[Mean Mr Mustard]

Watch at a safe distance, as I descend deep here into the niche world of 1/43 Jaguar collecting and modelling. Because the joys of X351 ownership are just not enough.

I've now started with some cheap ones from EvilBay and will gradually work my way up to a large collection - a fun way to learn the full history of Jaguar. As well as a core collection, there will also be racing, TV and film sub-collections. For example, there are six Minder Jags. The fun is in finding the research, all on a plate - the world is indeed my lobster. https://www.minder.org/cars/mindcar-jags.htm

Certain models seem to be either unobtainable, way overpriced or inaccurate, and I'll be using modelling techniques (been building aircraft for forty years - including scratchbuilds, I rarely build from the box) - to convert my own. For example, the two Shaguars. It's not that difficult to paint Union Flags on car bodies, just time consuming. There will also be a Wheels of Shame sub-collection, covering various abominations.

The first few are now on their way by trusty courier. I've started a very long wants and manufacturers list, will post that up later.

 

[mac_doctor]

I always associate Arfur with the yellow Daimler.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

And so, the journey begins. First arrival an hour ago. A mere £2.99 from Evilbay.

James Bond's Die Another Day XKR. With the associated greeblies on show. I don't know anything at all about the film. But a quick glance confirms that, but for MI6 budget cuts, he could have upgraded from unguided rockets and fixed gun to radar guided weaponry with gimbal contrast lock, standard on the Portfolio spec. .

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

Ah, I see it belongs to the villain. No wonder the weapons fit is sub-par, what.

https://jamesbond.fandom.com/wiki/Jaguar_XKR

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

Del Prado XJ 220 and the inevitable E Type, fly speckled grin version.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

I see the XJ220 will need some work. I've already committed a collectors mortal sin by actually removing it from its blister pack.
Not sure of the colour, based on a quick look at real ones. This is a close match, I had a 2003 Skoda in this fetching shade. The side intakes will need drilling out. Orange adding to indicator lights. And the scoop under the radiator grille isn't very obvious. Perhaps the engine could do with some detailing, as it's nicely visible under the glass. It's LHD, so will need foreign plates adding. Seatbelts too.

For a bit of added interest / shock value, each model label will have a guide price for the real thing. $519,000 for this, I gather.

 

[JimboV8]

Looks like ‘Kingfisher Blue’ for the colour.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

I'll have to settle for quality hobby equivalents. Probably take off the paint on several at a time with Mr Muscle (it's not just for Thottle Bodies)

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

Chosen XJ220 subject - due to quality of walkround pics. I'll be able to pull and print the reg plates and missing Jaguar lettering, thanks to the frontal views. It's LHD - presumably due to the limited numbers, they all were. A curiousity is that the wing mirrors are offset - one on the wing, and the other on the RH door. Engine bay definitely oversimplified, but these are quite reasonably built to a low price point. The model definitely captures the lines well, apart from the missing and very obvious lower front scoop.

https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/391/blue_chip_and_competition_cars/jaguar_xj220.html

 

[mac_doctor]

There were definitely RHD 220s.

(... or do you mean that all of the models are LHD?: in which case try a different manufacturer)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20354117...Q-bPdd3ws_-2ZdyysYxoCUCQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

There were definitely RHD 220s, I've seen at least one (it was silver)

That means that it'll be passenger side, not "RH".

In which case, I'm lucky to have found that one, as it involves minimal mods to the cabin, mainly the cream leather repaint.

Being on the wrong side of the road for judging overtaking would usually be a bit of a drawback, but as the 37mph Fiesta could be safely passed from 30m behind in about 1.3 seconds, I don't suppose it's a major problem.

 

[NM_OLDER]

Chosen XJ220 subject - due to quality of walkround pics. I'll be able to pull and print the reg plates and missing Jaguar lettering, thanks to the frontal views. It's LHD - presumably due to the limited numbers, they all were. A curiousity is that the wing mirrors are offset - one on the wing, and the other on the RH door. Engine bay definitely oversimplified, but these are quite reasonably built to a low price point. The model definitely captures the lines well, apart from the missing and very obvious lower front scoop.

https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/391/blue_chip_and_competition_cars/jaguar_xj220.html

I'm guessing the passenger side mirror would have been obscured by the pillar if they'd put it in the same postion as the driver's side mirror.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

There were definitely RHD 220s.

(... or do you mean that all of the models are LHD?: in which case try a different manufacturer)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20354117...Q-bPdd3ws_-2ZdyysYxoCUCQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Wrong scale, unfortunately... Working to constant 1:43 and as cheap as I can get, (naturally, what with a real XJ indulgence and three Irish Setters to support.)

I've now found a candidate real car for the 1961 E Type in BRG. Only need to make up the reg as a decal, and some minor cabin repainting. Hadn't realised there was so much subtle variation over the years.

https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2010-09-25/car/1961-jaguar-e-type-s1-38-roadster/

 

[mac_doctor]

1:43? Who comes up with these numbers? Is one to forty-three a meaningful ratio in metric?

I grew up with 1:72, which makes a six-foot chap one inch: seems sensible to me!

 

[NM_OLDER]

The 1:43 scale is popular with manufacturers of die-cast model cars. It has its origins in British O scale model train sets. Slightly larger than the 1:48 American O scale, yet similar enough to allow for crossover use of accessories between the American and British O scales, it grew in popularity worldwide. The first model car in 1:43 scale was released in 1951. A car model represented in the 1:43 scale measures 3.5 to 4.5 inches long.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

Well, less detailing effort needed on my part, but this early E Type doesn't have seat belts...

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

1:43? Who comes up with these numbers? Is one to forty-three a meaningful ratio in metric?

I grew up with 1:72, which makes a six-foot chap one inch: seems sensible to me!

One Truth, Once Scale, One 72 - is certainly the case for aircraft. For cars, 1:43 is pretty much the dominant scale for the same reason -a decent balance of detail vs size and, especially, scope of collections. For aircraft, it's claimed 48th is more popular in the US because they (generally) have more living space. The detail in these modern car models, especially for the price, is excellent, but like everything else, it's now made in the Far East.

While scouting Ebay for Jag model bargains, I noticed the DeAgostini 'Build your 1/8th E-Type Jaguar' - in weekly instalments (100 issues). Apparently the kit is superb, but the last word in Model Madness Barking Insanity, at over £1000. Complete collections now selling on ebay for £600 or so, (collection only, way too much to post...) and individual mags offered for silly money, like £75 or more.

But... Revell / Monogram also reissued a 1/8th E-type for £150, available from Global Tax Dodgers Inc. Apparently it has some shape issues. I could live with, or fix those, and keep £900... For splurging on finest wine and strong cheese or something, as the obsession sends me round the twist.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

The cheap models have all arrived at once, two yesterday, fifteen today. Best bargain was a job lot of ten Atlas Editions which I won at auction for just £64 plus a single postage charge. A bit of a pig in a poke, as eight of the ten were unopened and not described. Normally between £15-45 each. But, for beginning the collection, that was ideal.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

The XK8 (Maiko) clearly needs an improved interior.
The Italian Rally XK140 needs an improved screen, spoiled by the attachment clips.
I'll have to check out normal interiors and dashes too, as the street one looks great but the entire interior is red.

 

[Mean Mr Mustard]

The SS100 needs the 3 inch bulletproof windscreen replacing.
The black-roofed Mk II is the Corgi 'Inspector Morse'
The E Type is a very dark green. Makes me wonder what shade BRG actually is...
The Silverstone fire chase car has large drums of retardant in the back. Model has a couple of sirens missing, located on the right wing, these can easily be scratchbuilt.
The XKC has a lacklustre finish, and a very plain interior, so that'll be cracked open sometime.