Lotus 49B - Heller 1/24 (update 1/23/17)

[RancheroSteve]

Now that the Grand Sport is finished, it's time to begin another journey. This is the Heller/Humbrol Lotus 49B:

Stuff inside the box is molded in red & black and looks like this:

A pretty decent kit - especially for its day - of an iconic racing car, but I can already see a few areas that will require improvement.

I obtained some better tires from Model Factory Hiro:

And a new set of decals from Indycals:

Issue #5 of Motor Racing Replica News should be helpful:

I'll be getting started soon.

 

Edited January 23, 2017 by RancheroSteve

[JLewis]

For me, this era Lotus was the most beautiful race car ever made.   Can't wait to see it come together.

[Crazy Ed]

   Given the results on the GS this ought to be a Beauty. 

[afx]

The Ford DFV engine (the most successful engine in F1 history) looks fairly detailed.  Anxious to see what you do with this build Steve.

[RancheroSteve]

Gradually making some headway. I've altered a few things, added a some details and scratchbuilt a few parts. 

More soon.

[afx]

Love this era of open wheel cars.  

[Davewilly]

Looks like it will be a pretty cool build.

[tim boyd]

I've had this kit in my stash (that is, the original Heller release) for over 40 years....will be watching your buildup as it always seemed to me to be a kit of a very cool subject, designed with features well head of its competition in the model kit business at that point in History.  Will be following your progress with great interest....TIM 

Edited January 23, 2017 by tim boyd

[RancheroSteve]

Added front brake lines and put the nose on:

[Alix Bernard]

I just scored one on the bay. Were your new tires pretty salty($$)? They look great. I'll be following your build. The back of the dash/gauge panel looks cool with the properly gauged wire!!!!

[RancheroSteve]

Were your new tires pretty salty($$)? They look great. I'll be following your build. The back of the dash/gauge panel looks cool with the properly gauged wire!!!!

The MFH tires will be a big improvement over the kit tires. I can't remember exactly what I paid, but I'm thinking about $10 a set, plus a very reasonable postage from Japan. Not cheap, but worth it for an open wheeled car, I think. I bought two sets - one for the Lotus and one for the McLaren M7A that I'll be doing as well.

Looks like they are sold out, at least for the moment: http://www.modelfactoryhiro.com/new/en/archives/4098

The gauge wire might be just a little on the thick side, but I think it will pass.

[GlueTube]

Nice start on a rare and interesting kit. I share your love of the beauty found in the Lotus 49. I personally would like to see more '24 / '25 scale open wheel road racers produced.

I believe that the kit was designed by a Mister DeLespinay. A great model builder in his own right.

I will be following this thread..

 

Keep up the good work

Regards

Brian Kroon

Edited January 25, 2017 by GlueTube
spelling correction

[vintagercr]

I will be watching

[Alix Bernard]

Thanks for the link Steve, I was hoping my tires were useable. They look a bit like your kit tires. That's a great price!!!!! I'll get a set.

[RancheroSteve]

A little more progress: the (Indycals) decals applied.

Getting ready to start on the lump and the back end . . .

[RancheroSteve]

Sorry for the delay - I'm back at it:

[RancheroSteve]

It's finished: