Tankerman

Me too, Chris

Chas, here's another reliable supplier who may have what you want: https://eileensemporium.com/eileens-emporium-products Chris

Don, that really is a disappointment, it has been a while since I built my kit and I guess the absence of the logo is a copyright thing. Have you thought of printing the logo on clear decal film yourself? It looks like a pretty standard Roman font. Perhaps one of the specialist model decal printers might be able to oblige otherwise. Good luck, Chris

I built this kit a few years ago and enjoyed the experience. Having built many period wooden ship models this kit is a bit of light relief but still using ship building skills. Yes, the doors are hinged and no, the wheels do not have metal rims but these are easily made from strips of brass, aluminium, plasticard or whatever you choose and can be tacked to the rim. The biggest modification I made to the kit was to bevel the edges of the wheel spokes. This was done by using a length of square brass tube in to which the spoke was a sliding fit. A chamfer was filed in to one edge of the tube to penetrate the edge over the required length of the bevel and a stop fitted over one open end of the tube. The spoke was then placed in the tube and the part exposed through the chamfer sanded away, the spoke was then removed, turned through 90 deg., re-inserted and the next edge sanded, this was repeated for each edge. The end result looked more realistic than plain square spokes. I hope you enjoy this kit. Chris

I'm with Codger on the choice of calipers. Treat yourself to a decent dial caliper and it will last forever, no on/off switching or batteries to worry about.

I think the clue is in the word "generic" used to describe the kit. It is representative of the type and not of any one particular manufacturer. I can see suggestions of Leyland, ERF, MAN, Fiat and Pegaso in the model, so in other words it is a good generic model. Chris

Ian, I have had good success with old decals using this: https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/product/28ml-micro-liquid-decal-film-microscale?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLDpBRCxARIsAEENsrKYhTkX8JeStCbZD4LUnioDCqD98W9NQdZvx7W49xWBc04OxpOZ1nwaAljpEALw_wcB It works best if you use your airbrush and leave it to dry for a couple of days. If you do decide to print your own decals as suggested by Matthew, you will need to use clear decal sheet for the bulk of the image but the "Museum of Steam etc." section will need to be on white decal film. Good luck whichever way you choose, Chris

Rob, I don't if you've seen this topic but there are more photos of my build for your perusal. Chris

These photos from my MFH 1/12th. kit may help you with the rear brake set up. Hope this helps, Chris

Moa, I started to build this kit when it was first released, even covered the fusalage in aluminium foil, but external pressures like family, work, house moves etc. meant the model did not survive. However I still have the decal sheet which looks to be in mint condition. If you PM me you are welcome to have it. Chris

This model is now completed some photos taken during construction can be found here: Here are some photos of the completed model: IMG_0110 IMG_0108 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0101 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0105 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0104 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0103 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0121 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0102 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0110 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0109 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0111 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0112 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0113 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0114 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0115 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0116 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0117 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0118 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0119 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0120 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr Another totally enjoyable building experience. Chris

This model is now complete and I will post photos in the Ready for Inspection gallery soon. All the body panels were airbrushed and lacquered with Zero paints from Hiroboy, the red used was Alfa Romeo Rosso. The kit allows the model to be displayed with body panels fitted or unattached and I am assuming that as magnets are used to hold the cockpit side panels in place then the intention was that these could be detached at random. The right hand panel has the exhaust pipe passing over it with a retaining bracket in its centre preventing removal of this panel or the right lower engine cover. The rear cowl over the fuel tank also has two magnets holding it to the bulkhead behind the drivers seat. It would be difficult to remove this cowl as it would be foul the fuel tank filler neck and cap as it was removed. My intention is for this model to reside in a display case and removing panels is not something I would consider. Apart from risk of damaging the paint finish during such an operation the car is a real beauty with everything in place. My only concession was to make the bonnet removable which can be done with care. The catches engage with tiny rivet pins at the corners of the bonnet. The catches are secured to coil springs which are attached to the body and if the springs are carefully cut to the correct length a slight tension is imparted which holds the bonnet quiet securely. As with all MFH kits this model has been a joy to build. It is challenging, requires intense pre-planning and trial fitting of all parts before assembly begins but the final result is immensely satisfying. IMG_0101 IMG_0108

Sam, in the past I had used various washes from AK, Lifecolor, etc., but following a recommendation from my son who is a master of figure painting I use Games Workshop "Shades" almost exclusively. There is a good range of colours which, although intended for modellers of fantasy figures suit modelling of all genres. They are easy to use and certain "Shades" are available in matt or gloss finish. There is a short video guide here: https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Citadel-Paint-Guide#Shade Chris

Further progress to show on the car chassis. Radiator, fuel tanks, oil tank and some piping and wiring details have been added. The dashboard instruments have been fitted and the steering wheel, drivers seat and road wheels constructed ready to be fitted at final assembly. There have been no problems so far, everything fits as intended. I decided to solder the main fuel tank components together as the front and side pieces are quite heavy castings and the method was easier than trying to hold the parts together whilst any two part epoxy glue set. It was easy to get the soldering iron tip around all the seams on the inside leaving just the rear plate to secured after the tank had been thoroughly washed to remove all flux residue. The next task is to prepare the body panels for painting and fitting to the chassis frame in the next few weeks. Chris

You can obtain replacement decals here: http://www.modeltruckin.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_144&products_id=788 I have used their decals to re-do several of the old AMT/Ertl truck kits in alternative livery and find their service very reliable. Chris

After enjoying the construction of the MFH Maserati 250F, see: I decided to repeat the pleasure with another car in which J.M.Fangio was successful and another Italian beauty, the Alfa Romeo Tipo 159M from 1951. Endeavor has provided a very detailed WIP of this kit that I could not emulate Suffice to say that my experience of construction mirrors his so I will just post photos of my construction efforts. More will follow as time progresses. IMG_0067 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0068 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0070 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0070 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0071 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0072 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr

I endorse everything Sabrejet said in post 3 and 6 above about MFH kits. Yes they are expensive but the design, moulding and engineering that goes in to each kit is without equal. There is very minimal cleaning and preparation to do on each part although in most cases you will have to drill out marked locations with the correct drill size as indicated in the instructions. The kits are engineered to very fine tolerances and you have to be very accurate in your construction, any part that does not fit is because you have got something wrong and if you do not correct it the error will be amplified as you progress. I have built models of all types and in all mediums since the mid 1950s and can honestly say that MFH kits are without equal for absolute enjoyment in building and pure pleasure at admiring the completed model. MFH kits are my recreational d**g of choice and once hooked there is no going back. Treat yourself to one and enjoy it!

Thank you all for your kind comments about my model. In my opinion the Maserati 250F is the most beautiful Formula 1 car ever built. I was 10 years old when Fangio won at Monaco and when I saw photos of the car in magazines that year it created such an impression that I still remember it to this day. As soon as I knew that Model Factory Hiro were producing a 1/12th. scale kit my order was in. Constructing the model was greatly aided by constant reference to Ian Wagstaff's book - "Maserati 250F - The Autobiography of 2528". Chris

Next comes photos of the completed model. The body paint is Zero Paints Maserati Red from Hiroboy and the metal finish varies from polishing the white metal to various metallic paints but generally from the AK Extreme Metal range. Some additional pipework has been added to the model and the only modification I made to the kit was to replace the etched steel fuel tank retaining strap. It was far too stiff to follow the contours of the tank and was intended to be retained by a small spigot each end glued in to a hole in the chassis bracket below the tank. I replaced this with a strip of brass 0.25mm x 3mm, annealed before bending to shape with a 12BA cheesehead bolt soldered to each end. The bolts were then passed through the chassis brackets and retained with a washer and nut. Not only did this method look more realistic but also performed the practical function of holding the fuel tank in place. IMG_0041 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0044 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0049 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0046 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0061 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0053 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0059 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0065 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0054 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr I hope you enjoy the photographs. Chris

This is my latest project completed over the Christmas period. It is the Model Factory Hiro 1/12th. kit of the Maserati 250F driven by J.M.Fangio which won the 1957 Monaco Grand Prix, Chassis Number: 2528. First, some photos taken during construction of the model. IMG_0697 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0007 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0003 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0014 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0004 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0026 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0030 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr

Alpha Delta 210, that is the beauty of the MFH kits, they are complete in detail straight out of the box and an absolute pleasure to build. Chris

I seem to be having trouble getting further photos in to the post but I'll keep trying. Chris IMG_0484 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0485 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0477 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0478 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0493 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr IMG_0495 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr

A Model Factory Hiro 1/12th. scale proportional (or kerbside) kit of a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testarossa built "out of the box" to represent the 1958 Targa Florio winner. It was airbrushed using Zero Paint Two Part Lacquer and finished with Zero polishing compounds and wax. IMG_0481 by shipbuilder2012, on Flickr

I have seen Phillip's collection of models grow ever since he first started exhibiting at various venues. To see the collection "in the flesh" is not only breathtaking but an inspiration to all serious modellers. Chris

On two of the 1/12th. MFH kits I have built the flexible hydraulic brake hose between the chassis and the brake discs on the wheel hubs have been overlooked. I usually fit a suitable size item from this link: https://www.hiroboy.com/Wires_Cables_Hoses_etc--category--151.html Chris