The Escort that never was.

[Jabba]

So, its finally finished. Its the first time I've done a 'kit' like this i.e. 3D printed and it was a struggle most of the way. the actual resin has the structural rigidity of dry spaghetti, so many of the parts, especially the rear axle, had components that were too fragile and snapped off too easily, hence I had to replace a lot of parts with scratch built styrene. I found in the end that, although the front and rear suspension assemblies came cast as one part, it was best to carefully cut them apart so they could be altered and strengthened as needed. I also had to make some lowering blocks (just like we used to do on the real cars! ) on the back as the ride height was too high compared with the front, which was about right. All the wheels and tyres had to be narrowed as they wouldn't fit under the arches. This took 16 cuts in total. I then used the strip I had cut out to stick on the inside the cut edge of the tyre (or outside of the wheel) to give the other cut half something to be glued to. even so I feel the track is too wide and the rear wheel offset is incorrect, but I'm just being picky.
I'm reasonably happy with the colour scheme, although the finish of the 2K clearcoat could be better in places, but its only my guess of what a real cars livery would have looked like as no-one, to my knowledge- ever raced in these colours. The bonnet and boot fit could be better, but I got very nervous when applying heat to any of these parts to correct them as they would go soft very suddenly.
I think the grille (a bit chunky) and the wheel offsets make it look a bit 'cartoony'.
Overall, despite all the problems it was satisfiying to get it done and I'm even tempted to get another one to try different paint schemes and engines (how about a JPS black 'n' Gold car, or a Martini car?...)
Its a shame Tamiya or Italeri or someone doesn't do either a MK1 or 2 Escort in 1/12 , I'm sure they'ed be very popular.
Anyway, I'm just grateful the Christian at Mezzo-mix-models does these kits as they are the only ones available in this scale.

Ford Escort MK1 Rallye-Version in 1/12 scale

Rallye-Version des Ford Escort MK1 in 1/12 scale! Wohl der einzige Bausatz den man erwerben kann in diesem Maßstab! Motor, Aufhängungen, Dashboard für LHD und RHD ,Käfig und Minilite Style Felgen inklusive! Mein Preis dafür sind 160€ plus Versand Weltweit...

mezzo-mix-models.jimdo.com

As a comparioson here it is next to the Italeri 1/12 Lancia Delta HF

 

[scottie3158]

The Mkl Escort my first car many years ago. That is a great result.

 

[Waspie]

Loverly job. Never had one, Mk1 Escort but a very good friend of mine did. He used it for rallying, can't remember the number of headlights he had!!! Certainly brightened up any day!! Literally!!

 

[Tworrs]

Very nicely presented model Peter, a great build.

 

[adt70hk]

That has turned out vey nicely despite all the problems. Well done for persevering.

Andrew

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Peter,
I had some reservations on the resin kit when you first posted but you've made it looking really good. Great perseverance. Had the later version Escort Sport as my first car.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Ian M]

That turned out fantastic Peter!

 

[Jabba]

Thank you for your comments. I forgot to add a picture of the underside. Overall the kit comes with an interesting mix of components. E.G. the wheels and 'trans am' style spoiler are rather late 70's/early 80's, but the suspension and the Girling Powerstop single-circuit brake servo are all very 60's/70's. (I remember fitting one of those to my first Cortina GT!). I painted the dampers yellow as I remember the first generation Bilsteins were that colour. Also the front lower TCA's are the standard road fit, whereas I'm sure the Mexico's and Twin Cams had compression struts as well. But, as I said, I might get another one of these one day and do a bit more improving.

 

[Andy the Sheep]

A wonderful model and a charming paint scheme.

 

[Dave Ward]

Peter,
a lot of work, you should be proud of the result. My recollection of the Mk.I is my brother irreperably damaging his rally car at a single venue event at RAF Lindholme ( early 80's ). It was only its' third outing, he'd spent the previous year putting it together!
Dave