Mercedes W 163 Hawk kit- markings complete

[raceparke]

I got a great deal on this kit and have ordered wheels/tires from Pinto to distract from enhance whatever hash I make of it.

The first thing that struck me is the step along the bottom from the main body to
back under the tail.





Another area of concern is the nose. It was molded closed with faux mesh between the grille bars. I removed the mesh.



That was not my best idea so I carved out the opening and will have to come up with something.



The third area of work will be the drivers compartment. It’ll need a complete scratch job.

[kyledehart5]

I have this horrible old kit…I mean, nostalgic piece of history… and would love to build it as the Don Lee Indy car. I shall follow along with interest.

[jj66]

Great start! When I built this kit, made the grille with curved steel wires

[jj66]

May 16, 2024 1:54:32 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

I have this horrible old kit…I mean, nostalgic piece of history… and would love to build it as the Don Lee Indy car. I shall follow along with interest.

I have decals for Don Lee cars #46 1946 and #31 1947. PM your adress and I will send you them.

[raceparke]

I’m trying this wire idea. Not sure how it will look when trimmed and filled.



I’m going to use the Hawk wheel inner part to mate with the Pinto wheels.




Company this weekend, outside work, etc, etc, slowing progress on this.

Sigh.

[raceparke]

More fettling required, but getting closer. .

[raceparke]

The grille bars are somewhat inset, there’s like a lip around the nose. I’m trying to shape a thin plastic rod around the nose that I will blend in. Simples. . .

[raceparke]

Also beginning to mock up an interior. No engine, thank you very much.

[kyledehart5]

That’s looking great!!

[raceparke]

I know, I know. Flowers, the planting of, and lawn, the mowing of, as well as race watching (yay Indy, boo Detroit) have disturbed the smooth flow of this. Here’s a few random shots of various things (I hope no one tries to use this thread as an orderly sequential instruction plan).

The wheels all touch the ground.



Wheel with internal brake detail. Fuzzy pic cause the camera didn’t know which spoke to focus on.



De Dion beginnings



Apoxie sculpt shaped over kit seat.

[raceparke]

BTW, I liked who won Detroit, but the race, on that “track” was not my cup of tea.

[kyledehart5]

definitely not a great race. Excellent progress on this though!

[alwaysindy]

Dan:
I have questions, man! Clear plastic? Pinto wheels and tires? German engineering = complicated…Cockpits gonna’ be fun…

Maybe one of the 1/72 figures will fit?🤣🤣🤣🤣
It’s coming along great! I have heard that this thing had the potential to win but no one on this “side of the pond” knew how to tune it properly…
Tim

[raceparke]

Hi Tim
The original kit body was plated in gold “chrome” that was removed by the time I got it. Just as well, I would have tried to remove it anyway.
When I wrote Pinto requesting the wheels from his W154 kit to use on a W163, he asked which kit was I building, he had an earlier version of the wheels and a later. I replied the Hawk kit, he responded I know that kit and sent the wheels he felt would be best. They look right to me.
The interior will be a challenge for sure. That picture helps. Thanks
I think I read somewhere that the car was not designed for sustained high rpm’s also spares and technicians of the caliber needed were not available. I bet it sounded great though.

[alwaysindy]

Dan:

Drive shaft, air hose, all kinds of lines…

Tim

[raceparke]

Tim
Thanks too much! 😵‍💫
Dan

[raceparke]

A couple of interesting sites I’ve found. W154 from 1938, but useful images for details that apply to 1939 Rennwagon.

sketchfab.com/3d-models/mercedes-benz-w154-silver-arrow-200cec445cfa414d9f40b83052b9fbbc

www.zcool.com.cn/work/ZNjY0MjcwMA==.html?lng=zh

[raceparke]

Front bulkhead, footwell, pedals, angled driveshaft housing



Dash and seatback bulkheads. Beginning of slot for radius arms



Outer view of bodywork around radius arm



And beginnings of interior

[raceparke]

More details





According to wiki, this car had a driver adjustable rear hydraulic shock arrangement. The gizmo on drivers left is my attempt to recreate the hydraulic cylinder, piping and adjustment lever, per photos from Tim and other reference. Drivers right is shifter.



The pipes (hoses?) connecting front scuttle tank and rear main fuel tank are represented by trimmed front brake ducting from AM McLaren Can Am model parts.





Steering wheel from Revell Monogram 300SLR

[jj66]

Every update is better and better Dan. A lot of great details added.

[alwaysindy]

(In my best BorisBadanov voice…)

Danhauser:
Ve haf vays of making you detail…vere are ze cigarette lighter and ashtray?

Seriously, it just keeps getting better.Can’t wait to see it done!
Tim

[raceparke]

Nose 1

Revisiting my plan for the nose, the last major step.

A thin rod shaped around the opening

[raceparke]

Nose 2

And more



And beginning to putty

[raceparke]

And a nose 3

A blanking panel to fill in to avoid “see-through”. Will become radiator-like black.

[raceparke]

The body is molded as top and bottom. I decided to cut the lower sides away from the bottom and attach to the top. Much easier to paint and smooth the side seams.

[raceparke]

Finished construction.













Final markings are TBD.

To me this is THE definitive front engined single seater in GP racing.
Except for a too high ride height, I’m happy with this.

[jamesharvey]

Just remarkable! I hope you are really proud of this as you should be. Thanks for sharing every step of the way. It is great to see how clever you are in figuring out ways to make this work. Good on you.
Thanks, Jim

[kyledehart5]

That’s exceptionally nice!! Your work on everything has paid off. The front nose is a masterpiece. Beautiful work making this look so good. Look forward to seeing it finished.

[alwaysindy]

Dan:
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Wowser! Dang, it turned out great! The interior is cramped but functional, and the nose is a work of art. As to your comment, it is probably the height of front engined Grand Prix cars. Perhaps the Maserati 250F or last Vanwall might have competed with it, but they are 20 years younger…
Keep it up ,my friend! I always like your builds!
Tim

[jj66]

Very nice!