wip that Ferrari

[p9o1r1sche]

Here's my Ferrari anniversary build - MG Models 1/12 Ferrari 375 Plus representing the 1954 LeMans winner. This is my first MG model and first impression is that its comparable to a 1/24 Fisher kit in detail, though this has engine detail, but no chassis detail to speak of. I will be detailing the exterior and the engine bay.



The body is one big hunk of resin. The detail is soft, but that can be fixed.







Mock up with the wheels.


Made new suspension parts.





Scratched a few parts here and there. The kit parts just werent going to cut it in this scale.



Kit headlight on the lower left. I made headlights with some realistic depth, a bulb, and later added lenses.



Kit rivets were miss shapen and not straight, so they had to go. Got some replacements from Scale Hardware.




Added some cockpit detail. Had to guess what the structure looked like.




More to come...

[freakray]

Hey Ken

You have my undivided attention on this one, please post frequent updates. opcorn:

[p9o1r1sche]

How's this for frequent?

I dont have pics of the beginning of the engine build. Added details include the acorn nuts on the top of the engine from Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland. I dont know how they resin cast these things, but they are small and detailed. Added flanges on the exhaust with bolts from Scale Hardware. Scratched the oil addition tube and cap and a fuel pump, and of course, some wiring and plumbing. Didnt add all the details near the bottom of the engine. With no full chassis detail, it didnt seem worthwhile. At least the top of the engine bay will look complete.



Bolts are from Scale Hardware. I'm thinking its a better deal to buy simple machined parts instead of using my time to do it. I want to machine the cool stuff!



The fuel lines are guitar strings. They come in a variety of sizes and look cool.

Engine spaghetti.



Fuel pump.


Engine installed in the chassis. I used some weathering powder on the exhausts to give a hint of rust.





Added the radiator, steering mechanism, and other details that tie the engine down.


I used Model Master Flame Red lacquer on the body. Here I am masking the roundels.




Stay tuned...

[p9o1r1sche]

Here's what the reworked rivets look like. I installed them after painting, clearcoating, and polishing. I painted over 175 of them individually. I also made access covers from brass that fit with tighter panel lines than the kit originally had. The kit panel lines are trenches.







Here's what about 175 rivets look like.


The grill is made of many pieces of photoetched metal.



The driving lights also needed help. Kit parts on the left.


Brake drums.

[p9o1r1sche]

And now for the pie'ce de re'sistance (aka pieces of resistance) - the wheels.

I couldnt consider myself a modeler if I havent scratchbuilt a set of wire wheels.

Here's the kit wheels. The PE spokes just arent right and there's just not enough of them.


Here's the machined hub.


The wheels have three sets of 24 spokes, for 72 spokes total per wheel. The machined hub is spoked to a resin rim that was cast from a machined aluminum one. The spokes are made of beading wire and superglued in.

Here is the first set of 24 spokes installed.


The second set.


And the finished set of four wheels.


Comparison of kit wheel and scratchbuilt one. I like mine better.


This wheel is installed and detailed with a valve stem. Later, I machined some spinners.




I feel that these wheels represent a significant accomplishment for me as a modeler. I spent more effort on them than any other part of any other model I have built. I had lots of dead ends and start overs before I worked out how to make them. I guess the next set I make will need spoke nipples.

Next update... the end of the build.

[p9o1r1sche]

Here's a few details on the finished model. I'll post some shots in a completed thread soon, with some engine shots and interior.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

WOW. Gotta watch out for the quiet guys

Can't wait to see this one in person! Everyone should untie their shoelaces now in preparation for their socks to be knocked off

[davesans]

WOW what an awesome looking car every inch. Your scratch building is killer love the headlights and the gtr line for fuel lines is a great idea.

[freakray]

Ken, would love to see a photo of this beside your Porsche too

[klutz_100]

Pure Meisterstück

[CifeNet]

No way! This is beautiful! I enjoy this kind of build. Nice job and show us more often.

[Veyron]

Drool worthy!

[mikemechanic]

Holy shit. Would you care to give some machining lessons? An all around stunning build.

Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[kanedge]

Incredible build. I've never seen these kits before and your machining work is amazing.

[SeanyG]

simply beautiful. There is nothing more I can add.