MG TD Mark II
The car is loosely based on a MGTD MarkII used by the MG works drivers in the early 1950's.
The model uses Dapol's pressing of Gowland and Gowland's MGTD plastic kit. Considering the kit was first issued in 1953 it is reasonable accurate although very basic with few parts.
The kit body was built and
then the centre of the floor pan cut out to allow the cut down chassis from
a Caterham 7 to be glued to it. It is glued front and rear to allow the centre
part to flex for motor removal if the need
arises. The cockpit was built onto the Caterham's seat unit using the kit's
hood cover and bucket seats from the Airfix Sprite. The driver is retained from
the Caterham, with a new head cast in resin, from the Airfix Bugatti kit, and
fifties style overall details added with Milliput. His flexible arms allow the
bonnet top and attached steering wheel to be removed for motor maintenance.
The cockpit unit can also be removed to get to the drive-shaft if required.
The Caterham's headlights replaced the kit's misshapen and glass-less ones.
The only other alteration was to fold down the windscreen. The spare wheel came
from a third Ninco axle.
The car was sprayed in dark green enamel. The rest of the painting was done in acrylics with Bare Metal Foil used for the chrome.
The car handles nearly as
well as a Lotus 7 but I've not really tested it yet. (didn't want to spoil it
before photos could be taken). For a £1.50 kit I am pleased with the final
result. More details can be found about the car at http://www.area51b.freeserve.co.uk/mg/mgtd.htm.
John Strong
