Pendle Resins

This we feel, is going to be a hugely popular resin kit – better make sure you have plenty available Sean!

A mixed bag from Pendleslot Racing

On a recent visit the Pendleslot, Sean Fothersgill asked me if I wanted to see what they have been working on - of course I said, but I was not ready for what he was about to show me.

While most in the UK know Pendleslot Racing as a major supplier of commercially available RTR slot cars, they have in recent years also become a major source of resin kits with names like Penelope Pitlane, and Racing Replicas being just two of Pendles own brands. What surprised me is the vast and diverse range of kits the Lancashire based company offer.

The first question I had to ask myself, was why anyone hasn’t done this before, after all the Series 1 Land Rover is not just a British, but a World known icon? The fully assembled kit that Sean showed me was an amazingly close replica of the real SWB Landie and I am sure it will be a very popular kit, that they sell under their PSR branding. Its available as body kit RSB31 and while this comes with a basic resin slot car chassis it can also be built as a static display model. While Sean admits that this was put together by a pro-model builder, looking at the miniature Series 1, I think that turning this resin shell into an acceptable slot model is well within the grasp of the average modeller. I can’t wait to build one.

Next up I was shown the prototype of the Mercedes W196 streamliner, or as it became known the “Type Monza”. The W196 was already a successful Grand Prix car, introduced in 1954, but the Mercedes engineers developed a sleek streamlined body which was effective on faster tracks like Silverstone and Monza, hence its nickname. Again, this is a racing icon that I have been surprised has largely been overlooked by Slot car manufacturers. OK we did get the rather basic RTR resin model from BUM-Slot, but I was somewhat disappointed that 1950’s GP Specialists Cartrix didn’t do this version, after already doing the non-streamlined W196. Looking at this test casting it has captured the shape really well and is nice and crisp, just

The underside of the Land Rover showing its PCS adjustable chassis. The alloy hubs have these realistic looking steel wheel replica inserts.

look at the Fangio’s facial detail. Another well thought about model of an important “missing” part of Grand Prix history.

The fastback Mini Cooper was not a car I knew much about, and I don’t ever recall ever seeing a real one. It was produced by the British tuning company Broadspeed, who later became more known for producing tuned Anglias/Escorts and Capris. The Broadspeed GT 2+2 as it was called, was first shown in 1965 and 28 cars were produced between 1966 and 1968, with over half being exported to Spain. So, with just 12 staying in the UK back in the 1960’s, it is no wonder I have not seen one, so maybe looking at the Pendleslot version will be my only chance. It looks a great model but not my cup of tea - so a 1967 Broadspeed GT or 1967 Mustang GT? I am not even going to answer that one! n

The green with cream roof applied to the resin shell helps with the realism.

This test cast of the Pendle model is very crisp, just look at the driver details.

It looks like the “Type Monza” Mercedes W196 is leaving some rubber as it leaves the pits!

The Merc will have its own 3D printed chassis, which was designed to take a Slot.it motor-pod.

The W196 GP car was very successful but was prematurely retired due to Mercedes withdrawal from motorsport after the tragic accident at Le Mans in 1955.

This strange little thing, which is unmistakably based on a Mini, was sold as the Broadspeed GT 2+2. Only 12 made it on to British roads with a further 16 going to Spain.

The pre-production version of the forthcoming Williams FW08D six-wheeler – yes please!!!

Hit for a different kind of Six!

This is the chassis of the working prototype of the FW08D’s chassis fitted with contra-rotating rear axles. A close-up on the test hack’s gearbox area. The production versions have been improved and tidied up in this area.

This is the underside of the pre-production sample showing the improved gearing. All will be revealed once we can get our hands on one to build!

Sean left the best to last by showing me a project that they have been working on for some time now - the six-wheeled Williams FW08D. We are pleased to bring you pictures of this prototype and a final pre-production sample of what is again an inspired choice from Sean and his team. The first question I asked was “are both rear axles driven? “ and after confirmation Sean told us that it has been track tested and runs pretty well. It of course would have been easier for them to have just had an un-driven trailing axle, but Pendle really wanted to offer the four-wheel rear end drive experience. The prototype chassis test- hack seen in some photos has been improved in the pre-production model, and we hope to bring you a full build-up of this interesting car in a future issue.

We believe that along with the Land Rover and the W196 “Type Monza”, Pendleslot will have their work cut out to keep up with demand of these resin kits. – Brilliant stuff! n