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A difficult base model, ill fitting, badly moulded and just plain incorrect in many parts and places. However, as usual, this gives great scope for the dedicated, or some might say foolhardy, modeller. The result is very gratifying even if It is not totally correct - there are some areas of the subject that there just isn't reference to and even common sense doesn't produce a completely satisfactory depiction; I've tried my best. Lesson learned - a complete and thorough dry fit is necessary, I nearly always find that something isn't square, but only at the very end! • Body colour - Tamiya TS 10 French Blue, over 26 Pure White - no clearcote • other components generally Halfords automotive spray cans - satin Black and weathered/toned with MIG dark wash • Chrome and other metal colours - Alklad • Seat cover is tissue worked with PVA glue, belt is inkjet printed on photoquality paper from my own artwork with resin cast hardware by Replicas and Miniatures Company of Maryland (Norm Veber, doesn't appear to produce any F1 items these days). The back (maybe a little whimsical) but one reference photo appears to show yellow carbon/kevlar • The Heller decals were useless not only because they were yellowed with age (and not even UV exposure treatment helped) but mainly they are incorrect - wrong typeface/sizes/poor definition. Bestbalsakits are by far the best for both quality and being comprehensive and the ONLY absolutely correct set. I also used BBK instrument/gauges decal sheet • I replaced every single rivet with PlusModel (Czech Republic) resin items • The air intake funnels and plug details, mesh etc of the DFV engine is Model Factory Hiro • Switches on the dashboard are by Decalcas • Surprisingly, the supplied Heller kit tyres - solid plastic, not vinyl - initially disappointing (their profiles are completely wrong), redeemed themselves with the 'hardness' of the plastic proving the perfect medium for detailing slightly worn formula one tyre texture • The Heller rear, inboard, brake calipers were... 'disappointing'. I replaced them with a pair of Italeri 1/12 Alfa Romeo 179 units (Italeri could not have been more helpful, for a cost, obviously) • The representation of the 'glass' (windscreen) in this model (and every vehicle model, especially at smaller scales) is woeful. Simple enough to re-cut it in thin acetate and, in this case, give it a very light coat of Tamiya TS71 Smoke • There are many small items that I have 'scratched' together - the roll over hoops are 2.5mm solder for instance

Here's my first WIP. I say in progress, it's only taken approx 2 years to get to this stage, and probably 2 more to actually finish it, so don't wait with baited breath... In all honesty - it's been a bitch. The tyres/wheels aren't correct. The cockpit is not quite right (particularly where the roll hoop emerges). The engine is most certainly 'under' molded. The Heller kit decals... don't get me started (I used BestBalsaKits). The parts, not connected Re-made windshield from thin acetate sheet, sprayed with Tamiya TS smoke All riveting has been replaced, mostly with PLUSmodels. Brake reservoirs and slave cylinders are scratched. Seat, according to my research, appears to be loosely covered in a cloth material which is 'baggy' in areas. I make my seatbelts out of inkjet printed paper through a 'Photoshop' like software and, in this instance, Replicas & Miniatures Company of Maryland hardware. Quite a lot of work here I'm still not sure it's worth spending a whole load on after market accessories on this model so the gorgeous and true wheel sets for this car from www.iconautomotiveminiatures.com will have to wait, maybe for the Protar/Italeri Alfa 179 I'm fully aware that the Heller wheels are considered to be incorrect (wrong sizes?) and they are plastic (!!!) but I found they were quite easy to 'weather' with pick up and wear. Where to start? I used an EJan Ford DFV multi media detail set on the DFV. The exhaust pipes proved particularly challenging. At some point I cut them at the point they meet at the outlet and, as you can see, they haven't yet gone back to their final position... YET! Loosely put together