1969 Indy Winner: Andretti's Brawner-Ford STP Hawk [FINISHED]

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

1969 Indy Winner: Andretti's Brawner-Ford STP Hawk [FINISHED]

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, March 18, 2023 5:49 PM

SMTS 1/43^rd white metal kit.

First round of clean-up of the main body parts. It's a pretty clean casting but the nose was a little crusty. The side pods look like they fit well, but will need a fillet where they meet the main body.

Back in the day I would have probably soldered the side pods onto the body, but I went with CA this time. First coat of primer shows what needs attention; not as much as I expected but still more to do…

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, March 19, 2023 5:54 PM

The wings have the end plates cast onto them and they are pretty thin, all things considered, but optional PE end plates are included in the kit for better detail.

I filed off the end plates on these and used the PE items, definitely worth the effort.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, March 20, 2023 10:35 AM

I built up the front suspension but did not attach it to the chassis. The upper arms need to go inside the body and the chrome plated white metal is extremely fragile. One of the arms was already broken off so I'll fix that during final assembly.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 10:04 AM

The decals were worse than I expected; typically the kits from SMTS during this era are a bit thick and yellowed and not all that detailed, but they are useable. Unfortunately these were stuck to the PE sheet and some of the images were damaged by that.

When I went to use the tire decals I discovered even the strongest decal solvent I have (and I have several to work with) would not soften them enough to conform to the sidewalls. Just as well, they were a dingy yellow-white and they didn't have the gold pinstripe.

I drew and printed an entire new set of decals with more accurate and cleaner artwork. The first ones I applied were for the tires

The wheels are nicely rendered and cast. The tires aren't too bad either.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:55 AM

The rear suspension was built up on the chassis as the parts are intertwined with it. The chrome parts weren't as bent as on the front end, and none were broken so it went together pretty well.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, March 23, 2023 10:12 PM

The interior was added after the suspension.

I made decals for the gauges too. Like they can be seen once the car is done…

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, March 24, 2023 9:15 AM

The exhaust and turbo set-up is cast as one piece. I drilled out the exhaust pipe.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, March 25, 2023 11:53 AM

After a few rounds of fine tuning the body seams it's time to start using white primer.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Saturday, March 25, 2023 12:59 PM

Great stuff Mark. I've never done a 1/43 kit. There's so much out there in that scale. How do you find working in that tiny scale?

Thanks,

John

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, March 25, 2023 3:46 PM

Thanks John! At one time there were more automotive subjects available in 1/43rd than any other scale. For all I know that may still be true.

They are very enjoyable to build. It's not really any different than any other scale. In fact I have a 1/6th scale bike on the bench with this 1/43rd. Part is parts for the most part.

I also like 1/87th scale...

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Saturday, March 25, 2023 4:46 PM

I might dive into 1/43 for the subjects but HO scale.... I don't think so lol

Thanks,

John

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, March 25, 2023 5:18 PM

The shoulder winglets in my kit were both for the left side.

Since the kit provides PE wing tips and supports for "extra detailing" I used them to convert one to a right side and then made the left to match.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, March 26, 2023 10:19 AM

The body was painted TS-36 Fluorescent Red with an undercoat of LP-8 yellow.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

wpwar11

Member since
January 2020
From: Maryland

Posted by wpwar11 on Sunday, March 26, 2023 4:29 PM

I'll be watching this build. Looking forward to seeing it completed. The Lola was awesome. Interesting bit of trivia-1969 was Mario's only Indy win.

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, March 26, 2023 9:44 PM

The history of this car at Indy in '69 is very interesting. Very few photos of the actual race car exist, and even the promotional pre-race photos don't include Mario due to the burns he suffered from the Lotus he was going to race. His twin brother Aldo filled in for the photos.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 9:20 AM

The main body decals I made have been applied.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 10:16 AM

Looks sharp Mark. Great color and man it must be so nice to have decal production at your fingertips!

Thanks,

John

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 11:37 AM

Thanks!

It is nice, but it was almost week's worth of research and drawing time.

Not what I was expecting when I started it hoping for a quick simple project. At least it is still fun.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 7:34 PM

A bit of clear… And some of the black detail painting.

Time for final assembly.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, March 31, 2023 9:54 AM

A little fiddley to put together in the end, but it wasn't as difficult as I expected. It's done.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

Reply

mustang1989

Member since
March 2012
From: Corpus Christi, Tx

Posted by mustang1989 on Saturday, April 1, 2023 3:29 PM

Dude......this is NUTS!!! That looks like it's frickin' 1/25 scale with all the details and realistic touches done to it. You sir.....are a WILD man!! Yes Yes Yes