Kit: No. 24151
Scale: 1/24
Manufacturer: Tamiya, distributed by Tamiya America, 2 Orion, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-4200, 800-826-4922
Price: $35
Comments: Injection molded, 130 parts (18 photoetched, 4 vinyl), decals.
THE HIT PARADE of cars I’d like to own includes Jaguar’s Mk.II Saloon. It has style, luxury, speed, handling — what more could you want in a car?
The Mk.II was designed as a “sports saloon,” smaller than earlier Jaguar saloons. Its lineage combined the race heritage of the XK120 with the comfort of the Jaguar Mk.VII.
Tamiya’s rendition of the Mk.II captures the look and feel of the original. And I do mean feel — it comes with fine red self-stick felt carpeting! The burled wood dash and door panels are provided on decals that look like the real material.
I reviewed the 10-page, 19-step instruction sheet and began by cleaning the light mold-separation lines created by the four-part mold used to make the body. I flattened the inside edges of the side window openings so the “glass” would fit later. After a coat of Floquil primer, I hand mixed the indigo blue body color with Testor Model Master enamels. (The instructions provide mixing formulas for Tamiya paints.)
While the body dried, I followed the instructions and built the kit with no fit problems.
I painted the interior light gray to contrast with the body, and gave the seat faces and door panels a semigloss sheen to imitate leather upholstery. I used Bare-Metal Foil on all door handles and window cranks as they are bright chrome on the actual car.
After installing the carpeting, I applied the burled walnut decals. You must trim away all excess carrier film, and handle the decals carefully due to the complex shapes. Those seams on top of the door panels should be there. I liked the realistic and readable dash-gauge decals, too. Solvaset made the decals snuggle into recesses.
Once the interior was completed, I polished the painted body and used Bare-Metal Foil around front and rear windows, B pillars, rain channels, and window-sill plates on the doors. Tamiya’s chrome photoetched body-trim details along the length of the car are delicate; I had trouble removing the smaller pieces from the backing sheets. The parts’ pressure-sensitive adhesive was not always strong enough to hold them against the body, so I carefully applied tiny amounts of super glue.
More foil went on the window pillars of the clear parts before they were installed in the body with Micro Kristal-Kleer.
The remaining details are the chrome-plated lights, grille, bumpers, and mascot, but the chrome isn’t shiny enough, and there are mold seams on the corners of the front bumpers — the only gripes I have with the kit.
Building Tamiya’s model may be the only way I can afford to own a Mk.II Saloon. It looks just right when compared with photos in the January 1994 Classic and Sportscar. I recommend it to anyone experienced with mixed-media kits. I had a lot of fun during the 30 hours I spent. And one of the best things is that there are no oil leaks!
Ross Whitaker