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Post by Mark Huber on Jun 7, 2014 11:40:14 GMT -5
This is uncharted territory for me. I've chosen the 1973 Ferrari 312B3 as driven by Jacky Ickx above for several reasons: - I've been building some red cars this past year and have plenty of Tamiya Italian Red and Tamiya Bright Red paint
- The Ferrari has wings (of course), but it does not have the ugly air box (at least not the version I'll be building)
- Sponsorship logos/stickers are minimal.
- Most importantly, an attractive body shell is available, and I'll talk more about that once mine arrives.
A bit about the prototype (with my edits/comments) from formula1.ferrari.com/:At the end of 1972, Ferrari was looking for new solutions in terms of aerodynamics, which were the basis for the first version of the 312 B3 (called “snowplow” due to the form of its nose. This version was never raced in championship events.
Ferrari introduced a full aluminum monocoque without an internal tubular steel structure in the 312 B3. “Periscope” air inlets were a novelty, and there were some new parts also in the front of the car (?), while the engine and the suspension were rather similar to the previous model.
The 312 B3 was less competitive than the B2 (!) and Scuderia Ferrari scored only 15 Constructor Championship points in 1973, some of which were with the earlier B2 raced prior to the Spanish Grand Prix.
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Jun 7, 2014 15:07:42 GMT -5
Yes this was a car designed by Colombo and indeed was a bit of a disaster. Enzo was ill at the time and perhaps the team wasn't under full control. His absence meant that FIat took control and under the leadership of Bellicardi, Colombo was brought in. The B2 was run earlier in the season and then the B3 in this guise quite briefly for a few races. In the middle of the season Enzo's health improved and Colombo suddenly fell from grace and Forghieri (who had been dispatched not that long before) was brought back from exile. He immediately converted the car and gave it the 'ugly' (subjective, note) air box. At that point it immediately got a 6th place with Merzario at the wheel.
Interestingly the monocoque was built by Thompson in England (i'm not actually sure who they were but so tells the story of Forghieri himself...)
Great choice Mark, boy i'm looking forward to this build.
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Post by Mark Huber on Jun 7, 2014 17:44:16 GMT -5
The caption on a picture of the 312B3 in my copy of Formula 1 in Camera 1970-79 stated: "The rules in 1973 allowed extended front and rear wing overhangs, and very effective they were too." I am going to have to study some of Andi's builds to learn how to hang a wing that far off the back. I haven't built any car with a wing, let alone one that hangs two feet (.75 meter?) or more behind the rear wheel center. I have visions of my plastic or resin wing flying off quite soon after the first race commences. Oy!
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Post by f143 on Jun 7, 2014 21:10:49 GMT -5
Hard to believe now I was at Monaco to see the car in the top photo. No memory of being impressed by it at the time, and I liked Ferrari's. Regards Nigel
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Post by Mark Huber on Jun 11, 2014 8:50:47 GMT -5
I had my first view (by photo) of the shell that Simon just cast for me. I understand there are some other bits and pieces that will arrive with the shell. I'm looking forward to this build. I also found a lovely blueprint:
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Post by Mark Huber on Jun 11, 2014 9:32:33 GMT -5
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Post by Mark Huber on Jun 13, 2014 13:04:56 GMT -5
PS. For Beardog. Note the ground clearance. Private joke.
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Post by Mark Huber on Jun 27, 2014 9:51:25 GMT -5
The shell from Simon* arrived yesterday afternoon. I'm very pleased with the dimensions, overall shape and quality of the casting. I suppose I'll start carving this evening. * Simon goes by the screen name DNQ on SlotForum International. I'm not sure why Simon chose to mould and cast this rather unsuccessful car. But I'm glad he did. The prototype certainly looked much better than it performed, but there are quite a few racing cars about which that could be said. I haven't crunched the numbers and I'm not inclined to at this point, but I am fairly certain that the % of 1970s F1 prototypes that have been replicated in 1/32 scale is far lower than for 1960s prototypes... here were so many more models in the 70s of course.
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Jul 1, 2014 7:28:26 GMT -5
I haven't crunched the numbers and I'm not inclined to at this point, but I am fairly certain that the % of 1970s F1 prototypes that have been replicated in 1/32 scale is far lower than for 1960s prototypes... here were so many more models in the 70s of course. And that is why we are so thankful to people like Simon who make these great bodies of course....
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Post by Mark Huber on Jul 6, 2014 14:33:05 GMT -5
I'll have to go for something simple with respect to the chassis.. never built one with a 78mm wheelbase before. But I can't do that until I get the proper wheels and tires. Stocking for the 70s! Arrrrgh..
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Post by Mark Huber on Jul 20, 2014 16:23:44 GMT -5
I've fitted the shell to a basic wire and brass chassis. There's a lot more room in these big cars.. that's good, I appreciate the extra 'margin of error'. Now I have to go check out some threads and find a good 'how to make wings' guide'.
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Jul 21, 2014 15:25:35 GMT -5
You might find one of those on my Facebook page Mark! Interesting choice of tyres there.... and we really need to see this "basic wire and brass chassis" don't we?
Andi
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Jul 21, 2014 15:31:54 GMT -5
I'm liking your driver's visor by the way Mark - that's pretty original! Not seen or done that! Well done.
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Post by Mark Huber on Oct 26, 2014 13:07:35 GMT -5
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Oct 27, 2014 3:02:58 GMT -5
Loving those wheels Mark, what are they? Glad to see its coming along. Keep us posted. Andi
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