curt raitz Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 As soon as this kit became available, I jumped on it...have always wanted to build both of theses cars. It is the 1/24th Merit/Smer kits re-boxed by Atlantis. The NNL West Sub-Theme is "Racecars from the Fifties" so naturally I will be building both of'em. Both kits are fairly accurate but very simple...with the wheels being the biggest hurdle. Of course I decided to build the Alfa first, it being the one needing the most modifications. I based this build on an excellent article in Issue #6 NOV/DEC 1991 "Motor Racing Replica News" magazine. The magazine is no longer in publication,but I do have all of the issues stored on pdf.files. Found a nice set of decals for the 1951 Spanish GP Race Winner Juan Manuel Fangio at Pattos Place: http://members.optushome.com.au/pattosplace/home.html As for the Wheels and Tires...I have been making a jig to make my own wire wheels. The tires are from Norm at Replicas & Miniatures. They are the Dunlop Big & Littles he used to have in his catalog for the racing Jaguars. They spec out to be the same size as the tires in the kit. After talking to Norm he sent me the Dunlop Big & Littles for $6.95 a set. Norm is a great guy to deal with. Will start this thread backwards...showing the completed model, then back-stepping on how it got there I added the Dion tube and brake lines to the rear suspension, which I cut in half to be inserted after painting the body... Here is the start of the construction process: note the tubes mounted on the rear suspension bracket... to be continued...
curt raitz Posted November 7, 2013 Author Posted November 7, 2013 Ok here we go...more stuff ready to join upper and lower body parts... Body joined with the stuff needed to add the extra lower body width found on the 159... body now ready for paint, masking of the cockpit area...just like the aircraft modelers do it Wheels and Tires along the way how they got there...to be continued...
curt raitz Posted November 7, 2013 Author Posted November 7, 2013 OK, now on to how I build the wire wheels... Start with this jig using 4lb monofilament fishing line and a center hub built up with aluminum tubing Hub with rear spokes laced: Hub with front and rear spokes laced: front and rear rims ready to be joined by superglue.... completed wheel ready to be removed from jig... completed wheel cleaned up and painted... Complete set ready to go... Thanx for lookin'...
Miatatom Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 I'm building both of these from the original SMER kits and they won't be nearly as nice as this example. Thanks for the spoke lacing tutorial.
Mike Kucaba Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 I bought both of these years ago, and only recently took a look at one, the Alfa and did a little clean-up and away it went. Thank you for showing this and I'm going to print it out when I have a suitable place to make a jig like that. Very Good work, actually quite fantastic!
Rossa156 Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Your wheels are great! The detail in the engine and the interior is very well done. Looking forward to meeting you at the NNL/West. Look for my Vanwall, Ferrari 801, and Ferrari 246/59, as well as, Ferrari 156/59. I'll have that red shirt on! Patrick
slusher Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Very impressive builds. Amazing work non the wheels...
PappyD340 Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Most IMPRESSIVE indeed Curt, great wheel tutorial also!!
DonW Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Fantastic. I have this picture hanging on the wall, the absolute master at work! I love your model, it does justice to the 1:1.
cobraman Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Oh ya, very nice work. Model looks great. After seeing that I am thinking I should shuck my Talbot in the trash !
Phildaupho Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Curt. Great post. Beautiful model. Thanks. The Merit kits were certainly the state of the art in their day and it is great to see them back again.
curt raitz Posted November 7, 2013 Author Posted November 7, 2013 Oh ya, very nice work. Model looks great. After seeing that I am thinking I should shuck my Talbot in the trash ! No - No don't do that...you can make it work!
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Wow. Huge improvement over what's in the box. Very nice indeed.
curt raitz Posted November 9, 2013 Author Posted November 9, 2013 Thanx for the comments, but I gotta give forum member Yad' credit for the wire wheel jig I used...here's a link to his initial post: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6659&hl=%2Bmaking+%2Bwire+%2Bwheels#entry808443 I just developed a little further by adding a jig to keep the hub centered when joining the rims
Mike 1017 Posted November 10, 2013 Posted November 10, 2013 This kit is on my Christmas list.Hope mine turns out as nice as yours.I am gonna take a shot at building those wire wheels.
Nacho Z Posted November 10, 2013 Posted November 10, 2013 Wow Curt, you did a beautiful job on the this. I am amazed at the wheels.....
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