2023 Formula One Group Build

1:00 AM for me here in the east.  Stayed up last night for qualifying.  Had a couple friends on a FaceTime.  We had a great time talking F1, models, and drinking beer.  Looking forward to the race late tonight.  

Not a fan of the track times of this race haha. But happy to have another race weekend.

Cant wait to see the pics! Im taking a very slow start with this one haha. Im building it in my head over and over. Also finishing up some old unfinished kits in a seperate group build to get some more practice in. Really hoping this one will be nice enough to display in my office with my other race car diecast!

Australian GP tomorrow - well Sunday in Oz but it will air late tomorrow night.  10:00PM AZ time.  Bench is about ready to build so pics coming soon!

bobbaily

Project510

Having some doubts on this kit after looking at the decals haha. Boy is it intimidating! Might use up the entire year on this build!

 Project510-forgive me for 'jumping in' but you may want to look at Indycals-they have a sheet for both the 78 &  79 that minimize the decal concers-I've picked up the sheet for the 78-just need to build it sometime...

Anyway, here is a link for the 79 decal:

https://www.indycals.net/decals/f1/78lotus79.html

 

wow that does look less difficult. Thank you for this!

Project510

Having some doubts on this kit after looking at the decals haha. Boy is it intimidating! Might use up the entire year on this build!

 

Project510-forgive me for 'jumping in' but you may want to look at Indycals-they have a sheet for both the 78 &  79 that minimize the decal concers-I've picked up the sheet for the 78-just need to build it sometime...

Anyway, here is a link for the 79 decal:

https://www.indycals.net/decals/f1/78lotus79.html

jeaton01

From the other end of the spectrum, age and kit quality-wise, the Merit/Mistercraft Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta.  A provisional box image, kit is coming from Ebay.

 

I'm glad to see you will be here too, John.

Looking forward to watching you build the Alfa Romeo. I like the old Alfa Romeo racers, sure to learn plenty of stuff watching you build this one.

Here's a better picture of the box now that I have the kit in hand.  It is not an "advanced" kit as I think it dates to a Merit kit from the mid 50's, although Scalemates thinks the 159 kit is different from the Merit 158. I disagree, having a number of car kits from that era. You call it when you look at the parts.  There are some expensive kits of this model but as I am mostly an aircraft modeler I will do what I can with this one and see what happens.  The wheels will be fun, as the clear disks supplied for the spokes are below even my acceptance threshhold.  It will at least allow me to participate in this GB.  The car won the 1951 Grand Prix, driven by Fangio, who I have even heard of!

Having some doubts on this kit after looking at the decals haha. Boy is it intimidating! Might use up the entire year on this build!

jeaton01

From the other end of the spectrum, age and kit quality-wise, the Merit/Mistercraft Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta.  A provisional box image, kit is coming from Ebay.

 

Excellent!  Glad to have you back for another round John.  Very cool subject.

Est.1961

Really enjoyed looking in on last years builds but was to busy with stuff to join in. Delighted to see you are doing another for this year. I would like to jump in this time around with a Jordan Peugeot 197. 

 

Very happy to have you on board this year.  I've got you on the roster.

From the other end of the spectrum, age and kit quality-wise, the Merit/Mistercraft Alfa Romeo 159 Alfetta.  A provisional box image, kit is coming from Ebay.

Loving the Redbull/Honda team speed this season. I know for many it makes for boring races but I am a Honda fanboy so I am loving it. Sad about 2026 and them leaving, and hoping Chevy comes in so I can route for a new team. 

Also, my son and I wanted a more interesting experience this season. So I have seenthis F1 multiviewer app on instagram so I I downloaded it and its so amazing. It takes watching the race to a new level. Started with two monitors, tried to add a TV as a monitor but it is old and the reccomended resolution jsut wasnt working, so I said "what the heck" and plugge din the projector. Now were racing!

Really enjoyed looking in on last years builds but was to busy with stuff to join in. Delighted to see you are doing another for this year. I would like to jump in this time around with a Jordan Peugeot 197. 

FIA stewards moved Russell to 3rd after they claimed Alonso didn't properly serve a 5 second penalty.  Aston Martin protested and won a decision moving Alonso back to third.  Crazy.  
Red Bull are even better than last year.  Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari are several tenths off.  Hard to imagine they will find that much speed.  Hopefully Perez can challenge Verstappen.  
The track is wild.  Blind corners, 3 DRS zones, and speeds close to 210 mph all on a street couse.  
'Next up Australia in 2 weeks.  Airs at 1:00 AM here in the east USA.  I'll be up watching.

Watched the last 10 laps of the race.  Great track  - not the same order but the same 3 on the podium as two weeks ago.  RedBull are fast!

keavdog

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday morning.  My money is on Max!

I sure wish Tamiya or Ebbro would come out with a new F1 halo model.  I'd jump on it.

Almost ready to start building in the new house.  Setup the bench last night:

 

Outstanding!!!

I guess I need more coffee. I looked at your modular paint/misc stuff storage solution and thought I was looking at a model of your planned workbench. Maybe I need a sedative instead of more coffee.

Looks like you'll be up and runnning in no time, John.

Nice setup.  Moving sucks but it's sorta fun setting up the work station.  Wishing you much joy and happy times in the new house.  
Happy St Pats

Paul

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday morning.  My money is on Max!

I sure wish Tamiya or Ebbro would come out with a new F1 halo model.  I'd jump on it.

Almost ready to start building in the new house.  Setup the bench last night:

I was counting on you Ben.  Got you and Jarrod added to the roster. 

Holy Moley, count me in on this GB. We're currently burried in a 1/16 Sherman Tank build, but will get back to you regarding my contribution soon. 

Ben and Jarrod

Good idea Greg.  I'm not overly fond of my decals either so I may do the same.

Art - welcome to the forum and the 2nd F1 group build.  Let me know what you decide, but always happy to have another black Lotus 

Thanks for your kind words, John. I'm looking forward to getting back at it. I think I shall order a replacement set of Indycals while I'm thinking about it so I'm ready to go when the time comes.

Got you on the roster Greg.  I was hoping you'd come back - such fantastic work you've done so far... I think these cars are your calling!

Hi Art.

Welcome to FSM and to John's GB!

Hi.   New member to FSM.  Ive been building models for a long time & would like to join this group build.  

This will be my first F1 build.  It will be 1/24-25 and I'm still deciding which car it will be.  Hopefully a Andretti JPS.

Thanks

James, that is excellent info regarding the fishing line. I think most of the specialized hobby detail parts we buy are bulk something or other, cut to size and repackaged. The trick seems to be to find where it's coming from.

Since you have both products and say they look the same to you, that's good enough for me. I'll have to order some soon before I need it, otherwise I'll never remember the source! Thanks much!

John, congrats on the move-in! It's been a wait, hope you are enjoying your new place as you get organized and settled in.

Thank you for hosting this V2 group build, and I will look forward to continuing my Tamiya 1/20 Lotus 79 Martini that I failed to finish last yr. It will be a couple months, but I'll get back at it.

keavdog

You have a typo in your URL.  One too many 'd's in caddis :)

Haha thanks, changed it!

Got you on the roster James!

You have a typo in your URL.  One too many 'd's in caddis :)

Great find!

https://www.caddisflyshop.com/

In last years Group build a user posted some details on fuel lines he got from HIro Boy, and also spot model. WHich are great, but it was pricey, and also regularly sold out... SO I started searching google and I found a pretty decent alternative. I guess its fly fishing material? ANyways, its the right size .6 mm and the right color I think. Also stateside and much cheaper. Also worth noting is that the fly shop offers 3 different sizes. The standard 3 size being the 1/20 scale size if I recall correctly.

For example 2 sets of the color tube from MFH with shipping is around $23

I bought 6 packages, in 3 different colors to see which looked the best and with shipping was $20 plus I got it in 5 busines days, so much quicker. $6.95 shipping vs MFH and Spot Models 10+ euro charge.

Here is the Fishing supply stores product www.caddisflyshop.com

Couldnt decide which looked better, darker or lighter

And the SPot model/ MFH material

In! 

Max looks super fast again, I also loved seeing ALonso fighting for top positions. Also excited to see some new faces. Id love for Mclaren to convince Honda to stay in past 2026. A Honda powered Norris driven car would be fun!