Herald Build

After sitting half-finished in a box for seven years this was what the Herald looked like in October 2022 when I finally took it out again. 

Hand brushed, the paint got very thick very fast. But it was neatly done. The battery was the first part to be glued down. I'm a modeller from the 'before times', when blobby tube glue meant pre-painting parts was much more doable. 

Looking at close up pics like these helped me to see little paint blemishes that I couldn't see otherwise. Thanks to this pic I fixed the red smudges on the front edge of the brown floor; the white spill around the oil cap and the white spill around the coin holder on the raised middle floor. 

The seats are a little off with the painting but it's my first model since 1989 so happy enough with how it's turning out so far. 

Look at that gap! Dry fitting the body to the chassis showed how warped the body is. I realise at this point that I need to buy some clamps. 

Getting the body glued to the chassis took three attempts and some serious clamp action! 

This close up pic makes the paint look rougher than it is to the naked eye. But the rough look here has helped persuade me to give air-brushing a go. 

My first real attempt at fine detail painting in over thirty years so the dashboard is well dodgy, but I love how it's coming together for all its imperfections. 

Done at last! Thanks to Airfix for sending replacement decals (the tax disc and numberplates) at no cost. 

So many mistakes and things to improve on, but I love it! And I love the reflection caught from natural light on my kitchen hob.