Miniature News

Something rather exciting for Brooklands enthusiasts—Grand Prix Models have brought out a cast-metal kit for making a model of Count Zborowski’s Chitty-Bang-Bang I. It has good detail, including the outside oil-tank, chain-drive, slender rear spring-hangers, scuttle feed-pump, outside levers, instruments, starting handle, outside exhaust, fuel tank and filler, etc. It is 4 3/10-in, long and represents “Chitty” in her duck’s-tail 1921 form, so that it should be painted black with an unpainted bonnet and given the racing no. “2”. There seems no attempt to distort the correct dimensions, as is sometimes done by miniature-car draughtsmen, so here is a really effective replica of one of the most famous of the 1920s Brooklands cars, long bonnet, Mercedes radiator, massive build all correctly captured in this substantial model. A radiator cowl could be made for it and if GP Models bring out additional Brooklands cars of like period and scale it would be fun to make a Fork layout or a banking scene, depicting typical starting line-ups or racing happenings at the old Track. This model has been made from an expensive mould and comes with racing history and building instructions. It costs £4.00 in kit form, plus 30p postage and packing. It is No. 8 in the Classic Car Series, No. 7 being a model of the 1950 TT Jaguar XK120, also in kit-form. We now hope for some long-tailed outer-circuit Brooklands cars, or maybe the 350-h.p. Sunbeam.

No. 9 in Auto Replicas 1/43rd scale series is of the 1937 Tatra 77a, made in co-operation with the factory, the kit containing the largest one-piece white metal structure so far attempted, we are told, which forms the one-piece cast body. The kit comes with chrome-plated fittings, transfers and window mouldings, and vinyl for the optional sun-roof. The Tatra lot sells for £3.85, inclusive of VAT, plus 15p carriage. The next in this series is to be a replica of Bryan Goodman’s Amilcar Italiana. Details from Grand Prix Models, 173-175 Watling Street, Radlett, Herts., and Auto Replicas, 56a, Sandbanks Road, Parkstone, Dorset, respectively.—W.B.