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Post by alwaysindy on Nov 15, 2015 13:08:53 GMT -5
Michael:
One I've often dreamed about...put me down for one no matter how long it takes..
Also, when the Wasp and this are done, how many Indy winners are there (besides1966) that are NOT now available as a kit or mod?
Tim
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Post by indy on Nov 15, 2015 16:16:14 GMT -5
Mr. DePalma and his Mercedes. Any good stories about the 1915 race?
Jordan
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Post by Patrick on Nov 15, 2015 23:52:10 GMT -5
Well, with 1911 under his belt, it must be time to work on Joe Dawson's National the 1912 500 winner. Or maybe the fictional PC -57 designed by Adrian Newey's great grandfather!? JK, I am not good enough to recognize an old car by the frame rails. Interesting start, Michael, will be watching this one come along with a lot of interest. Jordan I've seen two Nationals out here on the West Coast!      One comes from Fresno I believe. The other raced in the Vanderbilt Cup race at SF's World's Fair...that means 100 years ago! |
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Post by indycals on Nov 16, 2015 2:35:41 GMT -5
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Post by 1961redlegs on Nov 22, 2015 10:47:44 GMT -5
Mike, thanks for doing some early racers, they are without a doubt my favorites.
As far as the 1915 race is concerned it had its share of drama. DePalma and Dario Resta had a fierce battle for most of the race until Resta damaged his car when he spun into the wall. DePalma almost had a repeat of 1912 when his engine started sputtering with a handful of laps to go but it held together so he could finish.
This was perhaps DePalma's best car. He went to the 1914 French GP driving a Vauxhall of all cars but it was apparently so that he could procure a new Mercedes GP car. The Mercedes team stunned the French crowd and its beloved Peugeot team. The political climate surrounding the race made it more important. Gravilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife in late June. The threat of war on the continent was imminent and war would pit ancient adversaries France and Germany on opposite sides. The GP ran in July as the leaders of the powers of Europe either schemed or blundered their way towards a catastrophe.
With that in the background DePalma headed to Germany to purchase on behalf of his car owner one of the Mercedes. With this accomplished he got the car shipped out of Germany right before "The Guns of August." Some stories state DePalma bought the car and was in the process of looking it over when word came that war began and the car went out on the last ship out of Germany. His story wasn't quite that dramatic, but there is no doubt as to the tensions around DePalma's procurement of a Mercedes GP racer.
He got the car in time for the Elgin Road Race where he won handily. At the end of the 1914 season the car went to the Packard factory for an overhaul. In the process the car was streamlined and the engine was mapped out. The Packard racing and Liberty aviation motors were offshoots of the Mercedes. Once the car returned from Packard it became a force to be reckoned with, especially in the hands of a pilot like Ralph DePalma.
This may be more information than you need but it is a fascinating car and story. Once again, I can't wait to get my hands on one. I love this car and DePalma rates up there with Jim Clark as my favorite racer.
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Post by kip on Nov 22, 2015 11:24:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the history. I really enjoy the background stories. They are not often brought to light and are frequently as interesting as the race itself.
kip
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pbh51
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Post by pbh51 on Feb 11, 2016 15:01:07 GMT -5
Please put me down for one of these. I waited so long for a Wasp kit and the reality is phenominal. I expect this Mercedes will be no less spectacular. Thank you. pbh |
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pbh51
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Post by pbh51 on Feb 11, 2016 15:16:12 GMT -5
Michael: how many Indy winners are there (besides1966) that are NOT now available as a kit or mod? Tim These are the kits that I am still waiting for someone to tackle, 1913 Peugot 1914 Delage 1922 Miller (I don't count the Aurora version) 1931 Miller (Jorgenson did this, but it is OOP) 1936 Miller 1946 Thorne (Jorgenson did this, but it is OOP) 1950 Kurtis (Jorgenson did this, but it is OOP) 1985 March (I have heard there was a conversion kit, but I've never seen one) 1990 Lola I am not absolutely certain that none of these have been kitted, but I've never found any one of them for sale. Still, it is amazing to me to think that this is all that is left of a list that fifteen years ago was about three times as long. Thanks to everyone who has been producing these wondrful kits. pbh |
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pbh51
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Post by pbh51 on Feb 11, 2016 15:25:49 GMT -5
Sorry, I forgot the National. But I'm planing to convert a Mercer for that, so I did not include it. On the other hand, if someone puts out a kit that is more accurate, I will surely buy it.
pbh
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Post by indycals on Feb 11, 2016 15:29:30 GMT -5
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pbh51
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Post by pbh51 on Feb 11, 2016 23:59:45 GMT -5
In general, Jorgenson kits seem to be in very short supply. I'm not at all sure what the issues are, but I would not be unhappy to see some of these reissued. Especially the ones I listed.
pbh
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Post by mrindy77 on May 23, 2016 13:26:00 GMT -5
I'm sure you're aware Fernando Pinto has one about to be released.  |
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Post by indycals on May 23, 2016 14:47:15 GMT -5
His is the Grand Prix car.
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Post by mrindy77 on May 23, 2016 15:13:25 GMT -5
His is the Grand Prix car. ...and the Indy version, when I ordered he asked which version I wanted. |
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Post by mrindy77 on May 23, 2016 15:16:05 GMT -5
Indy version box art...  |
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Post by indycals on May 23, 2016 15:30:16 GMT -5
It's in the wrong scale   |
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Post by mrindy77 on Jun 1, 2016 19:01:50 GMT -5
Just arrived on my doorstep...it gorgeous...as a resin slinger myself, I do not how he casts some of these parts. I can't find any mold seams. The wheels and tyres are super nice and no building of spokes necessary, they are cast right in.  |
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drdave
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Post by drdave on Jun 1, 2016 19:41:15 GMT -5
I got mine today also. Can't wait to clear the bench and get started. The wheels themselves are a work or art. I would like some more detailed instructions.
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Post by mrindy77 on Jun 1, 2016 20:15:33 GMT -5
drdave...I think I am going to chuck up the wheels in the lathe and turn down the 'knobbies' as beautiful as they are i don't think they are correct. The photos, what few there are, appear to be smooth with 2 treads spaced evenly across the tyre. My rear suspension was broke but I think I can repair it.
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Post by indycals on Jun 1, 2016 22:01:54 GMT -5
The wheels and tyres are super nice and no building of spokes necessary, they are cast right in.  |
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pbh51
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Post by pbh51 on Jul 1, 2016 17:20:56 GMT -5
drdave...I think I am going to chuck up the wheels in the lathe and turn down the 'knobbies' as beautiful as they are i don't think they are correct. The photos, what few there are, appear to be smooth with 2 treads spaced evenly across the tyre. My rear suspension was broke but I think I can repair it. I also have a part of the rear suspension that is broken. My plan is to splice the pieces together with tacking pins. I've done this before and it works pretty well. F/W/I/W, I have a similar problem with the Wasp, except it affects the front end of the frame. Clearly, the creators of these kits are stretching the limits of the medium in a lot of ways and I am inclined to be forgiving. I plan to build the Wasp, the Mercedes and possibly the National together. Should make a nice display. pbh |
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pbh51
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Post by pbh51 on Jul 1, 2016 17:24:36 GMT -5
It's in the wrong scale It compares with the Wasp favorably, in my view. What I find surprising is how much larger the MPC Stutz appears beside both of these kits. My plan is to strip it down and turn it into a National. The wheelbase appears correct for this, but the car is huge. pbh |
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