Scale-Master Posted March 18, 2023 Share Posted March 18, 2023 SMTS 1/43rd white metal kit. First round of clean-up of the main body parts. It's a pretty clean casting but the nose was a little crusty. The side pods look like they fit well, but will need a fillet where they meet the main body. Back in the day I would have probably soldered the side pods onto the body, but I went with CA this time. First coat of primer shows what needs attention; not as much as I expected but still more to do… 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belugawrx Posted March 18, 2023 Share Posted March 18, 2023 This will be good ,..I'm following👍 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Rivard Posted March 19, 2023 Share Posted March 19, 2023 Interesting project. I marvel at your ability to render realistic looking replicas at such a small scale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 19, 2023 Author Share Posted March 19, 2023 The wings have the end plates cast onto them and they are pretty thin, all things considered, but optional PE end plates are included in the kit for better detail. I filed off the end plates on these and used the PE items, definitely worth the effort. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sflam123 Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 Looking forward to more of this one! Nice work thus far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 20, 2023 Author Share Posted March 20, 2023 I built up the front suspension but did not attach it to the chassis. The upper arms need to go inside the body and the chrome plated white metal is extremely fragile. One of the arms was already broken off so I'll fix that during final assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 The decals were worse than I expected; typically the kits from SMTS during this era are a bit thick and yellowed and not all that detailed, but they are useable. Unfortunately these were stuck to the PE sheet and some of the images were damaged by that. When I went to use the tire decals I discovered even the strongest decal solvent I have (and I have several to work with) would not soften them enough to conform to the sidewalls. Just as well, they were a dingy yellow-white and they didn't have the gold pinstripe. I drew and printed an entire new set of decals with more accurate and cleaner artwork. The first ones I applied were for the tires The wheels are nicely rendered and cast. The tires aren't too bad either. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Van Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I like it!!! Wish we had more kits of open wheelers from 60's & 70's.......in a bigger scale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 This is good - finish it so that you’ll have something to enter in Salt Lake City …. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 23, 2023 Author Share Posted March 23, 2023 The rear suspension was built up on the chassis as the parts are intertwined with it. The chrome parts weren't as bent as on the front end, and none were broken so it went together pretty well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share Posted March 24, 2023 The interior was added after the suspension. I made decals for the gauges too. Like they can be seen once the car is done… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share Posted March 24, 2023 The exhaust and turbo set-up is cast as one piece. I drilled out the exhaust pipe. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porschercr Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 On 3/21/2023 at 8:25 AM, Dave Van said: I like it!!! Wish we had more kits of open wheelers from 60's & 70's.......in a bigger scale. I agree Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porschercr Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Looks good Mark. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 25, 2023 Author Share Posted March 25, 2023 Thanks Trevor! After a few rounds of fine tuning the body seams it's time to start using white primer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 25, 2023 Author Share Posted March 25, 2023 The shoulder winglets in my kit were both for the left side. Since the kit provides PE wing tips and supports for "extra detailing" I used them to convert one to a right side and then made the left to match. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smilesperhour Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Looking fantastic so far 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1959scudetto Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 This will be another spectacular racer from your bench, Mark - I am looking forward to seeing it finished. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 26, 2023 Author Share Posted March 26, 2023 The body was painted TS-36 Fluorescent Red with an undercoat of LP-8 yellow. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Were the paints the old stock acrylic Or T’s new lacquer paints ? which i happen to like … Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 26, 2023 Author Share Posted March 26, 2023 The yellow is the new line of LP bottled lacquers, the red is a TS spray lacquer. I don't think there was a fluorescent red in the X acrylic line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Good stuff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 28, 2023 Author Share Posted March 28, 2023 The main body decals I made have been applied. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted March 30, 2023 Author Share Posted March 30, 2023 A bit of clear… And some of the black detail painting. Time for final assembly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drodg Posted March 30, 2023 Share Posted March 30, 2023 This is a great build. I have built numerous 1/43 scale kits and many open wheel. You are doing a great job with this. Looks like not an easy build. Got to love those SMTS kits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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