Merit…

[cmatthewbacon]

In a desperate attempt to save @Bengalensis from himself and a Peugeot 905, does anyone fancy an unofficial joint build of a Merit 1/24 race car kit? Probably more than two of us have these. I’m not trying to hijack a GB calendar, but I have a slot while I await a driver for another build, and an Aston Martin plus a Stirling driver ready to hit the start line…

best,

M.

[Bengalensis]

Oh dear @cmatthewbacon, saving me from myself is a project of quite some difficulties... 🤔😎 building a 905 is an easy project in comparison...

I suppose I might be one of those "more than two" as I do have that Gordini T16 waiting, but I fear Mr Nuvolari may arrive at your doorstep before I can start working seriously on the T16...  But I would do my best to try... It's a nice idea.

[RossFMJ]

Does a Smer reboxing count?

[Bengalensis]

3 hours ago, RossFMJ said:

Does a Smer reboxing count?

For me I think it should.

[TonyW]

The idea has merit.

 

I'll get me coat....

[Kitkent]

I’ll join you,if that’s ok?!  I have started fiddling about with a BRM of 1956. There has been one on here previously which I’ve bookmarked.  
Chris.

[Bengalensis]

Testing wheels (not tyres)...😎 G

 

[cmatthewbacon]

49 minutes ago, Bengalensis said:

Testing wheels (not tyres)...😎 

I like your thinking. I have some USCP wires which I’m thinking will do the job for the DB3S…

best,

M.

[RossFMJ]

Hmm, just wondering where to get some 1950s Alfa wheels. I don't think I can justify givingSenore Pinto 50 squids;

 

 

 

[cmatthewbacon]

When I did mine, I scribed some more lines into the clear discs, painted them silver, then sanded and polished the backs. Frankly, if I was doing it again, I’d find a decent picture of the car in  profile, and print spoke decals to go on the clear piece.
 

 

From anything more than a foot away, it’ll look fine….

best,

M.

[Bengalensis]

9 hours ago, RossFMJ said:

Hmm, just wondering where to get some 1950s Alfa wheels.

 

How far off are the USCP Mercedes 300 SLR wheels I test on the Gordini above?

[Kitkent]

There is an upgrade kit for the Merit Alfa,I’ve looked at this before,it’s by Indycals. I read on a U.S model forum that he’s taking a break from the business,everyone’s hoping it is only a break!  The Gordini wheels look good,but I don’t know about their size. Chris.

[RossFMJ]

49 minutes ago, Bengalensis said:

How far off are the USCP Mercedes 300 SLR wheels I test on the Gordini above?

Diameter wise I think they look good, but width wise I think the tyres are a bit wide, they should be about 5.5 inches (approx 140mm), so should be........................ about 6mm wide. Hmm I may have some USCP 16" around somewhere 

[RossFMJ]

38 minutes ago, Kitkent said:

There is an upgrade kit for the Merit Alfa,I’ve looked at this before,it’s by Indycals. I read on a U.S model forum that he’s taking a break from the business,everyone’s hoping it is only a break!  The Gordini wheels look good,but I don’t know about their size. Chris.

Thanks Chris . I've had a look at this and as you say, Indycals is having a well deserved break. It looks like the upgrade kit, which is the engine, was "print on demand" via Shapeways, who've gone bust/shut down/disappeared into another dimension. However the decals look good for the coloured radiator surrounds......but he's shut

[Bengalensis]

1 hour ago, Kitkent said:

There is an upgrade kit for the Merit Alfa,I’ve looked at this before,it’s by Indycals. I read on a U.S model forum that he’s taking a break from the business,everyone’s hoping it is only a break!  The Gordini wheels look good,but I don’t know about their size. Chris.

46 minutes ago, RossFMJ said:

Diameter wise I think they look good, but width wise I think the tyres are a bit wide, they should be about 5.5 inches (approx 140mm), so should be........................ about 6mm wide. Hmm I may have some USCP 16" around somewhere 

 

The wheels above are 18,2 mm dia, so almost 16". I don't know what that Alfa Romeo ran on, possibly larger? They are 7 mm wide, but that width can be reduced on the inside. The tyres aren't that suitable.

 

I actually need to check my Gordini measurements again...

[RossFMJ]

Hmm, we seem to be calculating with different factors   The wheels on the Alfa are approx 18mm, which I calculate to be 17 inches ((18x24)/25.4)??. The only info I can find is that wheel sizes varied between 16" and 19" in the 50s and could be changed back and forth. The rears started getting wider than the fronts as the decade progressed and sometimes the rears were greater diameter too. Beware the AI helpers, they can't tell the difference between a 50s formula 1 car and a 1970s saloon!  I'm thinking of lacing the wheels I've got with thin wire, I'll give it a go then change my mind.

Edited June 8 by RossFMJ
typo

[malpaso]

Don’t forget tyre size diameter in inches is the inner edge, the rim or bead is around 3/4” so a 16” wheel is about 17.5” visible diameter.  

[Bengalensis]

14 minutes ago, RossFMJ said:

Hmm, we seem to be calculating with different factors   The wheels on the Alfa are approx 18mm, which I calculate to be 17 inches ((18x24)/25.4)??. The only info I can find is that wheel sizes varied between 16" and 19" in the 50s and could be changed back and forth. The rears started getting wider than the fronts as the decade progressed and sometimes the rears were greater diameter too. Beware the AI helpers, they can't tell the difference between a %)s formula 1 car and a 1970s saloon!  I'm thinking of lacing the wheels I've got with thin wire, I'll give it a go then change my mind.

 

10 minutes ago, malpaso said:

Don’t forget tyre size diameter in inches is the inner edge, the rim or bead is around 3/4” so a 16” wheel is about 17.5” visible diameter.  

 

Exactly as @malpaso says. A fact often missed in scale car modelling. A 1/24 scale 16" wheel should be about 18,5 mm diameter, as we see them on the model.

 

Then we may have to vary that a little as other aspects and proportions of the model might not be perfect as we search for a descent compromise.

[RossFMJ]

The Merit/Smer wheels are all-in one, moulded tyre and wheel and I was measuring to the inner edge, so I think that still makes them 17"  However, who knows how accurate that was when the moulds were made. I still can't find a definitive answer to the wheel size on the Alfa.

I think Jorgan's wheels look right on the Gordini, which may possibly be smaller than the Alfa wheels (having studied a grand total of 4 photos).

Initially I'll have a go at wire lacing mine, then throw my toys out of the pram and possibly do as Matt suggests with the clear discs.  

The only other option for period wheels seems to be SE Finecast but they're about 20 squids 

[Bengalensis]

I searched around a little for 158/159 higher resolution photos, and they seem to be on both 17" and 18" wheels, and also 17" front / 18" rear.

[cmatthewbacon]

The Profile Publications monograph on the 159 gives  Front: 5.5" x17" or 5.5" x 18", and the rears 7"x18" or 7"x 19", so either way the rears are wider than the front, and in most cases also larger diameter...

best,

M.

[RossFMJ]

23 minutes ago, cmatthewbacon said:

The Profile Publications monograph on the 159 gives  Front: 5.5" x17" or 5.5" x 18", and the rears 7"x18" or 7"x 19", so either way the rears are wider than the front, and in most cases also larger diameter...

best,

M.

Interestingly enough the wheels on the kit Alfa seem very similar in size but the rear tyres are much bigger in width and diameter. I must remember to put them the right way round.............I must remember..............

 

It's started, Test fitting and pro-filling top and bottom, I am actually impressed with the mouldings and fit bearing in mind the moulds are over 62 years old (well they were about 30 when mine was made);

 

 

And lighten it for racing porpoises;

 

 

 

Ross

[RossFMJ]

If it weren't for those wheels, this would be a very quick build...........and in fact I'm hoping it still will be.  It's got a lovely little engine considering its age;

 

 

Mind you, it's not going to be seen, I don't want to be held up fannying spark plug leads and piping etc on to it, I'm just going to use it to hold onto the exhaust.  The axles are glued to the springs and it's starting to look like a car;

 

 

The engine fills the front quite well really. I think this car looks better open, engine on display rather than shut up actually;

 

 

But that aint gonna happen this time around, it's going to be shut up and racing, in fact I think it'll be going at a speed where the spokes are just a blur!

 

 

Ross

 

 

 

Edited June 8 by RossFMJ
apostrophe failure

[Bengalensis]

46 minutes ago, RossFMJ said:

But that aint gonna happen this time around, it's going to be shut up and racing, in fact I think it'll be going at a speed where the spokes are just a blur!

 

That's a quick start 👍 Building the model at speed, with a driver and blurred spokes, is a great idea. Just don't forget to blur the holes in the brake drums as well 😎

[RossFMJ]

40 minutes ago, Bengalensis said:

Just don't forget to blur the holes in the brake drums as well 😎

 

Damn! damn! damn! damn , there's always a catch