silver911

Hi Dave...wow!...that's a brilliant steering rack mate...way beyond my skills...superb. TBH...one thing I learned from the Ferrari...some things are just pointless if you are going to cover them up at the end. With the 312T...knowing it would be displayed in an undressed format...a lot of what I did can be seen...even so...there's a huge amount that can't...also...this one will simply be in a case only slightly bigger than the car...so displayed fully dressed. Another aspect with this kit that has influenced the build plan is...as such...(and as opposed to the 312T)...it doesn't have a chassis. That means that the upper and lower body panels are the chassis...and they are very thin and flexible...so very difficult to do any real structural mods or additions outside of directly replacing kit plastic with metals. I will illustrate this better when I get to them. It had occured to me to cover the kit parts with a tube to disguise the very basic and inaccurate steering rack...however...a lack of any decent pics dissuaded me. Cheers for comment mate...and really appreciate your thoughts as always. Ron

Hi V...pleased you like the modified small details Thanks for taking time to comment...much appreciated. Ron

Hi Nick...my aim is to take it beyond the 312T if possible...and those UJ's seemed a logical starting point...an absolute bitch to assemble tho! 😱🤬 There were many sizes available...however...all the pre-assembled ones were too big for 1/12...and the ones I got are a perfect match for the kit sizes of shafts etc. They have a 1mm hole drilled in the ends...so the shafts were a slidefit of 1mm for the UJ...sleeved with 1.58mm for the outer tube (shaft). Thanks for comment as always mate Ron

This small update should...hopefully...illustrate my intention to replace kit plastic with metals whenever it is viable. In the first pic...the kit parts above...with the metal fabricated parts below. I used a selection of 'slide fit' ali tubes...an ali nut...and one of the tiny UJ's..... The second pic shows the parts just pushed together to check the fit and dimensions...and shows which kit parts are used...you can see I have also sleeved the pinion gear with metal for added strength..... Next job is to clean up and detail the steering wheel and 'dashboard'. to be continued............

Another 'magical' update from Mr Cox....with an explanation in his own words... "The fuel pump is the Jumo, three piston pump from the Mercedes kit. A masterpiece of German ingenuity and complexity, this pump is legendary. No cheesy leather diaphragm for Mercedes! This thing features three hand-fitted pistons. Restorers quake with fear at rebuilding costs…. What could be mor appropriate for a 12-cylinder Alfa with three ignitions?" Wheels are from a local shop and take Pocher RR tires. to be continued............

You should definitely be 'modelling' mate Feel free to take notes Malc...but also to suggest further improvements...please 😉 Ron

So...it's finally time to get this build started and...as previously mentioned...this will be a very different approach to the 312T build. Primary difference is the way this kit goes together when compared to the Ferrari...in as much as...the bodywork will have to be finished at a very early stage...which means a lot more pre-assembly of stages...to avoid issues when mating sub assemblies to the main body. One issue I have already come across is the amount of injector pin marks...and a lot of edge 'flash' on pieces...certainly more than on the 312T...so a lot more clean up and test fitting is required to ensure a good fit. Another point to note is the clearance from the edges of holes on some parts!...which becomes critical to what I want to do with kit as a whole in replacing a lot of plastic with metals. One part in particular is the front bulkhead...where the lower suspension arms connect...as you can see...there is dangerously little plastic to support a metal connection..... The obvious answer was to 'sleeve' them with a tiny piece of ali tube and CA..... You can clearly see the pin marks I mentioned. For some parts it's just a matter of drilling out the hinted at holes...as in the bulkhead above...and the suspension frames below..... These also have very little plastic around the moulded holes...so they will be 'sleeved' as well..... The rear bulkhead is another part where this becomes an issue...but I am undecided quite how to rectify the problem as yet..... I will change the two pairs of fittings at the top for metal or resin ones in due course. As you can clearly see...all of the moulded holes and slots are not up to Tamiya's usual high standard...and will require some attention...with points of obvious weakness clearly apparent. Ron to be continued............

Looks a lot of fun mate...I am watching and learning 😉 Ron

Hi Poul...I have reserved the 'shotgun' seat for you mate...may be a bumpy ride tho 😱 It has all come about from what I learned with the 312T build...in as much as...a lot of the 40+ years old plastic had to be reinforced with metal...which taught me a lot...and planted the seed of an idea for doing all this with the BT44b. This car has the advantage of being less complicated than the Ferrari in it's construction...for instance...the engine bay is open...no radiator/oil tank frames or bodywork enclosing the DFV...and a much less complex exhaust layout. In contemplating this approach...two problems had to be accounted for...first...maintaining the correct geometry...second...the Brabham has a lot of 'blackened' metal...whether powder coated or anodised...not easy to replicate with aluminium...although 'abraiding' the surface...and using metal etches will help the paint/coating to adhere better...you can never be certain it (the paint) won't rub off...even so...a little 'wear and tear' will be needed...so again...a balance is required in the finishes. One thing is for sure...if I can pull this off...it should make for an interesting learning experience...with the safeguard being...I don't have to alter or destroy the kit parts...just use them as templates...which means I have a 'failsafe' of sorts. Glad to have you along mate Ron

Ah...in that case it's exactly the same as mine...it was the re-release from ten years ago that had the extended PE fret. Thanks for reply Ian Ron

Hi Chris...yep...in at the very beginning mate A very nice surprise indeed...and yes...he is very pleased with the 312T. None of us can truly be classed as 'experts' Chris...just members of a crazy tribe...with a passion for plastic bashing 🤣 Thanks for tagging along...and for taking the time to comment...always appreciated...and means a lot 👍 Ron

Last bits arrived this morning..... With these now in place...I can begin the initial prep for the first stage of the build. Unlike the 312T...and because of what I am aiming to achieve with this build...a lot more pre-assembly will be required than on the Ferrari. Because of this...I will have to considerably alter the build sequence from what the instructions dictate...should make for an interesting sequence 😱 Ron to be continued............

Me too mate...itching to get going now Does yours have the extended PE fret instead of the metal funnels? Ron

My intention is to replace as many parts as I can with metals...or...as you mention...with a combination of kit plastic combined with metals. The most obvious challenge in doing so...will be to maintain the 'geometry and stance' of both the original 1:1 as well as the kit itself. One point of note regarding the build sequence compared to the 312T...this one will require the bodywork to be finished from a very early stage...which will present some problems when it comes to handling throughout the build stages. Fortunately...I learned a lot from the Ferrari build...and at least I won't be fighting with 40+ year old plastic. Cheers for looking in mate Ron

Very nice work Dan on an interesting subject 👍 Ron

A few more bits arrived today...still more to get but...with these and what's due (hopefully 2moro) I can begin to think about a starting point soon..... Ron to be continued............

And the some...just gobsmacking

Cheers for comment Nick Of late...I have been investigating other arenas for bits and pieces...RC cars/boats/planes and helicopters ! There is a surprising amount available in sizes that work with 1/12. With China...ordering can be a little hit and miss at times...and delivery obviously takes a bit longer...to be fair though...the communication from the seller was first class...as was the supplied tracking...with postage either minimal or free 👍 Along with Prime Miniatures and Hiroboy over here...another useful resource is Spotmodel (Spain)...but their postage is high...with delivery times almost the same as China !!! Found these few sites useful of late...and good prices to boot... https://www.maritime-models.co.uk/acatalog/Eyebolt.html https://www.makeitbuildit.co.uk/radio-active-eyebolt-m2-ball-3-8mm-thread-length-14mm-pk4-rma66505-82673?gclid=CjwKCAiAz--OBhBIEiwAG1rIOr3xvjF9QnSy3Z14O-MH5Vctj4e9FcuyG4IAz9jI0W0vk-XEzipnChoCcuIQAvD_BwE https://www.modelhelicopters.co.uk/ball-head-m2-5-x-4-5-2.html https://www.scotiarc.co.uk/product/m2-ball-joint-set-oshm2070/ Good old Ebay is still worth a look...however...prices have risen recently...but that's the same the world over now. Updates will be slow whilst saving up for more materials...so check back from time to time mate 😉 Ron

Hi Dave, I came across the UJ's purely by chance...and tiny doesn't truly desribe them...they are designed for micro radio control cars ( right down to 1/87th scale !!! )...not by any means cheap...but worth it IMHO Here are a few links to different types..... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001683629956.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000013.9.48c6708fTCRvTl&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=7aa8d543-f852-4105-9762-cb483816e4d8&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:7aa8d543-f852-4105-9762-cb483816e4d8,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238110%231995&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000017124588080%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B26.77%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BGBP%3Brecommend-recommend https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001055973483.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.678a383fL3RC4H&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=e5f3c283-ab06-40a4-8abf-910fc02684b2&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:e5f3c283-ab06-40a4-8abf-910fc02684b2,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238110%231995&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2210000013897278701%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B21.94%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BGBP%3Brecommend-recommend https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002525214582.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000013.1.3ae4386dQSdh38&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=a789bd2a-d83f-486d-85c1-eabbbe468879&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:a789bd2a-d83f-486d-85c1-eabbbe468879,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238110%231995&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000020996619694%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%223339%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B8.12%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BGBP%3Brecommend-recommend I got them in a shade over two weeks...and the seller was very helpful and polite. Just be warned...there is so much stuff available on that site...a lottery win would help Ron

I am itching to get started myself mate...unfortunately...life revolves around money more and more these days ☹️ Although the heat shrink becomes less pliable once shrunk...in my previous experiences...it will still bend to a greater degree than paper that has been coated in PVA. I have been doing some research into heat shrinks...and there are some that retain their softness when shrunk...just a case of finding some in clear...and the right size. One thing I have come to realise with this kit...the bodywork will have to be finished at a very early stage compared to the 312T 😱🤬 Appreciate the comment Malc...and especially the off-line advice and help 👍 Ron

Whilst following my usual approach to a build...editing the kit instructions...writing copious notes...and creating a reference library...I have managed to start replenishing my stocks of materials..... In the second picture above...the bag with the large orange/gold coloured nuts (which I won't be using) are a set of RC wheel hubs which...hopefully...I can use to replace the kit plastic parts. I also managed to find some 'castle' nuts to go with them to replace the kit supplied generic nuts...which means I will then be able to scratch and use the correct retaining clips for them. Although I haven't made a start on the kit itself as such...one prominent detail that is missing from the kit are the front air duct hoses to the disc brakes...which nobody else seems to have tried to replicate. As usual...there are no after-market options available...so I have been playing with some self made ideas using clear heat shrink and wire...which is then coloured with an oil paint wash that is injected into the heat shrink after heating. Still not a 100% happy with the result...but a promising outcome. Also in the pic is the tool I have made for the weld beads...an idea taken from the tank modelling arena. At the bottom of the picture are a set of brass UJ's...absolutely incredible engineering at this size...which will replace the kit UJ on the steering column...and the two on the gearshift linkage to the gearbox..... Now it just remains to wait for some funds to become available for the remaining materials I need (a lot!)...then I can begin the build in ernest Ron to be continued............

And now it is...very weird. https://www.maritime-models.co.uk/acatalog/Solid-Anchors-Chains.html R

Strangely...neither can I now ! Windows says site is down...so I will keep checking it and let you know mate. Ron

Just found these...although they don't ship to Europe...I would be happy to post them to you if you found the right one for your needs https://www.maritime-models.co.uk/acatalog/Solid-Anchors-Chains.html Ron

Although not quite the size you quoted...maybe close enough at 3.5 x 2.5 mm..... https://deborahbeads.co.uk/product/gunmetal-chain-3-5mm-x-2-5mm/ Ron