RON’S MODEL SPOT

The Bentley MKVI has recently become a favourite subject to model. The Lansdowne (Brooklin) Models series has offered many body-style versions in 1:43 scale over recent years. Then there was the James Bond Collection (part-work) model also to 1:43 scale, and now a 1:18scale version by Cult Scale Models (a new make with other offerings that include the Rover 3500 P6B, Jensen Interceptor SI, Bentley S111 Continental Flying Spur, Jaguar XJR and Mercedes-benz V114 Lang). However the review this month is of the Oxford Diecasts’ Bentley IV Ivo Peters saloon. This is in the 1:43 range, but no doubt it will also be available in 1:76 scale in the near future. The Bentley’s lines have been well captured and the model has the right ‘sit’. There are three main castings used for the model — main body, front and rear wings and the chassis. These fit together snugly. The panel and shut lines are finely crafted. Plated parts are used for the bumpers, grille, light bezels, windscreen wipers, horn grille and boot handle. All other brightwork is done by silver tampo printing, which gives a neat effect. The grille has a backwash of black to emphasize its fine lines, and the ‘flying B’ mascot is fine and to scale. The headlights and driving light have clear lenses, but the two tail-lights are simply painted silver to represent the opaque white of the original. A radio aerial is mounted above the centre of the windscreen. Glazing is flush fitted, which allows the interior detail to be admired. Detail includes wood trim to the door tops and dashboard. The interior mirror is a separate item mounted in the correct position. The plastic underside carries reasonable detail. Large wheels are fitted with authentic tyres and plated hub caps. The Bentley is correctly painted dark blue for Ivo’s car with a grey interior. The model comes with its own clearplastic display case, and should cost about $62 in New Zealand. price is $14:95. First off the rank is the London FX4 taxi — the model seemingly a late Nissan powered version.

For the price, it is a reasonable model with plated parts and clearglazed lights, etc. Most of the brightwork is silver tampo printing with the grille, light bezels, door mirror and wipers being plated. The interior is detailed, as is the chassis, and the wheels look authentic. One minor quibble is the white rear number plate that should be yellow. The taxi is painted black, of course. Another model from the series is a 1950 Ford V8 from Montevideo. There are very few models of the V8 and this one is reasonable, although the front and rear wings are unpainted plastic, which gives the impression of being made in rubber because the sheen does not match the gloss of the body. Also missing are the horn grilles that are prominent under the headlights. The model is painted gloss black, with a chrome yellow roof. The series is published fortnightly, and can be obtained from most newsagents.