Post by drums01 on Feb 24, 2020 15:15:16 GMT -5
Something I did between building several kits. I normally do not post my die-cast here, but since I performed a major amount of modeling and rework on this one, I decided to show it. This is originally a 1/18 Minichamps prebuilt collectible. I purchased it knowing it has several shortcomings (defects) that needed fixed. Because I really like all of the Brabham's during the 70's and 80's, this was not a difficult decision.
Once received I identified 21 areas needing paint repair (chips, paint incorrect or incomplete) on the body alone. I also found that numerous (10 or more) decals were already pealing or silvering. Some of the worst areas were around the fuel fillers on the engine cover and the white trim on the leading edges of the cover and lower body. Others included decal chips or white tampo paint being missed in several body locations. There was also white in the blue areas and blue in some white areas. I'm not sure how this one made it through their quality control inspections (?).
When I removed the rear bonnet, I saw many pieces missing and incorrect paint callouts. For example, all of the chassis tubing was silver, but on the actual car it was all black. The hoses coming off the radiators were silver with a black rubber connector when they should've been rubber with blue connectors and silver clamps. The exhaust did not have any color, only chrome. I used clear yellow, brass, and a few others to show some heat discoloration. The tube housing the plug wires was missing as well as all of the hoses and fittings were not on the kit other than the thread for the fuel injection lines. I could go on, but there were several other items missing, so I added them to the engine bay too. The decals on the engine cover had several air pockets around the sharp curves near the fuel fillers. They would not snuggle in with any setting solution, so they had to be repainted. One of the last steps was to clear coat the decals to prevent premature aging. The one thing I still want to do is add a helmet pad behind the driver, but I'm calling this one done.
All in all, about 1/3 of the kit was repainted and all of the engine detail added. Not a bad car to start with and it was fun to correct the issues and add the detail. Now I need to get the 1/20 plastic kit and compare the 1/18 to the 1/20.
Forgive me for posting a pre-painted and assembled die-cast, but I really like the car, and significant modifications were done so I hope you would not mind. Perhaps it is time to build the 1/12 Tamiya Brabham kit?....
Ben
Once received I identified 21 areas needing paint repair (chips, paint incorrect or incomplete) on the body alone. I also found that numerous (10 or more) decals were already pealing or silvering. Some of the worst areas were around the fuel fillers on the engine cover and the white trim on the leading edges of the cover and lower body. Others included decal chips or white tampo paint being missed in several body locations. There was also white in the blue areas and blue in some white areas. I'm not sure how this one made it through their quality control inspections (?).
When I removed the rear bonnet, I saw many pieces missing and incorrect paint callouts. For example, all of the chassis tubing was silver, but on the actual car it was all black. The hoses coming off the radiators were silver with a black rubber connector when they should've been rubber with blue connectors and silver clamps. The exhaust did not have any color, only chrome. I used clear yellow, brass, and a few others to show some heat discoloration. The tube housing the plug wires was missing as well as all of the hoses and fittings were not on the kit other than the thread for the fuel injection lines. I could go on, but there were several other items missing, so I added them to the engine bay too. The decals on the engine cover had several air pockets around the sharp curves near the fuel fillers. They would not snuggle in with any setting solution, so they had to be repainted. One of the last steps was to clear coat the decals to prevent premature aging. The one thing I still want to do is add a helmet pad behind the driver, but I'm calling this one done.
All in all, about 1/3 of the kit was repainted and all of the engine detail added. Not a bad car to start with and it was fun to correct the issues and add the detail. Now I need to get the 1/20 plastic kit and compare the 1/18 to the 1/20.
Forgive me for posting a pre-painted and assembled die-cast, but I really like the car, and significant modifications were done so I hope you would not mind. Perhaps it is time to build the 1/12 Tamiya Brabham kit?....
Ben
