MFH 1:20 Williams FW16 - a left hand project

[allnie]

I ordered the Model Factory Hiro 1:20 Williams FW16 from Roberto (Icaro) end of 2005. It was not part of my plan to get a blood clot in the brain January the 2. I got paralysed in the right part of the body, could hardly speak. My right hand could hardly be used. It was really a major problem using the right hand. NOT a very smart career move if you are a keen modeller. Don't try it at home. So there I was lying in the hospital bed, thinking I had built my last model scale car. But some people are actually lucky in such a situation. First of all I did not die, which is a good starting point. But I was also able to make a very good recovery. And now after more than 4 months things are looking much, much better. I am almost back to my old level.
I soon discovered that the best way to recover is to use your hand and try to “force” the hand into improving. So nothing is better than building scale modelling cars, which is really a challenge for the right hand. Roberto soon received the FW16 and sent it to me. A full-detail MFH kit is hardly the right starting point to “practice”, so instead I started on an old Heller plastic car. And from being nowhere with the hand did it really get better. Soon I could simply not resist starting on the FW16. The first very big part of the project is to prepare all those hundreds of metal parts. This activity is a very time consuming job and a very good exercise for my right hand. I had to “restore” both strength in the hand and to be able to “fine-control” all the movements. And here all the sanding of all those parts is a very good therapy.
The good thing was it was very time consuming, because in the meantime my hand was getting better and better and when I had finished all the sanding I was able to continue with the rest of the project. It is an enormous project. You typically only see it finished one time in your life – and often you never see such a project finished.
Here I show some pictures of the project. I am far from finished, but the project is going in the right direction.


This is the main body part. It is made in resin and the quality is superb. But still it must be sanded and primed etc. I glued several parts together before doing the preparation and priming work.


The front and rear wings are a major problem. They are made in metal and therefore very heavy and difficult to glue together. Remember we talk parts which are extremely thin and fragile. I tried all the "normal" glues, but they were all hopeless for this VERY tricky process. After almost giving up did I acquire this "mammut" glue. It is VERY expensive compared to other alternatives, but it made the difference.


The rear wing is the worst. Ultra thin and fragile. Try to look at the underside of the wings. First you glue using the "blue" glue, which is very strong. After that you use the green bottle, which contain some very, very fine metal-like particles. On top of those particles do you use the "blue" glue again. This process will create a very strong and flexible "connection". I know a 1:1 scale wing don't look like that, but I am afraid this is the only solution if you want to solve this problem. When we talk such a difficult project do you in general need to glue together the parts BEFORE you start prime and paint. The typical "Tamiya" way of working, where you first paint each part and then glue it together afterwards don't work here.


Here you see the rear wing again. Believe me. I was VERY close to scrap the entire project because of that wing.


Front wing is a similar nightmare. Ultra thin parts must be glued together. And it must NOT break up afterwards!


The front wing. It is much heavier than it looks.

[mike@af]

Im glad you have recovered well Allan. Blood clots are a scary thing. I cant imagine losing a finger, much less losing a hand. I hope you are able to recover your right hand. Good luck!

[gionc]

You must had been some hard times, but I feel you kinda positive and enthusiast now, I'm really happy that our strange hobby could help you as a therapy contribution, and I'm glad the worst is just past. Also I'm proud you're able to turn upsde-down a very hard situation and find out those motivations.

BTW your start is great, just awesome for to be done with almost the left hand, I'm looking at wheels, brakes and elecronics, and at the metal body jobs: good start so far.

[Raikkobin]

The single most impressive outlook I've heard lately, at a better modeller than me with two fully functioning hands!

My new hero and I eagerly look forward to the FW 16's progress...

[OrangeR]

The brakes are looking fantastic!!!
It's great you're recovering, keep up the effort it will never be more rewarding.

[sportracer02]

Hi Allen,

nice to see you back modelling after your recovery.

Modelling progress looks great.

[TvD]

Having seen in my family what a blood clot in the brain can do to someone, I'm VERY impressed with how you manage to recover from it!! And that model probably looks better than I could do in good health! Keep up the good work!

Tim

[RallyRaider]

Allan, I am shocked to learn of your misfortune but also delighted to hear that you are recovering and keeping such a positive outlook. Best thing I can say is that despite your trouble, your work doesn't appear to have suffered. Proof that talent will always find a way to shine!

I'm know this FW16 will be just as beautiful as your past projects!

[mickbench]

Firstly, let me wish you a full recovery. Secondly, I admire your resolve to pick up the paint brush and build models again. I respect that, and you have my full support. Best of luck and stunning start so far.

[nugundam93]

kudos for the great work, and nice to hear that you're on the mend

[SeaBee]

Allan, all of my sympathy is with you. Best of luck with the recovery. But I have to agree that it is great to see somebody have your outlook, rather than just feeling sorry for themselves. Not sure I could have plucked up the courage you did, esp so soon after it happened. Best of luck on the recovery.

Regarding the build - simply stunning in any circumstances!

[robrex]

Inspirational build considering the circumstances!
Best of Luck with your return to the hobby!

[billypee]

Hi Allen,

I wish you well with your recovery and can see that your positive attitude is shining through. Can't wait to see more of this FW16 build. Good luck with the wings!

BillyPee

[allnie]

Finally time for an update. Summer is over and there a no bad excuses left. The most difficult part of the project (so far) is the very complex body part. It shall be painted white, blue and semi-gloss black (+ clear coat everything except the black area). Problem is the VERY complex livery. It is a NIGHTMARE in 1:20 scale. Decals are superb, but you need Johnson to make them stick. I used Finished blue and that is a PERFECT match for the decals. No more talk.

[robrex]

Great work on the paint and decals!