Vincent Black Shadow by CDW - Revell - 1:12 Scale

[CDW]

As I inch closer to the finish of my current project I’m going unveil the next fun adventure, the vintage Vincent Black Shadow.

[VitusBering]

Oooh. *drool* I don't care if they have a reputation of being even more uncomfortable than a knucklehead, I have always wanted one of these. This is about a Black Lightning, not a Black Shadow, but still - Nortons and Indians and Greavses won't do. They don't have a Soul like a Vincent '52.

Edited June 5, 2023 by VitusBering

[CDW]

 

[jpalmer1970]

You may already be aware of this video but there is a great animation of the assembly of this model here.

[shipman]

Looking forward to another of your builds.

Originally this was a 'Matchbox' kit, which I abandoned in the 80's due to the brittle nature of the plastic, especially the numerous finer parts.

 

My pal has a Shadow and a Norvin.

I can vouch for how uncomfortable it is to ride pillion on the Shadow, The geometry of the seat structure means the passenger is pummeled by its rigid nature.

Perhaps more of this later.

 

[yvesvidal]

So Craig, are you postponing the building of the Pocher Alfa Romeo, in favor of the Revell kit?

 

Yves

[CDW]

1 hour ago, yvesvidal said:

So Craig, are you postponing the building of the Pocher Alfa Romeo, in favor of the Revell kit?

 

Yves

I'm still collecting parts for the Alfa Romeo right now. The Black Shadow and other smaller projects like it will be done in between sessions with the Alfa Romeo. Got a feeling it's going to be a long project to finish that big model.

[CDW]

On 6/5/2023 at 4:46 AM, shipman said:

Originally this was a 'Matchbox' kit, 

Never knew about the Matchbox kit. How long ago was it released? I've been looking at the 1:9 Model Factory Hiro Vincent, but I want to see one up close and personal before I shell out $600 plus for a copy. The MFH '47 Knucklehead is very interesting too with an equally high price tag.

Edited June 6, 2023 by CDW

[Twokidsnosleep]

oh cool, love to see some pics of her

 

Trying not to be that guy that post pics of all his work to steal others thunder

 I made a Black Shadow into a Café Racer 

If you wanna see, you can read my build thread on my other non ship Forum home here:

 

https://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=28658

[CDW]

25 minutes ago, Twokidsnosleep said:

oh cool, love to see some pics of her

 

Trying not to be that guy that post pics of all his work to steal others thunder

 I made a Black Shadow into a Café Racer 

If you wanna see, you can read my build thread on my other non ship Forum home here:

 

https://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=28658

Thanks for the link. Will go there and check it out.

[shipman]

33 minutes ago, Twokidsnosleep said:

oh cool, love to see some pics of her

 

Trying not to be that guy that post pics of all his work to steal others thunder

 I made a Black Shadow into a Café Racer 

If you wanna see, you can read my build thread on my other non ship Forum home here:

 

https://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=28658

Nice little details, especially the wheels.

[shipman]

1 hour ago, CDW said:

Never knew about the Matchbox kit. How long ago was it released? I've been looking at the 1:9 Model Factory Hiro Vincent, but I want to see one up close and personal before I shell out $600 plus for a copy. The MFH '47 Knucklehead is very interesting too with an equally high price tag.

I bought my Matchbox Vincent mid 80's, though I think it had been around a while by then.

Can't believe the asking price for these Revel kits on ebay, bearing in mind they could re-issue at the drop of a hat.

[CDW]

39 minutes ago, shipman said:

I bought my Matchbox Vincent mid 80's, though I think it had been around a while by then.

Can't believe the asking price for these Revel kits on ebay, bearing in mind they could re-issue at the drop of a hat.

I bought mine when they were a current release, it's been a while. probably around 35 to 40 dollars at the time. 

[CDW]

I started by stripping the plating from the chrome tree, then started removing the thick out of scale spokes in order to replace them with micro thin stainless steel wire using micro aluminum tubing as the spoke nipples. Each wheel half carries 20 spokes for a total of 40 spokes per wheel. I have never used this particular method to replace the plastic spokes but after seeing others do it decided to give it a try. Those thick plastic spokes really put me off.

 

 

[Canute]

Wow, what an improvement, Craig. The metal spokes will look great. Are you going to use metallic paints for the new chrome?

[CDW]

12 hours ago, Canute said:

Wow, what an improvement, Craig. The metal spokes will look great. Are you going to use metallic paints for the new chrome?

After the spokes are assembled, will paint the wheels in a metallic silver to simulate polished metal. Probably will use Mr Color Super Silver as it's got very fine silver pigments and looks convincing. Will need to first do a black undercoat as the super silver responds well to that.

[CDW]

Where each spoke attaches to the hubs, will run a small bead of superglue or maybe epoxy all around to insure a strong bond. The outer portion of the spokes at the rims get sandwiched between each rim half so there is little worry about those becoming dislodged later on.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Superb work!

It makes the spoked wheels so much better, nice job

[shipman]

A little tip...

 

real wheels, alternate spokes thread through the hub flange from alternate sides so the spokes aren't directly in contact where they cross.

[shipman]

Vincent's, being the last of the true quality British motorcycles retained the feature of the center of the rims painted black with a thin red pinstripe each side.

There's a challenge for you.

And there aren't 3 tyre valves, only one! The other two are internal clamps to stop the tyre creeping, which does rip the valve out!

Edited June 20, 2023 by shipman

[Landlubber Mike]

Those wheels are going to look 100x better when you're done.  Nice job Craig.

[AJohnson]

23 minutes ago, Landlubber Mike said:

Those wheels are going to look 100x better when you're done.  Nice job Craig.

What Mike said! 

[Twokidsnosleep]

The black shadow spoke pattern from the gorgeous MFH kit

Shows the over under pattern well

[CDW]

5 hours ago, shipman said:

A little tip...

 

real wheels, alternate spokes thread through the hub flange from alternate sides so the spokes aren't directly in contact where they cross.

Thanks for the heads up on that.

 

25 minutes ago, Twokidsnosleep said:

The black shadow spoke pattern from the gorgeous MFH kit

Shows the over under pattern well

That's the most helpful diagram I have seen for the spoke pattern. Thanks! I've got the opportunity to sort mine out at this juncture. Later on, not as much. I knew there was something I was missing, but this shows me everything. 

If I was going to shell out the money for a MFH kit, I would be hard pressed to decide which one. A 1:12 '58 Ferrari Testarossa is one of the most tempting. 

[Twokidsnosleep]

2 hours ago, CDW said:

Thanks for the heads up on that.

 

That's the most helpful diagram I have seen for the spoke pattern. Thanks! I've got the opportunity to sort mine out at this juncture. Later on, not as much. I knew there was something I was missing, but this shows me everything. 

If I was going to shell out the money for a MFH kit, I would be hard pressed to decide which one. A 1:12 '58 Ferrari Testarossa is one of the most tempting. 

You are very welcome, It totally helped me too

As  for MFH kits:  Brough Superior, Black Shadow and maybe a Cobra car….all pipe dreams and there are so many others 

Maybe sell of the big stash and use the money for those?? 🤔

 

[CDW]

Utilizing that helpful MFH spoke lacing diagram, I think I have the spacing sequence correct now. Making slow but steady progress in between “honey-do’s”.

You know the old saying, “happy wife, happy life”. 

 

Edited June 22, 2023 by CDW

[CDW]

Some of the South American immigrants coming into the USA are very proficient tree climbers/trimmers. A much needed skill set here in Florida. Impressive balance at heights.

[CDW]

I’m wondering how to handle my need for decals/lettering. Decal sheet is kaput. Gold metallic colors. Not printer friendly.

[Egilman]

1 hour ago, CDW said:

I’m wondering how to handle my need for decals/lettering. Decal sheet is kaput. Gold metallic colors. Not printer friendly.

They haven't yellowed yet so that is excellent, but it does look like the adhesive holding them to the paper has gone south...

 

 

Micro Liquid Decal Film 1oz from microscale... I've used it on some old decals where the glue got to the point of attaching the decal to the backing permanently.... (it takes three times longer to soak them off, usually they fracture into a million pieces) It worked on most of them....

 

My first suggestion is take a close up photo of the sheet to use as artwork in case you have to have them printed by a decal print shop... (there are several good ones on the net)

 

Then, try the decal film on them and see if it works, the film holds the decal together so it doesn't fracture when going thru the slower process of applying....

 

Above all go slow and use patience, they probably can be recovered...

Edited June 22, 2023 by Egilman

[CDW]

1 hour ago, Egilman said:

They haven't yellowed yet so that is excellent, but it does look like the adhesive holding them to the paper has gone south...

 

 

Micro Liquid Decal Film 1oz from microscale... I've used it on some old decals where the glue got to the point of attaching the decal to the backing permanently.... (it takes three times longer to soak them off, usually they fracture into a million pieces) It worked on most of them....

 

My first suggestion is take a close up photo of the sheet to use as artwork in case you have to have them printed by a decal print shop... (there are several good ones on the net)

 

Then, try the decal film on them and see if it works, the film holds the decal together so it doesn't fracture when going thru the slower process of applying....

 

Above all go slow and use patience, they probably can be recovered...

I agree with your assessment. I will do just that but hold little/no hope for a Microscale Decal Film resurrection from the dead. My batting average with this is near-zero once the decals have reached the state this sheet is in. The glue/adhesive is dead underneath the film. 

I'm also going to give my daughter a crack at making a stencil for me with her Cricut machine. Not sure it can handle lettering this small though, but she thinks it can. We shall see.

In the meantime, I wrote Revell Germany on the off chance I may be able to acquire a replacement from them. Over 20 years old, I kinda doubt it but it's worth a try.