Looking good Jim. Vintage vehicles are a bit of a rarity so it’s nice to see this progressing 
Bandai 1/16 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1908 - "Balloon Car"
- Thread starter Jim R
- Start date
Just caught up with this Jim…
What an awesome project, I love it!
The fact that you’re rescuing a previous build is praise worthy in itself, but the care and attention to detail you’re giving this kit is simply outstanding.
I tip my hat sir!
Looking forward to seeing more progress
ATB
Paul
What an awesome project, I love it!
The fact that you’re rescuing a previous build is praise worthy in itself, but the care and attention to detail you’re giving this kit is simply outstanding.
I tip my hat sir!
Looking forward to seeing more progress
ATB
Paul
Jim R
SMF Supporter
A fair bit of progress to report.
First off the headlights and side lights. The fit of the two halves of each light was pretty poor. Despite a fair bit of work they will have to do. Interestingly these were some of the earliest electric lights fitted to a car that worked successfully. I used clear styrene to make representation of bulbs.
The bonnet was put together and the trim surrounds and hinges fitted.
The wooden floor and running boards were painted with various oils.
The next job was fitting the mudguards. They were twisted and the fit was hopeless. It took two full afternoons to get them, as Ron would say, summat like. Plenty of clamps (the ones on the far side are only there for balance)
More by luck than judgement they actually ended up pretty good.
There are support brackets to fit at the front and the rear. The rear ones fit fine and attach to the chassis. The ones at the front fit inside the mudguard on a marked line.
Unfortunately the brackets don't fit the curve. You can see how they are not even the same curve. I will replace them with some lead wire which is easy to bend to the curve.
We are getting there slowly. Thanks for sticking with it.
First off the headlights and side lights. The fit of the two halves of each light was pretty poor. Despite a fair bit of work they will have to do. Interestingly these were some of the earliest electric lights fitted to a car that worked successfully. I used clear styrene to make representation of bulbs.
The bonnet was put together and the trim surrounds and hinges fitted.
The wooden floor and running boards were painted with various oils.
The next job was fitting the mudguards. They were twisted and the fit was hopeless. It took two full afternoons to get them, as Ron would say, summat like. Plenty of clamps (the ones on the far side are only there for balance)
More by luck than judgement they actually ended up pretty good.
There are support brackets to fit at the front and the rear. The rear ones fit fine and attach to the chassis. The ones at the front fit inside the mudguard on a marked line.
Unfortunately the brackets don't fit the curve. You can see how they are not even the same curve. I will replace them with some lead wire which is easy to bend to the curve.
We are getting there slowly. Thanks for sticking with it.
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
A lot of silk -pursery going on here Jim. Excellent stuff, hang in there!
Mark1
SMF Supporter
All looking very nice so far.
Looking very fine Jim. That floor, in particular, is superb.
Miko
SMF Supporter
I've been using that one with missus Miko for years! Ha!
Looks like an interesting build
Miko
Jim R
SMF Supporter
Neil, Mark, Tim, Tony, John and Miko - many thanks for such supportive posts
As I said in the last update the front mudguard brackets did not fit so I scratched replacements. Looking at photos of the real thing the brackets appear to be riveted in place although there is no sign of any fastenings on the top side of the mudguard.
...... and painted
I fitted the exhaust.
Then I thought I'd tackle the wheels. I have found a few builds of this kit online and one said the wheels were impossible and so the model became a shelf queen and another decided to source after market wheels. A few managed OK. I reasoned that if I couldn't manage the wheels then there was little point in going on with the rest of the build.
The wheels use a jig. The spokes are black, nylon thread. There is a rim and a centre which is laced up using the jig.
There are two steps - 26 and 27. Both involve lacing. They are then fitted together.
The problem is that God didn't give me enough hands. I could have done with one or two extras. The thread is slippery and has to be kept taut, the jig has to be turned over and back multiple times and the wheel itself has to be turned in the jig. Anyway after many, many starts I have one wheel. Very, very effective. The two laced rims are glued together.
And .... drum roll.... I have one wheel.
Still need the chrome centre and the tyre but it's done. I have actually done the first lacing of a second wheel. Doing the wheels made me think of the late, great Simon T. He spoked wheels and we joked about him have trained spiders - good memories.
Thanks for your continued support.
As I said in the last update the front mudguard brackets did not fit so I scratched replacements. Looking at photos of the real thing the brackets appear to be riveted in place although there is no sign of any fastenings on the top side of the mudguard.
...... and painted
I fitted the exhaust.
Then I thought I'd tackle the wheels. I have found a few builds of this kit online and one said the wheels were impossible and so the model became a shelf queen and another decided to source after market wheels. A few managed OK. I reasoned that if I couldn't manage the wheels then there was little point in going on with the rest of the build.
The wheels use a jig. The spokes are black, nylon thread. There is a rim and a centre which is laced up using the jig.
There are two steps - 26 and 27. Both involve lacing. They are then fitted together.
The problem is that God didn't give me enough hands. I could have done with one or two extras. The thread is slippery and has to be kept taut, the jig has to be turned over and back multiple times and the wheel itself has to be turned in the jig. Anyway after many, many starts I have one wheel. Very, very effective. The two laced rims are glued together.
And .... drum roll.... I have one wheel.
Still need the chrome centre and the tyre but it's done. I have actually done the first lacing of a second wheel. Doing the wheels made me think of the late, great Simon T. He spoked wheels and we joked about him have trained spiders - good memories.
Thanks for your continued support.
Waspie
SMF Supporter
Errrr - just WOW. Superb work.
Mark1
SMF Supporter
Now your just showing off! 
great job
great job 
Stefee
SMF Supporter
Very awe inspiring work, especially the wheels.
Airborne01
SMF Supporter
Good, good? You are wheely 'aving a giraffe Guv'nor!
Steve
Steve
Loving those wheels.
Tworrs
SMF Supporter
Very impressive result Jim, those spiders must have been working overtime.
Jim R
SMF Supporter
Thanks guys for your posts. This is one of those builds that needs "encouragement" 
Finally got the wheels finished. I thought it would get easier but wheel no.5 took almost two hours. The main spokes unraveled 16 times - the air was very blue. I got almost to the end and then the nylon thread slipped and being stiff and slippery it just unraveled. Once the tension is lost you're b******d.
They've had a coat of MRP black.
The body was also primed and sprayed with MRP. Because MRP paint is a satin finish it will need a gloss coat.
Finally got the wheels finished. I thought it would get easier but wheel no.5 took almost two hours. The main spokes unraveled 16 times - the air was very blue. I got almost to the end and then the nylon thread slipped and being stiff and slippery it just unraveled. Once the tension is lost you're b******d.
They've had a coat of MRP black.
The body was also primed and sprayed with MRP. Because MRP paint is a satin finish it will need a gloss coat.
Just had a catch up Jim,great progress indeed
As for those wheels,well.... words fail me!!
..... What an incredible bit of modelling.... superb stuff 
As for those wheels,well.... words fail me!!
..... What an incredible bit of modelling.... superb stuff