SPA Modeler

I'm not 100% sure where to put this - is it a bike, a figure or sci-fi? Not sure, don't know, who cares anyway? But Bruce was asking about the kit so this is as good a place as any.

My son is a massive fan of Wallace and Gromit (and if you don't know who they are - where the hell have you been?!?) and I thought it would be fun to build him this as a present - possibly the most expensive kit per part I've ever bought. These Airfix W&G kits are all out of production and massively over-priced - The Austin Van from 'Cure of the WereRabbit' is well over a £100 these days.

Anyway I got this one from a charity shop for about £60. Alas it doesn't include the aircraft kit, but that's fine as it was the Motorbike I wanted anyway.



For those who aren't sure what this is - it's W&G's 'Wash and Go' window-cleaning service bike, from 'A Close Shave'.



The kit itself is a bit odd - simple with not many parts, but made of a vinyl style plastic which is very shiny, a bit greasy to the touch and doesn't sand or take a knife very well - which is a bit of a problem as there are massive mould lines all over it. Most of the time building this kit is going to be clean up and filling the rather poor fitting characters.

One good thing about it - it takes Tamiya glues very well - the extra quick has been really useful. The fit isn't actually too bad on the whole.



Here's Gromit's head - you can see what I mean by the mould lines.



Cheers All!

Oh this is awesome Stuart. I haven't see all W&G stuff but enough to know what/who they are and really enjoy them. If I recall the creators had a fire that destroyed a bunch of original material - shame. And I'm a huge fan of Chicken Run - same guys. Anyhow - following along. This should be fun.

Thanks so much for posting this as a separate build thread, Stuart. I wanted to buy this particular kit, but after I read the online IPMS review I didn't. The reviewer acted as though this was one of the worst kits he had ever tried to build.

Airfix, this is a rip-off! This is an insult to people wanting to introduce their children in to the world of modelling and I am terribly disappointed of you! This is 1950:s standards at a 1990:s price!

- Magnus Fridsell, IPMS Stockholm, June 12, 2023

Cool build! I like the Aardman movie such as Chicken Run. And when my son was younger Shaun the Sheep was a favourite. I will definitely be following this build.

Thanks Gents - it's certainly a fun subject. If you've not seen a W&G film, I'd certainly recommend them - probably 'The Curse of the Were-Rabbit'.

Bruce, you're more than welcome. It does sound like the guy might have been rather harsh, yes it's very much a short run kit, yes it has funny plastic, but it's perfectly buildable - it just takes a bit of time and patience and I'm sure it's well within your skills.

I'm sure with guidance a kid could easily build this - but yes it probably is over-priced for what it is, especially now.

I love those!!!

I saw “The Curse of the Wererabbit” movie while I was on deployment in the Balkans. Man that was one funny movie! I'm looking forward to seeing you finish this one Stuart.

At least you dont have to worry about weathering them. Looks like a quick fun build.