Yet another build started - BT46

With multiple challenging builds in progress, I felt I needed something that would go together rather well. I've looked at my line up of completed and in progress models and all I could see were pretty much Lotus, McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari cars. Then I looked through my pile of kits and realized that I have 3 models of Brabham BT46 car variations and I thought Tamiya BT46 would fit the bill perfectly. Having instructions from 1/12 MFH kit as a reference is a big asset for this new build. I also have PE set from Studio27, which looks to be quite useful. I actually managed to get myself hyped about this model quit a bit. First it is different from my usual subjects. Second - it's Tamiya engeniring and should go together well. Third - it's surprisingly detailed and gives a great base for moderately detailed project, which is perfect for my current skill level. Spent last few days gathering references, studding them and MFH's 1/12 kit instructions, and doing my usual build plan. And finally last night I was able to start it. Not much to show at present, just a bunch of parts separated from trees. Going to prep parts and do test assembly next.

CLK-GTR completed

Added seat bets, rear view mirrors and other small exterior/interior items. It's finished as far as I am concerned. May even leave it without tire decals.


Now the photo I had in mind as main reason when I've started CLK-GTR kit. It's the view of 2 leading competitors from FIA 1997 championship.

Significant progress on CLK-GTR

Finally found motivation to get this model back on my modeling table. Trying to finish it before local contest on Saturday. Basically just seat belts, tire decals, windshield wiper, antenna and rear view mirrors are left. Over last week and weekend - painted wheels and windows, brush painted rear lights, added last few items to engine bay, fitted windows and light covers to body, assembled and installed rear wing, attached other body items. Hopefully I will be able to finish it on time and get it out of my pipeline.

Pretty much completed.

Almost finished. Installed side panels, rear view mirrors, rear light. Assembled and installed rear wing and finally added small oil radiator at the rear. Body panels don't fit very well. I'm starting to think it is my painting process that deforms parts. Don't see any other obvious reason. It is missing JPS decals on the monocoque and throttle linkage in front, but it's out of my pipeline for now.






And couple of group photos with its older sister.

Lotus 88 completed

This one is out of my pipeline, as far as I am concerned. Was a fun build and result is not bad.

Started pre-assemblies

I've got to exhaust assembly last night. Parts D1 and D2 should swap places. D4 fits properly into D1, not D2. And D9 was fitted onto D2, after I cut a bit on material from D2's protrusion, which D9 fits over. Beside that D1 has small diameter protrusion near its top, which D3 fits over. So, definitely a small mistake in instructions. However, it shouldn't be that difficult to figure out, if you do test pre-assembly. I've learned to do it for plastic kits almost as must as i do for multi-media ones.

Test fit of exhaust and turbo parts the way I managed to put them together.


Started doing pre-assemblies before primer and painting. Next I will have to do quite a bit of putty and prep work before I could primer parts.

Clean up and test pre-assembly continue

Continued with parts clean up and test fit assembly. I can already see upper body not seating well in front. Looks like floor is bent a bit upwards in the middle. But upper body also seems to be bent downward in about middle. So, either nose section or rear section have to be pushed down to close gap. Not sure what to do about it. Never tried to bend plastic parts before.

Brabham BT52 Monaco 1983 Nelson Piquet build started

After 4 weeks waiting for it to arrive, finally received my kit yesterday and started it last night. Plan is to build it OOB with additions from detail set and some extra wiring and piping based on MFH's 1/12 instructions.

Just started detaching parts from plastic trees. removing panel lines and cleaning them. Will do test fit pre-assembly next, while glueing some parts together and puttying seems before paint.

Quick shot of current state.