WIP: Tamiya 1/12th Matra MS-11

[generationx]

This should be fun, the Tamiya 1/12th Matra MS-11. Re-issued in (I think) 2003 I got it from HLJ and put it to one side on my small pile of other 1/12ths. So now is the time to start it.
I’m going for generally box-stock, but the problem with this kit is that there is some debate as to which race, driver and chassis Tamiya based it on. So instead of getting into a giant debate I’m going to model it on the box-art, which would appear to be taken from this photo of Jean-Pierre Beltoise at Monza in 1968.



I need to make sure I get the wing end plate colours and decal placements right.

This is the kit:





With a few little extras – an MG Models harness set, a decal correction sheet, and some intake trumpet meshes:



There’s quite a bit of clean-up to do on a lot of parts, such as these mould-release marks:



But the moulds are quite old…



So the first thing to do is get some of the sub-assemblies glued together before a good clean and paint. So far I’ve started on the monocoque:



I’d be interested to know what colour the inside of the removable bodywork is supposed to be – bare fibreglass, or aluminium, or painted body colour?
Also, has anyone got a good picture of how the seatbelts are attached to the bulkhead?

More to come!

[billypee]

Hi Generation X,

The Matra is a very nice looking car and I am sure it will be a pleasure to build, despite the age of the moulds. I can't wait to see it take shape and I will be watching this thread closely.

I don't have any photos myself, but there are some on F1 Facts that show a green nose:







F1 Technical has the following image showing a white nose:



The only image that I can find with anything to do with the seat belt harness is on Gurney Flap... it shows a hole in the seat:



Hope this helps and good luck,
Bill

[generationx]

Thanks Billy there’s some good shots there!

A bit more work this afternoon. Want to get the engine block together ready for cleaning and painting. The crankcase halves have Tamiya markings on saying “Matra MS11” which I’m sure wasn’t on the original, so that’ll get removed.



Then the block gets glued together, a nice easy job with a bit of clean-up, but everything lines up well.



Same with the gearbox, this will not be painted aluminium as the instructions suggest as most pictures I’ve seen show a dark colour, probably magnesium, so gun-metal or similar will be the way forward.



And here’s what we have so far, next to a Tamiya spray can, to give an idea of scale.



Back to work tomorrow, but will try and do some more this week.

[generationx]

Blimey it’s been ages since my last post. As usual with these things I’ve had other things to do, plus it feels like loads of work done and there’s nothing to see! So I’ve waited until there’s actual progress!

First off, I got some paint on the main body parts



Then painted the seat pad, roll bar and gearstick aperture. Shame about the stupid 1960s/70s battery box, needless to say this will be the static version!



The nose has a white stripe around it for the version I’m modelling, so Tamiya TS white was painted first, left to harden for a week, then masked and the blue added



The insides of the fibreglass bodywork are matt black which I handpainted



Engine assembled and painted. The block is flat aluminium and the cylinder heads silver. They looked no different, so I gave the block a wash of smoke to make it look used. The cam covers are semi-gloss black, with silver dry-brushed across the raised detail



Also the exhaust manifold (header) flanges are picked out in matt white and the bolt-heads done in gun metal



The brake disks are moulded in bright chrome which was far too bright, so I painted the bells in flat aluminium, the disk edges in flat red-brown, and washed the disk surface with plenty of smoke to give it depth and take the shine off



Lastly the radiator was painted, the surfaces dry-brushed to bring up the detail, and bare metal foil used to represent the hose clips



That’s all for now, front suspension will be next.

Thanks for looking, all comments are welcome!

[bhop73]

Lookin great. Engine looks good, nice wash on it.

[deltableh]

That looks great

[quadzero]

What a great modelling project. Your engine looks practically perfect. Keep up the good work, Homer. I will be following along with interest.

[Eric Cole]

Great start so far!. I just assembled the engine block for this kit today to use as a dry-brush and wash demonstration in my model club meeting tomorrow.

Now I'm insprired to build and finish the whole kit.

Is it just me or is it difficult to find good reference pics of this car?

[cinqster]

Originally Posted by mach1_2003

Great start so far!. I just assembled the engine block for this kit today to use as a dry-brush and wash demonstration in my model club meeting tomorrow.

Now I'm insprired to build and finish the whole kit.

Is it just me or is it difficult to find good reference pics of this car?

I've got this kit waiting to be built and I also found it a pain to find decent reference. I've ended up with a French book on Matra that has a few photos which I'll try to upload later.

Nice build so far Genx...hope you don't mind me being picky but the cam cover ribs were normally yellow as this was Matra's trade mark (along with the glorious noise) - not sure why the restored car in your photo has silver edges?

[generationx]

Well it’s absolutely ages since I last did any updates, things other than model making (!) have been more important recently. But now I’m back in the groove and trying to forge ahead with this wonderful kit.

Firstly the engine is now joined to the gearbox, and the intake trumpets and ignition wires are on. Also added intake mesh which I got from eBay. It’s beginning to look like a proper engine now…



Suspension bits are coming together. Blimey Tamiya loved their chrome plating with this model! I painted the brake callipers gun metal and toned down the brake disks as described previously.



Started assembling the front suspension.



Then turned to the dash. Gave the instruments a silver rim, after the decals used Microscale Crystal Clear to protect and add the impression of glass, painted the straps on the fire extinguisher and added its decal.



Because the back of the dash is visible with the cowl on I’ve added some wiring made from 0.5mm styrene rod, with connectors from hex rod. These stop under the cowl but look better than nothing.



And its nice to get some bodywork done, here the cowl has the screen and mirrors added.



Hopefully it won’t be months before the next update!

[billypee]

Looking very nice. Keep up the good work.

Bill

[davesans]

Really fine job the engine looks great wiring is very neat.

[generationx]

Another update after several weeks of doing little bits and pieces.

The monocoque (tub) and suspension is pretty much finished.





As I mentioned before, Tamiya REALLY liked their chrome on this age of kit, but looking at references the F1 cars of the late 60s were dripping with it anyway, especially on suspension arms and so on. So I’ve left it as chrome in a few areas. The radiator and water tank is mounted here too.



And the kit-supplied brake lines look pretty good, secured to the rear trailing arms with the provided fine fuse wire



Meanwhile the engine is complete apart from the rear frame and auxiliary tanks. The fuel (clear) lines were particularly tricky as, when routed, the throttle linkage (black rod going across the rear of the engine) just would not fit. Two-part epoxy and plenty of drying time did the trick.





Rather bemusingly, the big parts that could benefit from a satin chrome, were moulded in plain plastic. This included the rear wing, so I covered it in BMF, not possessing an airbrush to use Alclad. It looks pretty good.



And the battery assembly looks pretty cute



So I’m lurching towards completion. The wheels need painting, then it’s final assembly and decals. Cool…

[Decs0105]

That looks great, love those old F1's!

[robrex]

It's coming together really well