A55009 E-Type build review

[Ratch]

Following the instructions, I washed the runners in warm, soapy water, rinsed them, and left them to air dry.

I have painted the bodywork with Humbrol Acrylic 239 Gloss British Racing Green. I have two old 14ml pots and when I brushed this on (having stirred the pot thoroughly) it was as though the plastic repelled the paint. Switching to the ‘rifle target’ potlet supplied, the paint brushed on perfectly, giving excellent coverage. I continued painting all the parts while still attached to the runner with the supplied paints.

[Ratch]

The exhaust moulding is used to trap the rear axle, which should not be glued to allow the wheels to rotate. I re-touched the paintwork where necessary and picked out detail on the dashboard. The interior was washed with umber and the wire wheels were given a black wash to accentuate the detail.

The cabin moulding traps the front axle, which, like the rear axle, is allowed the freedom to rotate with the wheels attached.

The rear windscreen and quarterlights are glued into the main body.

I found the fit poor. I could not get a seamless location all around and was left with a gap in the nearside rear quarterlight. The body is then be fixed to the lower assembly. I secured the bumpers. Then the windscreen and headlight lenses were fixed using PVA. The wheels are joined, the paintwork re-touched and then fitted to the vehicle.

[Ratch]

I brushed Humbrol Clear over the areas where the decals would be placed, then applied the decals using Humbrol DecalFix. Finally, I touched up the tyres and the build was completed.

The kit is a good introduction to modelling for the inexperienced. Perhaps the hardest thing will be getting a car showroom finish to the bodywork, but that is a skill that takes practice (unless you’re lucky). I think that most builders will be pleased with the end product.