Ebbro 1/20 scale Lotus 49

[Joel]

I just joined the Open Wheel Racing Modeling forum, as I finally decided to "come out of the closet" as a long time aircraft modeler, and start to model some of the race cars from past eras where my interests have always been.  My building plan is basically building one aircraft and one car at the same time, alternating work sessions. While both will take that much longer, it will keep my interest up in both modeling areas.


I just purchased from Indycals two Ebbro kits, the Lotus 49 and the Lotus 72E, with the appropriate decals. I'm planning on starting the Lotus 49 in a few days for Jim Clark @ the Dutch F1GP. The only additional detailing I'm planning for this build is ignition wiring, fuel injection lines, and brake lines.  Which brings up my 1st question, where to get those lines

About the only company I've found so far online is Detail Masters. They have 1/24-1/25 ignition wiring, but nothing for the fuel injection lines, and nothing listed for 1/20 scale. Can someone point me in the right direction as to what and where to purchase.

Thanks,

 Joel

[sandysixtysfan]

Welcome. There's a lot of guys here who build 'other than' open wheel & Indy models. Theres some guys who have posted some beautiful ship models for example.

Try Pro Tech- protechmodelparts.com/ -for some really cool stuff. Check out Art, Andy and Kip's (just to mention a few great detailers here) recent work for more info.

Sandy

[Joel]

Sandy,
Thanks for the heads up. I checked out Pro Tech and they don't list 1/20 scale, just 1/16-1/18 which is close enough. I did find ignition wiring but no fuel injection lines that would be appropriate for the Lotus 49 back in 1967.
Joel

[indy]

Some guys use fishing line to replicate fuel lines. Some tint them yellow/amber to simulate fuel stains.

Jordan

[Joel]

Jordan,
Thanks for the reply. I guess that mono line would work. I did find on the Strata site under Hiro that they make fuel lines in 3 sizes. Would .mm be the right size or 1.0mm?

Joel

[indycals]

There is a pliable beading cord that looks like fishing line but is much more flexible

[Joel]

Would I find that at a Michaels?

Joel

[racerbrown]

Jan 26, 2016 20:15:07 GMT -5 Joel said:

Would I find that at a Michaels?

Joel

that's where i've found it along with a whole lot of other good stuff.
duane

[pje]

WE had a discussion a few years back about 1/20th scale hoses and wiring.

Hope this helps you.

mb2501.proboards.com/thread/3883/question-scale-wires-hoses

Paul Erlendson

[Deleted]

I have prepared the injectors by cutting off the plastic tips where the fuel lines go into. Then drilling each injector and replacing them 0.20 wire a few mm long which the tube will fit into. I'm using MFH color tube (clear brown) part # P-958. It's for 1/12 scale but it will work with the Ebbro 1/20 scale Lotus 49 or 72 kits. MFH has a smaller size clear brown tube which is P-958, which would also work and more to scale.

Jim Boulukos

[Art Laski]

Jan 26, 2016 10:59:06 GMT -5 sandysixtysfan said:

Welcome. There's a lot of guys here who build 'other than' open wheel & Indy models. Theres some guys who have posted some beautiful ship models for example.

Try Pro Tech- protechmodelparts.com/ -for some really cool stuff. Check out Art, Andy and Kip's (just to mention a few great detailers here) recent work for more info.

Sandy

Thank you, Sandy, for including me in that list. It's good company! Also, Joel, I am a Pro Tech show dealer, but my deal does allow me to sell to friends too, so if anybody wants any Pro Tech stuff, just shoot me a PM. If I have what you want in stock, I can usually get it to you much faster than from Pro Tech directly.

[Joel]

Duane,
Thanks for the heads up. Will be checking out my Local Michaels.

Paul,
I'll checkout that link as it sounds like exactly the information I need.

Art,
That's good news. I'll checkout there site and then reach out to you as I need things.

Joel

[Joel]

Just a general list question. My other two (aircraft modeling) forums has the option of email notification of replies to my posts, threads I've started, or threads I want to follow. All I've seen is a white box that pops up next to a thread, what is it for? And I did find that in profile/notifications I do get notifications when someone posts in one of my threads, but not all the reply posts shows up there.

Are there other ways of staying current?

Joel

[Joel]

Jan 27, 2016 17:38:18 GMT -5 @jimmyb said:

I have prepared the injectors by cutting off the plastic tips where the fuel lines go into. Then drilling each injector and replacing them 0.20 wire a few mm long which the tube will fit into. I'm using MFH color tube (clear brown) part # P-958. It's for 1/12 scale but it will work with the Ebbro 1/20 scale Lotus 49 or 72 kits. MFH has a smaller size clear brown tube which is P-958, which would also work and more to scale.

Jim Boulukos

Jim,
   I'm sorry that I missed replying to your post. That's my original idea after finding the MFH clear tubing, but not knowing what dia size to get. 

   Joel

[Joel]

Well, I've finally started the cockpit. As this being my 1st race car build after years of just aircraft, I'm going at this very slowly. While plastic modeling is plastic modeling, and the basics are the same, there ends any real similarities and familiarizations between the two medias.

The cockpit tub is my starting point, and the basic tub is comprised of 7 pieces plus the instrument panel and gauges, steering shaft and wheel, shift lever and box. For now I just concentrated on building the basic tub which starts by gluing the seat pan and front section to form a complete oval. The parts fit does leave a slight gap only on the inside of the seams, while the back of the seams glued flush to each other.



I laid down a base coat of Vallejo white acrylic putty, then two light coats of Bondo automotive glazing putty. Let dry for a day, then sanded with 320 and 600 grit.





I then drilled 4 holes for rivets on each side. Next was a coat of Mig AMMO Acrylic primer since I was going to use an acrylic paint for the interior. I thin The Mig primer 1:1 with Tamiya X-20A, and air brushed at a flow rate of 16-18 psi.



Reference photos showed a bezel around the shift compartment, so I scratched one out of .040 sheet.



The instructions call for the tub to be painted Tamiya XF-53 Medium Gray, but it's way too light compared to photos I have of a restored Lotus 49. I matched up a few Tamiya shades and decided that XF-24 Dark Gray was a much better match. I thinned it out 2:3 with Tamiya Yellow cap Lacquer thinner, and air brushed it @ a flow rate of 14-16 psi, and it laid down smooth as silk.



Looking at those pictures, I can see that the bezel needs a little more sanding, and the semi drilled out holes still has some excess plastic that needs to be removed.

this is as far as I've gotten to date. While I tend to model a lot, I work at a true snail's pace, and don't seem to accomplish all that much, but eventually I do cross the finish line.

Joel

[racerbrown]

slow and steady wins the race!
great stuff joel.
thanks for sharing this.
duane

[indy]

Great start. It is amazing how something looks so good on the bench and when you post the pictures, it always seems to magnify any issues. ...to the builder, almost no one else would notice what bothers us LOL

Jordan

[Joel]

Feb 2, 2016 9:27:47 GMT -5 indy said:

Great start. It is amazing how something looks so good on the bench and when you post the pictures, it always seems to magnify any issues. ...to the builder, almost no one else would notice what bothers us LOL

Jordan

Jordan,
  Yep. Most of the time it's because we're looking at it at greater magnification then 1:1.

Joel

[Joel]

Feb 1, 2016 20:54:54 GMT -5 racerbrown said:

slow and steady wins the race!
great stuff joel.
thanks for sharing this.
duane

Duane,
  Half the reason I joined the forum is to share my builds with all of you. The feedback is really the only way to learn and improve my skills. And believe me, I have a lot to learn about building race cars.
Joel

[Deleted]

Joel

I furnished incorrect info the other day. The larger MPH 1/12 scale color tube part number is P-975 and the smaller color tube is P-958. I like your build, so keep the WIP coming in. I'm building the same kit and would recommend dry fitting all the parts as you go along. I've used the Top studio 0.8mm Rivets(D) for both sides in the cockpit. Scaledreams make ignition wire which I also used on my build and it's $1.50 for 5 feet and once you bend it remains in place. FYI- the inside of the front nose cowling will need to carefully filed and sanded out to the clear the radiator sidebar supports in order to fit. What version are you building? Jim Boulukos

[Joel]

A couple more rookie questions.

I noticed on Strada sports that Model Factory Hiro has 3 sizes of clear tubing,.8mm, 1.0mm, and 1.3mm. would the appropriate size for 1/20 scale be 1.0mm, or should I buy the .8mm as well?

I've never dealt with Strada Sports, so I don't know what their usual in-stock condition is, especially when they list such an extensive inventory, or is that just companies that they will purchase your order from?

I'm also having issues trying to find the proper seatbelts. The Tamiya early belts out of stock at Indycals, and they don't come in black. BTW, is black the correct color?

Thanks,
Joel

[Deleted]

Joel

I would recommend buying all three if they are in stock. You're going to use them all down the road. I've purchase from Strada Sports in the past and if he has in stock it will be shipped within a few days after your order is placed, If it's not in stock, you will be waiting since he has order the parts. In the case of MFH stuff it's coming from Japan. In the past I waited several weeks on some small items.

Regarding the seatbelts for the Lotus 49, neither Hill or Clark didn't them, so its not an issue. Check out the original photos from the period. These were unfortunately considered the killing years for G. P. drivers. Driver safety wasn't part of the equation

Jim B.

[Joel]

Feb 3, 2016 22:03:07 GMT -5 @jimmyb said:

Joel

I would recommend buying all three if they are in stock. You're going to use them all down the road. I've purchase from Strada Sports in the past and if he has in stock it will be shipped within a few days after your order is placed, If it's not in stock, you will be waiting since he has order the parts. In the case of MFH stuff it's coming from Japan. In the past I waited several weeks on some small items.

Regarding the seatbelts for the Lotus 49, neither Hill or Clark didn't them, so its not an issue. Check out the original photos from the period. These were unfortunately considered the killing years for G. P. drivers. Driver safety wasn't part of the equation

Jim B.

Jim,
   I'll be ordering all three from Strada very shortly.

  It's been so long since I've built a race car model, and even a longer period of time of actually seeing the those F-1 cars at Watkins Glen from 1966-1968, that I just forgot. As you said, that solves my issue and answers all my questions.

Joel

[ohnothimagen]

Jim is correct on the safety harness issue. Most drivers at that time thought they would be better thrown clear of the wreck than trapped in it. Stewart was probably among the first to use them in his '68 Matra. I don't think they became mandatory in F-1 until maybe 1970 largely the result of G. Hill's crash in 1969, at the Glen I think, when he broke both legs after being partially thrown from his car.

Rex