1⁄35
Dromedary Dilemma

a build story by Nicolas Virtue
7
Comments

Model Victoria’s Fiat Mod. 500A “Topolino”

When you open the small box to Model Victoria’s Fiat Topolino (MV4020), you find 18 resin pieces, photo-etch details for license plates, sun visors, rear view mirror, windshield wiper, and convertible roof, as well as a brass rod for the steering column, a sheet of clear plastic for the windshields and headlights, and license plate decals for both military and civilian vehicles. The resin parts were all beautifully molded and detailed, from the eye-catching grille to the locking mechanism on the suicide doors. There isn’t much to the interior, though the detail included is certainly sufficient considering what is visible. The driver figure that comes with the kit is also superbly made and, with the steering wheel molded to his hand, looks very natural once installed inside the car. The instructions at first appear daunting, but after careful examination, I was quite clear how everything was supposed to go.

For the most part, everything fit together nicely, though there were a few tough spots. I wanted the doors left open on both sides, but I checked how they closed, anyway. The driver’s side door fit perfectly, but I couldn’t get the passenger’s to close properly without some dangerous surgery, which was unnecessary for me. The front wheels were troublesome, as the spring pushed them outwards on top, making them appear somewhat folded in. I shortened the spring connecting the two wheels, which helped, but they were still off a little, so I turned them both slightly to the left to hide the flaw. It merely looks as if the driver turned the wheel as he stopped for the camel on the road. The photo-etch parts provided seem a little more bendable than other brands, but I didn’t mind this as it made the metal parts easier to clean up, by cutting and filing away the attachment points. They were glued onto the model with cyanoacrylate. The clear parts have to be cut out of a thin plastic sheet using scissors. Outlines are provided on the sheet, but further trimming is necessary to get a perfect fit. This was actually easier than I thought it would be. These parts were stuck on with white glue, which dries clear and won’t mar the plastic.

Copyright ©2002 - Text and Photos by Nicolas Virtue (folgore). All Rights Reserved.
Project Photos
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About the Author

About Nicolas Virtue (Folgore)
FROM: , CANADA

University student majoring in History


Comments

GeneralFailure
That's a great topolino ! Nice work.
AUG 05, 2002 - 05:42 AM
TUGA
Hi Nic, Nice article and dio.
AUG 05, 2002 - 06:24 AM
Tin_Can
Nicolas, Nice article and dio. I think you achieved the weathering on the Topolino the way you wanted it and I love the attention to detail (shadowing of the folds in the door panel). The figures look great. As someone who is just starting to attempt 1/35 scale figures (after seeing the lack of them with the tanks at IPMS Nationals). That leads me to another question though and perhaps Pipesmoker (or someone else) can answer it-I'll start a new thread in the General Modeling forum so as not to change the topic.
AUG 05, 2002 - 09:41 PM
cfbush2000
What a great diorama! I have always been partial to things simply stated, and you told a great story with your diorama. Also, I envy your skill at painting animals. Something I have yet to try. Very nice.
AUG 05, 2002 - 10:17 PM
Envar
Bravo Nicolas! That is a great piece of work. It´s almost japanese simplicity what you have produced. There is nothing to see in the base for example but you did it very beautifully. It asks some balls to leave it like this and not add any unnecessary stuff. Sunlight really adds the realism in this scene. I would like to point out many things but I just simply like it! Looking forward to your next project(s)! Toni
AUG 07, 2002 - 04:38 AM
Folgore
Thanks guys, I couldn't answer sooner because I was on holidays, but I'm back now. One thing I forgot to put in the article was a little touch I was quite proud of at the time. On the driver's side sun visor I attached a photograph of, presumably, the driver's wife or girlfriend. On the internet, I found a suitable picture. I then sized it down to a very small size and printed it out. I just had a Deskjet printer, but the results were all right. I used a thin strip of lead foil for the clamp. Here's a picture: Nic
AUG 10, 2002 - 12:03 AM
Hollowpoint
Nice touch, Nic. It's those little details that separate the modellers from the builders.
AUG 10, 2002 - 12:09 AM
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