Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)

Ok, perhaps I have more money than sense, but a recent legacy has made it possible for me to buy a large scale offering. After a lot of company research I first decided on the Agora Mercedes-Benz W196R, but @PaulP kindly pointed out that the IXO version was the same kit, but it's decals were for Fangio rather than Stirling Moss. Never mind, a bit wedge of cash would be saved and I could always paint on the correct numbers. BUT, and it became a big but, I couldn't get the IXO kit anywhere, even direct from IXO. For that reason, I bit the financial bullet and bought the Agora version complete kit.

spacer.png

 

The delivery time was incredibly short (unlike I suspect the build time will be), ordered on a Monday night and arrived on the Wednesday lunchtime - in a huuuuge box. Our DPD delivery driver was definitely wilting under the load!

 

spacer.png

                                         The box, with banana added for scale

 

I've not had chance to do anything other than watch a couple of Wayne's build videos so far, but I did get around to unboxing the big box - to find all the packs in more boxes.

 

spacer.png

                                            First unboxing with obligatory banana

 

One thing I can do though, is to confirm @PaulP's statement that the IXO and Agora models all come from the same place (look at the supplied tweezers):

 

spacer.png

                                                                                Suspicions confirmed

 

Believe it or not, I'm quite looking forward to wheel building (note the individual spokes) - I hate me that much!!

Right, back to the Alfa first 🙂 Italeri Alfa Romeo 179C

Edited by Sloucher
Resized Photos
  • Like 6
  • Love 2
Posted

That's got to be 1:8 scale - unless that's a helluva small banana!

  • Haha 4
Posted

@Orso  and @Neddy It is 1/8 scale.

 

Ok, I couldn't resist. I just had to make a start on this model - just to make sure all the parts were there you understand....

The first task was to assemble the nose cone. This is one of the pre-painted metal parts (actually, most of the parts in this kit are metal, hence the weight), so careful handling was the order of the day if I wanted to avoid scratching the paint, which I do want of course!

All the parts from the air intake frame to the Mercedes Benz badge fitted together nicely. If this is an example of the amount of work this model needs, then I'm in for an easy time. It has to be born in mind though, that despite the accuracy of all the parts, and believe me they are accurate in the main, it is a museum or coffee table exhibit when all is said and done. I'm ok with that - it makes a change from doing my own research and hours of fettling!

 

spacer.png

                                                            Pack One Stage 01 - and so it begins

 

Next was Stage 02, the assembly of the front grille and dashboard. The front grille has been modelled to allow it to be hinged open and closed. Again, it all went together well, but the spring that closes the grille made a good attempt to fight back!! My fat fingers didn't help matters, but with use of the supplied tweezers, a great deal of ripe language and five rescues from the carpet monster later, the grille spring was in place.

 

spacer.png

                                                                            The recalcitrant spring!

 

Now it was onto the dashboard. This was a breeze after that darn spring and it was soon complete less the two outer instruments which are to be installed at a later stage.

 

spacer.png

                                                                        Nose cone and dashboard.

 

I decided to quit whilst I was ahead at this point and to kick back with a glass of Bushmills whisky 🙂

More to follow whenever I get stuck on the Alfa!

  • Like 13
Posted

The IXO Mercedes W196 is probably my next build after completing the Pocher Lotus 72.  IIRC the BM thread on the Lotus mentioned using cling film to protect the outer paintwork of bodywork parts and I have successfully used this technique.  If you wish to protect decals or other vulnerable finishes lay paper over those areas and secure with masking tape before applying the clingfilm.

 

(It may be one of Paul Koo's tips.)

 

  • Agree 1
Posted

A truly iconic classic racing car kit. This will certainly be an incredible conversation piece when built

  • Like 1
Posted

@DFC I'm actually using a car detailing drying cloth to protect the paintwork whilst working on the car. It's the bright orange fleecy thing in the photos.

@psdavidson So do I !!!

 

Flippin' typical isn't it? Just three days after I get the Agora Merc, I get an email advert from Hiroboy advertising the IXO version (which they show as being the Stirling Moss version) for less than £1k 😭

  • Like 1
  • Sad 1
Posted

I think it is called Sod's Law Sloucher !!

 

Never mind.  Just get on and enjoy your model build now that you have lashed out for it !

 

Regarding the Stirling Moss car, it might be worth looking at specialist decal manufacturers like Fox Transfers who can undertake making bespoke decals to order. It might be an idea, but I don't know whether your kit  has all the race numbers and so forth already applied. HTH

 

  • Like 1
Posted

@Noel Smith The kit does have all Stirling Moss's race numbers and Union Jack logos already applied, but unfortunately somehow the Union Jack has been inverted (i.e. it's upside down) on the RH side of the rear fairing. I don't know how they've managed to do that, as the decal on the LH side is fine. I can't understand why didn't they just apply the same decal on both sides instead of making two different ones, one being effectively upside down (indicating distress??).

 

 spacer.png        spacer.png

                                                                       LHS All OK                                                                                                                                                                 RHS Abandon Ship!!

  • Haha 3
  • Sad 1
Posted

Sloucher, with regard to the upside down union flag, have a look on Cornwall Model Boats website.

I sourced a sheet of Union Flags made as very thin vinyl stickers when I was making a scratch built Napier Railton model. You might be able to get one the same size to apply over the originsl.

Another source might be trawling some of the radio control model suppliers websites and see what union flag decals or stickers they might have.  HTH.

It's a bit annoying finding an error like that on such an expensive kit.

Is it a decal that is sealed into the finish? Or is it a vinyl sticker that you might be able to lift off very carefully if you can raise a corner gently with a scandal scalpel of craft knife and reapply it the correct way up?

  • Like 2
Posted

Looking at it, it’s mirrored along the horizontal, so rotating wouldn’t actually help. It’s a very strange move for Agora, they’ve actually had to produce a second, incorrect decal 🤔

 

As Noel says, very annoying on a kit at that price point!

 

Martin

  • Agree 4
Posted

@Noel Smith It seems to be sealed unfortunately. They measure 23mm long, but if it it is possible to carefully remove them I might be able to get away with using a couple of 25mm BECC flag decals.

 

@SnøMotion That's correct, it is flipped horizontally. I wonder if the IXO version that I mentioned a couple of posts ago (which Hiroboy say is the Stirling Moss version) also has the same error 🤔.

 

To be honest, there's no way that I'm going to build this model as a 100% accurate depiction due to one or two, I won't call them inaccuracies, let's just say compromises.

BTW, anyone see this?: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c75zxk46634o

 

  • Like 1
Posted
55 minutes ago, Sloucher said:

I wonder if the IXO version that I mentioned a couple of posts ago (which Hiroboy say is the Stirling Moss version) also has the same error 🤔.

Yes, it’d be interesting to know. Although, an expensive question to answer! :rofl:
 

57 minutes ago, Sloucher said:

Well, that makes this seem very reasonably priced! :rofl:
 

I have no real knowledge of “F1”/open wheeled racing. Why are both these cars labelled W196R when one is open wheeled and the other is enclosed?

 

Martin

  • Like 1
  • Agree 1
Posted

Another alternative with regard to the Union flag is have a decal made to size by someone like Fox Transfers who specialise in making  high quality decals.

Just another thought Sloucher.

 

  • Thanks 1
Posted

The Mercedes W196 was built with 3 different wheelbases (some chassis reportedly being converted from one to another as required for different circuits) and carried both "open wheel" or streamlined bodies with different front brake arrangements.  On their debut at Reims in 1954 the W196s carried streamlined bodies but were found to present handling problems at Silverstone and typically race with open-wheel bodies thereafter unless high-speed circuits eg Monza made the streamliners faster.

 

 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 2
Posted (edited)
7 hours ago, SnøMotion said:

Yes, it’d be interesting to know. Although, an expensive question to answer! :rofl:
 

Well, that makes this seem very reasonably priced! :rofl:
 

I have no real knowledge of “F1”/open wheeled racing. Why are both these cars labelled W196R when one is open wheeled and the other is enclosed?

 

Martin

"R" was the name of the Formula 1 variant(s) - be they open or closed wheeled bodies.
The Sportscar / endurance racer was "S" (which also was called the 300 SLR) and in Le Mans (where one was crashed into and caused the massive fire) and also one was driven by Moss in the Mille Miglia.

 

Mostly, the F1 cars used the open wheel configuration as it was lighter and helped with the handling. Fangio hated the streamline body so much, that he deliberately drove into barrels lining the Silverstone circuit to bend the body out of shape so it could not be used for the next race. :)

I think, it was after the 1954 Silverstone race only used again for the the 1955 Monza GP.

Edited by SprueMan
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Posted
8 hours ago, Sloucher said:

They measure 23mm long, but if it it is possible to carefully remove them I might be able to get away with using a couple of 25mm BECC flag decals.

 

 

Or maybe apply some plain white decal sheet over the kit flag(s) to prevent them showing and apply the BECC decals on top of the white decal. Might mitigate the risk of damage when trying to remove the incorrect one.

 

Keith

  • Like 2
Posted
1 hour ago, keefr22 said:

 

Or maybe apply some plain white decal sheet over the kit flag(s) to prevent them showing and apply the BECC decals on top of the white decal. Might mitigate the risk of damage when trying to remove the incorrect one.

 

Keith

I've ordered a sheet of the BECC decals and, as they're a smidge larger than the existing flags, I think I'll be able to apply them directly over the existing ones. I'll then clear coat the whole bodywork.

  • Like 2
Posted

Sloucher.  Pleased to see that you got an alternative Union Flag decal sorted out.

Looking again at your pictures I see what you mean about rotating the incorrect one not working as it would look no different.

 

Excuse my ignorance, but seeing the references to BECC decals.        Is BECC a decal manufacturer ?

Posted

Sloucher

You might want to check the Wikipedia site bevor applying the decal. Check subtitle  ‘upside down’

Posted (edited)

Is this the (partial) Wikipedia entry you were meaning @RR F1?

spacer.png

 

In the case of Stirling Moss's car, the flag was not on a staff, obviously it was a painted image and so should be shown with the Saltire wide white band (top left) uppermost on both images.

When flown from a staff, the Saltire wide white band is always at the top, adjacent the staff. So, if it was being flown from a staff, then the flag would appear reversed (the flag being "see through"). 

 

 

Edited by Sloucher
To clarify
  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

Thanks for the feedback on the BECC decals Sloucher.

 

But Whoa up a minute. !!!!

I just looked at pictures of Stirling Moss racing that car in his  heyday. Saw a picture that shows the Union flag has been placed on the RH side of the car in reverse. So the kit depiction is probably correct for when raced. Check out some images of the car when it was being raced before doing anything more.

 

Also looked at pictures of restored cars where the Union flag is depicted as flag protocol dictates with the broad white satire towards the top Left Hand corner of the flag. 

Edited by Noel Smith
  • Like 1
Posted

Flag protocol, as I understand it, requires the flag to be pictured as streaming from a supposed flagpole at the front in the direction of travel,  so handed depending upon the left or right side of the car (in this case).  Would this make the kit markings correct?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...