Four Small Wheels 6/2004 - Editor's choice

Editor’s choices - our favourites from this month’s new releases

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New 1:43rd white metal & photo-etched kit

RUF061

Cobra Daytona Body Buck

£50.60

Making our choice for 1:43rd kit of the month was made easy this issue by the arrival of this excellent set of parts from André-Marie Ruf. If you enjoy working with photo-etch you’re going to love this! The plywood buck used to form the aluminium panels of the Cobra Coupés is superbly reproduced and looks like it should slot together very simply. What will keep modellers occupied for plenty of time is the fitting of all the little brackets at every joint! The buck sits on a well detailed cast chassis and suspension and AMR have taken the sensible route of using Sprint 43’s excellent Hallibrand wheels (SPRY002) rather than starting from scratch. Several vac-forms are also included, to be painted and used to replicate the aluminium panels in the process of being created. The whole thing is a great idea and will make a superb centrepiece to any Cobra collection or a workshop diorama. I can feel my credit card twitching which is very rare!

New 1:43rd resin & metal kit & hand built

CJM007	Jaguar Mk2 Modsports Thruxton 1975 - kit	£39.70
CJM007M	Jaguar Mk2 Modsports Thruxton 1975 - built	£138.00

Throughout the early 1970’s Tony Williams and his Risca Garages Jaguar were a familiar sight in Modsports races around the South West of England and South Wales and enjoyed a fair level of success. This much modified machine apparently ran a D Type spec engine and looks superb with the wide slot-mag alloys and flared wheel arches. Classic Jaguar’s kit is very well cast with virtually no flash and excellent panel engraving on the resin body and chassis. The white metal seat and other ancillary parts will need a little cleaning up but nothing serious and the decals are clearly printed. The hand built model looks just right, with a perfect stance, a good even paint finish, carefully applied detailing and decals. We’re always glad to see unusual subjects and CJM must be commended on a brave choice of subject.

New 1:24th resin kit

SCDK007

Porsche 935K3 Le Mans 1976 Martini

£75.05

From advanced photographs of this kit we could see that there was going to be a lift off engine cover and detailed motor within. Much of this is cast integrally with the baseplate and cockpit tub, so a steady hand will be needed for the detail painting, but by the time the exhausts and intercoolers are fitted it should look very convincing. There are a fair number of smaller resin components for interior detailing and the two p/e sheets contain the usual window frames, centres for the resin wheels (suggest Alclad polished aluminium ALC005 for the rims) and various fixings. There are also two sets of seat belts, one as complete etched parts and the other as a set of buckles to which you can add fabric belts (not included) if you prefer. There are then two sheets of very clearly drawn and printed decals to finish the model off. Take your time and this will make a very impressive piece.

New book

ISBN1844251039

Boreham, Ford’s Motorsport Dream Factory by Graham Robson - weight 1.5kg

£35.00

For over 40 years Boreham was home to Ford UK’s motorsport operations. Author Robson’s close contact with various personalities and projects during this time gives a valuable insight into many of the behind the scenes stories helping to make this a fascinating insight into one of the most successful set-ups in European Motorsport history. By way of introduction we are told the story of the pre-Boreham Zephyrs, Zodiacs & Anglias and then the story proper starts with the Mk1 Cortina. Then there are the various Escorts, Capris, Fiestas, RS200 and Sierras, all of which were competitively entered by the works outfit. Throughout there are excellent photographs of cars in competition and the workshop, with the RS200 production close-ups being particularly interesting. The Focus is not included as it was the moving of this project to Malcolm Wilson’s Cumbria-based concern that really called an end to activity on this particular Essex airfield. A must for all Ford fans and rally enthusiasts in general.