1953 Redex Reliability Trial

[Ozmac]

Hi all

I thought some forum members might be interested to see this little diorama I have created, based on the 1953 Redex Reliability Trial.

It’s set somewhere between Townsville and Mt Isa, and entering the water, making a splash, is the eventual 1953 rally winner, Maitland chemist Ken Tubman, in his Peugeot 203. Filming the action from the hill is the Cinesound news film crew, also in a Peugeot, a 203 wagon. And following on the road is ‘Possum' Kipling in his Holden FX, who was the first to cross the line at the finish in Sydney, and who came 10th overall in the rally.

















I've tried as hard as I can to find out the exact look of all three cars, based on original film footage and stills. There's even a 20-minute colour "home movie" of the 53 Redex shot by one of the Cinesound team as his own footage, separate from their black and white newsreel footage.

The car models themselves are 1/43 scale. The Tubman 203 is a plastic kit, the other two cars are diecast metal models. I've created all the decals and added on lots of extras, such as spotlights, roof racks, a winch at the front of the wagon, plus 1000 miles worth of mud and dirt.

I have noticed all sorts of incorrect photos on websites and blogs show what is captioned as the winning Tubman 203, or even a "replica" of his car, and these inaccuracies in part inspired the idea to set the record straight with this little diorama about how very basic and plain the winning car really was, with minimal livery.

[DAVID PATERSON]

Wow! That's tremendous. I can't imagine how many hours that took.

I love the water, it's so realistic it's amazing.

[John Turner]

Yes, superb, although I might be inclined to move it to Armchair Enthusiast at some stage.

[Ozmac]

I might be inclined to move it to Armchair Enthusiast at some stage

Yes, you're right. Move it to Armchair Enthusiast by all means.

Classic newbie mistake, posting in the wrong forum. Sorry about that.

I just posted here because of the detailed research I've done to get the model cars looking correct. There's an amazing number of wrong photos of supposed Redex winners and contestants that I hoped my diorama would help to set the record straight.