1/20 MFH - HONDA RA300 - 1967 Italian GP

Kit: Model Factory Hiro – K320
Scale: 1/20
Model: Honda RA300/01
Event: 1967 Italian GP
Driver: John Surtees (winner)

The only chassis built ran few GPs (4) but won at its first appearance (like Lotus 49) at Monza in 1967.

The kit is very beautiful with high fidelity to the real car, even if enough difficult to make.

The bodywork was riveted with 0.4 and 0.5 mm ScaleHardware brass rivets:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_04.jpg

Then dry fitting test:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_07.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_09.jpg

Bodywork was painted with the appropriate ZP colour and decalled:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_10.jpg

Engine very well done by Hiro, so it was mounted OOB, painted with Gold + Matt Black (some drops) and washed:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_16.jpg

The only thing I made was to substitute the little bolt with another larger, since it has to keep in place the group engine/gearbox/rear suspension to the chassis:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_17.jpg

The main chassis, painted with the same colour of the bodywork, has been coupled with the engine:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_18.jpg

The front bulkhead with front suspension and pedals fitted to the chassis:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_27.jpg

Meanwhile I prepared front brakes, adding the tubes for fluid balancing not present in the kit:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_30.jpg

Then front brakes were mounted to the front bulkhead while the ends of the steering were cut away:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_33.jpg

The rear frame to sustain the engine was glued and painted with the same colour of the bodywork:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_35.jpg

Then it was mounted with the gearbox and part of the rear suspension:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_37.jpg

Rear suspension has been finished:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_41.jpg

The rear anti-roll bar was also added:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_44.jpg

Lovely.

I got the ferrari t4 today and was blown away by its quality, just seeing the parts and builds and appreciating all the metal and all that gorgeous detail is one thing.i can imagine you pappreciate it more being the one who is handling and assembling the kit.

did you have to place all them rivits in the body?
:)

Thanks for the appreciation.

Pics of the front of the real car:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ra300_12.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ra300_7.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ra300_8.jpg

you can see the balance line running from the two upper positions of each side.

So, having show the front of the real car I'm obliged to finish that of the kit:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_50.jpg
Tank has been added.

http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_54.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_58.jpg
Radiator and its mesh.
Compare my radiator and that of the real car: its upper part was done with a Gold BMF and it is not an unique piece but divided in three part.

Here the changed ends of steering wheel:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_74.jpg

The brake wires have been added:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_94.jpg

Final result of the front compare to that of the real car:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_107.jpg

Tyres/wheels are ready:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_62.jpg
Rims have to be painted Steel + Matt Black (few drops)

The "washed" tyre compared to the other not-washed yet:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_64.jpg

In addition to the decals (Firestone + gold circle) the letter to individuate where the tyre has to be placed; here LF:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_70.jpg

Finally a dry fitting of the four wheels and tyres:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_65.jpg

That is one good looking Honda.

Many thanks Greg23.

This is the dashboard of the real car:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ra300_9.jpg

and this is what I made:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_81.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_77.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_90.jpg

No seat belts for Surtees in 1967.
In the previous pics you can also see the tubes which run inside the cockpit, from rear to front.

Here some pics of the rear of the real car:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ra300_15.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ra300_19.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ra300_20.jpg

All the exhausts are put in place, but not yet washed:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_86.jpg
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_97.jpg

This is the little device in white metal of the kit to help for the mesh covering the trumpets:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_98.jpg

and this is the that mesh mounted on the car:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_99.jpg

Finally, the exhausts have been washed like the real car:
http://www.f1m.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/users/u3313/gallery/honda_ra300_1967/ms_110.jpg