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Rhomboid ramblings


06/24

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I’ve been giving some thought to how to display the taxi, first I thought about the classic nouveau Metropolitain entrances, but couldn’t find a 1/35 source. But then I remembered the Colonne Morris, which is both nearly as distinctive and available in model form.


51035087886_daa0eb9e9d_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colonne_Morris,_Paris_1910,_par_Eugène_Atget.jpg#/media/File:Colonne_Morris,_Paris_1910,_par_Eugène_Atget.jpg

 

MK Editions make one, which Fields of Glory had in stock, as well as this gentleman:

 

51035192717_6328878f53_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

I’m not sure yet if this is Alphonse, or if the ICM driver figure will become Alphonse, but it’s good to have a choice. Hopefully neither MK Editions nor Fields of Glory will mind me borrowing their photo, but it will be removed on request.

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For my morning exercise I cycled up to the old Bangour hospital, referred to earlier in the thread. Built as an Asylum, it was taken over as a military hospital in both world wars. Sadly, the developers are moving in, but hopefully at least some of the buildings will be saved:

 

51034356598_34331ff27d_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

 

51034356323_0db891acd3_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51035087516_939e60e201_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

 

51034356438_d62cd5b58f_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr


51035087661_90203e0208_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

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I think the faces are as good as I’m going to get. Still have to work on Hardy’s hair, and Lauren’s apron and both Brodie helmets.

 

51035373911_7cddf14e58_c.jpg1/35 Figures by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51034642943_50d911ddd6_c.jpg1/35 Figures by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51035373941_689c59db49_c.jpg1/35 Figures by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51035373946_2ec2224dea_c.jpg1/35 Figures by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51035373936_27eee5e5cf_c.jpg1/35 Figures by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51035480167_287825c775_c.jpg1/35 Figures by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51034642938_0e9960694c_c.jpg1/35 Figures by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

Finally a shot to remind me just how small they really are, and to be less critical of my work.

 

51035427026_212e8b4e99_c.jpgUntitled by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

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Meanwhile, work has continued on the coachwork of the taxi. I want to pose it with the kerbside door open, but the tumblehome of the bodyside means it had “stand-off” hinges at the bottom. A tiny wedge of sprue has been cut to size and glued to the inside of the hinge, not entirely realistic but it will give additional strength to the door and still be all but invisible.

 

51035409536_c333834a15_c.jpg1/35 Taxi by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

For the same reason, I will insert a short length of 0.5mm square bar in the upper door opening, to give the open door something to cement to. I’ll bevel the edge so again, I hope, it will be invisible in anything but extreme close up.

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The Morris replaced the version with built in facilities, when M. Morris realised that separating the adverts from the pong of the urinal would make people more likely to take note. His design was introduced from 1868, so plenty in evidence by 1918.

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I would normally look to add some form of mechanical reinforcement, a wire pin or whatever, but the doors are so thin that I couldn’t see a way to drill for a pin that wouldn’t risk disfigurement 

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I wonder if they had a wide leather strap, like some of the old train compartment doors, that restrained the door from banging too far open ?

If so a representation of that kind of thing may help beef up the join...

Just looked & you can still buy them in vintage car supplies places btw as leather door check straps...there's an ebay item 321744871655 that illustrates them quite well...just a thought.

Edited by Pig of the Week
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Finding interior pictures to check is nigh on impossible, but I finally found one. It appears there was a leather retaining strap below the line of the seat cushions, as well as a similar strap for lowering the door window, again like a vintage rail carriage.

 

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20144/lot/614/

 

No guarantee that they were all the same, but useful nonetheless.

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I thought something like that'd be likely....well done finding a pic ( the  padded leather interior looks like it should also include Dracula ! )

You have a precedent for adding one now anyway...Alfons's passengers will only fling the doors open and break 'em otherwise, especially them Tommies... :)

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Mes Amis, le taxi est en retard, but tomorrow is a day off work so hopefully progress will resume. My Colonne Morris has arrived and Alphonse 2, so will share photos once I get the chance.

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The taxi has had a blast of primer, as I’m reaching the point where paint is required before sub assemblies can be joined. While that dries, I’ve been working on the ambulance crew, Driver Hardy has been fixed in place, with pedals and lever added. His head will follow once the tin hat has been painted. Meanwhile, nurse Lauren has had her starched apron added, from thin tissue fixed with a combination of superglue to pin it in place, and then pva to give it a natural drape.

 

51051823762_53e72f9c98_c.jpg1/35 Ambulance crew by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

51051012833_a4aa7744d0_c.jpg1/35 Ambulance crew by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

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So I think Nurse Lauren is finished, or at least as finished as I can make her. 
 

51055477872_e6398902cf_c.jpgLauren & Hardy by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr
 

I tried to improve Hardy’s face but tbh I don’t think it’s any better, suspect it’s time to call it quits and move on, before I make things worse.

 

51055398871_504dcea000_c.jpgLauren & Hardy by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

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