Six97s

Here's the engine/trans assembly with .080" added to the width, except the tailshaft which I'd cut off to maintain the original dimensions. The block now agrees with the one in the Mustang kit and the one in the Revell '32 Ford which I also dug out for comparison, so I'm happy with that. The cylinder heads (left) are rather lacking in detail, so I decided to replace them with a set from the abovementioned Revell '32 Ford (right). I'll modify the Revell intake to resemble a cast iron 260 manifold - easier than widening the one from the kit. So much for being an OOB build... still, that should be it for mods now.

Interesting subject. I can't imagine working on those wheels at that scale, even under magnification.

About 250 years at my average completion rate.

Had a root around and found some '60s AMT Firestone tyres of the type that would have been in the original issue. Kit tyres on the left, parts box on the right. Also turned up some kidney bean Halibrand mags, which look like they should clean up OK. These might even be from an original issue of this kit; IIRC, they were only in the early releases and were replaced with the generic 5 spoke mags in subsequent reissues. Getting around to construction, the engine block appears a bit too narrow, which I'd noticed on an old built up one I acquired. Unfortunately I don't have a small block Ford engine handy for reference... Here, it's pictured next to the 289 from the recent AMT '67 Mustang, which externally is basically the same engine as the 260. The Cobra engine is closer to the camera, which makes it appear larger, but you can see the difference in the intake manifolds. That said, the Mustang engine might be a little too wide... the intake manifold looks kind of fat compared with photos of full scale parts, so I'm splitting the difference and adding a .040" spacer between the engine/gearbox halves.

Here's what's in the box. Two sets of tyres: skinny fronts and Good Year Blue Streak slicks for the drag version; Good Year Blue Streak Stock Car Specials for the stock and road race versions, which are mid '60s NASCAR tyres and much too wide for an ex-factory 260 Cobra. If they'd included four of the skinny ones, that would have been more accurate. I'll have to root through the parts boxes to find some more appropriate tyres. Decals for the drag version, so nothing usable here. I'll print a period black California licence plate. There's also a pair of metal axles and eight machined aluminium ram tubes for the fuel injection. The engine can be built with fuel injection, quad Webers, or the stock 4bbl carb that came on the "Hi-Po" 260 from Ford.

I eventually managed to get some Dunkelgrau on it. First time using Ammo MIG paint and I think I over-thinned it. It took several coats to get any coverage and it dried slightly glossy (maybe no bad thing with decals to apply). If I can get the tracks done, there's an outside chance of finishing by the deadline.

I don't normally frequent the aircraft section here, but my early modelling was all Airfix planes built with (mainly by) my dad, so I'll follow along for the nostalgia. I also used to get Airfix, Dinky, Tri-Ang etc. catalogues via a friend of the family who ran a shop, so the box artwork alone evokes strong memories of childhood.

Not recently bought, but I have been getting to grips with organising the stash so I don't keep buying things I've already got. I didn't even think to count them. This still isn't all of it. [

Two hours in the loft sorting out kits, here it is. I won't be using the gawky looking hardtop. This reissue has some newly tooled Halibrand mags, but they're not a type that was used on factory Cobras. I think I have a set of kidney bean Halibrands in an AMT parts pack, but failing that, I'll dealing with the kit's original wire wheels, which after nearly 60 years are a real flash fest.

I'm building the AMT Cobra, which was originally released in 1963 as part of their Trophy Series. It's been reissued numerous times, including reboxed versions by Frog and Esci. The one I have is the latest "King Cobra" release, which was a real bargain at £5.50 + £3 postage. I'd thought this was a recent purchase, but turns out it was 2014. Yikes. Next task is to find it in the loft...

A few interesting ones this afternoon. On the Fosse Way, a Caterham 7, a VW Golf GTi Mk2, an X-reg MkI Scirocco and a 1967 (E) Mercedes SL soft top. In Leamington, a black Dodge Challenger SRT8 and some kind of newish dark blue Ferrari (don't ask me), then a Lamborghini Murcielago near Coventry.

Cool. The original Satellite issue of this kit had that steering wheel, but you'd still have had to find a flat hood.

Beautiful work. I've made a few electrics from scratch, but my craftsmanship is nowhere near yours.

I have all three of those.

"Some" Omega Speedmasters! I have a '66 105.012, bought 20 years ago. I don't think I could justify it at today's asking prices...

Three in the space of a ten minute journey this morning: 1. A pre-'63 Morris Minor 2. A Sunbeam Talbot 90 in cream over burgundy 3. A Talbot Sunbeam in light metallic blue with silver stripes (Lotus version?) A Sunbeam Talbot and then a Talbot Sunbeam half a mile apart- what are the odds?

Paint, to give the illusion of progress. I had spent another hour losing tiny pieces and attaching those I could still find to the hull and the inside of the turret. I think the remaining fender latching rods will have to remain wherever they landed. It's only mocked up here, still have to paint the inside of the turret before final assembly. Now to finish the tracks.

Yes, the lack of the oil gallery bulge is odd. There is indeed a crank though, and I the three cross bolt bosses are visible in some of the photos. Not sure if these links will work with Twitter: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzNrY_PVEAMYQr6?format=jpg&name=4096x4096 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzNu6ldVIAAopjW?format=jpg&name=4096x4096 He machined the valley and lifter bores, the crank webs, crankshaft etc. so it's curious that he didn't go the whole hog and make a camshaft and valve train. Perhaps there was a deadline, or he just didn't see those as "fun" parts to make.

Nice. Sainsbury's in Leamington? Is there a prize?

Helps if you're a talented machinist... Edit - I cannot get this to embed as an image. I give up. Full thread: https://twitter.com/woodbrothers21/status/1383557552634355720

I like those Mercs. Wouldn't know the RRs if I fell over one, I think the most recent I'd recognise is a Silver Shadow.

Sunday, a dark blue Stag, this morning an apparently well looked after (could have been a 50 footer though) MkIII Humber Sceptre.

Thanks for adding me. My bargains are all car kits, so I'll be back in my comfort zone. The venerable AMT 260 Cobra looks favourite.

Large decals give me the fear, so that looks outstanding from here. I've never paid much attention to these late FED kits, for me the '65-'66 era was the pinnacle for FEDs, appearance wise... would be nice to have kits of The Hawaiian, the Magicar or the Surfers' rail.

It's more of an off road quarry/mining dump body... seems a bit at odds with a Freightliner chassis on air bags. Here are a couple of similar ones.