(My First) WIP--1/20 Brabham BT50

[racer93]

OK, big deep breath...here goes nothing! (A little sarcasm, as I've been around for years now and never have done this before, just posted pics of completed projects...)

So, welcome to my first WIP. I've decided to do a full-detailed build up of the Brabham BT-50 from Monaco 1982. I found this pic that really compelled me to do it:



There's something about this era of F1 that really has my attention. You had 1.5L 4-cylinder engines producing nearly 1000bhp and barely any driver protection over the driver's hips. It took some serious balls to control that type of power and car. It all just really appeals to me. Very exciting. (Kinda wish F1 would or could get back to that kind of car but that's as likely as a snowball's chance in Hell...)

What I plan to use is the S27 p/e set for this car and then scratch build or add other detail from misc items from RBMotion, Top Studio, etc. Again, i really want to do as highly detailed a model as I've done before. I really think this model screams for it, as the engine is fairly small and will not "overwhelm" the eye when looking at all the plumbing and wiring. Also, if anyone knows where I could get the BMW colors for the rear wing end plates (as above), I'd appreciate that. I'm also going to be using Indycals' decals for the Piquet version of this car.

I get my camera tomorrow (fingers crossed) and then I can take some shots of my preliminary work. Thanks to Mike (from AF/BSR2) for his great help in finding me a camera and telling me how to use it. (FYI--he's planning on a big photo tutorial in the near future, so anyone interested, keep an ear out. He's a TOP NOTCH photographer and knows his stuff...).

All I've done so far is to fill in some of the severe ejector pin marks and attach the rest of the sides and the skirts. Nothing much to speak of. Believe me, as soon as I can, I'll upload some pics to get this party started!

One last thing--please, if anyone sees anything wrong or knows a better way than the way I'm doing something, please don't be afraid to say something! I love to learn and am open to constructive criticism! I may question what you say but I'm doing so just to understand or clarify the point, not argue. And if anyone has pics of this car de-clothed, I'd certainly appreciate them!

That's all for now...

Daniel

[andybmw7272]

Alright Daniel!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cant wait to follow this one!
Hurry up camera, get here and let's see some pics.

I am excited to see this one!
Andy

[racer93]

First update! Wahoo!

Nothing major here, I filled in sink marks and trimmed off the old, inaccurate skirts, filled in the sidepod seams and generally sanded down to give the paint and primer something to grab on to:



(The post on the left side of the undertray will be trimmed off, as it's inaccurate.) The undertray on either side of the central tub will be cf'd.

Also cut the body into an accurate representation. The rear (as in the OP) of the bodywork came off separately:



...and finally I have chromed the radiators by using SNJ Aluminum powder over gloss black enamel (it's MUCH shinier than in the pics):



As always, thanks for listening! I'll be back soon with more..

[Keeto]

Hi Daniel, this is going to be good one, I'll be keeping an eye and good luck with your build. Have you tried Hiroboy for the BMW colors you're after? They'll mix it for you if they don't already have it in stock.

[Shunter]

Looking forward to watching this one come together..

[racer93]

A quick update. Some friends were kind enough to supply me with images of the bottom of the car (VERY hard to find) and I have added some sheet styrene to create a central diffuser for the ground effects. Tamiya conspicuously left this off their '82 kits.

[racer93]

Updated the rear diffuser shape per Derek's (Icon) pic by widening the outlets of each tunnel (by narrowing the end of the central lower portion):

[racer93]

Another small update. Finished using Archer's Fine Transfers resin decal rivets for the tub. Really great stuff. I've used it on many models, including the 1/12 BT44b, Matra MS-11 and others. A GREAT replacement for molded in rivets and the fact that the film is thin enough to not be seen (even with not being painted or cleared over) is awesome.

I'm thinking the tub looks awesome. As soon as it's dry, it will be paint and Aluminum powder time!



...and the finished product!

[racer93]

Decided to redo the tub. I thought that the sheen on it was just a bit too dull, so I painted over what I had and then rebuffed the aluminum powder. I think it turned out MUCH more realistic. What do you guys think? (The paint is a lot smoother, glossier and much more shiny.)





Here's one that shows it a bit more clearly:

[DerXL]

Amazing stuff.
Your first WIP is off to a very good start. I'll be following this one closely as I have this one in my stash waiting to be built (as do countless other kits..).

I wouldn't mind if you'd share the images of the underside of the car in your WIP (if that's alright with the person(s) who shared this info with you).
I have lots of images of the BT50, but none from the underside.

Looking forward to the next update !

[racer93]

Originally Posted by DerXL

Amazing stuff.
Your first WIP is off to a very good start. I'll be following this one closely as I have this one in my stash waiting to be built (as do countless other kits..).

I wouldn't mind if you'd share the images of the underside of the car in your WIP (if that's alright with the person(s) who shared this info with you).
I have lots of images of the BT50, but none from the underside.

Looking forward to the next update !

Not a problem, Axel! The other site (F1m.com) is down right now. As soon as it's back up, I'll get it. It's from the BT49 but they're essentially the same from the bottom...

Do you mind sharing the images you have of the BT50's cockpit and engine close ups (especially of the non-exhaust side)? If so, that would be a huge help!

Daniel

[racer93]

Small update here--cf'd the front and interior of the tub and had to really think about how to get the rivets chrome. What I ended up doing was to put the rivet decals down, then bare metal foil on top of them and then put the cf decal down. Once dried a little, I *gently* sanded the cf decal off to reveal the metal sheen! (It's the same old trick people use on the valve covers of engines.) It looks less than perfect bcs of the zoom of the camera. When looking at it with the naked eye, you really can't tell.



Either tomorrow or Thursday, I'll have engine and some bodywork updates. Still waiting for the decals from Indycals...(ah-hem... )

[racer93]

Been adding some parts and pieces that are missing from the kit's engine. First is the fuel distributor:



Next, I made some fuel injectors:

[MerlinPro]

You have a nice maincure buddy.
Oh the car!-spectacular project. Great use of materials and techniques. A dedicated watcher of your genius...

[racer93]

Thanks! You don't want to know what I paid for this mani...