Thanks for looking in guys and for those links also, been having a look and I do like the idea of a pre painted resin figure, don't like the dolls though. Some nice figures available though and like I said it doesnt have to be a racing driver as I dont even think the number 8 decals have survived anyway.
I have an image in my mind of the figure I want but Im not going to find it, a young tearaway, plus-fours and his flat cap turned backwards, rich and privileged, too young for the first war and a little to old for the second...and of course a mad look in his eye as he's about to drive a super-charged Bentley, is this too much to ask
Might settle for the guy with the paper.

Anyway, on with the build.
Still waiting for some bits for the fuel tank so i got the main chassis built up - not going to prime until Ive had a good look through the instructions and added anything else that bolts straight to the chassis, steps, spare wheel holder etc.

I then moved on to the suspension, sprayed satin black then I noticed the plates are wrapped in some kind of winding when I looked closely at the parts, so back to the research pics and I saw that this was the case with the real car, cant put the pic here but here it is - http://atspeedimages.com...ft_front_suspension.jpg

So, with some .25 thread from the Victory box I wrapped the parts, missing out the parts that are clearly clamps for the plates. I then ran the whole thing over a flame to de-fuzz them and dipped them in very watered down matt varnish to seal it all. Looks fine to me anyway and Im glad I spotted it before they went on the chassis too

Thanks KP,
Got the chassis primed and painted today, the colour I went for was Rover Conifer, was going to use tamiya black green but would then have needed to gloss coat it as well so I thought Id just go with a rattle can. The kit recommends humbrol brunswick green but i just didn't like it, too light really.

Also sprayed the rear axle gloss black, I may tone down some of this gloss later in the build with humbrol matt or satin cote, but it will also tone down a bit after a wash so will have to see.

The final pic is all my sub - assemblies so far

Steve

Fantastic work so far, this is going to be an absolute stunner when she is finished, and the build diary so far is great!!

Hi Steve,
Just had a look in, not only a great build and a good diary but I learn something ever time.
Regards,
Trev.

Thanks for all the comments, and the advice also

The green may have looked a bit dark in last nights pics so I have a couple here taken this morning with super-charger installed

As you can see the colour looks a lot lighter. I did take colour testers with me when I bought the paint and also saw the humbrol brunswick green (too light) the colour I have matches the shade of british racing green but I didnt want the metallic effect, and most of the paints these day have either metallic or pearlescent. Like I said, I plan to do a wash and some detailing on the chassis before I start fitting anything so the sheen will also dull down a bit too.
Cheers
Steve

Cheers Alan,

Made some good progress on this, mainly due to the fact that I had a few of the sub-assembly's already made up.

Firstly did some weathering on the chassis before I started to add bits, this was mainly a grime / oil gathering in the recesses. I did this with first a Vallejo sepia wash then and oil / thinners mix which was then wiped off the paintwork leaving the oil in all the places that my cloth couldnt reach
Next I fitted the rear springs, no problems there, then the front springs.

The steering linkages and hub / drums on the front were very fiddly and not a good fit but managed to get it all lined up and is operational too when the side steering bar is moved. Lastly the engine was fitted and this went in very easily.

Next up is either the rear axle and drive shaft or I may go back to the fuel tank as my mesh has arrived this morning Lots of pics here but they are in a kind of build sequence so I thought Id use them all.

Thanks Tony, the straps on this kit are rubber with the buckles molded in, Im sure I can do something else with those when the time comes although I would like to have the engine covers open.

Back to the fuel tank now and I have fitted some mesh sides and rear / underside. I then had a forage around for bits to create some brackets, fuel lines, and taps. Here are the pics, will prob wait until there are some body panels to spray before I do the green on this.

Steve

Steve

If there is a vote for member of the year I know which way my vote will go

I am just so impressed at how you are adding your details to this one. I always have a scan at online builds to see what a plastic kit is like before committing hard earned cash. But with this one there is next to no online help which makes your progress so much the better.

Think I mentioned before that many, many years ago in our very young days my brother managed to get hold of this kit. He was never a model maker but to this day I still regret how mean I was to him not allowing him to touch my better quality paint brushes and now I look back, being pretty mean to him (being 10 was no excuse)

As I was then I am now, very envious. An old kit that gets a few knocks but just look at how your doing - a real top piece of modelling sir.

Great work Steve

This is really looking somethng special. Love all the weathering on this

Steve, your scratch building is really making a massive difference.

These older kits are often a cheper option and doing your own mods is much more satisfying than doing a box build of very acurate and more expensive modern kit.

She is looking fantastic

Jase