[Build Diary for , Classic Routemaster Bus RM857 in 1/12 scale .]

Thanks so much for the quick response. I realize I have a few months until it is installed but I do think either the paint is too thick on the bonnet or the hinges are slightly larger so will have to make modifications.  I'll see how things fit at stage 64 but it doesn't look good right now. Everything else has fit beautifully.

[Build Diary for , Classic Routemaster Bus RM857 in 1/12 scale .]

Hi I am also concerned about the gap in the inspection flap. Mine looks like this: In photos of other builds it looks like a much smaller gap. Anyone have any solutions? I worry if I try to bend the hinge a mm it will snap.

[Joel's Bus Build]

I know I said I wasn't a rivet counter but I had to change the kick plates. The screw heads are HUGE and are possibly the worst part of the kit. I was hoping to get some non perforated ones from Agora but no luck so I decided to make my own. I used a piece of thick foil (the lid of a takeout lasagna) and carefully pressed in the pattern with a tooth pick. Took a couple of hours but I think it was worth it. Also painted the orange floor with 3 shades of brown and added a dark brown wash to dirty up the stairs and floor.

[Joel's Bus Build]

Hi Wyatt,

I got them from a few places. Mostly "Autograph models" but also Microfasteners.

 

[Joel's Bus Build]

Hi Wyatt,

Thanks for tuning in. I did one of the disc Brakes and it is so much better without the screw heads. Also really easy because I didn't have to use a tap. Just drilled through and fastened with a nut. Lots of room inside the wheel.

[Joel's Bus Build]

Hi, thanks for checking in! I'm not going to burden you with a full build log of my RouteMaster Bus , more just to highlight some of the modifications I make along the way as I attempt to make things a bit more believable. I am in no way an expert on this bus or a rivet counter but I have a certain level of realism I am aiming for. Still have no idea how I will camouflage the thousands of out of scale phillip screw heads but here's a start.

The fist pack has quite a few visible screws so I started by replacing the ones on the hood with .8mm rivets and painting them red to match. Not perfect but better.

 

Then I started working on the front axle. I replaced the screws with Hex bolts of a similar size secured them with nuts on the inside of the axle.

Small changes but I think they will add up and improve the final product.