Hi Folks,
Back in the sixties I used to make a lot of plastic kits, mostly military but also some 1/32 cars for slot car racing, but stopped when I got married in 1970. Then about 15 years ago one of the kids gave me an Airfix "Cars of the sixties" set comprising an Escort Mk1, Triumph Herald, and TR4A in 1/32 scale. Mostly because I've owned all of those, and still have the TR4A.
A couple of weeks ago I was trailing along behind SWMBO on a trawl of charity shops, when I spotted a Revell Ferrari SA Aperta 1/24 kit for £1.50! Well, it would've seemed rude not to buy it. All the parts are there and it looks to be much better quality than I remember from the sixties, and on a different planet from the Airfix. Since I'm out of practice I'm putting a couple of Airfix kits together before I start the Ferrari.
Painting, or at least getting a good finish, was always the process I found most difficult. I've noticed a couple of people on this forum refer to using automotive spray paints from Halfords, which was always a no-no in the old days - doesn't it dissolve the plastic?
I'd also like some advice on what to do with another rediscovery, an SME Ltd resin-bodied 1/32 XK120 that I've had since the late 1950s I think, but haven't assembled (one mustn't rush these things). It has beautifully machined brass wheels, ditto aluminium headlamps, even the exhaust is brass rod bent to shape, nickel plated. and the open end drilled. The tyres are missing, and I stupidly painted the body dark red before realising that it's a replica of Ian Appleyard's NUB 120, so it has to be white! Being a resin shell it shouldn't be too difficult to strip. SME Ltd (f ormerly Scale Model Equipment)stopped supplying model kits in the early 60s to concentrate on high-end hi-fi turntables. I'm thinking that this kit would be better in the hands of a serious collector so I'm thinking I might put it on ebay, but I have no idea what it might be worth. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Pete
Back in the sixties I used to make a lot of plastic kits, mostly military but also some 1/32 cars for slot car racing, but stopped when I got married in 1970. Then about 15 years ago one of the kids gave me an Airfix "Cars of the sixties" set comprising an Escort Mk1, Triumph Herald, and TR4A in 1/32 scale. Mostly because I've owned all of those, and still have the TR4A.
A couple of weeks ago I was trailing along behind SWMBO on a trawl of charity shops, when I spotted a Revell Ferrari SA Aperta 1/24 kit for £1.50! Well, it would've seemed rude not to buy it. All the parts are there and it looks to be much better quality than I remember from the sixties, and on a different planet from the Airfix. Since I'm out of practice I'm putting a couple of Airfix kits together before I start the Ferrari.
Painting, or at least getting a good finish, was always the process I found most difficult. I've noticed a couple of people on this forum refer to using automotive spray paints from Halfords, which was always a no-no in the old days - doesn't it dissolve the plastic?
I'd also like some advice on what to do with another rediscovery, an SME Ltd resin-bodied 1/32 XK120 that I've had since the late 1950s I think, but haven't assembled (one mustn't rush these things). It has beautifully machined brass wheels, ditto aluminium headlamps, even the exhaust is brass rod bent to shape, nickel plated. and the open end drilled. The tyres are missing, and I stupidly painted the body dark red before realising that it's a replica of Ian Appleyard's NUB 120, so it has to be white! Being a resin shell it shouldn't be too difficult to strip. SME Ltd (f ormerly Scale Model Equipment)stopped supplying model kits in the early 60s to concentrate on high-end hi-fi turntables. I'm thinking that this kit would be better in the hands of a serious collector so I'm thinking I might put it on ebay, but I have no idea what it might be worth. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Pete
