42 replies to this topic

[eldridge]

I was wondering if there are any members that enjoy model cars. I have seen a few posters of collections on TNF before, but I wondered if there were any builders out there?

I have been given an amazing 1:12 kit of a vintage racer, but have none of the necessary skills to build it.

I was wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction?

Any help would be gratefully received.

[VDP]

Which vintage ? Fiat 806

Robert

[eldridge]

A bit earlier and a bit bigger!

[JtP]

Go to the local model shop and find a local club, even boat. Model aircraft are often bought ready built for radio and control liners like myself are normally knuckle draggers, so not recommended. Buy some good tools and develope lots of patience.

[Vitesse2]

Are we talking family connections here, eldridge?

[Lotus23]

eldridge, I discovered a long time ago that model-making was beyond my skills: I'm pretty handy with a sledge hammer, a chainsaw, or even a 10mm socket wrench, but tiny bits of material, tweezers and little drops of glue are, in my hands, a recipe for disaster.

I'd go to that same model shop JtP mentions, but there I'd find out who among its customers is really good at putting together such things. Likely some 14yo kid who hasn't learned to drive yet. Search him out, and settle on a mutually agreeable price for his expertise in assembling the thing.

Works for me.

[stuartbrs]

Hi Eldridge

Ive been building models for sometime now, purely for enjoyment, and a lot of my models stay on the work bench for years ( like my 1/12 Lotus 49 )..

some good sites to go to are

www.modelersite.com and

www.f1m.com

[2F-001]

eldridge-

a recent arrival on TNF "Caterhamnut" has been doing some nice 1/12th-scale work - essentially building models of owners' specific cars from kits a base.

There are pictures and some description on his site, at

http://www.mycaterha...1102/index.html

[eldridge]

Tony P

Would the P stand for Pashley?

And indeed vitesse, there may be a family connection.

[2F-001]

Yes...

Apologies - do I also know you by another name, from another place?

[eldridge]

Yes

Blatchat to be exact. Its Alex here.

Interestingly enough, I had asked Angus to have a look at the model, but he didnt have time in the end.

I picked the kit up from him last weekend...you called me as I had lost his address.

[2F-001]

Ah!
What a small world... (one-twelfth scale to be precise!).

[wobblyweb]

Hi , I sell 1/43rd scale kits, mostly classics and sportscars Le Mans etc.
I can have kits built but mainly 1/43rd scale. Details here
and build standards here
If I can be of anyhelp please let me know.


Rae

[amr2]

Surprising number of Blatchatters about these parts......................


Andrew

[Eric McLoughlin]

Hello folks -

You can't keep a good Blatchatter down.

[eldridge]

With Blatchat going members only, perhaps we should ask for another Caterham based Forum at AtlasF1?

[2F-001]

For all those who wonder what on earth is going on here... "BlatChat" is the web forum of The Lotus Seven Club.

[BRM MICK]

Hi
I build mainly in 1/43rd scale resin amd white metal.

I model
BRM
SILK CUT JAGUAR
BENETTON/TOLEMAN
JW GULF FORD & PORSCHE
ALAN MANN RACING

Let us know if I can help most techniques cover all scales

Mick

[Dennis Hockenbury]

I build only F1 cars in 1/12 scale. I enjoy the Tamiya kits above all others, but have built Protar, Pocher and my current MG Models Ferrari 156 project in resin.

I'm looking forward to starting the Ferrari 641 and McLaren MP4/4 in the near future.

[dretceterini]

I've been buiding models for 50 years. In the last 20, I've concentrated on 1/43rd and scratchbuilding, as many of the cars I'm interested in do not exist in any scale..

[Simpson RX1]

[QUOTE] Originally posted by Dennis Hockenbury
I build only F1 cars in 1/12 scale. I enjoy the Tamiya kits above all others, but have built Protar, Pocher and my current MG Models Ferrari 156 project in resin.

I'm looking forward to starting the Ferrari 641 and McLaren MP4/4 in the near future.




Respect to you Dennis for building Pocher models...................they're one of the only kits I have ever tackled where the seats came in pieces, including cloth!

If it's of any use eldridge, I build kits of any car, racing or otherwise and in any scale.

[VDP]

If it s for building Mephisto, I ve somewhere details for building it in french of course


Robert

[sandy]

If the 50's is your thing and you would like to acquire superb 1:18 (or so) models of a 625 Ferrari and a W196 Mercedes Benz, paying bugger-all for them, then look around for the Polistil versions, they are always on the net for sale somewhere and, here is the difference, replace the appalling spoked wheels with the excellent Burago wheels of the same scale. The result is stupendous, especially the Ferrari. The quality is there.

Do not waste time on the Polistil Maserati 250F, truly dreadful, with its squashed fuel tank.

If you want to pursue this approach, Polistil also made 2 Alfa Romeo 1750s, one with hood, one without. Apply the Burago wheel approach here also, painting them red if you wish. These Alfas are still as marvellous in fine detail as most 1:18 models produced today.

If I have blown it for those guys who are quietly buying up these gems, sorry but there it is.

Oh, the Fiat 508, indeterminate scale, 1:16.75? 1:15.53? is pretty good also.

[Dennis Hockenbury]

Thanks Simpson, the 1/8 scale Pocher kits are hugely time consuming to build. Added to this is the need for many detailing accessories that are very expensive as well. While I enjoyed building the Alfa 8C/2300, the time and dollars invested was not worth it to me.

This is not to suggest that properly detailing a 1/12 scale Tamiya kit is not time consuming as well, I enjoy finding the many detailing components and adding these models to my collection.

I almost wish that I had started with 1/43 kits, as they would be less time consuming and less costly.

[dmj]

Ah, old love of building models... But I managed to mess up something on each model I ever made so walked away from it a few years ago. There is still a Daytona Competizione waiting just finishing some minor details. It will be completed this winter, I hope: just bought a few more kits on eBay and decided to start again. So now 1/24 XKSS and '53 Studebaker are waiting, as well as a few 1/32 Airfix models, first to be built, just to warm up and remind myself of how to do it.

[Simpson RX1]

[QUOTE] Originally posted by Dennis Hockenbury
Thanks Simpson, the 1/8 scale Pocher kits are hugely time consuming to build. Added to this is the need for many detailing accessories that are very expensive as well. While I enjoyed building the Alfa 8C/2300, the time and dollars invested was not worth it to me.

This is not to suggest that properly detailing a 1/12 scale Tamiya kit is not time consuming as well, I enjoy finding the many detailing components and adding these models to my collection.

I almost wish that I had started with 1/43 kits, as they would be less time consuming and less costly.



It's not just the detailing that's expensive............when I started my working career 25 years ago, it was with a chain of model shops.

Back then, a 1/32 Airfix kit was around £1.50 or less, a highly detailed Tamiya small scale F1 kit was probably £3.99 and a Pocher 1/8 scale car was a stratospheric £100+!!!!!

I don't know where you're from Dennis, but, with inflation, that probably relates to around £250 sterling these days.

I noticed you used the term 'dollars'.............that translates into around US $470, or a cool AUS $600!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dennis Hockenbury]

I agree Simpson. By way of example, a current Tamiya 1/12 MP4/4 costs around $150.00 here in Houston for the basic kit. The photoetched detailing kit is another $150.00 and the machined brake set is $60.00. Other photoetched items, specialty decals, etc. are around another $50.00 or so.

Without even starting the build process, I have invested north of $400.00 per model. This is why I have become very selective about each model I decide to build. At this point, I have a backlog of 14 of the Tamiya 1/12 scale kits with accessories waiting to be started.

This is not a lifestyle for me, just something I do from time to time with the result that each kit takes me a long time to construct.

I really enjoy seeing the finished product completed however.

[Tonecas]

I've been buiding models for 50 years. In the last 20, I've concentrated on 1/43rd and scratchbuilding, as many of the cars I'm interested in do not exist in any scale..

Hi
I do not have any "do not exist in any scale" available for sale but as you build models, I suggest to visit one of my blogs "1/43 Collection of transformed and restaured models" at "http://143modelcolle....blogspot.com/" that might provide you with some suggestions of models to build (I only have 1/43). By the way you could also have a look at this location "http://forums.autosp...owtopic=143198" in this Forum.
Regards

[brucemoxon]

I was wondering if there are any members that enjoy model cars. I have seen a few posters of collections on TNF before, but I wondered if there were any builders out there?

I have been given an amazing 1:12 kit of a vintage racer, but have none of the necessary skills to build it.

I was wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction?

Any help would be gratefully received.

Clearly it's beyond your ability. So send it to me and I'll add it to my 'to do' pile!

Agree re the getting practice and joining a group / club. I ruined many a kit in my youth through impatience, by the way.



Bruce Moxon

[macoran]

I was wondering if there are any members that enjoy model cars. I have seen a few posters of collections on TNF before, but I wondered if there were any builders out there?

I have been given an amazing 1:12 kit of a vintage racer, but have none of the necessary skills to build it.

I was wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction?

Any help would be gratefully received.

Look at John West's site !
You might contact him for help....

He may even want to build it for you
http://www.john-w.de/models/

Edited by macoran, 24 March 2011 - 21:34.

[SWB]

If anybody is interested in 1/43rd scale they could have a look in the Photo Gallery here

http://www.stevebarnettmodelcars.com/

of past projects, with something for everybody.

Steve

[RCH]

Wonderful stuff Steve, I've admired your work greatly over the last few years. When we used to have a trade stand at Goodwood and elsewhere when your name came up in discussion it was usually in hushed tones!

It cames as a great surprise a few months ago to realise that SWB on this forum was THE Steve Barnett.

[jj2728]

Wonderful stuff Steve, I've admired your work greatly over the last few years. When we used to have a trade stand at Goodwood and elsewhere when your name came up in discussion it was usually in hushed tones!

It cames as a great surprise a few months ago to realise that SWB on this forum was THE Steve Barnett.

My thoughts exactly and as a builder of 1/43rds I find your work not only stunning but hugely inspirational.

Edited by jj2728, 25 March 2011 - 12:34.

[werks prototype]

If anybody is interested in 1/43rd scale they could have a look in the Photo Gallery here

http://www.stevebarnettmodelcars.com/

of past projects, with something for everybody.

Steve

The Cooper T51 is simply out of this world!

[brucemoxon]

The Cooper T51 is simply out of this world!

No. They all are.

Phenomenal. I think I'll stick to collecting die-cast from now on. Less depressing!

My hat is off to you, sir.



Bruce Moxon

[biercemountain]

I build only F1 cars in 1/12 scale. I enjoy the Tamiya kits above all others, but have built Protar, Pocher and my current MG Models Ferrari 156 project in resin.

I'm looking forward to starting the Ferrari 641 and McLaren MP4/4 in the near future.

I wasn't aware there was an MP4/4 in 1/12th scale. I know Tamiya make the MP4/6 and Protar made the MP4/2.

[chrisj]

Does anyone know of a font that replicates the numerals on most mid-sixties GP cars? (Think Lotus '67-'68, Brabham, and Tyrrell through '73) I'm drawing some top-views of the '68 single seaters in Illustrator, and I'd rather not have to draw this if something's available.

Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask; I didn't want to start a new thread for such a small question.

[Bjorn Kjer]

Did any of you ever hear about moulding "shrinking" models ? That is f.ex. from a 1/64 to a 1/87 ??

Bjørn Kjer

[D-Type]

There used to be a sort of modelling clay that shrunk when you heated (baked) it to produce a ceramic objet d'art but the result was never accurate as there would be distortion and the amount of shrinkage couldn't be controlled accurately.

[Rob Miller]

Try this link.

Hydroshrink

Edited by Rob Miller, 04 August 2011 - 15:41.

[Bjorn Kjer]

Thanks Rob ! (I had been hoping for someone who had tried it or worked with it!).

[wildman]

Does anyone know of a font that replicates the numerals on most mid-sixties GP cars? (Think Lotus '67-'68, Brabham, and Tyrrell through '73) I'm drawing some top-views of the '68 single seaters in Illustrator, and I'd rather not have to draw this if something's available.

Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask; I didn't want to start a new thread for such a small question.

The closest one that comes to mind is Font Bureau's Interstate typeface: http://www.fonts.com...roductid=495483
Click on the 'Try Font' tab and select the Interstate Std Regular face, then type in some digits. It might not be a perfect match, but if you're using Illustrator, you can easily modify the character outlines to get what you want.

[Bjorn Kjer]

Looking for someone who can make me a few bodies (massive) in 1/87 scale of resin or such ?