[Diogenes]

I've been working on this car since last year alongside the Hondola and, like the Honda, it started in France with a glass of wine and a block of balsa:

Things developed quickly to start with:

Then slowed

slowed more

and finally ended up like this after it had been passed to an old whittler

The end result will be up on the web soon on the PreWing website

Cheers

Mel

 

[superhornets]

Hi Dio
I think a glass of wine and a block of balsa is a fine way to start a project and it looks like a good one too
Those mid 60s brabhams are really overlooked and it is a shame, as they got the job done
look forward to seeing your progress

cheers tony

 

[Bigskybanker]

Mel,

Since the shell is now back in your hands, would you mind posting the measurements of this Brabham in mm?

The length from nose to end of the rear cowling

The wheelbase,

The width (at widest point) and,

The height from the bottom of the sill to the cockpit.

Rivet counters (or in this case strap counters) 'need' to know.

Thank you.

 

[Diogenes]

Mark,

My original carving was based on the plan at MC Plans V5 N10 October, 1968. Trouble is, when you try and reconcile 2D plans and 2D pictures with 3D balsa, all sorts of questions arise as to what exactly is what and how it might fit together. I also collected many more pictures than I started with and, of course, because racing cars are developed they change over time. I also visited the Donnington collection to get as close to the 'real thing' as possible. The problem with museums though is that nagging little question - 'how original is this car?' The problem with photographers is that they never take the crucial view you want.

My other problem was that this and the Honola were the first bodies I had even attempted to make in over 20 years. Bit rambly but the essential dimensions are as stated in MC plans as that is what the scrutineers will use.

Cheers

Mel

 

[Russell Sheldon]

Hi Mark,

The MC plans with dimensions are here:-

http://www.vsrnonline.com/Mags/MC/Vol5/V5N..._V5N10_p502.jpg

http://www.vsrnonline.com/Mags/MC/Vol5/V5N..._V5N10_p503.jpg

With kind regards,

Russell

 

[Bigskybanker]

Mel,

I hear you! I appreciate all the work that goes into researching and making such a model. Your points are well taken. While I don't have any Brabham 'textbooks', I know from reading the Doug Nye trilogy on the BRM Saga, that these cars were changing from race to race.. body details, suspension points, engines (of course) and even track.

Russell,

Many thanks for the link to VSRN On Line.

 

[Diogenes]

Now that the two weddings are over I have had a bit of a day off and playing with the BT24. I have just mocked up the shell using some BWA wheels, Pioneer Tyres and stuck all the white metal bits in place, like so;

Only a lot to do then and will be trying to get a chassis on the go next. Well done the whittler for turning my blob into a recognisable car and to Steve Francis for such excellent casting.

More soon

Mel

 

[Diogenes]

Following suggestions that the front tyres were too big, I changed them for NSR classics. The stance now looks a lot better.

Cheers

Mel

 

[woodbridgeroad]

Looking good!

Any chance of copies of the shell being available?

No rush as I have waited for a hard shell BT24 for years!

Regards
Paul

 

[Diogenes]

Paul

Yes, PM sent.

Cheers

Mel

 

[Diogenes]

Well a Cooper build took precedence and although it took a bit of time and ran out of time it has placed third in the VRAA proxy series concours. Its a midfield runner though so lessons learned on that one are being applied to the BT24 which is now progressing.

More to do yet and I can't wait to get some green on it so it starts to llok a bit more like the real thing.

Cheers

Mel

 

[munter]

This is looking really nice...lots of details that appeal.

 

[stoner]

where did you get the white metal exhaust and injector stacks from, because i,d like a set. john

 

[alfetta]

Try here John.Pre wing
Peter

 

[Diogenes]

Hi,

Due to imminent festivities, return of prodigals etc this project is now frozen (along with most of my barrel) so here is the current state of progress:

Lots of stuff still in paint and currently making up some coil-overs for this model, but that can go on in parallel with eating, drinking, roistering etc.

Cheers

Mel

 

[Slots-O-Fun]

Looks great. I love your suspension detail.

 

[Diogenes]

Well here is the latest state of the BT24 which is coming on but seriously delayed by internal works on our house.

I have changed the front tyres and put on a roll-bar, added some paint details and put on the front 'spats'which are made from a bit of litho plate that Zagato supplied. Milan's decals etc next. We have been at this since 2011 and had the body since 2012 so the timeline and authenticity is clear.

I know that George Turner is planning on doing one of these but we woz ere first George.

Cheers

Mel

 

[Diogenes]

Bit more work done and we are nearly there. Its always the fiddly bits that take the time.

Any views?

Cheers

Mel

 

[superhornets]

Hi Mel
Excellent though George Turner is I think he,ll have to work hard to top that
Its an excellent model of a seldom modelled car ,well done

Cheers tony

 

[Diogenes]

Thanks Tony,

We try to please but sometimes it takes far too long!
I've sent you a PM BTW

Mel