F1 Group Build

     Is this group build over?? 

NEVER! Just sort-of... sleeping! So feel free to wake us. Maybe you allready have...

Nobody's just posted ion a while, so I sort of stopped as well after the Renault. Taxtp, thanks for the compliment, btw. If you want to risk questions to me, feel free! Will help where I can - remember that was my 1st try at resin kits.

Currently busy with Tameo FW19. What a lovely kit! These guys actually help you as much as possible to build a good kit. I was amazed to see they even have a template to pass your bargeboards through to shape them correctly! 

Will post some pics once I've downloaded the Christmas and New Years pics! 

F1Champ, to be honest, it was great fun! I was petrified of starting it. After a little persuasion from my evil side, I just decided to get going.

Once up and running, the first thing I realised was just because you pay a lot more than for a Tamiya kit, it does not mean the fit is going to better! On the contrary... And I must admit, I knew what I was getting into, having done a lot of reading up of build reviews, etc. And the smoothing out of the fit and allignment was part of the challenge/fun of the build.

Once you get your head around that concept, you must of course realise you need some different tools than those you usually use for plastic kits. Depending on how you build your platic kit, of course.  Needle files, small drills, etc. - nothing major.

Also remember these are most often (248F1 for sure) "just" curbside kits. So the construction of it is not all that major. Tbh, if I can do it... not being one of the scratch-building kind.  And they tend to depend on you to have done some research. Major decal placement are specified, but small ones, or race-specific ones are often not even mentioned and you have to place them yourself. 

Bottom line - be patient and PREFIT EVERYTHING! I did a complete build using white glue to fit all together, then broke it all up again (very sad day that was!) and started over, glueing with CA glue ("super-glue") or... can't get onto the term now, those fowl-smelling two-part glues, painting, etc.

As for the end resut - thanks for the compliment, but I am not 100% happy. I know there's a stack of things I can improve on. BTW, if you want to get into this MM thing, here's something I allready mentioned in this GB. Try a 1:43 first!! May sound weird, but it's all the same. And where I was struggling to get to grips with some of the stuff on 1:20, once I forced myself to do a 1:43, the 1:20 scale stuff is just so much larger and easier to do! 

To give an idea, I have bought some more MM kits since because of that building experience! At this stage just started off with a LMM Audi R8 - maybe that will be suitable for the upcoming racing GB... (?)

But that all is just my point of view!  

Oh, and remember to wear a mask when filing or sanding resin! Apparently very dangerous/poisonous particles to inhale.

I'm still here!!  Actually, I've been following this GB along via email and such.  SeaBee, way to go!  Awesome finish to your build.    Bravo!  Meanwhile, back at my little F1 garage, life is not so good.  I was making such good progress, and then it struck.  The last painting and as I pulled off the tape, paint came up with it.  As I foretold way back when, make sure the resin is clean before you paint!    Learn by listening to my own advice.  So out comes the MEK and off comes all the paint.  Right down to the resin.  Now she is making a return to life.  

Meanwhile, the 1/43 is waiting to make further progress.  

<>  

All I need to do is clearcoat and give it a final polish.  The it is time to man the decal machine.  Fingers crossed it all may turn out well in the end.  Ya just never know!

Oh man, that's a bummer... And it would have been some paintjob if I go by the 1:43 one. Or is that still polished metal? Looks very good, anyways. Your BAR and Jordan will kill me for giving you this link to show you a silver car that even I'm tempted by - fortunately it seems nobody has stock any more. But check this out... Aaah no... url at home, not here! Anyways, it's on the Studio 27 site, a build of their MP4/21. I have my doubts whether I'll be able to get everything smooth enough for that silver paint (talk about inobtanium!) not to show up horribly. As I learned from the R25, those winglets and stuff is really a pest to try and get smooth (the area around it).

On the FW19, I did this completely wrong way around. I got some bright blue finishers paint and just HAD to try it out and see how it is. Once that was on, I sortof... well... just carried on. Simply could not stop myself from completing the livery! Allways loved those Rothmans Williams livery. For only a second attempt at 43rd, I'm quite happy thusfar. Now I just have to add the working bits to it all!  

Hi,

My Williams FW-11 is painted decalled and awaiting final construction, as a kerbside. Just can't seem to get it done right now. Howevre, when I do, it shouldn't be too far away.

This one will never win any competitions, but will look AOK opn the shelf next to its late eighties cousins.

I'm really glad this GB is open ended, think I need it. I've also done most of the conversion work to convert a Tamiya Lotus 99T back to a 98T (kerbside), with JPS markings, but I'm not promising that for this GB.

Cheers

Tony 

Cheers

Tony 

I can't believe it, finally it is done!
At long last, after twice having to strip and repaint the body, they
are really finished.  Actually, in my stupidity (or insanity, you
decide) I decided to do a 1/43 that
was sitting on the shelf as well.  Hey, same paint, same work,
just repeat everything right?  If only it had been so easy. 
Anyway, here are the final results.  As I foretold, after
you get it painted and decaled the rest is easy.  Actually, for
the first time ever with a S27 kit that is when disaster struck and all
broke lose.  The rear end took me
two nights of careful fitting, filing, tweaking and learning a few new
words.  It was beyond ugly.  What were those people thinking
when they designed this?  After that, it got no better.  The
front wing was an exercise is something I'm not sure about.  Rear
wing was super easy.  Barge boards and the rest of the bits were a
non issue.  And to top it off, the floor board had warped at some
point after I test fit and painted.   
I build these kits why???  So I give to you, at long last and with
no fan fair, my final results.  BTW, remember McLaren was WAY late
with the MP4/19 that year... guess the curse has followed to me.

Ta-daaa! Well done, Il Leone! That was worth the time and the effort. Very nice set of almost-twins you have there. And a tale well told! As you say, sometimes designers forget the practicalities...

But while we're talking... my latest aaah moment became apparent the evening before yesterday. I did not even go back to confirm it yet. Having decalled the FW19, I started on the rear end. Surprisingly... following the instructions to what I saw as the T (maybe that's the crux) I tested the fitof the rear suspension. Just to see... waaaiiit a minute... well, to cut it short, all looks perfect once I fit it on the correct side. Thus, I now have to un-super-glue my brake duct, which is now facing rearwards! Need I say I am still in the calming down stage, before I end up breaking it in frustration!

Back to the MP4's - super builds. You sorted the rear end perfectly. Whatever the problem, it's not visible any more! And they allways make great-looking cars... Makes me want to take that MP4/13 with SMS gooddies out the box! 

Thanks SeaBee!!  I have always been a little paranoid on the
brake ducts with the S27 kits.  If you put them on upside down,
then nothing fits.  There have been some REAL close calls. 

Small
aside that I left out.  The 1/20 is a true twin keel car.  I
did summon the courage to cut up the white metal suspension and go for
it.  It was actually the easiest part of the build since I could
custom fit everything.  I'm just glad to have it done! 
WHEW!! 

  So did this GB end or does it have a little life left in it???   If this build is over or just petered out????? How about a new build ???  Just a thought!!!

Dustin, a new one will be great, I think. We had the same at the MotoGP GB, where this season a new one was opened and it renewed interet immediately!

You also mentioned (in our racing car GB) that you're interested in either the 248 or Williams, I think. And both are talking about S27 kits and drool... But do yourself a favour (or maybe not!) and go have a look at the latest couple of MFH releases. It is an absolute guarantee to break your jaw as it hits the floor! And yes, my 248 is ordered! I also have the F2003GA and I can tell you guys it's amazing! Also some of their "older" stuff are great - don't know, since I got the first of their kits, I was a fan of theirs! Now I must juts pluck up the courage to actually build one...

  See you are so right the MFH is amazing BUT!!!!!! The ST stuff is at the outer limits of my modeling budget. How on Earth am i going to talk her into one of those kits????  She told me just today that I need to get my Red 5 Jag done before I start a new MM model. I told her that Im just having to much trouble with that kit.

  F248 from MFH is my pic but its a limited run I bet???

Yeah, it's a limited run, each different type being limited differently, so I got my order in early. (Sorry, not meaning to make it harder on you!)

Where's the Jag giving you problems? There's a very nice build-up of it over at f1modeler.com - he's got an English version as well. Maybe that will help. Or is it fit problems and the like?

I have that Jag build up all printed up and have used it.  The kit is just flawed in alot of different spots that its takining me FOREVER to get things done. At one point I almost put it right in the trash.

   I am going to see if I can work some magic with the MFH 248 but if not Illl get the ST