Tamiya 1/12 M23 EJAN 1976 Conversion

[nickfzr61]

Getting ready to start my next project. I will be attempting to build the 1/12 scale Tamiya M23 kit with photo etch using the EJan 1976 Japanese Grand Prix Conversion kit. I'll be building the James Hunt version to go with the Niki Lauda 1975 312T Ferrari that I recently completed. This will be my first use of a conversion kit and also with resin body parts. I used the Top Studio detail sets for my McLaren MP4/6 but they were nothing like the EJan kit. Limited instructions as to which original kit parts the conversion parts replace. Some are obvious but others will take alot of studying of reference pictures and test fitting. It's going to be interesting for sure. Just sorting things out now and ordering my reference books. Surprisingly I haven't been able to find to much on the internet to use as reference photos. There are pics out there but not enough showing details that I am looking for. I hope the books are better. Thank you for looking.

 

Edited December 12, 2018 by nickyfzr

[Italianhorses]

Tasty kits. Good luck.

[Chris Smith]

I will be watching, I’m sure it will be a fun build. Please keep us posted on your progress 

[Belugawrx]

I'll be watching for sure Nick

Looks like some extreme detailing on this one 

[Jasper018]

Hi just recently got interested in the tamiya 1/12 scale kits . I just ordered the 1/12 scale Honda that includes photo etch parts ‘.  I also just ordered the zuron photoetch cutters will this work on that size photoetch  ? Thanks rob . Looking forward to your progress 

[nickfzr61]

Started test fitting the body and front bulkhead. Kit instruction call for assembling the body around the cockpit and front suspension but that would leav an obvious seam on the side of the body. My plan is to assemble and paint the body then slide in the front bulhead, assemble the front suspension then slide the completed cockpit in from the rear of the body. Also modified the kits steering rack using some left over parts from my spare 312T kit. Used a mirror and shock absorber halves to better replicate the real rack.

 

 

Edited January 23, 2019 by nickyfzr

[nickfzr61]

 

[Belugawrx]

Good progress Nick !

Not too familiar with the differences between the two cars, you must have an extensive research file....

I'm following,...Cheers

[Brudda]

Looking good. James Hunt would be proud!

[nickfzr61]

Some progress shots of the body. The red areas are decals that came with the trans kit. It looked a little too flourescent to me so I sprayed some red underneath to try and darken them a little. Still have to cut and polish.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2019 by nickyfzr

[nickfzr61]

Well after being out of modeling for a few years due to family and other commitments I decided it’s time to finish this one. Actually made the decision last year but thought it would be wise to build a few  smaller kits to get the juices flowing again. 
 

[absmiami]

Velcome back …

[Belugawrx]

Welcome back Nick..look forward to your progress

[nickfzr61]

The clearcoat on the body yellowed a little and there are some hairline cracks but I’m not about to strip it all down and redo the paint and decals. Just want to finish it and make it presentable enough to add to my Lauda 312T. 
 

[nickfzr61]

[nickfzr61]

Got some work done on the transmission and rear suspension. I’m using the Thunder Valley rear upright kit.
 

This is my first time using a transkit and this one is full of issues. It’s a real yin yang experience. Some of the parts are excellent like the resin pieces but on the other hand some white metal bits just don’t fit right. There are two rear suspension supports that are not installed yet in the pictures below because I am going to have to modify them. There connection points are way too high. Also the instructions are lacking. They are in English but your left to your own resources on most of the assembly. Still I’m very fortunate to have purchased it years ago when they were available at reasonable prices. I think I paid around $100.00 for it. 
 

 

Edited April 13 by nickfzr61

[nickfzr61]

These pics shows the suspension parts that will have to be modified. They are supposed to attach where the top of the shock absorbers are attached. 
 

[Belugawrx]

That looks like the short transmission..maybe the new uprights are for the long...?

[nickfzr61]

21 hours ago, Belugawrx said:

That looks like the short transmission..maybe the new uprights are for the long...?

I didn’t know there were two transmissions with the M23 kits. I thought the Tamiya M23 kits were pretty much all the same with different decals. Still wouldn’t understand why the contact points would be higher but I guess it’s possible. Either way I’m trying to figure out the best way to modify these parts. 

Heres the distributor and fuel thingy majig.

 

[nickfzr61]

Finished up the engine. Working on modifying the rear suspension supports. 
 

 

Edited April 19 by nickfzr61

[nickfzr61]

Adjusted the rear suspension supports.  I cut the mounts at the lower point and white glued them in place. I then trimmed each post and epoxied them in place. After the epoxy cured the pieces were removed, primed and painted then installed. 
 

 

[Belugawrx]

Nice work Nick

[nickfzr61]

1 hour ago, Belugawrx said:

Nice work Nick

Thank you Bruce. Simplistic compared to some things people do on this site but it works. 

[nickfzr61]

The engine is installed. Working on the lines and getting the transaxle ready to attach. 

[nickfzr61]

A few more progress shots. 
The front wheels are on because they keep the model from resting on the front brake duct while I’m working on it and I am too lazy to take them off for the pictures