1:32 Aifix Ford Escort Mk 1

[Kallisti]

In 1971, but Dad bought the most expensive car he'd ever own, a 1968 Ford Escort in pale blue. He was immensely proud of it and was his car up until he died in 1979. 

 

 

For some years now I've been building examples of the aircraft he worked on while in the RAF in WWII under the banner Aircraft my Father fixed so I suppose you could call this one "Car my Father drove!"

 

This is the old Aifix kit subsequently repackaged as a starter kit

 

 

and to be honest, its not a very good kit, about standard for the time though I guess  Scalemates reckons it was released in 1969. The kit does miss out some minor details like the wing mirrors and windscreen wipers, but I wasn't ready to start scratch building those! I didn't both building the engine, I'm not going to leave the bonnet open!

 

Painted with a custom mix of pale blue from mixing Tamiya X-4 blue and X-2 white, this got a gloss coat at the end which sadly appears to have introduced some yellowish patches on the bonnet and wing, I don't know how or why, but it was so late in the day I wasn't prepared to strip the paint back and go again. I printed out the correct registration plate into paper which I then matt glossed before gluing onto the model.

 

 

 

 

 

[SnøMotion]

What a great model! Lovely detail for a small scale 

 

I wouldn’t worry about the discolouration in the clear. I reckon, after 56 years, the original Ford paint would be showing its age. It doesn’t detract from the overall look of the car 

 

It’s a shame Tamiya don’t make a 1/24 Mk1, I’d like to build that. 

 

Martin

[lestwistle]

cool 👍,what did you use for the chrome on it ??

[lestwistle]

i'm looking for some one who can 3d print me some wider wheels for my airfix escort ,so anyone out there who can either 3d print them or knows some one who can please let me know ,thanks in advance 

[Kallisti]

8 minutes ago, lestwistle said:

cool 👍,what did you use for the chrome on it ??

Its Alclad chrome, which I at first thought I'd messed up but its turned out alright when there is good lighting  

[lestwistle]

it looks good ,better than the shiny stuff you usually get on models 

[Kallisti]

Hving just checked the last pic, I see the rear bumber is on crooked... fixed now

I also used the opportunity to use a graphite pencil to rub lightly over the "FORD" and "Escort" badges

 

 

[Neddy]

Nice model!  I owned a 1:1 '69 Escort 1100 identical to that back in my early 20s and loved it, basic motoring but great to drive.

[Pete in Lincs]

1 hour ago, Neddy said:

basic motoring but great to drive.

My '72 Escort was a vast improvement over my Ford Anglia! Hours of fun. 

Your model has turned out very nicely.

I hate to point this out but the Airfix kit headlights are the early type. Whereas your Fathers car had round ones.

A new round headlight grille may be available somewhere on line?

[Kallisti]

5 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said:

My '72 Escort was a vast improvement over my Ford Anglia! Hours of fun. 

Your model has turned out very nicely.

I hate to point this out but the Airfix kit headlights are the early type. Whereas your Fathers car had round ones.

A new round headlight grille may be available somewhere on line?

 

Yeah I saw that as well but like I said there are a couple of things not quite right with the kit, eg missing wing mirrors, windscreen wipers, seat belts in the interior but I wasn't going to mess about with such a small kit

[keefr22]

That's a really nice build of a right old dog of a kit! Really like the colour and I too wouldn't be too bothered about the discolouration in the gloss coat.

 

I've got a stalled one of these that I've been working on trying to correct the shape problems with it and make a replica of one of my Mk1 rally cars. I got a bit fed up with it and put it away a few years ago. Your lovely little Escort has given me the incentive to dig it out and try and get it done!

 

Cracking job!

 

Keith

[lestwistle]

cars of the 70s didnt always come with wing mirrors as they were extras on base models ,i had a 76 cortina mk3 L it had no mirrors fitted ,i got a pair from Halfords and fitted them myself,so i wouldnt worry about them not supplied or fitted in the kit 

[Kallisti]

On 12/2/2024 at 7:53 PM, lestwistle said:

cars of the 70s didnt always come with wing mirrors as they were extras on base models ,i had a 76 cortina mk3 L it had no mirrors fitted ,i got a pair from Halfords and fitted them myself,so i wouldnt worry about them not supplied or fitted in the kit 

 

I know, but as you can see from the photo with my Dad, this one did have wing mirrors as well as the associated rust that developed around the fittings

[Bobby No Mac]

Nice little model and a great tribute to your dad's pride and joy