1/12 Ferrari 312 T

Here is my next big project. The Tamiya 1/12 scale Ferrari 312T. Coincidentaly this kit is due for re-release by Tamiya with PE parts this year but I couldn't wait and had to start my first big scale kit!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/312T.jpg

First up I had to use the lathe :licka: 1/12 scale wheels look just awesome machined out of metal so I got to work.

I selected a suitable size aluminium rod for the rear wheels. This was then drilled out to match the inside diameter of the back of the wheels (smallest hole)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0609.jpg http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0599.jpg

I then used my Top Slide / Taper turn attachment and measured the angle required for the wheels. Slowly but surely I started machining the inside angle. The Top Slide is a must have if you want to make similar items.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0608.jpg

I then used my mill to add the details to the back of the wheels and completed the same process for the fronts.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0610.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0602.jpg

More soon

Oh boy, here we go, this is going to be fantastic!

That's not a wheel. That's awesome. Can't wait to see another fantastic Formula build materialize on AF - they are truly amazing and inspiring.

Oh boy, here we go, this is going to be fantastic!
My exact thoughts! Awesome work so far with the wheels ;)

You are really mastering that lathe. Pretty soon you want need any plastic parts form the kit, other than the body.

I am looking forward to your magic on this one!

Thanks for the comments

One of the things I don't like about the kit is the brake ducts. They are fiberglass on the real car and only plain plastic in the kit. That had to change.
I decided to make clear resin copies.
To start I cleaned up the original Tamiya parts and filled the ducts with plasticine towards the back to prevent having too complex a shape to cast. Then I secured all the parts flat on the table and formed the edge of the mold around them. This left me with a very thin and flexible rubber template.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0605.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0606.jpg

Next, I found some clear resin and cast the pieces. These were glued together exactly the same as the originals and then coated with thinned Citadel Flesh wash ink. Once dry I sanded the parts with coarse sandpaper to get the right finish. I reckon they look 100% better!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0601.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0612.jpg

I also started working on the body parts

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0598.jpg

That's all for now!

Holy shit Rob. That's awesome.

I just bought a top slide about 2 weeks ago for my Ligier wheels. Thanks for the mini-tutorial. Did you use the top slide on the front wheels also?

Those brake ducts are awesome. You guys have all the best ideas.

Mike.

I just bought a top slide about 2 weeks ago for my Ligier wheels. Thanks for the mini-tutorial. Did you use the top slide on the front wheels also?



Mike, yes I used the Top Slide on the fronts as well. You could get away without using it if you had a tool with the correct size face however, I have found the larger the surface area to machine the more chatter you get.

Oh boy, here we go, this is going to be fantastic!
:eek: Yep, Robrex is up to his magic tricks again. This is some amazing modelling for sure. While the wheels are a work of art in themselves, the cast realistic ducts are a whole other ballgame. Great work.

Wow, this is going to be worth watching! :)

Hello,
When I see you using the lathe, I can't wait to receive mine.
That's really great work you've done onthose rims!
Those brake ducts are great also!
I will be scotched on my screen to follow your WIP.

Jamme

Hi Rob,

Nice start. I think 1/12th scale will give you a bigger canvas to display your skills.

Kind regards,
Bill

Great start. That's gonna be fun to watch!

Holy shit Rob. That's awesome.


That's pretty much what I was thinking... It's cool to see the lathe in action. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread.

Wow....a benchmark build begins..superb job already.

Wow Rob!!!
Just remembering your previous 312 gives me chicken bumps and that was 1/20 :eek:
Can't wait to learn more from your work. :worshippy

Mike, yes I used the Top Slide on the fronts as well. You could get away without using it if you had a tool with the correct size face however, I have found the larger the surface area to machine the more chatter you get.
Thanks Rob. I'll give it a try.

Mike.

great stuff Rob, good to see another build of yours again - bin too long since the Barry Sheene's Suzuki!

another essential thread to follow me thinks and I cant wait to see this beauty take shape!

Sean
_______________________________

http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
_______________________________

Oh Rob I have a feeling that this will be one hell of a thread. It's amazing what you did in 1/20 and I can't wait to see the big Ferrari V12 engine. And since I got a lathe recently I am pretty sure I can learn couple of things. The turned rims look sensational. the real ones are really shiny if I'm not mistaken, are you going to polish them?

I got a nice set of wheel spindles and nuts for this car from ThundervalleyF1, might be interesting for you.
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/88/52588/400_3566376531633465.jpg
high-res click (http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/88/52588/1280_3566376531633465.jpg)

By the way if you need some detail shots of the car let me know... here's one of the engine

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/88/52588/1280_3765623439653665.jpg

Dennis,
I'm going to have a go at making the spindles and wheel nuts myself?
I'd love to have more reference pictures though.

... wow - this looks inispiring. I'm planning to mix just the needed parts of a Protar 312 T2 with the much better platform of Tamiya's 312 T to come up with a high-quality 1/12 model of the T2.

Thus the reference links of a T2. Much of identical parts to the T: http://www.atspeedimages.com/pebble_2004/pebble_beach_concours/1977_ferrari_312-t2_f1/

http://www.atspeedimages.com/pebble_2006/monterey_historic_races/1976_ferrari_312_t2_026_f1/

Hope this helps to point lathe & mill to the right direction. Will follow this exceptional guide to improve myself ...

wow. just... wow.

between you and MPWR, all the models on my to-do pile are being built here. i'll be watching this one closely for inspiration. :)

I have a feeling this is going to take a while :banghead:
When I start detailing kits I look at the parts that will be highly visible once the kit is complete and work out what needs to be done to improve those bits. I work my way through the instructions and make a to-do list. The list on this kit is massive (I'm not even going to try to list them!)

One step at a time....
The engine and gear box are my favourite area's to do so I started on them. I sprayed both parts with Gunze 500 primer mixed with a small amount of micro-balloons to replicate the cast finish. The 312T engine was painted either light gold or the plain cast aluminium finish. I'm going to go with the gold to highlight the various metal finishes.

I also drilled out every nut and bolt and replaced them with better replica's. The finish in the photo's looks kind of rough but they are no way near as rough in real life.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0644.jpg

The brakes need a lot of help. The kit part has a bracket running to the exhaust holders which I couldn't see on the original car so I cut it off using a micro-saw.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0641.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0645.jpg

Once done I painted the part with Metallic Grey and added all the hardware including the wire to stop the nuts from unscrewing with vibrations. I also modified the exhaust holders because I will use real springs like the original car.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0642.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0646.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0647.jpg

What do you all think so far!

I think you need to tell me that the first photo is a reference picture otherwise I'm going to throw my airbrushes away and just start painting with a brush!!!

Just in case it's not a reference photo, the finish is amazing! I have to get me some of those microbaloons and try it out.

Looking forward to the next update that will make me feel even more inadequate ;)

Ahhhhh. You never fail to impress. It's like a drug. Can't get enough.

Thanks for the detailed wip (and the other ones too.) Much is learned in your threads.


I've been checking out some of the big F1 kits lately. Drool....

Murray

Looking forward to the next update that will make me feel even more inadequate ;)
:grinyes: That pretty much says it for me also. Fantastic work going on here. This isn't even modelling anymore. I'm just going to sit back and see how a real race car is built.

Looks great! The bolts on the engine really stand out, what kind did you use? Cant wait to see this one be built!

What do you all think so far!
I think that I am speachless as always in your threads.

Mike.

Yes, replacing all the bolts on an engine is both time consuming and expensive... but, given the level of realism you go for in your builds, is entirely justified.

Nice start on the engine. Your T3 build will help a lot as the flat 12 looks very similar. The micro-balloons certainly add texture but I would be careful not to go OTT with them.

Kind regards,
Bill

great detail!

I think...I can't think...

Looking great already.
Keep the updates coming.
One every day will do.
Great work

Go Rob, GO!!!

:eek: This is awsome plenty Rob... plenty. <--- is this right? I even forgot my own languaje after seen this :uhoh:

How about posting a tutorial on using microballoons?

The engine has come along nicely. Good work man.

How about posting a tutorial on using microballoons?

Yea. I'd like to see how this stuff works too.

Rob, in case you need any reference, I found these recently:

http://www.connectingrod.it/HistoricalRacingCars/Ferrari/312T/galleria.html

Wow, this is going to be worth watching! :)
I wholeheartedly agree!!!:grinyes: :smokin:

Another fantastic model in progress by Rob !!!

What are you using for the nuts, bolts and washers Rob? They look amazing - it all does! :)

Fantastic work so far it leaves me drooling for more.

:popcorn:

Thanks for all the encouragement!

What are you using for the nuts, bolts and washers Rob? They look amazing - it all does! :)

Phil, I use the Calibre nuts and bolts. I imagine they were made for Military models but you get 360 per pack which is awesome value. Here's the link to the product at Hiroboy's store.

http://www.hiroboy.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=72&osCsid=8ad7501e140ac5346a3c8e26b77aef09

OK, time for some updates
The kit radiators look OK but I had to make some changes.
First I sanded off the raised details, then replaced the radiator face with Fine Molds mesh. I still need to add the weld seams and paint them.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0648.jpg http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0649.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0651.jpg

Next, I turned my attention back to the motor and started on the fuel injection set up.
I'm using turned metal intakes so I drilled the plate to allow the trumpets to fit. Once the holes were drilled I mounted the injectors and then cut the excess which protrudes into the hole where the new intakes will go. I used a round file so when completed the parts will still be flush with the intake trumpets. I also replaced all the kit molded nuts with aftermarket items

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0653.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0652.jpg

Next I fit it all together and installed the protective mesh. I still need to detail paint the mesh but am very happy with the end results.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0654.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0655.jpg

More soon!

Rob my friend, I can't wait to see this model ready!! Your work is like magic.
Cheers,
Marcelo.

That radiator mesh is outstanding stuff! This is such a beautiful car, you are doing it great justice.

Really great detailling.
Incredible work you're making.

Waiting for the next UP!

Jamme

Rob

Very nice stuff as always!

Which of the Finemolds patterns did you use for the radiators? NOs 10 or 12?

Whoa, I will never be at a lack of surprises with the stuff you do. That rad is something else. I have never seen one done so realistically before. What a great and fun wip.

I use the Calibre nuts and bolts.

What sizes? How do you know which size to use for a given application -- do you eyeball it? And do you buy one of each package?

I sanded off the raised details, then replaced the radiator face with Fine Molds mesh.

Um, what's Fine Molds mesh? that stuff looks great!

and where's that tutorial on using microballoons? :mad: :tongue:

Which of the Finemolds patterns did you use for the radiators? NOs 10 or 12?

No.12. It looked a better match for the scale?

What sizes? How do you know which size to use for a given application -- do you eyeball it? And do you buy one of each package?

Um, what's Fine Molds mesh? that stuff looks great!

and where's that tutorial on using microballoons? :mad: :tongue:

I got 1 pack of each size and just guess based on reference pictures. Here's the link to the Finemolds product at HLJ

http://www.hlj.com/hljlist2/?Scale=0&Word=radiator&MacroType=All&SeriTxt1=&Maker1=FNM&Dis=-2&GenreCode=All

Thanks again for the comments!

Hi Rob,
you're doing an awesome work on your T, really great!:grinyes:
Then to my question: are you going to superdetail the oil tank too? If you will could you please let us see the reference pictures you have, since it's so difficult to find any of that 312T zone?
Thanks and keep up the good work!!!!
Gabriele

OK, more updates
I spent a bit of time last night on the ignition system

The kit distributor and ignition leads once again look OK but I just had to make some improvements. I have this product called Plasti-dip which I have shown before but here is a picture of the package it comes in

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0656.jpg

I added a piece of larger diameter wire to the end of each lead then found some old yellow decal paper and used that for the identification tabs.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0657.jpg

Then I take each lead and dip it in the Plasti-dip (this stuff dries out quite quickly so I keep it in a smaller glass jar)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0663.jpghttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0662.jpg

Each time you dip it in the mix, it adds a layer of plastic so you can get the correct thickness required.

Once done you trim the end of the lead to remove the excess plastic and insert it into the correct position on the distributor. I made sure I had the correct firing order according to a book I have called the Anatomy & Development of the Formula One Racing Car from 1975.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0667.jpg

More updates soon!

OH man those plug wires look great with the Plasti-dip just adds to the realisem

This is insane work, Rob! Awesome eye for detail.

I'm looking forward to the re-release of this kit and hope to pick one up but my build will be mostly out of the box... certainly nothing near this level.

I'm currently building the 1/12th Honda RA273 as a kit review for a magazine and I'm really enjoying it even though it has to be a total OOB build. Unfortunately, no WIP or pics can be posted until that issue is printed.

Wow, very nice and realistic!!
Rob, are you going to build a car from a specific race?
Gabriele

Omg, those plug wires are the best I have ever seen. Amazing.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b246/robrex/Ferrari%20312%20T/DSCF0667.jpg


No way!! :eek:
That's just...insanely realistic IMO - and it's only the distributor!?

Way to go!!

Rob
Great work bt can't see your last pictures.
Lonnie

Superb!

rob, whatever you do for a living, you're in the wrong business. just go ahead and design/build 1:1 race cars.

Whoa, that plasti-dip stuff looks great. I was pretty happy with my 1/12 240z distributor cap till I saw this.. damn you.. :D