ismaelg

Hello, Version 2.0 of the wing support. BRASS!! Way much stronger, straighter and overall better than the original aluminum one I did. While ever so slightly thicker, I believe it will be better overall. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Just finished the one that started it all! My 1/25 Marmon Wasp, winner of the 1911 Inaugural Indianapolis 500 miles race. More here: Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Happy to report this project is FINISHED and posted Under Glass! Thanks, Ismael

Hello, I'm posting this on May 30th, 2025. Better than if I had planned it, I am presenting my model of this car on the day of the 114 anniversary of that inaugural race! May 30th, 1911. To say I like this car is an understatement. I can spend hours talking about it. It's history, details, specs, changes, controversies, etc. This is simply one of my all time favorite cars. This is a model built with my heart as well as with my hands. It is NOT perfect but I did my best. I added a lot of details to the excellent kit. Thanks to Michael at Indycals and those who help him to get this model released. Without getting too deep into the story, the model represents the car as it raced in 1911. Only one Wasp was made. Two exact replicas have been created in the last decade or so but that's another story. The original car survives today and it is a centerpiece of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. The car as it is today, was restored back in the 1950's, but not to the exact "as raced" configuration. This has been a controversy for decades. I have my own theories based on my own research: After the race, the car was kept by the Marmon family (owners of the Marmon Company) for several decades, until it was acquired by the Museum in the early 1950s. I have researched pictures of the car during public showings during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, where you can clearly identify changes to the original "as raced" configuration. My theory is that it was refreshed to the configuration it was at the time, not a retrofit restoration back to "as raced" configuration. While the color has always been another point of contention, I truly believe the actual color is correct. We can spend hours discussing why but I digress. Anyways, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: PRESENTING MY MARMON WASP, WINNER OF THE 1911 INAUGURAL INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE!!!! Such an important car deserves a proper photo display setup. Really enjoyed creating it as well. I am very happy and proud of this effort. Feel free to comment and ask any questions as I absolutely love talking about this. I hope you like it. Thanks, Ismael

Very cool! LOVE IT! I used the same casting to do the Sebring test car: the very first C6R. But with no decals. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Most likely the last update before completion! Last lap to go! A strip of masking tape and tiny pieces of wire bent to shape. Some paint, a drop or two of glue, and we have a vintage leather belt to hold down a 1911 car hood.... or whatever you want to do with a leather belt... Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Hobbies are meant to be fun. Why not a silly update? There are 8 parts here... Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Thanks to John Hockney for the reference picture of the Marmon Wasp gas pedal. I did a similar rudimentary piece since it will barely be seen. Drooped a little bit. The angle was supposed to be slightly up. The clutch pedal in place. Thanks, Ismael

Thank you John! That's the clearest picture of it I needed. I've seen that before but was not sure if it was a foot operated or a hand "knob" Thank you!

Hello, Thank you! Just did a rudimentary clutch pedal. This will barely be seen. Not sure this car had a proper gas pedal as we know today. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, I hereby claim victory on the Battle of the Black Trim. Not perfect but casualties were expected. Very minor touch up points needed before continuing. I know it is yellow but I painted the inside of the hood black to disguise the thickness and to look more realistic. Thanks, Ismael

Great topic! Love them all! John, that Miller is absolutely GORGEOUS! I am currently working on the 1911 Marmon Wasp and the 1988 Rick Mears PC17 among others. Many years ago I finished this 1/25 1968 second place finisher Dan Gurney's Eagle. More info here: Build thread here: Thanks, Ismael

Hello, History is full of epic battles. I am adding one more to the list: The Battle of the black trim! Still pending the hood but that battle is in the future. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Some more progress. I was hoping to finish it before this year's Indy 500 race but it won't. It's only been 114 years. So it should be ready before the 115th . Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Thanks, Ismael

Hello, HA!! What a weird feeling when you are a car modeler but think: "Geez! This clear coat is so smooth and shiny I may need to dull it up / tone it down a little..." 😉 Or not... Once dry I'll carefully work the black lines. Yes, bad strategy but I need to plow thru... Thanks, Ismael

Thank you guys! A bit more progress: Thanks, Ismael

Hello, I believe this is probably a fuel pressurizer hand pump. Most likely connected to this: So I took a piece of tubing (1), some rod (2) and a soft wire (3) which I flattened Cut to size and shape Add a piece of aluminum tape, a 3D printed bolt and nut and you see where this is going. Still need to trim the handle a bit more and then paint it. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Body decals completed within 30 minutes of receiving the second decal sheet in the mail. Now wait for them to fully dry (a day or two) before clearcoating, to eventually start working on the black. This is far from over but I'm enthusiastic about the progress. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Just keep going... Thanks, Ismael

Hello, One down (99% done), 3 to go. Good thing I'm not into 18 wheelers 🤣 This is all one piece. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, After the pinstripe ordeal, which is not over yet, these 2 tail fin decals were the easiest ever! 🤣 Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Pinstriping as far as consuming all the first decal sheet. Whatever is still pending on the pinstriping; center of the hood and a short piece at the bottom, will be provided by the second decal sheet that has been ordered. What a fight! This is not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, I don't have a heart! 🙂 Thanks, Ismael

Hello, What a fight! Another full day on the other side. At the end, the only casualty was this section pointed here. It curled and self destroyed. The extra decal sheet I ordered (to fix the hood I messed up) should take care of it. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, From the little research I've done, it seems the PC-17 had either a solid one-piece wing support (Al Unser's car) or 2 thin vertical supports (Mears and Sullivan). The kit has the single support but Mears ran with the 2 thin vertical supports. Al Unser's car Here is version #1 of my own support, made out of sheet aluminum. I'll work it a little more but it is quite flimsy. I'll play around with styrene, acetate and maybe brass but I think this one still has potential. Thanks, Ismael