[merkit the grof]

More detail work.

After a meeting of heads, one was put on a spike ready for painting.

Joel

 

[David Lawson]

Quote: You have got plenty of time to finish that David!
Maybe see you on track with my Maserati

I love your Masten Gregory 250F Mark but I work so slowly I doubt my 250F will join you at this year's Big Birds but it will definitely be there next year.

I've made the parts to replace the missing exhausts, mirrors, splash guards, windscreen and filler cap as well as the chunk of missing bonnet but I'm still struggling with the driver figure - I'll get there in the end.

David

 

[Mark50]

Nearly there David...you can do it!
I used a Tamiya figure in this one......apologies to Joel for the thread drift!

 

[merkit the grof]

A bit more progress on the Matra.

Joel

 

[merkit the grof]

I must be slipping up, I have spent 4 days fighting with the windscreen.
Normally, I would cut it out of flat sheet and gently "curve" it over the brush handle or something.
This time I thought I would be clever and cut it from an already curved bit of packaging (to save time).
Here it is at the back of the spoiled attempts.

The problem is, it is too curved and keeps pulling off the body when glued regardless of the amount of tape I use.

So yesterday, I returned to the tried and tested method: Thin flat plastic, took a couple of hours to get something near enough which I finished this morning (the one with the tape on it)

Besides the windscreen, the dayglow paint is also giving me grief. I used a Tamiya can, much as I like Tamiya products in general, their cans are junk, can't get a good finish.
I am off to Halfords for something decent.


Joel

 

[gus3049]

My patience is running out with trying to do glazing. No matter what glue I use, it either marks the glass or fails to stick. Not every body is suitable of course but I now grind out a rebate and use contact glue. If it's a little inset - tough! I admire your patience.

 

[David Lawson]

Joel

Excellent work with the windscreen and I admire your persistence after all the failures. Windscreens are the trickiest part of any scratchbuild. Some bodyshells lend themselves to fitting a curved screen using your method and others just don't and then I resort to making a buck and vacforming the screen.

Now, 1950s grand prix driver figures - I have spent the best part of a week making three figures and getting the arms in the right position, so far it hasn't been successful and I had a strop and have given up for a few days to recover.

David

 

[merkit the grof]

I am too lazy to create a buck and vacform a screen, even when (as turned out in this case) it would probably save time and trouble.
As I get on in years, I much prefer tinkering with existing old cars that need fettling rather than build from scratch.
But whilst I struggle with compulsory details (like a windscreen) I really enjoy the pointless details.
For this one, the selected driver's head was obviously clean shaven, (unlike Henri), so I cut bits of a glasses cleaning cloth and stuck them to his face.
It looks better than a painted on beard.

Joel

 

[gus3049]

He looks like he uses the same scissors as I do.

 

[merkit the grof]

A bit of a stressful afternoon at Merkit towers.
But, first "How to make your own decals" part 1.
Take a bit of clear decal, spray your favourite colour, buy a hole punch of a suitable size and make as many "meatballs" as you need.

You can also cut the decal into strips.
In this case, an 8mm dayglow strip on top of a 10mm white one (steady hand required).

Joel