1/20 Ferrari 156 Sharknose (MFHiro)

[CrateCruncher]

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.


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!

[CrateCruncher]

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:

[CrateCruncher]

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.


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

[bradfordian]

It looks lovely.

[CrateCruncher]

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?


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.

[joelwideqvist]

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!

[CrateCruncher]

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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

[indy1977tx]

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

Jordan

[gtziaf]

Incredible work.
Follow this with interest...

[davesans]

Really nice work one of favorite Ferrari's

[CrateCruncher]

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?!...



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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

[PJE48]

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

[PJE48]

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

[pawlie]

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

[CrateCruncher]

Originally Posted by PJE48

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?