1/20 Ferrari 156 Sharknose (MFHiro)

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/9373f6e0-b715-4535-953c-d0b000c26f69.jpg
I love the Sharknose as a modeling subject but not because of the unique intake. Though attractive in it's skin, the real beauty for me is underneath. The car is one of the most component-exposed subjects out there with four wheels. In fact, I think this build will be more like a motorcycle than a car.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/3be88b66-3eb2-46d0-83d1-29792fcee4a3.jpg
I've had this kit in my stash for almost a decade and have decided it's time to "get on with it". Almost every kit part is white metal or photo-etch and will make a fine base for some additional detailing. I'm looking forward to trying some new things on components that usually don't deserve the time being so buried under the clutter. Not on this car!

Others that have completed this kit have mentioned how rough the casting surfaces are so I won't add much to the subject. Other than to say needle files and #0000 steel wool are a modelers best friend. Before officially starting the kit I spent about twenty hours of tv time meticulously polishing the frame and body:
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0322.jpg
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0333.jpg

Here is a shot of the drivetrain just after gluing the basic pieces together. There is so much metal in this kit one has to constantly be on guard against making the thing too "blingy". These initial build shots were difficult to take because the bare metal parts reflect like show chrome! I kind of felt bad while shooting those gorgeous polished MFH wire wheels with dull aluminum paint but it had to be done. No polished aluminum wheels on a Sharknose in 1961. More pics/comments to come.
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0341.jpg

Sorry this is so spread out but I've lost material trying to submit this 3 times (logouts, heavy site traffic etc.).

It looks lovely.
:)

I had some time with the sharknose today. I made some progress with the rear brakes and am now starting on the ignition system. Each breather has a different bolt pattern which is incredible attention to detail by MFH. Yet they didn't include coils or even a battery?
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0345.jpg

I'll try and finish most of the engine details before gluing the frame halves together. Then there will be gobs of plumbing and wiring to add. I can't add everything without ruining the model so I'll try to add the major stuff until it starts looking a bit busy. Then I'll stop.
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0344.jpg

Love to look through the forum and find builds of wonderful looking vehicles you've never seen before. This will be a great build, I'm sure!

Here's a quick update on the sharknose. I've gotten the ignition finished and most of the big work done on the carburetors. Right now I'm working on fuel lines and throttle linkage.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0351.jpg
This picture shows the ignition guides that I made. There were none in the kit and I think it was worth the trouble. It's mostly file and micro-drills. I like to drill the holes at a 45 degree angle so the wires emerge from the tube at a more natural angle. The flange on the big end is made by roll cutting with a dull blade.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0353.jpg
The ignition wires kept popping out of the distributors while I was wiring them because I didn't drill the holes deep enough. Lesson learned! I departed from the instructions and wired them three to each bank as they are on all dual ignition engines. It's a little more fiddly but makes an interesting pattern.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0357.jpg
In this shot you can see where I am on fuel line fabrication. Close, but not quite there yet. This is a reject I'm using to work out the routing. This connection screams for a banjo fitting but I don't have any in my spares box and that's a bummer. I finally have a carb wash I like: grungy in a clean sort of way.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0358.jpg
This is a close-up of the throttle linkage I'm attempting to make. Since this car no longer exists and pictures are rare as chicken lips I'm having a time with it. The diecast company CMC made something similar so I'm figuring they know something. By the way, if anyone has a link to some pictures of this area on a sharknose I'd LOVE to see them.

That's it for now. If anyone has a question or comment to share don't be shy.

Lovely build! Thanks for sharing all the great detail work.

Jordan

Incredible work.
Follow this with interest...

Really nice work one of favorite Ferrari's

I've had a few hours here and there to spend with "Sharky". I have to say that overall I've really been enjoying this build. There haven't been any show-stopping issues so far. The fit has been pretty good considering how early this kit is (K-032). They say Hiro kits get steadily better and they are now up to K-409! Enough preamble. How about some pictures?!...

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0367.jpg

These are the stock wheels and tires from the kit shot with silver leaf (TS 30) at 25psi. They are some of the finest spokes I've ever seen. If you so much as touch them they will stretch and look terrible though.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0361.jpg
Here is where I'm checking the out-of-box wheel camber. If you look at the first picture in this thread it shows generous negative camber both front and back. So I've got some more work to do.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0373.jpg
I finally finished the fuel lines and fitting the rear shocks. Each shock strut is about seven machined, cast and etched parts and they look beautiful right out of the box. My floor is soda can and 800 grit sandpaper. I think it looks better than the photo-etch piece from the kit.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0369.jpg
Here I'm doing a bit of custom work on the front end so I can pose the wheels. The upper casting is from the kit. The one below it articulates back and forth so the wheels can be angled.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/000_0379.jpg
Test fit, test fit, test fit, or sing the blues. Nothing in this picture is glued together yet. I try to stay ahead of the fit monster wherever I see a risk. I found out my brake hose routing was going to fowl the bodywork and will need to be redone. Also, that seat is just plain fugly and will not be staying!

That's it for now. I'll try to update this about once a week as I get stuff to post. If you are curious about something just ask.

Wonderful work. Since I have had this kit on my shelf for a few years now I thought I'd better jump in and follow your work. Maybe this year is finally time to start mine.

Paul Erlendson

Wonderful work. Since I have had this kit on my shelf for a few years now I thought I'd better jump in and follow your work. Maybe this year is finally time to start mine.

Paul Erlendson

Absolutely beautiful - almost a shame to paint the metal body!

Wonderful work. Since I have had this kit on my shelf for a few years now I thought I'd better jump in and follow your work. Maybe this year is finally time to start mine.

Paul Erlendson

I hear you. My kit was sitting on a shelf for ages and I recently realized I had acquired several of these must build kits in my stash. My New Years Resolution for 2014 is to build only my absolute favorites and sell the marginal stuff. I'm a slow builder and life is short.

Absolutely beautiful - almost a shame to paint the metal body!

So I'm not crazy? I was looking at it last night thinking the same thing. I could give it a final polish, shoot it with 2k clearcoat and done. It's worth consideration, yes?

I hear you. My kit was sitting on a shelf for ages and I recently realized I had acquired several of these must build kits in my stash. My New Years Resolution for 2014 is to build only my absolute favorites and sell the marginal stuff. I'm a slow builder and life is short.

I am with you there I already started to put together the kits I going to sell.

I have the Tameo 156 I would like to start later this year.

That Tameo Sharknose kit is amazing. I haven't seen one built but Tameo has a great reputation. The Tameo version includes several parts that are missing in the Hiro like the oil tank and battery too. Spot Model in Spain has some nice pictures of the kit on their website:

http://shop.spotmodel.com/product_info.php?products_id=13980&osCsid=uu4h4a4ea61t4ttpahqtplfj64 (http://shop.spotmodel.com/product_info.php?products_id=13980&osCsid=uu4h4a4ea61t4ttpahqtplfj64)

I hope you'll do a thread when you build it.

That Tameo Sharknose kit is amazing. I haven't seen one built but Tameo has a great reputation. The Tameo version includes several parts that are missing in the Hiro like the oil tank and battery too. Spot Model in Spain has some nice pictures of the kit on their website:

http://shop.spotmodel.com/product_info.php?products_id=13980&osCsid=uu4h4a4ea61t4ttpahqtplfj64 (http://shop.spotmodel.com/product_info.php?products_id=13980&osCsid=uu4h4a4ea61t4ttpahqtplfj64)

I hope you'll do a thread when you build it.

I sure will I am just getting back to some unfinished kits I have most of last year I had to deal with some family heath problems that's calmed down some now and I hope to get some stuff done. There is a very nice build of the car on Tameo site
http://www.tameokits.com/en/Focus_default.asp

looks great here are some pics of my cmc sharknose if it helps. if you want different angles let me know.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/ferrarijoe_photos/ferrari/DSC02151.jpg (http://s832.photobucket.com/user/ferrarijoe_photos/media/ferrari/DSC02151.jpg.html)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/ferrarijoe_photos/ferrari/DSC02158.jpg (http://s832.photobucket.com/user/ferrarijoe_photos/media/ferrari/DSC02158.jpg.html)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/ferrarijoe_photos/ferrari/DSC02155.jpg (http://s832.photobucket.com/user/ferrarijoe_photos/media/ferrari/DSC02155.jpg.html)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/ferrarijoe_photos/ferrari/DSC02154.jpg (http://s832.photobucket.com/user/ferrarijoe_photos/media/ferrari/DSC02154.jpg.html)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/ferrarijoe_photos/ferrari/DSC02152.jpg (http://s832.photobucket.com/user/ferrarijoe_photos/media/ferrari/DSC02152.jpg.html)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/ferrarijoe_photos/ferrari/DSC02150.jpg (http://s832.photobucket.com/user/ferrarijoe_photos/media/ferrari/DSC02150.jpg.html)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/ferrarijoe_photos/ferrari/DSC02146.jpg (http://s832.photobucket.com/user/ferrarijoe_photos/media/ferrari/DSC02146.jpg.html)

Wow, just came back to this forum since dealing with a health problem with my wife. Great work and I look forward to more updates!

Later,
Lee

Love your work! Waiting for more, soon...

I guess it's been a while since my last update. My friend Mark supplied me with some great reference material that's caused me to rethink my approach on some things. I'm still at the point in the build where I can make changes without any rework.

What's with MFH and their seats and steering wheels anyway? I mean, these guys make amazingly beautiful wheels, coilovers, exhausts, etc. I finished my scratch driver seat using Milliput and dress liner. the piping is just wire I pulled from electrical parts. My scratch steering assembly came out much better than expected. I made the fina toe adjustment by bending the links on the uprights slightly. The assembly will allow me to pose the wheels in any position now. I'm also doing some fit-up with the exhausts and cockpit instruments to make sure everything fits nice and cozy. The kit seat supplied by MFH in the kit makes a good lead weight for holding parts together temporarily. I also discovered the stock steering wheel is way, way too small. It looks like its 1/28 or something. So I have a Renaissance Nardi in the spares box that will do nicely (not pictured).
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2670.jpg
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2669.jpg
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2660.jpg

Any updates on this project?

Later,
Lee

Here's a little update on the sharknose:

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2733.jpg
I finally built up the nerve to final glue the chassis and engine together. The point of no return, haha. Next, was finishing all the plumbing and electrical system.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2743.jpg
I shot Rosso Corsa Red Acrylic from Scalefinishes. I like it much better than TS-7 Italian Red because it covers more evenly and is less translucent. The ten year old decals shattered the moment they hit water. I sprayed the remaining sheet with Revell Decal Bonder and no issues after that.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2751.jpg
Next it was on to clear coating. My old 2k hardener hardened without my permission so I invested in new stuff. This time I used DuPont Chromaclear HC-7776S and 7775S hardener in a 4:1 ratio. It "drys" super fast once it leaves the airbrush. I was handling parts within ten minutes! Then it was on to polishing with Micromesh and 3M Finesse it II.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2760.jpg
Cutting and trimming the vacuum formed windscreen was a bit scary but I just took my time and it came out fine. The shape of the part fit the body perfectly. I was going to use aftermarket rivets but since there were photoetch "dots" in the kit I thought I'd try them. Turns out they look just as good as real rivets. The hard part is cutting them from the fret without launching them into orbit around the earth.

Here are some shots of the completed model:

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2755.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2800.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2773.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2772.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2767.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2763.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp280/cratecruncher/MFH%20Ferrari%20156%20Sharknose/100_2766.jpg

I had a lot of fun working on it and learned a lot about Ferrari and the '60s F1 scene. The sharknose makes a great detailing subject because the removable body and tube frame leaves nothing hidden. The castings are a little rough but the fit was really good for an MFH kit of this vintage. Maybe one day Mr. Hiro will do a 1/12th version? We'll see.

Beautiful, simply beautiful.

Lovely subject and lovely finish.

Anthony

Fantastic!, I am still gathering reference photos before I start mine

Cheers
Glenn

Very familiar kit! Outstanding job on it!

It looks fantastic well done

I'm glad I asked for an update! Superb work and nicely finished.

Later,
Lee