1968 1/25 Eagle T1F scratch build attempt

[formula14kdc]

I am attempting to build either the 1967 or 1968 F1 Eagle based on the MPC 1/25 Olsonite Eagle kit. Major issue is the V12 engine. Has any one attempted to do this? What kit's engine can I use to make/modify for a V12 engine with trumpets in the middle. Maybe use the kit's Weslake Ford engine? Please be specify on who's/manufacturer model kit can I use as a base to do this. Thanks.

[2lapsdown]

I can't help you, but I wish someone had done a 1/25 scale kit of this car

John

[smbrm]

I think replicating the Eagle Mk1 in 1/25 has been a bit of holy grail for many that has remained mostly unaddressed until the advent of the the MFH 1/20 and 1/12 Eagle Mk1. I wish you good luck. This would be a very ambitious project. I do recall seeing someone fashion an F1 Eagle from the Tamiya Matra kit, however that is 1/12. Having spent a lot of time converting the MPC Eagle MkIV Indy car to an accurate portrayal of the F5000 Eagle V, two similar cars, I can only suggest that what you are proposing is definitely more of a scratch build than a conversion. There are so many things about the 1967-68 Eagle F1 Mk1(101-104) that are not at all in common with the MPC Eagle. The engine, the front suspension, the gearbox, the shape and proportions of the monocoque, the windscreen, the tires, you can almost name a part, and the MPC Eagle is sufficiently different to either require scratch building or otherwise part sourcing. With regard to part sourcing, there just isn’t much of anything in 1/25 scale unless you want to compromise with 1/24 scale parts, which are also extremely limited and not necessarily proportionally sized. To resize a 1/24 5.0 litre V-12 to represent a 3 litre Weslake, you might as well start from scratch. I think it depends on how accurately you wish to replicate the 1967-68 F1 Eagle Mk1 in 1/25 scale and how much time you want to devote to the project. I offer my comments with the intention of pragmatic advice. I appreciate that may not sound hopeful or encouraging. Perhaps you might see that as part of the challenge?

Even if you consider some of the 1/25 scale resin versions of the Indy Eagle Mk2 for a chassis and wheels and tires, you still would need some chassis conversion as well as scratchbuilding an engine and an appropriate Hewland gearbox.

Cheers

Stephen

[raceparke]

5 years ago I built a 1966 eagle molded by Gary Doucette. The body is like the 1967 Spa winner once engine cover mods are made. Engine wheels and tires- I don’t know. First question is that kit available anymore?
Dan

[clm1545]

I think the major problem with what you are trying to do is the body, not the engine. The 68 MPC kit is a very different car than the F1 Eagle. At one time, Gary and I had discussed both a 67 Indy car, and a F1 Eagle. For several reasons, that never happened.
Dan, the masters for that kit are in Canada, from what I have been told, and may be produced again in some form. It has been reported that I have several kits in my possession, that is not true. I have 2, one which I will use to build a 67 Indy car, and one to keep as a memory of my career as a dealer, and partner of Gary. I would make that body available if one of our resin casters would like to recreate a 66, 67 Indy car, of try a F1 car. The reasons that a F1 car was never produced are many, mainly because I considered that engine to be above Gary's pay grade, it would be, in my opinion, very hard to do.

Craig

[formula14kdc]

Thank you for all your comments. To make things clear I am using parts of the MPC but a Lotus 38 body from either AMT or IMC. For engine I am thinking of the Protar Ferrari 512S very likely so far. Thanks.

[eagle36]

I agree with the analysis that the MPC kit is nothing but a source of a few parts for this project. A better starting place for the engine would be the Aurora/Monogram Ferrari GTO or any of the Testor's/Italeri/Revell Ferrari GTOs or 250 GTs. At least those are 60 degree 3 litre V-12s.

[jj66]

I tried to build the T1G from the MPC kit with these modifications:

- V12 Engine from two V8 blocks and trumpets, Gurney-Weslake heads with styrene and decals, epoxy putty manifolds, exhausts from styrene tubes 
- Engine bed enlarged 
- Front suspension repositioned with new upper arms
- Body and nose reshaped
- Rear track shortened

Some photos of my build. Main issues: upper nose&front body area is too flat/low and manifolds&exhaust are oversized.

[lolagt00]

Fellows, Can't help but wonder why no one has used the Beautiful Lancer Eagle-Climax or Eagle-Weslake 1/24 slot car bodies? The proportions are spot-on and there are quite a few out there (RussKit made one too). I think the level of detail is as good (Lancer at least) as hard plastic. I am working the slot bodies as static kits now as some cars just don't exist otherwise. My bugaboo is the excessive outside plastic gloss, the old slot body mfgs say to use steel wool on the inside of the body so the paint adheres better, anyone ever done that? I had bought a jewelry bead blaster at Harbor Freight a few years back to see if I could lightly bead blast the outside of slot bodies (except for windscreens and headlight covers) to remove the gloss and make better paint adhesion. Never had the chance and its gone. I use only vintage OEM slot bodies, the new re-pops don't have the detail and are of different, thinner plastic, not worth the expense or effort.  Anyone out there with thoughts on this?

[clm1545]

You never cease to amaze me, Juanjo!

[formula14kdc]

Now that slot car bodies have been mentioned, how should or could they be painted on the outside correctly?