2whl

Pierre, we are each building one. After cleaning the resin pieces, I test fit the main chassis and body parts

Chris Smith and I decided to do this build together, and hopefully I can stay on task and finish it. This is a model of the 1998 Daytona 24hr winner First off is a couple of pics of the contents.

Sorry Doug. I got distracted by the next new kit I bought and have been playing with it too much. Are you going to post your build anywhere?

Thank you Randy Thanks John. I've got another update for you With all of the hoses and clamps done, it was time to finish the rear of the firewall.

Thanks Chris. Since the instrument panel is done and the dash fixed, I installed them. Then I got the roll bar in. 871

Thanks Pascal Before I detail the engine and frame rails, I'm checking on the fit of the exhaust and turbo set-up. I got the dash finished. Then I spent some time doing hose clamps. 800

It turns out I messed up checking the fit between a couple of parts. As you can see in the first picture below, the dash top interferes with the main body work. The interference caused the front of the main body to bow enough that the nose did not fit correctly. I should have caught it before I painted and decaled the dash. The good part is that it is fixable. In the second picture you can see where I have had to sand down the dash top. Once I was satisfied that the parts fit correctly, I painted the sanded area. Then I temporarily attached the radiator mount to make sure the nose cleared it. Everything is looking good now. 737

Edgar, I scanned the instructions. If you want to use those also to help detail your build, go here

I got all of the carbon fiber decals on the seat and cleared it. After installing it, it was time for the belts. MFH had the lap belt brkts on the p/e sheet, but didn't include them in the instructions. Fortunately, I discovered them while going through that p/e sheet and installed them. Since the side pods have been decaled and cleared, I added them. The dash will take awhile. Those parts are tiny and my eyesite isn't what it used to be. Not to mention I'm all thumbs....lol 606

Thanks John. I just went through your Matra thread and I'm loving it

John, I just went through the WIP, and I must say you are doing an outstanding job detailing this kit. Being an early Tamiya kit, it has rather crude detailing compared to today's kits. But you're bringing it up to current standards. I'm looking forward to your next update. If you have a Michael's nearby, take a stroll through their beading department. You can find all sorts of thin wires in various colors for reasonable prices.

Thanks Chris That decal will be a problem.....lol Thanks David

I jumped ahead in the steps to get the exhaust assembled. I figured it would be easier without a bunch of stuff on the engine Starting to add bits to the engine. I've also spent a bunch of time getting the carbon fiber decals laid down. The dash is going to be a challenge with all of the labels and switches. Belts are assembled and placed in the chassis. I'm just waiting to finish the decaling on the seat 496

Step #2 is finished on the front end. And I got some color on the main drivetrain. 383

Looking great Chris

Thanks Chris

Thank you Pierre Step number 1 is finished.

I 've done some more checking on the fit of various sub-assemblies. The trans is secured to the undertray by a screw and I wanted to make sure that it was going to line up. So far everything is falling into place. Then I added the side pieces and main cockpit for a test fit. The doors made need a little more tweaking, but they look very close. 202

I've learned that about MFH kits. You have to pre-assemble them to the very last step to make sure you've done everything you need to to before it gets assembled. I'll be following along since I have a 1/12th version of the 917 in my stash.

I'm guessing that the completed model will be over 3 lbs. MFH provides little stand-offs in each kit to keep the suspension from sagging. Lee, I have the instructions scanned if you want to use them for more detail.

Thanks Chris. Welcome aboard John. There will be plenty of updates. The only thing is I have a lot of projects on the go and like to jump around. So some updates might take a while. Andrew, I got out my digital scale and the white metal monoque you see weighed 10 ounces. The kit came with a beautiful set of black anodized wheels, so all I have to do is add valve stems and they will be complete. I C/A'ed the basic block resin pieces together and put the other parts on for a mock-up

This will be a long term project of the Mercedes C9 that won Le Mans in 1989. One of the first things I do with one of these MFH kits is to soak the resin pieces in a bath of denture cleaner to remove any mold residue. I also print out the parts lists that MFH has on their website and inventory and sort the white metal pieces. I got the main monoque pieces out, drilled the holes and dry fit the pieces to start checking the build up. I also tried the fit on the doors and while at it, fit the other body panels on for some glamour shots.

My pics from the show http://public.fotki.com/2whl/model-shows/spirit-of-speed-11-/