Post by Andrew Rowland on Apr 11, 2017 7:31:26 GMT -5
I thought i'd have a look at some of the Classic shells I have but have never built. Effectively the scale accuracy of some of the early '70's shells varies as some seem to have been designed for larger can motors than others. It is not a consistent evolution in time, each body being different.
I am looking at the BRM P153 and the Mclaren M19C. Starting with the BRM.
I decided a cut and shut might work if I cut the body up in enough ways. Not sure why I took this on as it would almost certainly have been better to start with the Scaley 1970's body but I just hate reworking old Scaley bodies..... its a collectors thing!
Anyway the real car has this gorgeous curve of the side pods which is very thin when viewed from the front. This curve tapers towards the front and the whole form is quite 'messy' at the front.
I marked up the shell.... a number of times....
And began by cutting it across to reduce the length by about 4mm
Checking back with the plans this got me within about 1mm overlength in the nose which I decided to leave
I then embarked on narrowing the shell. It needed about 6mm less in the nose and tail but about 10mm at the side pod positions. I started by cutting up the nose diagonally towards the front of the cockpit where my cross cut was. After each cut I then reglue to ensure the original form is retained and everything is square.
Two things can be seen after assembly here:
1. The nose has been cut and reformed, the cockpit has been narrowed significantly to match the 6mm and the gearbox has also been narrowed.
2. The side pods were cut off and rotated in from the front to give further narrowing in the central area. In total I removed around 8 of the 10mm over width.
This internal shot gives a better idea of the jigsaw it has become. I intend to re glass fibre mat it but haven't found any locally....
Compared to the Mclaren which was a similar size at the outset one can see how much smaller the body now is.
I am currently working on getting the undercut of the body right as the shell is far too slab sided towards the front.
I added some strips of plasticard inside the body, glued on with superglue and this allowed me to start sculpting the form underneath.
I added some rough filler to close up the obvious imperfections and then gave it a quick spray so that it is easier to see the form.
I then took a long hard look and decided it didn't look at all like the BRM P153! I thought a bit and then thought some more and nearly chucked it in the bin..... then I did some more research and decided that while it will never be perfect maybe, just maybe I could save it.....
A little progress....
The BRM then got cleaned up....
Simultaneously I acted on the Mclaren thanks to someone helping me out with the plans.....
Neither are perfect but do now recall the real cars, well enough for me anyway.
Slowly getting there. The front wings are made from plasticard and have a length of piano wire running through the body to hold them on.
Hoping to get some high build undercoat on today. Gone for Halfords spray cans for these builds in order to match the colours better.
I am as always going to struggle with decals. I will be going for unusual liveries for these two.....
Cheers
Andi
I am looking at the BRM P153 and the Mclaren M19C. Starting with the BRM.
I decided a cut and shut might work if I cut the body up in enough ways. Not sure why I took this on as it would almost certainly have been better to start with the Scaley 1970's body but I just hate reworking old Scaley bodies..... its a collectors thing!
Anyway the real car has this gorgeous curve of the side pods which is very thin when viewed from the front. This curve tapers towards the front and the whole form is quite 'messy' at the front.
I marked up the shell.... a number of times....
And began by cutting it across to reduce the length by about 4mm
Checking back with the plans this got me within about 1mm overlength in the nose which I decided to leave
I then embarked on narrowing the shell. It needed about 6mm less in the nose and tail but about 10mm at the side pod positions. I started by cutting up the nose diagonally towards the front of the cockpit where my cross cut was. After each cut I then reglue to ensure the original form is retained and everything is square.
Two things can be seen after assembly here:
1. The nose has been cut and reformed, the cockpit has been narrowed significantly to match the 6mm and the gearbox has also been narrowed.
2. The side pods were cut off and rotated in from the front to give further narrowing in the central area. In total I removed around 8 of the 10mm over width.
This internal shot gives a better idea of the jigsaw it has become. I intend to re glass fibre mat it but haven't found any locally....
Compared to the Mclaren which was a similar size at the outset one can see how much smaller the body now is.
I am currently working on getting the undercut of the body right as the shell is far too slab sided towards the front.
I added some strips of plasticard inside the body, glued on with superglue and this allowed me to start sculpting the form underneath.
I added some rough filler to close up the obvious imperfections and then gave it a quick spray so that it is easier to see the form.
I then took a long hard look and decided it didn't look at all like the BRM P153! I thought a bit and then thought some more and nearly chucked it in the bin..... then I did some more research and decided that while it will never be perfect maybe, just maybe I could save it.....
A little progress....
The BRM then got cleaned up....
Simultaneously I acted on the Mclaren thanks to someone helping me out with the plans.....
Neither are perfect but do now recall the real cars, well enough for me anyway.
Slowly getting there. The front wings are made from plasticard and have a length of piano wire running through the body to hold them on.
Hoping to get some high build undercoat on today. Gone for Halfords spray cans for these builds in order to match the colours better.
I am as always going to struggle with decals. I will be going for unusual liveries for these two.....
Cheers
Andi
)
Taffy
