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 

[Pg265]

Good evening,

Thank you, gentlemen.😉

Some progress on the ROOOAAARING PAPAYA.

The wide muzzle of the trials is in progress: Flaps, Duck tape, Dzus...
It remains to paint the extractor and put the race number.

The flaps are riveted: stainless steel rivets flat head 0.4.

Mirrors require a bit of work especially since, too enthusiastic (🙄), I broke through one from start to finish... Repaired by welding, it is then improved with a soft file, sanded then polished.
One finished compared to the other raw.

I also decided to install there, for more realism and especially to please myself, «real» mirrors.

The windshield is now riveted and small washers feature the fastenings inside the cockpit.

The left rear-view mirror is mounted on its folded photo-etched support.
The support is drilled and, also, equipped with stainless steel rivets.
These same rivets are installed on the upper part of the back of the shell.
The right side is waiting for its turn and the locations are properly cleared of paint.

Some decals are placed: The KIWI is here!!

The cooling pipes are treated in the same way as those on the right and then installed.

The connecting tubes to the engine have also been prepared.

A test confirms the proper alignment of the engine, air box and hoop.

More soon.

Pascal🟠

Edited September 14 by Pg265

[Pg265]

Hello,
 

Progressing slowly, but surely.
The right mirror is finished then installed and riveted to the top body.
He asked me to do some work with a soft file, then it was polished with  paste.
 
The upper part of the shell has finally been glued to the chassis. The work done upstream allows a rather precise adjustment, in order to obtain a very fine junction: the upper part of the shell was riveted on the lower part.
 
The hull decoration is then applied: more delicate than it seems, but I expected it for the white circles: not so easy to make the decal conform to the beautiful curves (on all axis) of the pontoons.
Solvent and heater helped me a lot!
 
Here are some pictures:

More soon.

Pascal🟠

[Pg265]

Good evening,
 
The front drivetrain is mounted, steering installed and brakes connected.
Adjustment and small adaptations to make the screw heads flush.
A little acid (burnisher) to darken the brass of the tie rods.

 
I started to work on the back of the shell in order to quickly install and connect the DFV.
The gearbox should quickly follow!
The wheels are also in progress.
 
Pascal🟠

[Pg265]

Good evening,

 
A little work on the electric fuel pump, on the connections.

 
...and quite a bit of other small preparation work on subsets...

The fittings and fuel lines are in place, the mechanical pump is installed on the engine.
 

Still completing the back of the shell

Then finally comes the time to fix the engine block on it!
 

 
With some « clothes ».
 

 
More very soon.
 
Pascal🟠

[Pg265]

Good evening,

The build is still progressing.

The A/N fittings are installed on the oil tank: a bit of color…
I machined a brass plug for the unused outlet.

 
The exhausts are in place.
The tank, the box end, the fin mast, and the battery are also installed.
 

 

The radiator block and its hoses should not be long...
...There they are!

Oil pressure OK!
The pipes now connect the engine to the tank.
The battery is connected and the tie rods are installed.
The stabilizer bar is in place; there are still the links to assemble.
 

 
The brakes will be better cooled thanks to their scoops.
 

 
The wheels are starting to take shape.
The veil/center is colored by chemical dipping.
 

 
Overview.
 

 
More progress soon.😉
 
Pascal🟠

[Pg265]

Good evening,
 
Thank you!😉

Bad weather this morning, great to continue the build.
 
A little primer to start:
- The upper blade of the rear fin,
- the extractor for the test snout,
- the rivets
- and the whiskers of the racing version.
 

 
Then a little bit of McLaren Orange.
 

 
Decided to take care of the wheels, I made tools to improve the appearance of the tires.
Two diameters allow to treat the front and the back.
 

 
The rims are then equipped
- valves, 
- tire locking bolts on the rim,
- some balancing weights.
 

 
I adjusted the diameter of the part intended for sanding the tires to that of the inner diameter of the rims by 3 mm.
This allowed me to form the 'balancing weights (taken from the photo-etching plate) after having 'annealed' them.
I plan to put a little Duck Tape on it.
A washer is also installed under the valves.
I will try to take better photos...
 
the hubs are a bit worked, drilled, polished, the inner diameter reamed.
The nut is painted in satin black, diluted enough to let the bright edges show; this gives a more 'operational' aspect.
The pin is installed in the previously drilled holes and an oil wash completes this step.
 
The (temporary) assembly of the wheels on the car allows checking the ride height, the attitude (it reminds me of last night’s « Mécanique du vol » class...) and the symmetry.
 

 
Shims are machined to relieve the efforts due to the weight, consequent(!!) of the model.
 

 
The clear coat of the earlier painted elements dries quietly.
I took the opportunity to varnish the body of the Alfa 155V6TI DTM.
 

 
More very soon.
 
Pascal🟠

[meechum68]

This is an art piece! Impressive work, details,paint, the whole package! Extremely well done! 

[Pg265]

Hello,
 
 Thanks a lot! 

Busy Sunday (🛩️🏎️)... but some progress nonetheless.
 
I take advantage of my topic, quite timely, to congratulate McLaren and celebrate its 10th constructors' world title!!!🏆🥇
 
I took care of the snouts.
 
- The varnished fins yesterday were decorated, detailed and installed for good on the nose.
- the extractor, varnished yesterday too, receives its Gulf and is set up for the positioning of the race number.
The small Gulf / checkered finalize this large element.
 
The inside of the 2 noses is painted in matte black.
 

 

The decals are placed on the parts of the rear wing.
It should not take long to be assembled.
 

 
More soon.
 
Pascal🟠

[Pg265]

Good evening,
 
 
Nature doesn’t like emptiness... neither does my rear wing!
Initially hesitant, then finally unable to bring myself to leave him naked... I decided to rivet him.

 
The fin is assembled.
All that remains is to fix the ties that link it to the box.
The fixing tabs of the air box holding springs are glued on the valve covers: a poem...
The links of the rear anti-roll bar are also in place.
The tires have received their Good Year marking.
 

 

 
Pascal 🟠

[Pg265]

Hello,

A small inconvenience with the Micro Sol (it started to dilute the paint!!!) made the appearance of the engine air scoop perfectible in my eyes.
Being the happy owner of a second decal sheet, I decided to take it all back...🙄
 
The air scoop is completely stripped.

 
 
Then primed (GC Dark Surface Primer).
 

.... and finally receives its color: Phtalo Cyanine Blue (Mister Hobby)
 

 
I am thinking of varnishing it before setting up the decals.
 
Pascal🟠

[Pg265]

Good evening,
 
I prepared 2.5ml of clear coat and the air scoop is... varnished!
 

 
Pascal🟠

[Daddyfink]

This is an awesome build! Can't wait to see the results! 

[iBorg]

Amazing build. The only fault I saw was a seam on the air scoop which you have since corrected. Who was the manufacturer? Where did you get the rivets? How did you place them so accurately?

 

[gtx6970]

WOW< just doesnt seem to be enough

 

But WOW 

[Pg265]

Good evening,

 

Thank you very much!😉

@iBorg: The kit is from Model Factory Hiro, rivets are 0.4 flat spherical resin rivets from Master Club. The alignment is not that difficult due to the engraved locations on the body parts.
 
The air box is now ready to receive its decals.
The 'HULME' is more complicated than it seems to install.

 

I redid the two triangular plates for attaching the engine to the hull.
They are cut from a 1/10th mm thick aluminum sheet, drilled, the angles are made with diamond file.

 
I also added magnets behind the false central hubs in order to always have access to the wheel mounting screws.
 

 
She is not that bad-looking either with the 'big nose'.
 

 

 
A big karting!...
 

A small cleaning will precede the installation of the last rivets.
The installation of the aileron and bolts of the new engine plates should conclude this assembly.
Never been so close to the end!…
 
Pascal🟠