted the Ebay item earlier this morning but thanks for the link and the part confirmation. Now you've confirmed the content, I've ordered three sets. Regards Reggie

Hi Paul, and a great tribute it is to. I'd better start hunting for Tamiya Rally drivers then! Can you confirm the part number, as 89610 is the one that uses full face, and not open face helmets? Regards Reggie

Hi Guys n Gals, I've just read Richellis's excellent review of the Revell, Mk 1 Mini Cooper and it really does look fine. If this is going to be the basis on the 'to be launched' Monte Mini, then I reckon we'll have the ideal starter car for my needs. So my next question concerns the drain that was used in the film. I believe it was shot in the main sewer in Stoke Aldermoor, Coventry but does anyone know what the diameter is (now I'm giving away part of my plan!)? Regards Reggie

Hi Chris, I was at the Heritage Motor Museum at Gaydon back in 2009, shooting the motorcycle show and found I'd arrived at the anniversary party for the Mini at the same location. The three Italian Job cars mentioned in the Daily Mail article were there but sneaked away before I could shoot them properly! It was a great day and Russ Swift was his usual self, i.e. a personable, professional and friendly character, who can do things with a Mini that must be seen to believe! Thanks for the links. Regards Reggie

Hi there, what a great idea on both counts! Regards Reggie

Hi Chris, just thinking out loud, I wonder if a Group Build has been done of none military vehicles from the silver screen? And thanks to everyone so far with the great info. Regards Reggie

Good Morning Rich, I'm on a late start today, so shall be heading for work in a few minutes. Looking forward to your 'post work' reply later. I presume the red, white and blue colours used, were standard BL paints? I'm sure 'rattle cans would offer an easier coverage for the bodies and I can experiment with the airbrush on the interior bits n bats, and maybe for the mud residue on the bodywork. Regards Reggie

Good Morning Guys n Gals, I've not built a kit for over 35 years and even then, I just cobbled 'em together and wasn't very skilled. My goal is to be able to build a series of DHC-2 Beavers, that I've flown during my years. So why am I posting a topic on the vehicle discussion area? Well I reckon before I start tinkering with old Airfix, 1/72 scale Beavers (and before you tell me they're no longer for sale, I have over 30 in my stash), with all the heavy rivet work and general corrections that are needed to the airframes, I thought I'd ease myself back into the hobby with a car or two! So what to start with? Well there's only one other car in my stash with is my all time fave, the Audi Quattro Rally car. But I won't be starting with that, as it's been sat in my stash for a good 20 years and I need to know what I'm doing before I touch that beast. I carried on buying kit's over the years, as and when I saw them, so my Beaver stash is somewhat healthy! I thought it wiser to select a car that I like but is of a reasonably simple design, of real interest to me and will fit into an unusual setting! My decision is to have a go with three 1/24 scale Mini's! Why three? Well I'm sure you've already guessed that I want to replicate a scene from the fantastic film 1969 film, The Italian Job. I've searched the internet and the Tamiya version seems to get a good write up. I've bought a Badger 200 airbrush, a compressor, some general tools, glues (my god have these changed since I used my basic plastic glue) and various other bits n bats, so, my fellow 'Plastic Surgeons' can I now ask for some guidance? Car - which version of the Tamiya 1/24 scale Mini kit do you suggest that I start with (x 3), that provides the correct wheels, extra spotlights, etc to replicate the film stars? And do we have a supplier that supports this website? LED's - how difficult are these to install (noting I've done 1/1 scale full vehicle re-wiring, from scratch on my old LandRover) and I would need the headlights, front spots and tail lights to work. The engine compartments will be closed, so the engine spaceis available should the space be needed. Again is there a recommended supplier that supports this website? Mud - what would you suggest that I use to give a reasonable representation of tyre marks. Water - what would you suggest that I use to give a reresentation of shallow water (in the dark but to give e reflection from the LED's)? Once I have your replies, I'll start ordering and then start a thread, so all of my mistakes, and my learning curve will be there for all to see and, hopefully others will learn from my c*** ups! So come on folks, spare me a few minutes and give me some pointers please? By the way Mish's thread, that goes back to 16-08-2009 is fabulous!!! Regards Reggie

Good Morning, I think it's a cracking model and with an imaginative setting. The only thing that I don't like is the radio antenna, which detracts my eye from the subject. It could be as a result of the use of the flash but it just looks out of scale to me. Sorry to raise a negative point but the rest of the work is fantastic! The film is in my all time top five, which are; 1, The Battle of Britain. 2, The Italian Job. 3, Pulp Fiction. 4, Electraglide in Blue. 5, Kill Bill 2. Regards Reggie

Fabulous work! Regards Reggie

Hi Doug, as far as I know the RAF have never operated a Loach. The colours shat she's currently is an exact reproduction of her US Army markings, as she wore when serving in Vietnam with the 20th Transport Company. Regards Reggie

Good Mornin, it tickles me to see this Cherokee thread in the modern section. I reckon it's one of the 'crossover cases' of which section do you put it in! Either way, I'm happy to see more GA work being performed here. Let's hope it's not too long before I can start Beavering. Regards Reggie

Hi Dave, very nice collection. Regards Reggie

Hi There, it's over a decade since I was there and it was the first place that I knowingly 'Hugged a Hustler'! Great day. Regards Reggie

Hi Ruben, oh well, that's a shame. Regards Reggie