silver911

Superb work. Respect Ron

Great to see my favourite scratchbuilder back in action with another 'beast' of a subject 😮 Lot's to learn from a master. Happy 2024 mate. Ron

As the old saying goes....."A thing of beauty is a joy to behold" "Poetry in motion" would also be apt for an engine maybe 😃 One word works for me...stunning. Respect Ron

Great to see you return to this mate...look forward to more. Ron

Hi Dale, whist not McClaren specific, you may find some useful ideas from two of my threads, although the BT44b does use the DFV...... If you need specific help with fixturees and fittings etc., feel free to message me. Cheers, Ron

Definitely 'Museum' quality in every way Poul. Respect Ron

One word...'sublime'...Mr C will have a big smile on his face at this masterclass of results. R

If I may...regards lubricants for tapping/drilling etc. ...oil (3in1/engine/gearbox/sewing machine etc.)...grease...washing up liquid...airbrush lube (although both of those are more suited to plastics) are all suitable candidates for hand drilling/tapping...and I have used all of them on my Proxxon Mill as well as by hand over the years with excellent results. Candle wax/beeswax will also work with plastics...and any of the mentioned can be washed away with white spirit/meths/IPA to avoid issues with glues to avoid the previously mentioned problem with plastic disintegrating...although I have never encountered that one. Ron

Regards breaking 'taps'...the golden rule...especially for white metal...is never use them dry! White metal is a 'composite'...meaning it contains particles of harder metal...the softer particles clog the tap...whilst the harder ones are what cause it to break. One tip I can offer...do not use WD40 as a lubricant!...it was never designed to be such...mearly a rust inhibitor to keep water at bay...and to break down resitance to binding of joined metals. Ron

In the main I used the 1.4mm...however...I rarely used the kit screws for any of my builds (unless they were totally hidden)...preferring to replace them with correct scale and type bolts/nuts etc. Hope this helps. Ron

This might help.....https://www.amazon.co.uk/Metric-Model-Making-Watchmaker-mm-2-5/dp/B01M4P13FE Used this set for all my builds 😎 Ron

Bravo Dan...yet another 'masterclass' from the maestro. Respect Ron

That's modelling at the highest level. Very much enjoyed every update, and was very honoured to play a small part. Incredible work mate. R

A good supplier of small bolts in the UK....search their shop for more sizes....... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362894347603?hash=item547e304d53:g:pkIAAOSw3FZjde9u&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4PPa9F5wTETrMku%2FeTYpqyLs6EerYU9Hd3lICk130IgvivhEKf4MUxc1xU1f0yAH%2BKJyWK9II4th7gEDx5eZ%2FT3IVxdEBSWZKa9rx6fcFMuMJ5etVqSWMAwGNmCrjkxkaxPPxh1aVC2tZvTlRIUYRbNzqwxFXe96AoIPCv2G%2FqU0VPFM6bI4M6Dktut%2Fas2U5WkzOKcLpn1Hpboj%2BUM9VjZCCSrM6wIIWtYHA%2FQQFUo5uB3S%2Fj5AWK7027xfQwsdkKIf8W12v2qbRv0LA6e350qxA5nM%2BRXJxgNGPVhc4ADg|tkp%3ABk9SR6TM6dG6YQ Ron

Every modern Pocher kit suffers from incorrect screw lengths. Looking at the pictures of the finished DFV/Rear Suspension...it appears to suffer from another aspect of modern Pocher's also...the dismal lack of detail !!! My Ducati thread may help you with references to replacement bolts and fittings etc...... Ron

Much as I appreciate your kind words and compliment...we both know my skills are surpassed by yours nowadays...if I inspired you in some small way...then that is the biggest compliment of all to me. Just keep on doing what your doing mate...a pleasure to behold. Respect Ron

Well my friend...your skills have grown exponentially since your last projects 😮...always an amazing depth of detail and atmosphere...it doesn't get better than this...bravo 😎 Ron

Some of the finest modelling I have ever witnessed...in any scale...an absolute masterclass at the highest level...bravo! Ron

Dave's closing words on the Alfa..... "The point of this model was to finish off my series of straight-twelve engines. The Alfa 12 is the result of combining two straight-eights into a straight-twelve. The chassis is lengthened slightly. The front wings are from the RR Sedanca kit." Last pics...enjoy..... A great 'finale'

If I may offer this Olivier...highly recommended above AliExpress...I have often put a link to them for other members.....https://www.componentshop.co.uk/chg1/super-thin-wires.html Ron

A truly inspiring project in the making Dan...very much looking forward to this one Ron

Just so you both (Olivier and Jochen) know...and without wishing to cause controversy or ill feeling with Manu...the 'suggestion' that it is in fact a pre-painted head for an action figure is for Manu to either confirm or deny. All I will say is this...I myself was a figure painter for over 40 years and...believe me when I say that I personally never reached such dizzy heights of realism in my pieces...and know of very few who have...the best being Koreans...although not exclusively so. What is more important to me personally is...we each choose a solution that we are comfortable with...be it to use or commission the work of others...to be used in our pieces. It never mattered to me if the clients claimed my work as their own. I am enjoying your work Olivier...and will only comment from a personal perspective in future. Regards Ron

Looking at the picture...he does appear to be less of a 'hulk' compared to the mechanic...so yes...if you find him acceptable/workable...have at it. It will be interesting to see a comparison with Rossi when he arrives. I would keep in mind that in today's pits...and indeed in recent seasons...the mechanics seem to favour shirts and trousers/shorts...as opposed to all in one coveralls...just a thought 'O' Ron

You marked my reply with a 'confused' face Olivier...so let me clarify what I said. Pre-painted refers to the heads you can buy...in that they come ready painted/finished...which is the case with the one Manu used on his figure...as opposed to the unpainted one you found. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=1%2F12+painted+head+sculpt&_sacat=0 Over scale refers to the actual size/proportions of Tamiyas figures...in that they are closer to 1/10...which may require some careful adjustment to the figure when fitting the new head from Ebay. As I said...for my needs...the figure size/proportions issue was too noticeable next to my 1/12 Ferrari 312T (I used a MFH figure of Nikki Lauda instead)...however...it should be far less obvious next to a bike such as yours. Hope that helps? Ron

Your welcome O If you refine your search...you can find pre-painted versions at just a little more cost...very lifelike finishes. Just be aware...the Tamiya figures are considerably 'over scale' for 1/12...I had intended using the standing mechanic with my 312T build...but he was huge next to it !...one of his legs almost as wide as the seat 😱 Ron