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Post by arcticwolf on Sept 26, 2023 18:02:00 GMT -5
Yep, 2B. It's not a typo. It's the Italeri 1/12th MP4-2C kit, being built as Niki Lauda's Dutch GP winner, his last F1 victory. The truth is I'm a Lauda fan and I couldn't bring myself to build anything with A Prost written on it. Also the kit's a piece of junk so modifying it didn't bother me at all. There's not that many visible differences between a B and C.
They do give you a very nice set of brake calipers
Kit comes with carbon fibre decals and some PE. This is the kit decal, very nice and looks nothing like carbon fibre, not to mention the orange colour
So after much trial and error, on my nice new Epson printer and lots of decal sheets later, I came up with a decal sheet that is about 80% transparent. The idea is the texture will be visible but the base colour will show through
They didn't supply the rest of the decals anyway, but I covered everything that will show, gave it 3 coats of flat clear and got this
It was about here where I decided to do it right and started modifying the body and covering the bottom half as well
this kit is terrible for fit - as in nothing does. That gap will remain, more or less, as the body sits nicely over it. I should have glued the two halves of the tub first and then decalled it, turns out it would have worked just as well
It's not glued together at this point, just a test fit
I'm very disappointed in the quality, not one part fits the next one. Every hole needs drilled out to accept the peg. Seems with Italeri you just never know what you're going to get, the Bugatti kit was a dream to build. Live and learn. I shall plod along.
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Post by hurtubise56 on Sept 26, 2023 18:46:36 GMT -5
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Post by arcticwolf on Sept 26, 2023 20:19:16 GMT -5
Thanks Brian. Yes, and it's not even a good "old Protar kit", lol. They jazz it up with some not much use PE and a "carbon fibre decal sheet" that is missing 90% of the required carbon fibre. Quite disappointing really but I'll do my best with it.
I really want the Meng myself, but it's a bit pricey so it's just as well my Canadian suppliers are both out of stock, lol. Between it and Nunu's Lotus 99T I'd better win the lottery, very unlikely seeing as I don't gamble.  |
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Post by pje on Sept 26, 2023 21:04:56 GMT -5
I started this conversion years ago. Forget CF decals for the chassis. The Hercules company of Utah did the original chassis following John Barnard’s specifications starting for the original MP4-1. The CF was all done on female forms so you don’t see the fabric threads on the outside surface of the chassis. You’ll get the most accurate result with paint. I passed on my work to James Cabanes who is also a member here. Here is a discussion on F1M. forum.f1m.com/viewtopic.php?t=29812There is a ton of work to replicate Lauda’s last winner. I know James has done the wheels and tires. As you can see, I created a buck for the windscreen. I don’t know if James has done any vacuforming with it yet. Paul Erlendson |
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Post by arcticwolf on Sept 26, 2023 22:25:31 GMT -5
That's interesting. The windshield on my kit seems identical to Lauda's 2B, the only difference is the mirror location and the cutouts behind them will need filling in. The front wheels have a minor difference in the hole shapes, I'd be interested in more authentic ones if they're available. As to the carbon fibre, it's on, it can stay, lol. The car's chassis does have an odd texture, I did paint it and I didn't like the look - maybe if you brushed it on, strange as that may seem.
Given the overall inaccuracies of the kit, it's going to be a case of "do my best" for this one.
Thanks for the info.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Sept 27, 2023 0:07:15 GMT -5
Well very cool Paul. I’m on board with the Lauda car because I also can’t build anything with A. Prost on it. I’m sure you’ll beat this old thing into submission.
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Post by arcticwolf on Sept 27, 2023 1:35:46 GMT -5
On closer inspection, there is a difference in the windshield. It extends somewhat further back on the 2B. I think I'll settle for filling in the cutouts on this one!
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 2, 2023 10:59:24 GMT -5
More progress and more to whine about. The engine isn't bad, reasonable detail but it's all moulded in. Lots of detail painting.
They supply photo etch for the cam covers and decals to apply over it. Not at all authentic but it looks cool.
For the floor pan I applied my decals over a dark grey, I like that effect a lot better. You can see how off the fit is with the side pods. Easily cured.
Test fit of body. There is a lot of flash and mould lines to be cleaned up, but the fit is reasonable.
Chassis together. Believe it or not, everything is in the right place. Some fixing required.
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 2, 2023 11:06:59 GMT -5
To build a proper 2B, I'd need to scratch build a completely new exhaust and radiator/intercooler assembly. The kit parts aren't accurate, but they more or less resemble a 2C. Somewhat modified just to get them all to fit.
Why I'm not bothering to convert it? You can barely see any of it when you're done.
Other than a poor original design, I think the main problem with this kit is that all the moulds are simply worn out. Or it may just be the guy sitting at the desk building it.
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Post by hurtubise56 on Oct 2, 2023 11:53:58 GMT -5
That's looking pretty darn good! Your decals are nailing it. The fit, though, wow! I think Protar managed to cut brand new molds that were worn out!
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Post by kyledehart5 on Oct 2, 2023 15:02:15 GMT -5
Boy that fit is vague, to say the least. What a mess. You’re doing a great job beating this one into submission.
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 14, 2023 22:26:06 GMT -5
Chassis complete. It can stay the way it is.
The seat and wing decals are the kit supplied ones. I'm sure they all wanted a purple seat.
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 14, 2023 22:32:34 GMT -5
I got so disillusioned building this thing I gave up and just converted it back to Keke's 2C.
On a positive note, this is the first McLaren M@r1b0r0 paint job that I've managed to make look half decent. I seem to have no luck with McLarens.
It can rest with it's buddies.
Later guys
Paul
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Post by indydog on Oct 14, 2023 23:12:04 GMT -5
Very nice build of the McLaren, but I'm more impressed that you have built the Heller JS-11.
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Post by Calvin on Oct 15, 2023 1:11:41 GMT -5
Gorgeous 😍
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Post by kyledehart5 on Oct 15, 2023 1:44:51 GMT -5
Well, I know this thing fought you tooth and nail but that’s a fantastic end result. Really looks great.
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Post by hurtubise56 on Oct 15, 2023 8:58:17 GMT -5
Paul & his "Mongol horde" of modeling skills have vanquished another bitter enemy! That looks great next to the others!
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Post by lance on Oct 15, 2023 15:16:58 GMT -5
Very nice build, I to am impressed with your JS11, not a great kit but a beautiful car. I have one I hope to build one day.
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 16, 2023 9:26:06 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I really wouldn't recommend that Italeri kit to anyone, I had the Beemax 1/20th version and I should have just built it, but we live and learn.
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Post by indy on Oct 17, 2023 9:42:51 GMT -5
Nice job. These red and white cars are so beautiful and iconic. Sorry this one fought you but you look to have done a great job getting it to the finish.
Jordan
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pg265
Front Runner
Posts: 221 
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Post by pg265 on Nov 20, 2023 12:10:58 GMT -5
Hi,
Beautiful job!
What a beastly Roaring beauty!
Pascal
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