WARREN KERFOOT tells us how he's kitbashed an Oxford Diecast model and an Airfix Kit to make a unique vehicle.
As part of my ongoing urge to modify road vehicles, here is another project; and as usual the victim is an Oxford Diecast vehicle, the excellent OD76BD013 Bedford with Billy Smarts Box Office Trailer and another donor from the Airfix range, the AX03306 Bedford QT Truck Set. This job involves some easy to use items to create a model with a bit of difference, this one being based on a BR promotional/mobile ticket office I have a photograph of. But obviously given my obsession for the LMS it's treated accordingly with typical ignorance, rather than artistic licence!
As usual I want these models to look like a moment in time so like to pose elements to give that all important in service look. Dismantling the Oxford Diecast vehicle is straightforward with a screwdriver. With the body sections detached it's a really clear and easy one to do. Remove the Bedford cab and set it aside for another project.
The Oxford Diecast Billy Smart's Circus Trailer, which was the base for the conversion.
The trailer is an excellent moulding and joy beyond measure. It's plastic, so lends itself to the saw nicely. We're only really interested in the top of course. You should open all the window apertures first while the body is still firm. This is best done by using a small drill in a pin chuck (Pin Vice with say a 0.7mm Drill Bit in) in all 4 corners, then use a craft knife to link the holes up. Be patient as a mistake here will be hard to make look right after! Once through, the windows are open rather than printed on, as on the original model.
Now it's the turn of the doors on the access side. Same again, hole the corners with the drill and then run down with your razor saw (Superfine Razor Saw is best as it burrs less on the plastic). If you are careful, the cut out pieces can simply be reversed to depict the flip side of the open door.
As the doors are going to be open and my aim is to have eager travellers buying tickets on board. I did some simple work on the interior to make it look a bit more likely. You can get as carried away here as much as you like really.
The Airfix QT kit, lots of useful bits and pieces in this set for the scratchbuilder.
For the cab I wanted to be a bit different here. My photo is a Karrier cab, but I fancied something a bit heavier so went for the Bedford QL cab from the Airfix QT kit. You only need one cab for this project, so you have lots and lots of parts left over for other midnight madness here.
Now it's time for paint. Humbrol aerosols were used here. The Gloss takes a while to cure off, but performance is excellent, as long as you have thoroughly cleaned your model. Reassembly the whole vehicle back together with the original screws, but don't forget to pose those front wheels on the turn. The Airfix cab needs to be bonded with Deluxe Materials Roket Max and the glazing made more flush looking with Glue N Glaze as usual.
Internal door furniture is pieces of scrap and the steps are donated from the spares box from footbridges and the like. Number plates are from the excellent Scale Model Scenery range, which are crystal clear water slides. LMS logos etc are off transfer sheets, and the pretty crude specific writing I did on the printer. very low tech, but you can get away with it in this context. Add some mirrors and other details (I will be putting a small generator behind the cab) like blackout markings etc. Slightly longer job than normal here, what with the cutting and multi colouring, but nothing too difficult - I wouldn't have been able to finish it if it was!
Another nice simple project done quickly and easily to add a different dimension to the vehicles. The same principles can be applied lots of the superb Oxford vans and cars.