1979 Ferrari 312 T4 - 1/12 - 60th Ann. Group Build

[ferraripaul]

Next step was the gearbox - another piece of cake. After glueing the main casting together it got a coat of Titanium gold like the valve covers. My references are unclear here, but I think Ferrari cast the gearbox of the T2 and T3 predecessors in lighter magnesium / alloy to save weight again.



I also added the rear brake disks at this stage. A first and positive test how the Acoustion PE fit. The PE disks were first painted Metalizer Exhaust Black and then sanded to bring the shine back on the elevated parts.

The mounting bracket of the gearbox oil radiator was damaged, so I rebuild it using thin aluminium sheet and white glue. After painting the bracket semi gloss black it looked fine. The PE front & back plates for the radiator went on as well. After again painting them Exhaust Black and sanding with fine steel-wool, the radiator was better than new:



A test-fit of the gearbox assembly and part of the rear suspension looks also pretty promising.

[ferraripaul]

To prepare the completion of the gearbox assembly I had to fix the rear dampers. Tamiya did a fine job providing real springs but these are not right. The single twists of the springs are way too tight - so I made new springs and painted them the appropriate colour of titanium silver:



After adding the fuel injection pump and fuel lines, I glued the complete assembly to the mounting plate already fixed on the engine block. Added the oil filter, battery (a new mounting bracket here from aluminium) and tried to mate engine & gearbox.







Now I'm waiting for the can of Plasti-Dip to arrive (thanks again, robrex) which I found at a supplier here in Germany and will then fabricate the distributor, ignition wire, and plugs assembly.

Next will be the monocoque assembly.

[360spider]

Excellent progress!

[Decs0105]

The engine looks fabulous! It's great to see some more 1/12 F1 progress threads on here... opcorn:

Originally Posted by ferraripaul

Now I'm waiting for the can of Plasti-Dip to arrive (thanks again, robrex) which I found at a supplier here in Germany and will then fabricate the distributor

Where did you find this stuff exactly, I am also looking for a can

[robrex]

Nice progress. I'm glad to see the Plasti-dip technique helped out.
If I can make a suggestion? The brass metal ties really stand out on the fuel lines. Try white nylon thread. It looks a lot more like the cable ties that they originally used and doesn't stand out.

[ferraripaul]

@Thesaint111: I found Plasti-Dip (between many other interesting stuff) here: http://217.172.172.50/jalatex-s55h53-PLASTI_DIP%AE_fluessig.html??

Website of the supplier is http://www.jalatex.de

@robrex: Thanks for the tip mate; I was thinking of another method to organise the different tubes. I'll let you know here soon

Nice to be in such company

[Chinamalc]

Hi cant see the pics - any advice? I am logged in. AUW12 you mention using a surrogate to view the pics - what is a surrogate??

Malc.

[ferraripaul]

Originally Posted by Chinamalc

Hi cant see the pics - any advice? I am logged in. AUW12 you mention using a surrogate to view the pics - what is a surrogate??

Malc.

Sorry guys - it seems to be my free picture hosting. auw12 was managing to access the pictures using the direct link to my album: http://guidomoritz.gu.funpic.de/copp...s.php?album=39

All my images are to be seen by the link in my signature below. And I'm not moving because I have more than 1,100 images there ...

[ferraripaul]

I probably found a variant to robrex' idea to mix MicroBalloons into the colour to simulate structured surfaces. I'm using simply flour from our kitchen and dusting it over wet paint using a mesh filter:



This results in a nice surface structure similar to suede. I'm using it for 'flocking' part of the seat and the rim of the steering wheel. This is the status after applying the flour:



Now I had to apply just another coat of paint and was quite happy with the results. The steering wheel got flat black with a brush, the seat semi gloss black from a can.



So - let's wait and see how are the long-term results. I'm not too concerned because the flour is completely sealed after the paint dried. I'll let you know if problems come up during the next year ...

I especially like the result with the seat because it was aone of the damged parts in the used kit.

[ferraripaul]

Now I put the chassis tub together. I painted it with Metalizer Aluminium and some Titan to add colour. Fit of the parts was good, I only had to cover a seam at the top of the front tub with Mr. Surfacer.



I drilled the pedals before painting them and mounting them to the bracket at the front of the chassis.



So this is the status of the build so far. I'm in the process of test-fitting, painting, and planning how to proceed.




Some other angle far a better view of the different texture of seat & wheel after the flour flocking process:



It's really difficult to show the details on the pictures. Either my camera or myself need some improvement.

Thanks for looking, Paul

[D_LaMz]

lol Flour, I would have never thought of that!

[Chinamalc]

I'm still struggling to see the pics, I tried the surrogate and all I got was this:-

http://404.funpic.de/403.html

Tried putting the address in to the search engine direct, searching etc and no go so far.

Any suggestions?

[generationx]

This is a great progress thread, excellent to see another 1/12th F1 being built (my Matra proceed slowly).

The T4 was the first 1/12th I built when just I was just 15 years old (23 years ago...), I plan to buy the reissue and have another go, it's one of my all-time favourite F1 cars (Forza Gilles!).

Keep the progress coming, this is a masterclass!

[Enzoenvy1]

Damn that is a nice job!

The flour idea is a great one! I am definitely going to give that a whirl!

[klutz_100]

Coming along very nicely.

Love the flour-power idea!! Will surely give that a try.

Looking forward to seeing more.