1968 Matra MS 10

[Mark Huber]

It's time to start thinking (notice the choice of verbs) about this autumn's car.





The Penelope Pitlane shell is very nicely crafted. I'm going to keep the rear shocks (they are tucked in there but not visible) and perhaps the exhaust headers. I will replace the resin injection trumpets with ferrules. I have already cut out the rocker arm; I think a brass piece will look much better.

This low rider will never pass technical inspection, but that's an easy fix-- even for me.

If any of you could provide suggestions for some good wheels as well as the appropriate urethane or rubber tires, I would be most grateful. Note: rear tire width on wheel must be no more than 11mm.

Many thanks.

[f143]

As usual Mark this is looking very good.
And suggestions for wheels for the GP, well I could cast you some nice made to measure lead ones, and I have some very slippy tires to go with them.
I hope that helps ;D
Regards
Nigel

[Russell Sheldon]

What happens in Autumn, Mark?

[f143]

Ah ha, no SENSIBLE suggestions yet Mark.
What about having a one make tyre for the series, say from Dart.
and they would provide wheels to match?
Only using the one tyre would be like the 60's Grand Prix, before the tyre wars.
All other options being free, motor etc.
Regards
Nigel

[EM]

My copy of the Matra arrived a week or so ago. First I need to comment that Penelope Pitlane did a remarkable job on the shell. It is very detailed. The detail is sharp, well-defined and, where appropriate in very convincing relief against adjacent surfaces.

Nothing is really started yet. It is been sitting on my desk while I ponder an approach. I have noted what Mark is done – cutting out the front suspension arms and the driver and steering wheel. I am undecided. I may cut out the suspension arms and replace them with metal bits as Mark intends to or I may take the easy way and do a bit of sanding and then cover them with Bare Metal Foil. Likewise, the driver figure, while not up to a separate figure is not bad, seems to be in the right position and will maximize space available for the mechanical bits. I think I can do better than the molded in spring/shock units at the rear and their angle seems to me to be a bit off. One thing that is clearly in need of a change (pity, because it is a lovely example of detail molding) is the hoop that I assume is a protector bar that extends rearwards from the gearbox. It is beautifully done and would certainly perish in the first accidental excursion!

The photos that I have show a bit of suspension mounting structure, painted body color, at the rear of the engine. These details are under consideration as is the fate of the molded in injector stacks. The molded in exhaust headers are nicely done and, despite the fact that they do not appear to precisely duplicate the contorted pipes used to achieve even exhaust tuning on the prototype, they will stay A molded rollbar part is supplied. For simple reasons of survival will it will be replaced with wire.

At this point the chassis is a complete unknown because I don't know when, where, or under what rules the model will run. (Come on Mark, let's get started)

Progress to be reported as it occurs.

EM

[formula14kdc]

Speaking of Dart. What is their email address? When I hit their email link to [e-mail] it says Outlook not working. Outlook is working when I go to hotmail. I would like to order some things from him. Thanks.

Kent

[f143]

[e-mail]

Regards
Nigel

[Chris Wright]

Here's the web-sight link.

www.darthobbies.com/index.htm

[Mark Huber]

The Penelope Pitlane shell, while very cleanly modeled, is way too big and way too fat. I know the MS10 was chunky, but it wasn't 30% bigger than every other car on the track.

Accordingly, I performed weight reduction surgery on the shell the other day.

I have not added a picture to this post since my result seems to be more in the manner of Frankenstein's monster rather than the skillful scalpel techniques of Chris Wright or Dave Wisdom (ref BT19 and Ferrari 312B).

After a few hours of sanding, I am now faced with several options:

1) Buy a new Matra shell (might be difficult as I'm pretty sure PP has sold out this model)
2) Break my car in half and try again (I might have it down to a pencil by the time I"m finished)
3) Sub out work to an expert --Chris of course provided me with the proper tips of what to do and not to do after I had attacked the MS10 with my Dremel)
4) Start working on the BRM.

[Andrew Rowland]

Why do they do that Mark?

If you're going to ALL the not inconsiderable trouble of producing a shell why not just check a few, not too difficult to find dimensions?

It really gets on my nerves. If I was you i'd send it back, say that although you've completely destroyed it, it was their fault for selling something wrong and ask for a refund.....

Sorry, only joking, did I exaggerate?
Anyway, see Dave Wisdom's 312B post to see how one should go about reducing things.

Poor Chris probably doesn't need you asking him all those questions right now!!

Love
Andi

[Mark Huber]

Well thank you for that vote of confidence Andrew!

Now as to why 'they' do that.. I'm guessing

1) The Matra as cast was an easy fit with an existing PP chassis, or
2) The designer didn't do his homework, or
3) The designer knew it would be much more fun for us if we had to really work at it to make the car look right


After some more sanding and filler today, I think that Frankenstein's monster is startling to look like a fairly successful facelift. The Matra's nose was challenging because of all the bumps, bulges and vents. The Matra is not a sleek car like the Ferrari. I'll give it another shot of primer and keep plugging away. This car is never going to look as beautiful as Dave Wisdom's Ferrari, but it didn't look all that pretty before I started carving.

The width at the cockpit is now 22.9mm--I was advised by EM, who actually took the time and trouble to measure the width from scale plans, that the car should be 22.5mm. I'd like to say that I knew that before I started carving, but I didn't. That will not come as surprise to some folks. Had it been a BRM, I would have measured it very carefully of course.

I did realize that once I started this process, I was going to have to find a new windscreen. Just one more challenge.

Ps: Pictures to follow when the "bandages" come off.

[Mark Huber]

I didn't want to post a picture until I had this shell cleaned up properly, but what the heck. I might as well show the warts.. I hope I'll be able to hide most, okay, some of them. I haven't really begun to do the necessary sanding and touch up with bits of filler here and there.

I am pleased with the size of the car however. Most of you will no doubt recognize that the replacement Cosworth V8 was kitbashed from a Scalextric Lotus 49.. as was the driver. The resin V8 that I carved off the back of the Penelope Pitlane shell must have been 6 or 7 liters too large.

[David Lawson]

I am sorry Mark as this is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted but I wouldn't have started your build with that shell.

That shell looks like a modified version of the old Airfix/MRRC shell and is a bit chunky. I would strongly recommend the Charlie Fitzpatrick shell in his "Classic" range. His version scales very well from the plans in Model Cars magazine, it is the late season version with the high cockpit surround but that is far easier to modify than having to do all the work you are doing.

David

[Mark Huber]

Hi David,

I appreciate the feedback. Buying a Charlie Fitzpatrick shell may be added to the list of options. So far my work on the shell has been limited to a fairly quick and brutal chop and a bit of gluing and sanding. If I can't make the seam (somewhat) invisible, and more importantly even out the contours and vents on the nose, this shell will never see a coat of French Racing Blue. (I have a lot of shells that have met that fate.)

One of the reasons I start relatively early on these projects is that mistakes are inevitable--at least for me. My 2011 GPdM car was shell #2 as was my 2012 VRAA car. At this point, it's still very much up in the air as to what car of mine will arrive in England for the GPd2013. I wouldn't count out a car of a different marque and color!

For EM: Could you mail me a copy of that blueprint you scaled the other day?

[Andrew Rowland]

May 31, 2013 20:10:12 GMT -5 Mark Huber said:

The resin V8 that I carved off the back of the Penelope Pitlane shell must have been 6 or 7 liters too large.

Always good to have an unfair advantage.....

Keep going its lovely!
Andi