The service vehicle of Rajesh Chandran

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:10 am

RR7093.jpg

A month ago I bought this kit to take part on the GB. My wife has kept me away from the kit by force of arms

.
Why a FX 4 in india? On a particularly boring evening I have looked old music videos on YT. And I've found this great song!!!!
(OK. It isn't a good song

)
[youtube]llTYfQI5IAM[/youtube]

fly1ngdutchm4n · Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:13 am

Love that kit

and that video is great! Bad song, but that doesn't matter

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 11:12 am

The Austin FX4 was produced starting at the end of the 1950's, and its typical black paint job eventually characterised the appearance of the classic British Taxi. Its design was the result of a collaboration between the aircraft manufacturer Austin, a taxi salesman, and the body producer Carbodies. This car was sold starting in 1958, and it included a diesel motor featuring 2,2 liters of cubic capaticity, but it was also released featuring a petrol motor in 1962, which also delivered sufficient draing power for inner-city personal transport. Although the FX4 was also offered with manual transmission, drivers preverred the automatic model. this car was actually used thoughout the country, but local culture referred to it as the "London Taxi" because of the frequent appearance in the capital.

Over the years, the FX4 was constantly altered and improved. For example, the blinkers were removed from below the front lamps after a facelift in 1968, in 1971, a 2,5 liter machine replaced the current motor, and the overrides were swiched to rubber in 1979, but the rest of the bumpers remained chrome. After 1982, the company Carbodies acquired the rights to the FX4 and began production under its own name, although due to new regulations to pollution, a Land Rover motor was used instead. And since the car featured a separate chassis, a new body was placed on existing older vehicles; these cars received the registration number "Q", and these were referred to as "Q cabs". The fitting of disc brakes should be mentioned as an important development over the years. The last copy of the aging FX4 was produced in 1997. (Revell)

After the production in Britain ended, the essambly lines were shipped to india. India was unable to fulfill the growing demand on taxis (cars) at this time. On Indian roads, there are a lot of different taxis. And the drivers give their vehicles often a personal touch. The driver of my taxi (Rajesh Chandran) has this done too.

800px-Austin_FX4_001.JPG

FX4 in Japan!!!

800px-EM_Austin_FX4_5687.jpg

and Germany!!!

These two pics should show, that the FX4 was shipped in the whole world. Mostly for collectors.

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 11:16 am

fly1ngdutchm4n wrote:Love that kit
and that video is great! Bad song, but that doesn't matter

You're right with the song but it fits well with the theme

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 12:00 pm

Look inside the box, Part 1

My kit is from the year 2011 and cost me 20 €.
Probably there is already a long hidden history to this kit.

On the internet I have found the same Kit from 1966. Also from Revell. See picture.

7130.jpg

But in my opinion that this is not the whole story of the FX4 !!!

As can be seen in the following picture, you could install something elektik. These parts also do not show up in the instructions of 1966. But I have seen that before! Specifically on my T-34 from Tamiya ...

IMG_3497.JPG

Normally Revell has his company name anywhere on the sprues, but not here ...

IMG_3494.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 12:51 pm

Look inside the Box, Part 2

The assembly instructions is typical Revell. On the first page a little historical background of the original.Page two and three includes hazard statements and used symbols, in different languages.On page four, all needed colors.On page five is a sketch of all the parts that includes the kit. From six to eight is the actual instructions. Yes, only three pages. The kit is not particularly extensive.

IMG_3489.JPG

The Dacals look great. Unfortunately I can not use them.

IMG_3491.JPG

The body also looks very good. It will not be necessary to rework the whole body.The only thing that bothers is a sprue, where the windshield belongs to.

IMG_3490.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 3:13 pm

Look inside the box, part 3

On the chrome parts there is not much to suspend. At the front headlights can be seen, that are designed for small lamps

. See arrows.

IMG_3492.JPG

The parts are very clean molded . The detailing is not very high on the parts of the chassis. Unfortunately, many parts already molded to the chassis as oil pan, exhaust or transfer case.

IMG_3493.JPG

Later you can not see through the engine compartment.

IMG_3495.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 4:19 pm

Look inside the box, Part 4

The seats are nicely detailed.The surface is roughened to imitate leather.The seats could have also attach as individual parts. And I miss the footwell on the driver's seat.
Here you can also see that you can not look through the engine compartment. And again too many parts molded together.

IMG_3498.JPG

The hood and the rims are well managed. Beautiful smooth surface which doesn't need to be refinished much.

IMG_3502.JPG

I can not say much about the transparent parts. Maybe a little thick.

IMG_3503.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 4:31 pm

There are still a few items...

Why the parts are there, we'll see at the assembling.
I'm totally fascinated that you can even read the manufacturer of the tire

IMG_3505.JPG

reifen.jpg

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:02 pm

I started today with the engine compartment.
I've changed the hose from the air filter a bit.In red you can see the originalway. Because the distance to the engine block is too small, the hose kinked.

Luftfilter.jpg

From both batteries two small hoses pass through the lover engine compartment.The holes are too small.I have them reamed with a small drill.

IMG_3522.JPG

Darkblade88 · Post by **Darkblade88** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:15 pm

Cracking work so far dude

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 5:13 pm

More information about Indian taxis!

There is no rule in India what color a taxi must have. However, certain colors have established in certain regions.A few years ago the state tries to regulate the colors of the taxis.This led to demonstrations across the country. The painting of the vehicles would have to be paid by the driver itself because the taxis are usually property of the driver and not of a company .Indian taxi drivers not belong to the top earne rsand couldn't afford the repainting.The protests were successful and the government don't unified the colors.

A few examples:

kolkata-taxi-1.jpg

Kalcutta

taxi-mumbai.jpeg

Mumbai

new dehli.jpg

New Dehli

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:09 pm

Today I have given to the body and the underfloor some new structure. Due to rust the paint gets blisters and I try to simulate it with wood glue.It is hard to see because my glue dries transparent

Also under the car rust is to be seen... nearly...

IMG_3526.JPG

IMG_3525.JPG

IMG_3529.JPG

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:56 am

COming along very well dude.

I like the way your achieving the weathering effects for the rust.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:46 am

Nicely done. I am enjoying seeing this one come together

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 6:58 pm

Moin Mates

Today I mate some paintjobs.

The rims are black now...

IMG_3532.JPG

just as the underbody.

IMG_3531.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 7:15 pm

Something more interesting

In my the opinion the floor is severely stressed in a taxi.
My driver Rajesh can not afford new car mats. He has cut his own from old carpets.

I have searched motifs on the internet and printed them on a self-adhesive film.Then cut and stick.After that I have sealed up the stickers with clear lacquer. They are shiny because they are still wet on the pic

.
I could have also paint the rugs but I would never managed it...

IMG_3533.JPG

IMG_3534.JPG

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sat Mar 08, 2014 7:34 pm

Loving the carpets dude.

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:42 am

Moin moin!!!

Last weekend I started to paint the body.At my workbench, where I always make my paintjobs, the yellow looked much darker.

In the living room where I do my photos, I was really shocked

. At the moment my taxi looks like a lemon!!!!

I hope it looks a little darker when I inflict more details...

IMG_3544.JPG

IMG_3545.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:53 am

Moin!!!!

After I have applied countless thin layers of yellow I started to mask my taxi for the next step. But before, I've applied a layer clear coat.
On the one side, everything went well...

IMG_3548.JPG

But then I started the other side

. The masking tape was not quite straight on it.So I tried to remove it carefully.
AND THIS HAPPENED!!!!

IMG_3550.JPG

Tips and tricks would be welcome for successful paint over

Trainboy153 · Post by **Trainboy153** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:18 pm

use a brush and apply the same amount of paint?

eoinfinnegan · Post by **eoinfinnegan** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:42 pm

That's a bitch when the paint pulls, you should try stay away from diy masking tapes and use tamiya tape or the new humbrol stuff, they have a much lower tack so tend not to pull the paint off. Use a high grit wet and dry sand paper and just lightly sand the area and buff, then respray and u should be ok.
It's such a petty because ur doing a cracking job, those carpets are genius.
Good luck with the rest of the build

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:25 pm

Thanks for the two tips.

The tape is from a painting workshop, specifically for masking-jobs.

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:52 pm

The engine compartment is finished as far as that I can start with the washing soon

Engine and radiator: Revell 91
Batteries: Revell Matt 5
Battery caps are painted with red oil paint
Additional cables: Revell Matt 43
Engine compartment: Revell Matt 9

IMG_3588.JPG

Also the dashboard is finished!

IMG_3586.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:37 pm

You can lock the steering position with of the teeth on the Drag link. Nice feature...

IMG_3590.JPG

The rear wheels are pushed onto a copper shaft and secured with PolyCaps. I still have to make the PolyCaps black.

IMG_3589.JPG

The subfloor is also painted and ready for washing.

Oil pan: Revell 91
Rear axle and propshaft: Revell 42
Axle geometry front: Revell Matt 9
Exhaust system: Revell Matt 83

IMG_3591.JPG

fly1ngdutchm4n · Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:23 pm

That looks awesome

Great paintjob mate! I love that carpet on the floor...

Keep it coming!

Trainboy153 · Post by **Trainboy153** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:25 pm

OOH, thats a great looking build you have there. And of course, those carpets are simply great.

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:35 pm

Great update dude.

Has reminded my I need to get painting my entry soon lol.

eoinfinnegan · Post by **eoinfinnegan** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:52 pm

Nice update, ts looking fantastic, I really cant wait to see this one come togethere

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:01 pm

Painful kickback...
My wife has thrown a few self-made parts in the trash.
Because a few tears roll down on her face I can not be angry with her.

gustavlekstal · Post by **gustavlekstal** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:11 pm

Dunhill2005 wrote:Painful kickback...
My wife has thrown a few self-made parts in the trash.
Because a few tears roll down on her face I can not be angry with her.

Hahaha happy wife happy life... sometimes you have to sacrifice

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun May 11, 2014 2:10 pm

Today my taxi driver Rajesh and I have repaired the little paint damage on the right rear.

First the edges were slightly edited with sandpaper after that the yellow was carefully applied with a brush. Typical India Style!

The blue stripe (Revell 52) were sprayed after masking. Before the blue color has dried, I have removed the tape.
Why?!? I was afraid that I pull away the dried paint with the tape.

IMG_3667.JPG

IMG_3666.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun May 11, 2014 4:26 pm

With shaky hands I have painted the chrome strips on the windows and door handles (Revell 91)

The worst job was the lettering of Austin.

IMG_3668.JPG

IMG_3669.JPG

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun May 11, 2014 5:22 pm

This is a super build and it's looking great

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun May 11, 2014 11:37 pm

OOOH Yellow!!!

Coming along great dude.

And great job on the chrome painting always a test of skill.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:49 pm

looking great dude

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Sat May 17, 2014 9:16 pm

Looks good so far

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun May 18, 2014 12:22 pm

T3hGuppy wrote:OOOH Yellow!!!

Coming along great dude.

And great job on the chrome painting always a test of skill.

Jap! Very yellow ....A yellow London Taxi weird

Looks funny between my the green, beige vehicles too.
But it has to. The Taxis in Calkutta are yellow with a blue stripe on the sides...

kolkata-taxi-1.jpg

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun May 18, 2014 12:48 pm

Today I created my first homemade decals

I hope the result is good at the end ...

First, I have searched for several motifs on the Internet and printed in various sizes on paper.

IMG_3695.JPG

Then I cut out the preferred size and placed on the kit.

IMG_3697.JPG

Last but not least the motives were printed in the correct size on a transparent decal sheet.Now a clear coat over it to seal everything.

IMG_3699.JPG

Info to decal sheets:
Bought from Sockelshop in Germany (7,95€)
Manufacturer Holi

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:48 pm

Earlier there was a lighting for the model. This I have tried to reconstruct.
Now the searching started. What could be the best way to get these lights.
After a long think

I got the idea to work with solar lamps for the garden. A lamp with three LEDs cost me 1€.
I have removed the solar panel because I do not need it.
An LED also went into my stash, the others were removed from the circuit board and extended with cables. The rechargeable battery has been replaced by a normal one.

IMG_3638.JPG

IMG_3708.JPG

I have drawn the wiring diagram . Should this see an electrician, Sorry ... I tried my best

solar.jpg

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Mon May 19, 2014 7:04 pm

[youtube]VxhuXHH8-i8[/youtube]
Most important thing in an indian taxi????
Right, the horn

eoinfinnegan · Post by **eoinfinnegan** » Thu May 22, 2014 10:27 pm

And I thought Irish taxi drivers and roads where dangerous

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Fri May 23, 2014 8:08 pm

Have just my decals applied to my taxi. The film of HOLI is highly recommended.
It can be very easily remove from the carrier paper and does not tear so fast.

A layer of clear coat will come over everything to make decals not visually stand out from the vehicle.

IMG_3711.JPG

IMG_3713.JPG

Selected areas like the wheel arches were painted with Revell 85 and 83 to imitate rust.

IMG_3714.JPG

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Fri May 23, 2014 8:24 pm

schild.jpg

To license plate is to say: My taxi is from calcutta.
The first two letters stand for the state WB= West Bengals
The following number indicates the district 1
The rest is part of the registration. Here KW (my initials) and 0905 (my birthday)

The colors of the signs have a meaning:
black letters on a yellow background - commercially used vehicles and vehicles of public transport (including taxis)
black letters on a white background - private and federal vehicles
white letters on black background - mainly private vehicles
white letters on a red / blue background - police (not in general)

The number plate is also made by myself because the kit inserts only British numbers.
It consists of a self adhesive foil, which I glued together with carrier-paper.
If I would have removed the paper, the license plate would be too transparent .

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sat May 24, 2014 10:14 pm

After I have glued the car windows with Revell contacta clear, I have installed the interior and the engine compartment.

IMG_3716.JPG

Quickly install the headlights, because I can not wait to try out my lighting

. God thanks, it works!

IMG_3718.JPG

IMG_3721.JPG

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun May 25, 2014 10:16 am

Those decals came out great.

Dunhill2005 · Post by **Dunhill2005** » Sun May 25, 2014 1:01 pm

Last but not least I attached all chrome parts with superglue.
The chassis is clipped , so you can take it off to change the battery.

IMG_3724.JPG

IMG_3723.JPG

IMG_3725.JPG

Conclusion:
If you want build a simple vehicle OOB, then this is the right choice. Except for the vehicle windows, all parts fit well together.
Because of the age, not everything is highly detailed.
I had some trouble with the painting. On a tank, you can substantiate paint damage as a Battle damage. On a car that's not so good.

Reveal photos follow.

I thank you for the support and hope that you enjoyed this building report.

ChubberLang · Post by **ChubberLang** » Mon May 26, 2014 3:06 pm

That's awesome! I like it. Really liked following along with this.