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Brabham BT52 'camouflaged' at Brands Hatch?


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#1 Jorge Felix

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Posted 15 October 2006 - 23:16

Reading the following article published in the italian Autosprint magazine,
a Brabham picture show a weird decoration that was described by Nelson
Piquet as a way to hide the Brabham secrets !
Can anyone confirm this story or is this another Photoshop work ?!

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#2 Bonde

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Posted 16 October 2006 - 00:46

Jorge,

No photoshopping in 1983 - the BT52 was "camouflaged" in its, IIRC, only test in the UK before being flow´n off to Brazil for the season opener. There was also a small B/W photo of the "dazzle-painted" car in Autosport - so this is actually the first time I see it in colour.

#3 Twin Window

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Posted 16 October 2006 - 01:09

Not of much interest... but I drew the *non-camouflaged* version of that car (after being shown those 'secret' photos) for a following edition of Autosport magazine. IIRC, our snapper Jeff Bloxham was chased halfway round Kent after taking the pics we had to work with...

#4 Jorge Felix

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Posted 16 October 2006 - 10:03

Isn't Piquet helmet also "black" painted as well ?! That's really weird.

#5 giacomo

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Posted 16 October 2006 - 17:49

Originally posted by Jorge Felix
Isn't Piquet helmet also "black" painted as well ?! That's really weird.

Probably some mechanics had some fun while they painted the camouflage.


I remember another pic of Piquet wearing a balaclava that had been "decorated" with a weird face by some Brabham mechanics.

#6 MODE

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Posted 16 October 2006 - 20:00

I didn't know that story, very interesting. :up: Was it for hidding the shape of the car from a technical point of view ?

#7 Twin Window

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Posted 16 October 2006 - 20:02

Correct; IIRC it was the first test for the chassis.