McLaren M19A, Denny Hulme, 1972 US GP Watkins Glen.MFH, 1/20.

[Pg265]

Good evening,
 
In need of resin and metal, lover of the car, brand and its creator, it did not have to tickle me too long to throw my heart on this superb kit!
 
The White Metal parts of the cockpit are prepared and then polished.

These elements will subsequently be partially riveted.
 
Same thing for the resin parts of the hull.

 
The advantage of the M19 at Watkins Glen lies in the different configurations for testing and racing: the kit makes it possible to represent this particularity.
The test nose:
 

 
The one selected for the race:

 
I prefer the race version, but the muzzle of the tests will also be mounted and presented next to it.
 
A few fit checks confirm the positioning of the parts.

 

 

 
The engine, the famous and magical Cosworth DFV, fits wonderfully well.
It is extremely well detailed: the best restitution to scale... at least!
It is the same as the one on the M7A box, even the camshafts can be installed.
 

 
The cylinder head covers are painted in semi-matt/matte black, the other parts painted in various aluminium tones or just enhanced with oils.
The box is assembled and then «colored» by masking certain areas.
The hollows are again treated with oils, just like the reliefs with light dry brushing.
 
The sub-assembly is checked on the hull.

 
The circuit breaker location on the side of the hull must be sealed for this version.
 

 
Not being completely convinced by the engine’s gas filter, I turned another one, equipped with a serflex and an A/ N connection.
 

 
I am also leaning on the discs, scratched thanks to a small tool there again made on the lathe then threaded; I will make a photo.

 
The parts of the oil tank are welded.
It will be painted very soon.

 
Same thing for the intake duct.
 

 

I met some problems with the Delco who ended up getting me really upset...
So I decided to make another one after taking the odds.
 
The main piece is turned in an aluminum rivet of 6.35, pierced in the center on both sides.
It is then drilled every 45°.

 
9 small «cannons» in 1mm brass tube are cut and then installed on Delco head.

 
The « QFE (😇🛩️🥶) is reset » to the abrasive disc.

 
 
It’s not perfect, but once painted, it will «make the corner of rue Michel» as a friend said!French ref only!…)
 
The oil tank is trimmed with weld seams, primed, painted and decorated.

The A/N connections will be installed shortly.
 
The DFV has made good progress.
Everything is connected, the links are in place.
The velocity stacks are also mounted on the guillotines and connected to the injection pump.
The electronic box is almost finished and only placed in the center of the V for photos.
 

 
Here is the small tool made to give life to the discs.
 

.... and some images of the "motorized" hull.
 

Decided to paint the Delco head to validate the part aspect, I thought that I could also paint the oil overflow can.
It needed a little «facelift» and I confess that I would have done as quickly to make a new one!
In order to straighten the was with a pass along the entire length, I drilled the bottom at 2.1 on 2/3 of the height.
A 2mm brass rod is inserted, glued with CA: this allows to hold the piece in the chuck and to work on its entire height.
A hole is drilled on the top of the can and a 0.8 brass rod, drilled to 0.55 is installed for more realism.
The retaining rod is then cut and the face is straightened for a better finish.

Sorry for the photo and the «cleanliness» of the room...
 

 
The candidates for the primer session.

 
Dressed in grey.
(GC Dark Surface Primer).

 
Then in black.
Tamiya X-18.
 

 
 
.... and the piece created, compared to the original one.

Given its final location, the result is sufficiently convincing.

Session primer for the body.

 

Waiting for his brushing!
 

As usual, I lay the rivets on the body parts.
In order not to be annoyed with the decals, I delimit the location of numbers that will not receive rivets.

 
Then the parts are riveted. 

They will be taken in places for a better finish.
 
Others are being prepared.

 
... And everyone goes back for the painting.

 
The hair of the DFV «combed», the springs in place, a banjo fitting replaces the A/N... the Cossy takes shape!

 

The air duct is painted.

 
And comes on top of the engine for a little preview.

 

Good evening,

Here are some pictures of the body parts after applying the clear coat.

I really like this varnish, which I've been using for years now.
It stretches immediately upon application in a single, thin, wet coat, over a mist coat done  5-minute before. Sprayed at 2 bars, 0.3 Flat Pattern, needle closed 3/4 way. 

Next steps quickly, with the installation of the decals, windshield...

A quick dry assembly of the painted and varnished parts... It's taking shape.

The upper part and the nose are just installed, not glued.
The seam will be much smaller and less visible once the pieces are glued.
The decals session is planned for tomorrow, and perhaps the windshield installation as well.
 

Sorry for the long post and lots of pictures…

More soon.
 
Pascal.🟠

[Pg265]

Hi,
 
Well, the flight activity is slowing down a bit, the weather is not that good... I’m taking advantage of a little time to follow up on the beautiful Papaya!
Back to work however and lot of preparation for my students as part of the aeronautical instructional activity...

I am therefore sorry for this long absence and plan to catch up.

The riveting is done with 0.4 and 0.5 resin rivets.
 
So I prepared the windshield by positioning it on the shell and drilling the holes in its fasteners.

 
Then the windshield is tinted yellow.
 

A single dip to obtain the fairly pale shade. 
 
I have also started to be interested in aerodynamic appendages: Rear wing.
The back is composed of a number of parts: White Metal and photo-etched.
The intrados is in three parts; it will be necessary to use some solder for a good finish.
It will also be necessary to polish it with the exception of the small upper plane which is orange and the external part of the lateral fins which is white.
I am not certain of the color of the internal plan of these...

 
For the front, it’s a bit simpler: orange fins, black leading edge, bare metal end plates.
There are quite a few parts left for the other versions.

 
As soon as the windshield is fixed, I can devote myself to the decoration and continue with the assembly.

The different parts of the rear fin are welded.
This allows for a nice leading edge.

 

The whole is then polished.
I deliberately sought a 'mirror' effect on the intrados to bring a little more light to the engine and to the gearbox.

 
The upper plane, left raw (it must be painted orange), allows to visualize the difference.
 

 
The extrados is very slightly sanded with a worn 3000 abrasive sponge.
The central partitions (in two parts) are set up for a trial... transformed!
It is necessary to identify the points to be drilled for their positioning lugs, and slightly accentuate the engraving at the intrados.
 

I thought it was time to bring a little (more) color there.
So I started the decoration phase and started with the 'muzzle'.

The decals are splendid although a bit 'stiff', the colors dense and the finish, satin/shiny, of the most beautiful effect. 
The contrast with the body parts is discreet but present and representative of the different materials.
 
The admission scoop is also partly dressed.
The white is absolutely not darkened by the navy blue, superb!
 

 
The windshield is varnished.
 

Woilà.
More soon.

Pascal🟠

 

[Pg265]

Good evening,
 

The windshield is glued on a black seal.
The joint was, variably, present or not...
The rivets will be installed soon.
I have also started taking care of the coolant lines running along the chassis.
They have been filed, sanded, polished, detailed around the fittings...
The left side is done: it was not that easy to set up.
It remains to provide a little detail on the radiator side.
 
Here are some images with and without the muzzle and/or the extractor.

The upper part of the body is only temporarily placed: there are quite a few things left to do.
 
Pascal🟠

[Smilesperhour]

Loads of detail, these kits look incredible. Love the 70s f1 

[IanH]

Looks stunning