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13 FEB 05 : Front-half of the car (nose through firewall) has been put through a complete plain-paper test-build. The multitude of curving panels is more difficult to build properly than the more rectilinear shapes of the previous Prototyp models, so I am designing in some hidden pieces to help things line up. The new front fender parts look that they might need some tweeking, but the final chassis, splitter, cowl, roof, and windscreen designs all fit together beautifully... |
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01 JAN 05 : Test build underway of 'final' forward half of the car to ensure everything created so far fits together. Front fender work has begun with the trailing fender 'pontoons' (the base for the aft-end of the fenders) and then will get into the fenders and ducts. |
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05 JUN 04 : Progress over the last couple months: redesigned the forward section of the chassis again (including windscreen and roof), following the receipt of some low-res side and top view CAD renderings. Subtle changes but enough to bring the shape to a more accurate state. Also sporadic work on the Bentley's core monocoque, a tub-only kit being considered in addition to the curbside. |
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15 FEB 04 : Have finished the rough 'white-paper' build of the roof and chassis parts and generally everything fits quite well considering the near-total lack of straight edges. A few slight adjustments to make (lower edges of upper door glass) and then will move on to the remaining bodywork (fenders, wing, ducts, etc). |
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04 JAN 04 : The complex multi-curved windscreen parts are done. Work continues on the roof and cockpit sides, the ultimate challenge for Prototyp's current design techniques.
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11 OCT 03 : Needed a bit of satisfaction from the Bentley, so I built the forward part of the chassis and the nose bodywork "skin" from the parts which have been designed so far. Tried a few new design techniques, particularly the front hubs and suspension beams, and it all built up well. This model will use a steering tie-rod made from paperclip or similar piece of stiff wire. The tabs sticking foward on the disc-brake/wheel hubs are the loops for the tie-rod ends. I am also entertaining the idea of designing into this model the option of cutting a few bits and makings some removable bodywork. Oh, and yes, I am aware that the bodywork is RED rather than Bentley Green... easier to see my working lines this way.
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20 SEP 03 : The dizzying process of parts projections is very much underway. This is where the shape of the model is formed by 'carving' the paper surface's splines. No test builds yet as I have chosen to do more design work first rather than jumping the gun and doing extra work to produce potentially inaccurate parts. Will likely have the entire front part of the chassis designed before doing any build work; core structure, nose bodywork, windscreen, splitter, and perhaps the tub base.
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21 AUG 03 : Four-view working drawings are essentially complete and ready to be used for creating the model. Focus now is on parts engineering and planning the construction sequence. This requires mentally building through the whole model to sort out potential problems, then making detailed sketches which will determine then best way to break parts up and where to put tabs and slots. Hopefully some test parts will be ready in the next few weeks.
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07 JUL 03 : China pencil-on-newsprint engineering sketches have given way to Illustrator work on the technical four-view working drawings. The cockpit and roof area will be biggest challenge for this model design, also it seems there may be some unforseeable issues with the very complex forward chassis structure. We will have to wait and see. My feeling is that this model will take precedent over the previous Bentleys, if only because it is so much more interesting. It will be a bugger to build, though.
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22 JUN 03 : After close study of available reference photos, I think I have the new Bentley figured out. It's a very complex car and will make a very illuminating model for you engineering-types out there. Technical studies and model engineering sketches underway. Anyone interested in an 18x24" 'transparent' Bentley poster?
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15 JUN 03 : Bentley wins Le Mans 2003
12 MAR 03 : New version of the Bentley EXP Speed 8 unveiled at Sebring. What a fantastic looking car. Very exciting...
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