cmatthewbacon Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 OK... having cleared the Tamiya Mercedes McLaren SLR off the bench and into RFI, time to commit to this GB, starting with these two: Heller seems to have been more or less the only mainstream manufacturer to produce a substantial range of 1/43 car kits in plastic, covering classics, current showroom models (when they were made) from France, Britain and Germany and a selection of race and rally cars. 1/43 die casts have been a big thing in France for a long time, so where Airfix chose 1/32, Heller plumped for 1/43. The Alpine dates from 1980, and the interior is distinctly more sophisticated. Body shapes look spot on as well. The Alpine will be blue, not bronze, of course. So, off the starting blocks, then! best, M. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 I like those a lot. Great choices. As far as cars go, I'm quite fond of French designs, along with 70s era Japanese stuff, so really looking forward to these builds. Nice to see some more cars in the GB too. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Two lovely choices, both are fantastic cars in every respect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Welcome to the GB Matthew Delighted to see 2 cars joining this GB as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing the CX being built, I remember a mates parents had one, and its ride was like magic carpet, it just seemed to glide over bumps in the road and you never felt them ! Best of luck with these two. Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Excellent choices Matthew In the past I've owned both a GS and a BX, but unfortunately never an Alpine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Great choices @cmatthewbacon, and I'm looking forward to seeing your skills on display with these two! One question though, would you please be so kind as to make separate build threads for both cars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 I love Renault Alpines, I always thought that the A310 was a gorgeous looking car. Good luck with this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halcyonjet Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 I've never seen this kit before, so looking forward to seeing how it goes together. Good timing also, as the Renault F1 team have announced that they will be reviving the Alpine name to use for next season. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted November 19, 2020 Author Share Posted November 19, 2020 This one has been slowly progressing, but as with the Citroen, life has got a bit in the way this last week. And so has stupidity: I advise you not to leave a spray can of Tamiya NATO Black on your workbench without its cap on at the same time as a can of TS-13 Clear. I ESPECIALLY recommend that you do not then pick it up when applying a second coat of said clear... So the Alpine body shell has had a trip to the IPA tank and ultrasonic cleaner, and is slowly getting back to the state IT was in last weekend... Grrr.... aaargh. Don't model when tired and grumpy, say I... best, M. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Oops, sorry to hear about that particular mishap! 15 hours ago, cmatthewbacon said: Grrr.... aaargh. Don't model when tired and grumpy, say I... Sound advice. I'll give you one in return: always follow your own advices 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted November 22, 2020 Author Share Posted November 22, 2020 Well, more or less back on track now. This one is more like it, in terms of fit and detail... Decided to get a bit continental with the lights after spotting one online: Mixed some Citadel Yellow ink with "Mr Gauzy" and dipped the clear parts, and it looks pretty good to me... best, M. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 That's a great way of painting clear parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted November 24, 2020 Author Share Posted November 24, 2020 This is more like I hoped the paint would look: That was a couple of days ago. This is where I am tonight: Much happier with the way this one is shaping up now. It's really making me wish there was a decent 1/24 kit of the 310, 610 or Renault GTA. Modifying one of the Airfix "Rally" reboxes of an old Eidei/Grip motorised kits feels way too much like hard work. Maybe our friends at Ukrainian Scale Car Production could follow up their Citroen SM with one, while they're on an iconic but obscure French cars kick... best, M. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Ooh nice! Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 That looks really smart Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 Thanks, chaps... this is pretty much done. The next photos should be in RFI and the Heller GB Gallery! A few last bits of tidying up, the essential number plates, and trying to attach the microscopic wing mirror and that will be that... You can't really tell because of the perspective in this picture, but the Alpine is a LOT smaller than the Citroen! best, M. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Great result! Nice paint on the Alpine, that's what it should look like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Lovely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 Thanks, guys.... this one's done now! best, M. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Superb result on the Alpine. Love those wheels. Reminds me of those 1970s reel to reel tape thingies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 17 minutes ago, fightersweep said: Superb result on the Alpine. Love those wheels. Reminds me of those 1970s reel to reel tape thingies. Early IBM computer ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Every time I'm amazed at how small these things are and what you manage to do with them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Very nice Matthew, well done! I really like it! I may even have to build the one I have in my stash now... Those original wheels of the V6 phase 1 we used to regard as quite weird looking, but with increasing age of both car and persons they have really grown and suits the slender standard phase 1 body very well. Time changes a lot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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