Ligier JS11 1/12 Heller

[modelbautony]

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

 

 

[Codger]

Don't give it up, you've done a remarkable improvement of a flawed kit.

Speaking of flawed - that Protar Alfa is that too. I had it and sold it on.

 

[modelbautony]

Thanks Codger. Oh don't worry, I've no intention of giving it up.

Edited April 28, 2021 by modelbautony
used wrong name

[Malc2]

Woah, thats great, you have got a lot further than I have.

Being intimately familiar with this kit, I can see all the extras you have added.

Can you do me a favour and measure the inside distance between the rear tyres? I have modified JamesB's resin tyres to accept the kit inner rims and have lost my reference point.

 

Malc.

[Malc2]

PS the graining you have achieved on the tyres is the best I have seen.

[Vesa Jussila]

Looks really good. Clearly a one more challenging Heller kit. I will follow this, keep going.

[modelbautony]

1 hour ago, Malc2 said:

Woah, thats great, you have got a lot further than I have.

Being intimately familiar with this kit, I can see all the extras you have added.

Can you do me a favour and measure the inside distance between the rear tyres? I have modified JamesB's resin tyres to accept the kit inner rims and have lost my reference point.

 

Malc.

Thanks Malc. Your comments are very encouraging, it only takes a few words to push you on doesn't it?

Can you clarify, you want the distance inside the tyre?

[Malc2]

Picture speaks a 1000 words!

The dimension from wheel rim to wheel rim as below.

Cheers!

 

Malc.

 

[modelbautony]

Malc. The measurement I get with my digital callipers (absolutely accurate?) and visually with ruler is 95mm. That's rim to rim. I'm a bit surprised it's so bob on with no decimal point!

[Malc2]

Brill, thanks V much.

M.

[Marco F.]

Wow another masterpiece is on its way 

Marco F