mbdesignart Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 (edited) Another white van goes under the knife. Starting with Italeri's 1:24 SWB van this will be converted to a LWB Van infamous for its many uses. Much knife and saw wielding has seen the top lopped off and the sides cut in two. The roof cut is just under the rain gutter using this as a guide, the sides are cut down the rear shut line of the mid doors. I'll be adding twin rear doors later along with windows to the mid doors and a host of extra detail parts, more surgery to follow... Edited August 14, 2018 by mbdesignart typo 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancunian airman Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 That is serious . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 (edited) I'll be following this one! I want a bash at a LWB Transit myself. Just not sure how to tackle the roof. Comfy chair pulled up! Steve Edited March 19, 2018 by fightersweep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 3 hours ago, fightersweep said: Comfy chair pulled up! Recaro at the very least. I'll be watching too. I always liked the early Transit. I recently unearthed a box at home containing two Dinky LWB Transits I'd forgotten about! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Pete; Same here! Always had a massive soft spot for the Mk I and Mk II Transits. A 1/24 Mk I would be very nice indeed! Never got to drive a Mk I, but have driven all the others and currently own a Mk 6. I do likes my Transits! Also have a soft spot for the Dinky Transits. Got a boxed Mk II Dinky Ambulance and Motorway Servies vehicle (had those two as a kid) and an unboxed Mk I Police Transit. Always liked the sliding drivers door on that one! I might take them for a drive when the missus isn't looking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 After years of the likes of the Thames trader, Bedford CA, BMC J4 and the Commer van, (Which was commonly called 'the pig' as the handling was that bad) the Mk1 Transit was a revelation and a delight to drive in comparison. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Have had a go at a Bedford CA many moons back. When I started on the post back in 86, we did have one remaining Bedford EA which was well past it's sell by date and a dog to drive. There was one other dinosaur that I drove at that time, but I can't remember what it was. I just remember the cab doors more or less being on the rear of the cab at 45 degree angles...Commer maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Jedi Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Following. Not so much the LWB conversion but I've been thinking about this van to go with either my Belkits Mk1 Escort or the Itareri Mk 2 Escort and do it as the rally team van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 41 minutes ago, fightersweep said: I just remember the cab doors more or less being on the rear of the cab at 45 degree angles...Commer maybe? BMC. I drove a bread van version many many moons ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco F. Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 hello Mark, ...just placed my chair to join the audicence. Like White Jedi I'm planing to build a combo, but I want to take the Escort MK II in group 2 outfit, a trailer and the Transit... so, please entertain us with your upcoming work Cheers Marco F. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Ooh, that's a bit bold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 Thanks for the interest. Small confession this build has been underway for some time but on a need to know basis as I didn't know how successful the outcome would be. Also I was ably assisted by my big brother with some of the part manufacture. More updates soon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 11 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said: BMC. I drove a bread van version many many moons ago. Hi Pete! Thanks! So it was the BMC FG! I was Googling like crazy last night trying to find it, but couldn't as most photos didn't make the door arrangement obvious. Our PO garage bods had one (late 80s) that they used as a pet project and a wrecker occasionally. Intrigued by this strange looking beast, I asked if I could have a go...and they said yes! I'm on the look out for a diecast version now. 11 hours ago, mbdesignart said: Thanks for the interest. Small confession this build has been underway for some time but on a need to know basis as I didn't know how successful the outcome would be. Also I was ably assisted by my big brother with some of the part manufacture. More updates soon. All the interest here, so I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for a successful outcome. If it becomes available to us mortals, I'll certainly take a couple. (note to self: buy more Italeri Transits!) Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 Due to the age of this version of the Transit reference material was harder to come by for certain areas than I would have thought. Maybe familiarity breeds contempt? The Transit Owners Forum was useful along with general internet searches. Next instalment... I decided to use more of the kit chassis and other components than in the build I did for the Chassis/Cab version. New scratch built extended rear floor section with arches [big up my brother for this part] along with the chassis rails which I drew up and had printed by Shapeways. The axle is the dual wheel one from the CC version with kit springs cut off the kit axle and rotated through 180 degrees to correct the axle alignment. A generous overlap has been allowed for on the floor to mate the two chassis sections together. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 I like it when a plan comes together... Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 I just love your brand of modelling alchemy! This is going to be my go to thread whenever I visit the site. As much as I like the Italeri/Esci Transit, the long wheel base version looks much better to my eye with those flared rear arches and dual wheel axle. Much more business like. Kind of wish we had these on the Post instead of all that Leyand tat. We only had two Mk II Transits in our fleet...both minibuses (another conversion possibility?) Comfy chair upgraded for a recliner with drinks holder for this trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Nice chassis. There was a single rear wheel LWB version for light loads only. (IIRC). Indeed the Dinky model has that format. Doesn't look as good though. Have you thought how you're going to do the arches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 I've found some images of the single wheel version during researching and yes it does look a bit tame. Re the arches - get them done by someone with more skill than me, Big Brother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Just to whet the appetite, this beauty seems to be currently for sale for anyone interested. I don't think they looked this good even as new! 1981 Ford Transit MK2 LWB 2.0 L If I sold my stash of kits, tools and accessories and books, I might just be able to afford it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted March 8, 2018 Author Share Posted March 8, 2018 The site with the ad for that van is a good source of reference photos can be found here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 (edited) Sorry! I should have added the link! http://www.newoldcar.co.uk/index.php/44-featured-cars/ford/456-featured-cars-ford-transit-1981-ford-transit-mk2-lwb-2-0-l-ref-906 Apparently, totally original and unrestored barely used ex MOD vehicle released from service in 2006 Lovely van though, and as you say, some cracking reference photos! Edited March 8, 2018 by fightersweep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted March 8, 2018 Author Share Posted March 8, 2018 As some viewers have thrown 'Rally Service Vans' into the thread I'm in need of some assistance re sponsor logos for the Belga Team Van, namely the two either side of the Champion logo. I'm torn between Valeo & Lucas for the green and white one but the dark image has me stumped. Any help is appreciated as my post in the Discussion section has got unanswered. Oh, and there's no guarantee Spark has the correct images on the 1/43 kit below. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpnuts Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 You certainly dont mind a challenge do you. I would never attempt anything a complex as this i take my hat off to you sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 "As some viewers have thrown 'Rally Service Vans' into the thread I'm in need of some assistance re sponsor logos for the Belga Team Van, namely the two either side of the Champion logo. I'm torn between Valeo & Lucas for the green and white one but the dark image has me stumped." I would say that the GREEN/WHITE is LUCAS and the DARK one looks to me to be Yokohama but I may be wrong! Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 (edited) I thought Lucas too for the green logo, but zooming in on the best image I could find online, it looks as if the the first and third letter is a V and L. So I'm leaning towards Valeo now. Can't find enough decent photos online for the second logo. Edited March 9, 2018 by fightersweep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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