Fastcat Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 (edited) As the 300 SLR seems to be quite popular at the moment here are a few pictures of one I made from the 1/24 Revell kit a while ago. I bought the kit just after it first came out, about 25 years back but didn't build it until about 10 or 12 20 years ago. It's not a bad kit but suffers some avoidable errors that a little research could have saved had Revell not slavishly copied the sample stored by the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. who you could be forgiven for thinking would provide a perfect example. Not so! Mercedes "civilised" 722, the most blatant alterations being to the driver's headrest, a Targa Florio style being fitted, the access panel to the spark plugs being fitted, sidelights being present and the paint finish being to a more modern standard. And the font of the race numbers was also wrong. Generally the wheels and tyres were very poor, the body shape OK if a little slab sided and some of the components of the kit were simplified and softly moulded. I remade a lot of the parts in the kit but as 3d printers were unavailable to ordinary modellers, I made replacements in the traditional way - the headrests were made by using laminates of plastic sheet on a thin metal base and the two scuttle scoops were handmade from thin metal sheet. I got the decals and a p/e sheet from K&R who also do a 300 SLR from metal, although it is quite expensive. I forget who marketed the wire wheels but it's maybe irrelevant now as I think they ceased trading a while back. They're not entirely correct but I like them! Forgot to say - Also scratch-built windscreen since original was poorly moulded and too thick. It's strangely upright because the earlier versions caused Moss so much buffeting that Mercedes modified it to spill the slipstream further back and it proved to be the best compromise. Dave Edited April 19, 2022 by Fastcat Memory fade 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 That is absolutely wonderful, really beautiful model in all respects! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 Thanks Keith. I think the K & R kit maybe gives a better starting point but it's kerbside and much more expensive. I was hoping the Revell kit would be definitive but it wasn't to be. Neither could it be described as up to Tamiya's standards but you have to go with what's given. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 Absolutely sensational! The engine detail looks amazing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 She's a stunner and great photo's especially the last one... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted April 19, 2022 Author Share Posted April 19, 2022 Thanks for those kind words. I've just discovered that it was built over 20 years ago - doesn't time fly by when you're having fun. I don't build much now as I have ataxia which affects coordination. Seems like it affects memory too! Dave 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 Looks really good. Let's hope there will be improved kit one day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted April 19, 2022 Author Share Posted April 19, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind words. Hope so. You never know just where 3D printing will lead. I can't see traditional kit makers queueing up to do it. Problem is Mercedes produced different cars for various races and drivers - they seriously wanted to win - but when you consider what's now available for aircraft modellers you never can tell......... Maybe those niche subjects wont be so niche any more. Dave Edited April 19, 2022 by Fastcat missed a bit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 When I read you built this one 20 years ago, my jaws drop on the floor, Dave ! Because Internet wasn't as content rich as it is now 8 It's just amazing what you managed to do with probably so few documentation ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted April 19, 2022 Author Share Posted April 19, 2022 Hi CC, Yes it was pretty difficult and there's much more information, available now. A lot was obtained by reading as many articles by the two participants as I could find and trawling the internet as much as possible. Where I didn't know for sure, I best-guessed, otherwise I'd never begin. After nearly 70 years it's all that can be done as nearly all aircraft modellers will attest. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted April 20, 2022 Share Posted April 20, 2022 This is really very nice - congratulations The tartan seats are a surprise though! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 (edited) Hi Cliff, Many thanks. Yes, most racecar seats are plain but Mercedes wanted to mirror their production cars so it seemed like a good idea at the time. Incidentally the tartan pattern on the decal sheet was thought to be a bit too bright but toning it down didn't work that well so I finished the seats with a mix of masking and fine decal stripes. The end result came out quite well and to my eyes much better than what was provided. Dave Edited April 20, 2022 by Fastcat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted April 29, 2022 Share Posted April 29, 2022 Dave, EXQUISITE build. Love it. Your model is RESPLENDENT to look at and your workmanship is IMPECCABLE. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted April 29, 2022 Author Share Posted April 29, 2022 Thanks Houston, The Revell kit certainly has its challenges! Nothing that can't be overcome with a bit of perseverance though. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearsightedjohn Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 Wow! This looks like one of those $1000 die cast cars (CMC) except it’s probably 50% better. The engine detailing and those plaid seats are both really incredible. Build and post some more auto subjects please! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted May 1, 2022 Author Share Posted May 1, 2022 Thanks John, Unfortunately it isn't likely that I'll build anything new. I have a condition that affects dexterity and coordination (I'm even slower on the keyboard than I used to be, believe it or not) and it's hard to work out a sequence of build - I don't often follow the instructions. 'Fraid I'm stuck with what I have. Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert falcon Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 Sorry to hear about your condition Dave but you can certainly look back at this beautiful SLR and be very proud of your self 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 Thanks desert falcon. I've always liked the 300 SLR in spite people calling it brutal or functional. I read the story of Moss and Jenks many years ago when I was a schoolboy and I always hoped someone would make a kit of it. I was a bit underwhelmed with the Revell kit but with a lot of work, it came out OK in the end. Thanks again. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert falcon Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 That someone wouldn‘t like a 300 SLR is a mystery to me, I think it is sheer beauty! I‘ve also seen the 722 in the MB Museum, I know it‘s not 100% correct and all that but It‘s still gorgeous to look at. Wouldn‘t mind having this one delivered to my door either, they could leave the „flat bed“ too 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toftdale Posted May 3, 2022 Share Posted May 3, 2022 Totally gorgeous, I particularly like the engine. Just the right amount of detail - Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted May 3, 2022 Author Share Posted May 3, 2022 Thanks Andy. The engine fills the space nicely. It's a bit of a soft moulding but it looks good. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted May 6, 2022 Author Share Posted May 6, 2022 For anyone thinking of any of the Mille Miglia cars, I see that Michael Portaro of Indycals has released a decal sheet for each car which makes it much easier to achieve. The decals are in the correct font and much more realistic than the ones in the kit. In the past, Indycals have used an all-over carrier film so the subjects need cutting individually from the backing sheet but that's a very small price to pay for an accurate set of markings. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted May 6, 2022 Share Posted May 6, 2022 13 hours ago, Fastcat said: For anyone thinking of any of the Mille Miglia cars, I see that Michael Portaro of Indycals has released a decal sheet for each car which makes it much easier to achieve. The decals are in the correct font and much more realistic than the ones in the kit. In the past, Indycals have used an all-over carrier film so the subjects need cutting individually from the backing sheet but that's a very small price to pay for an accurate set of markings. Dave Precisely those I bought and applied on my model 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastcat Posted May 7, 2022 Author Share Posted May 7, 2022 Forgot to say, there's also Le Mans Decals for all the variations that Indycals don't do. This enables the Targa cars, Dundrod cars and also, for the more adventurous, the Le Mans cars. They're based in Spain and have a terrific range in all the popular scales. And not just Le Mans cars either. They cover F1 and many others including some rally cars. Meant for slot cars originally they're good quality and service has been good when I've used them in the past. Well worth trying for that hard to get item. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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