Bentley 4 1/2 litre Blower in 1/12th scale

[Jo NZ]

Another one for the list. The rectangular blob on a stick that fits into the floor in front of the drivers seat is the brake adjuster. It should look something like this....



I'm so pleased that when I decided that the Birkin single seater was going to be curbside, I avoided so many of the inaccurate bits!

[nickedw]

Magnetos drawn this morning, here’s a render



Nick

[nickedw]

And the water pump…



Nick

[nickedw]

Latest photos of printed prototype

[MODEL A MODEL]

Excellent choice!

Thoughts yet on the fuel tank? or -Leaf springs wound in cord? or -Radiator cells could be printed and that is a specific plus that would be unique to printed model components!

You are a very interesting modeler!

-Don

[nickedw]

All on the list, although no cord on the leaf springs, I would suggest, well, cord for that :) plus shock absorbers, correct radiator, instrument panel, bulkhead and seats.

I plan to produce a full transkit until such time as I have a large enough printer for the chassis then a full kit.

I haven’t ruled out 1/8th out either, it’s all drawn 1:1 scale.

Thanks for the compliment!

Nick

[MODEL A MODEL]

Hmmmm? Instrument panel? -maybe templates? let the modeler make the panel and do the engine turning themselves. LAZER-cut? that would be nice, or Photo-etched? How about two sets of seat cushions, one set factory fresh, the other Le Mans weary?

-Don

[nickedw]

I’m working on a 3D printed jig to do the engine turning on Ali sheet as it happens, early days,


It uses glass fibres epoxied into an Ali tube for the head in a Dremel drill press.

Got the magnetos and water pump printed today too



As well as squeezing in going to see Genesis in Liverpool tonight too, so quite a busy day.



Regards

Nick

[nickedw]

good progress on the supercharger today




Nick

[MODEL A MODEL]

Somewhere Amherst Villiers is smiling!

[nickedw]

Latest photos of the engine build






Nick

[nickedw]

The CAD work for the engine is pretty much complete now





Regards

Nick

[Bugatti Fan]

Nick, it is very nice to see a transkit being developed for the big Airfix Bentley at long last. Given the age of the original kit dates back to 1972 (I think) it is showing its age a bit compared with recent kits. A transkit is a great idea as the old Bentley has plenty of potential. It is surprising that no one has bothered before. I wish you every success with this venture. I have one complete kit in my stash and one that shall we say has seen better days and am thinking of making a long wheelbase version from the two. There is so much that can be improved on that kit like getting the radiator shell badge in the right position. I am surprised that Airfix got that one item so wrong as they had full access to the car when Neil Corner owned it. What also surprises me is that they changed the number plate I think to the one on the car that is owned by Bentley Motors but did not sort out the badge position at the time. There are a number of engine detail items to improve that I see from your CAD drawings you are already taking care of. Will you also be looking at photo etched or laser cut and etched parts for such things as the leaf springs and the Andre Hartford shock absorbers?
Out of curiosity what 3D CAD program do you use? Autodesk Inventor, Solid Works, Pro Engineer or one of the other programs available.
Any timescale as to when you might have the transkit available for general sale?
I see that after the transkit, you will be looking to make a full kit? You will really be in MFH territory with that one!
I have written about and reviewed the old Bentley in some different model making magazines over the years the first being in Scale Models Magazine, Auto Modeller and the American Model Car Builder. Now that I know what you are developing I will hold back my Bentley until your transkit becomes available to buy. Have you any projected figure in mind of what price you will be aiming to sell it for?
There is so much to improve on that kit that I expect there will be many pieces in it. Look forward to hearing about the progress on this venture. Looking at what you are developing you will certainly have two strings to your bow with a full kit similar to an MFH one and also a less expensive option of a transkit for the Airfix kit.

I like the turned aluminium dashboard you made. I have done something similar on another model using a miniature end mill in a drill press.

[nickedw]

Got the supercharger and carbs printed today, still needs work but a good start.





I produced the wheels a couple of weeks ago, I just need to get around to producing the assembly manual



Regards

Nick