MFH Ferrari 250 TRI '61 WIP & Review

I just finished my GTO build (pics will follow when there is some daylight), so it is time to start something new. Now it is time for something a bit more challenging, my first Model Factory Hiro Kit: Ferrari 250 TRI '61

Since this is a first of these in AF, i thought i'd try to write a small review before i start.

Standard MFH box contains resin body, white metal chassis plate, five beautiful 12 piece per wheel wire wheels, vacformed clear parts, three sheets of decals and small "lunch box" full of white metal and turned parts. White metal parts are divided into two bags, one for larger and the other for smaller parts. There is also a small bag that contains screws for chassis attachment, ignition wiring material and springs for dampers.

The body casting is very good. Minimal amount of flash around wheelarches, simply no pinholes or any other faults. After a quick check it seems that the body shape is correct. Vacuform windows are clear and scratch free. Most of the whitemetal parts are also totally flashfree and looks that they are ready for assembly with minimal work. PE parts are etched on a backing plate so that there will be no cleaning required before assembly.

Decals are for three different versions of this car and they seem to be perfect. There is also a set of MFH vinyl Ferrari Scuderia shields and other logos.

There is atleast one problem though: it seems that the body/chassis needs a bit of work to fit on right position. Other possible problems will be reported as the build progresses. I'll let the photos do the rest of talking:

Resin body and white metal chassis plate:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0098.jpg

Large white metal parts:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0097.jpg

Smaller white metal parts:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0109.jpg

PE parts:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0105.jpg

Wheels and tires:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0103.jpg

Decals:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0101.jpg

Turned aluminium parts:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0100.jpg

Screws, springs...:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0108.jpg

Instruction manual:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0111.jpg

-Niko

Wow, what a kit. I can't wait to see how this one builds. Thanks for the review. Maybe one day I'll get brave enough to try one of these mixed media kits as the look quite exciting.

Dan

beautiful kit.

Rock and Roll, Niko!!! :D

Will be following this like a hawk.

this looks like another awesome MFH kit, can't wait to see progress pics.

wow i love this car very much!!! hope to see great WIP soon~~

WIP ! please!

Wow this kit looks like fun! Can't wait to see this beauty come to life. Good luck.

This kit seem awesome Niko: just I'm wondering how Hiro done those backing tape PE parts: I done someting in those way but just etching by 1 side only, and those seem etched by 2 sides. Can't wait for more.

just I'm wondering how Hiro done those backing tape PE parts:.
rubber-backed like SMS et al. perhaps?

just I'm wondering how Hiro done those backing tape PE parts: I done someting in those way but just etching by 1 side only, and those seem etched by 2 sides. Can't wait for more.

They are on very thin, almost transparent, red plastic plate. I think that they are etched twice from the same side (?).

But what i can tell you for sure is that first PE parts that i did attach did fit perfectly. As usual i started by preparing the body for primer and painting. Two of the parts that will be painted in body color, are the rear grilles. They are glued to a recess on the body, and based on previous resin kit experiences I was afraid that they wouldn't fit. But as you can see they fit perfectly:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0128.jpg

And no, i won't write a separate message on every part that i glue on the kit :)

-Niko

And no, i won't write a separate message on every part that i glue on the kit :)
Thanks for that :thumbsup: :lol: j/k

Certainly IS a perfect fit !

A little update,

I started by building and painting the main parts of the engine assembly. All parts went together relatively well. A little bit of cleaning here and there, but only one "major" issue: the block was 0,5 mm too long so a little bit of extra sanding was needed. I painted the engine aluminium with black bolt heads and titanium header flanges. The instructions asked to polish the whole engine, but i've never seen a polished Ferrari engine :icon16:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0137.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0138.jpg

Main parts of the chassis are also glued together. Only problem with these parts was rough surface of the transmission tunnel, so a lot of sanding was needed. Interior part is again aluminium color and the rest is flat black:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0135.jpg

The differential:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0136.jpg

-Niko

Nice detail painting, Niko :thumbsup:

but i've never seen a polished Ferrari engine :icon16:
That's because you haven't seen mine! :rofl: ;)

That's because you haven't seen mine! :rofl: ;)

how do you keep yours clean? mine gets so dirty.

Rear subframe is now complete. I have to say that i like the details in this kit, three piece shocks, turned aluminium brake disks etc. But one thing that i'm not too impressed is the screw attachment of some of the parts. It doesn't look realistic at all. Well, i promised my self that i'll build this one straight out of box.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0145.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0152.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0153.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0155.jpg

-Niko

Shame those screws show so much, but like you said, OOB.

Not to be rude, but how much is this kit? I'm not really into the classic Ferraris, but this is an impressive kit.

It'll still look great - screws and all

Not to be rude, but how much is this kit? I'm not really into the classic Ferraris, but this is an impressive kit.

The kit costs 27000 yen at HLJ. Exchance rates are so good for us europeans at the moment that actual price of MFH kits for me fell down ~30 percent from their first releases!

-Niko

The engine is now almost finished, only breather tubes and front fuel line missing. Carbs were a real pain in the butt to assemble. Main problem were the venturi tubes inside the velocity stacks. Cutting them from one stainless steel tube and drilling the ends open took about an hour. Otherwise building the engine was quite straightforward.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0168.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0165.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0163.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0162.jpg

-Niko

Beautiful little jewel of an engine :thumbsup:

Nice........,
I got this kit in my collection.........(Le mans Winners) I know what you're gonna say........One more guy talking about his collection........ NO!

I will made a little wash on the engine, but it is my idea, so............:banghead:

Cheers,

Jamme

Carbs and distgributors look really realitic. Nice and thin ignition cables aswell!

Another update: Fuel tank is ready. It is built from 6 white metal pieces and two PE-pieces. I didn't paint the tank because looking at the pictures of Ferrari fuel tanks of the this perioid this sanded white metal look is quite close to actual.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0175.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0174.jpg

Tubular frame in the front of the car and front suspension finished. Some cleaning of the parts was required, but nothing severe. I painted parts with several different blacks to add some visual interest to otherwise so dull engine room.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0171.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0170.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0169.jpg

Front end is still missing some small parts, radiator and oil cooler. After those it is time to start working on the interior parts.

-Niko

Wow! That engine is a little gem! It looks great!

Really nice work so far...!
Cheers,

Jamme

WOW that is one sweet looking engine!! And I agree on the fuel tank it looks spot on like this.

Fantasic!

She looks just phenomenal :thumbsup:

WOW that engine looks superb Niko~~~ And you're really working fast!! Come on keep it up!!

Be sure to coat the bare metal gas tank or be aware that it may begin to corrode(turn white) over time.

So far a great job on a great model. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

Great so far.

How many Hiro stuff did you done, Niko?

I'm saying that becouse I'm warming-up for my first one, and I'm collecting different impression trought expert builder, general thought is that kits are awesome and done by houndreds pieces but fitting isn't perfet ever, or at least you have to work to do so, and do a fitting test for ALL parts, you forgot 1, those give you troubles (well it's no different for all craft models I know). Also Hiro-Climax stuff seem a bit better.

Great so far.

How many Hiro stuff did you done, Niko?

I'm saying that becouse I'm warming-up for my first one, and I'm collecting different impression trought expert builder, general thought is that kits are awesome and done by houndreds pieces but fitting isn't perfet ever, or at least you have to work to do so, and do a fitting test for ALL parts, you forgot 1, those give you troubles (well it's no different for all craft models I know). Also Hiro-Climax stuff seem a bit better.

Well, this is actually my first MFH kit, so all following comments are for this model only.

There are certainly lot of small problems, but nothing that could not be fixed. Body/Chassis plate fit was not perfect. I needed to reshape the rear end of the chassis so that the body would fit as it should. body seems to have another problem also, it seems that there will be a visible gap between body and chassis plate on interior area. I also had to sand a little from hood and rear deck lid to make them fit. The engine block is (was) also a little bit too long. Other problems so far were rough surface of some WM parts, and i also had to bend some of them a little to get them straight.

So generally i'd say that test fitting of every part prior to glueing is really necessary to avoid problems later.

On a positive side i'd have to say that IMO the end result seems to be very pleasing model (atleast so far) of an important car, and the results really overcome the small problems that i had so far. For the level of detail this kit offers, i am willing to do the extra work on cleaning and test fitting. And it is really superior to any "garage kit", or any kit, i have built so far.

One more thing: i really hate those screws that are used on attaching some of the parts they are far from realistic.

Bill thanks for the tip with WM fuel tank, i wouldn't have thought of that. And thanks for all for encouraging comments.

-Niko

Thanks

Be sure to coat the bare metal gas tank or be aware that it may begin to corrode(turn white) over time.
Hi! Could you expand a little on that? I haven't heard of that before and I am very interested.

What clear do you use? for example

Well, this is actually my first MFH kit, so all following comments are for this model only.

There are certainly lot of small problems, but nothing that could not be fixed. Body/Chassis plate fit was not perfect. I needed to reshape the rear end of the chassis so that the body would fit as it should. body seems to have another problem also, it seems that there will be a visible gap between body and chassis plate on interior area. I also had to sand a little from hood and rear deck lid to make them fit. The engine block is (was) also a little bit too long. Other problems so far were rough surface of some WM parts, and i also had to bend some of them a little to get them straight.

Yeah. This is ok for your first Hiro model, and I certainly thought so when I built my first. But after building several of them, it gets soo annoying - its really unacceptable for a $200+ kit. There is no excuse for that.

Yeah. This is ok for your first Hiro model, and I certainly thought so when I built my first. But after building several of them, it gets soo annoying - its really unacceptable for a $200+ kit. There is no excuse for that.

Guess i'll have to wait until i've built several of them.:) Anyway, while building the interior i found the first really annoying problem: The PE panel that is attached to the rear bulkhead of the interior does not fit OOB. The reason is that the slot for transmission tunnel is 2mm too narrow and the height is too low also. It is really annoying to cut 0,1mm PE plate :banghead: This is really not acceptable.

The interior and chassis are now completed. Dashboard and steering wheel will be attached straight to the body. Paint scheme continues on the same lines: flat black and aluminium. Only the seats are painted with two shades of flat blue, not easy to see on pics.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0189.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0190.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0191.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0192.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0193.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0194.jpg

-Niko

She's coming together very nicely, Niko! :thumbsup:

That's great Niko! :thumbsup: Now I am quite expecting its result!

What aluminum paint you used, that looks so real! I was thinking of the cockpit frame was made of real aluminum before i saw your description.

What aluminum paint you used, that looks so real! I was thinking of the cockpit frame was made of real aluminum before i saw your description.

The aluminium is Testors Buffable Aluminium Metalizer.

"Some" progress again. Body is now painted, polished and decaled. Instructions asked to use screws to attach the body to chassis. I was afraid of cracking the body, so i used glue instead of the screws.

I have also completed the rest of interior and chassis, so only thing that is left is the worst: vacuformed clear parts, and about million PE rivets :)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0205.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0208.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0212.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0213.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0214.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0217.jpg

-Niko

Thanks for the reply Niko! Now it's coming out damn beautiful!! Just can't wait to see the result! Please give me a face angle, I love its air intakes very much! :grinyes:

Almost completed.

Windshield assembly completed. This is four PE-pieces and vac-formed clear part.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0220.jpg

Windshield, rear view mirror and wiper glued in place:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0228.jpg

Bonnet and rear hatch completed:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0226.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0224.jpg

And this is for Tang. It also shows my small mistake. while assembling fog lights, i accidentally dropped one of them, and lost a lens. :banghead:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b248/nniemi/TRI61/IMG_0222.jpg

Next update is probably complete model.

-Niko

Thanks Niko! It is very beautiful and you work really fast! MFH kits are really great and worth the money IMO! It's a pity you lost the lens, any aftermarket products? I just did a search of my scrap models and I don't have that kind of lens or I can send you. :frown:

I finished this for the weekends CCM Open in Stokholm, Sweden. Completed model thread here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=673300).

-Niko