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Post by nuvolari on Sept 6, 2012 12:38:13 GMT -5
In France there was a man called Alexandre Darracq, He started a business as a bicycle maker in the neighbourhoods of Paris. Then when the car industry started to develop, he became one of the first pioneers in the industry. The secret to his success was the know-how he had on plate assembly and chassis building. Soon his success became so big, that he started to make joint ventures with other industrials like Adam Opel. He opened factories in Italy, Spain and the UK. And you can see him today as the grandfather of Alfa Romeo, Opel(Vauxhall), Talbot, Sunbeam and a few more. So I thought why not make a homage to him and build a Darracq. And I think one of his most known creations was the Darracq 200Hp. It was ones the fastest machine on earth's, faster than any train or aeroplane. The car broke all records in Europe and the USA. This monster, a mighty V8 block mounted on a chassis, still exist today, although I believe the engine is the only original feature on the car. Anyway I found this footage on YouTube: Part one: Part two: The model I've build is a fully scratch build made almost 90% brass. The only things that where bought, are the lovely wheels that where made by Peter, although the wheels weren't meant for this type of car, the number of pokes aren't correct. Peter came with a last minute rescue, after failure of a wheel that I made from old inserts that I still had in stock. The problem was that the metal the spokes where made of was just to weak for an open wheel. Wherefore many thanks Peter for helping me out  The other thing that where bought is the electrical motor, the gear from SCX, the guide from Scalextrics and two resin figures from PJ Productions. Here are a few Photos, you'll see some parts sitting strange, this is because some parts will only be fitted after the model is painted. Also a few parts need to be finished, but you'll get the idea what it will become.        Cheers, Danny |
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Sept 6, 2012 17:12:27 GMT -5
Wow!
Well, this is the Scratchbuild Forum, and yet another excellent example of scratchbuilding is revealed.
Engineering or art? Both I think....
Peter.
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Post by munter on Sept 7, 2012 0:27:59 GMT -5
Engineering or art? Both I think....
Amen to that
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Sept 8, 2012 0:40:28 GMT -5
Danny, very special my friend.
Many on this forum seems scared to praise other people's work but I have to say that this is by FAR the best build on here so far. In a league of its own.
Just love those radiator coils. Excellent.
Now can I suggest you get some brass HO scale gears from Wizzard in the US.
When you come in a couple of weeks please bring this as I need to see it first hand. I'll show you these gears as I think you'll like them.
Cheers
Andi
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Post by Mark Huber on Sept 9, 2012 8:43:56 GMT -5
Danny, This is amazing. It's a model that I wished there were about 6 dozen, "How I built this along the way" pictures as well! Not that I'd ever be able to come close to following your lead of course. What you have posted is wonderful. Two questions: 1) Is it running? and 2) Is this a Grand Prix car? The video clips are great. By the way, I really like it unpainted... Perhaps you should make two?  Brilliant work Danny. |
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Post by nuvolari on Sept 9, 2012 18:19:40 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the nice words to my work. But I also have to say don't forget to congratulate Peter on the beautiful wheels he made for this car. He really helped me to give the car the open rim look it deserved. First I tried to make my own wheels with old inserts I had in stock, but the metal, the spikes where made of, where to week, and the whole wheel project that took me two hole days in preparation, went into the drain. But this was learning money. I think one should also show the failures in a build so here are the wheels I made first.   @andi The car will normally be ready before we come, so I'll bring it with me. mark1) Is it running?Yes, it is running, I've done yesterday some trails and I have to say it's very good balaced on the track, I'm very pleased with the result. 2) Is this a Grand Prix car?The title "Grand Prix" didn't exist in 1905 then it was called "the 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup" or "the Keizer Preis", and yes it was nominated for the Gordon Bennett Cup but was withdrawn for engine problems. It also took part in hill climbs, but it's main purpose was speed breaking, and in this discipline it made it's name. Mind you, this was the fastest vehicle on earth at it's time faster than any train or airplane. It definitely wasn't a family touring car. And also, this car was technically quite advanced, it had a proper gear and was not chain driven as most of it's contemporaries. Actually it has all the features of a modern car, quite an incredible machine this was. At the moment the car is fully dismantled an sand blasted, except for the water an fuel tank who stay brass colored. Tomorrow the primer coat will go on. Cheers, Danny |
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Post by Chris Wright on Sept 9, 2012 19:32:09 GMT -5
Most excellent work Danny keep it up!  |
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1500gp
Joakim Bonnier
Posts: 40
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Post by 1500gp on Sept 10, 2012 8:42:49 GMT -5
Wow, what a beautiful model, Danny ...  Please, how did you the radiator ? ... |
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Post by nuvolari on Sept 10, 2012 13:38:57 GMT -5
Hi Frederic,
Making the radiator is simple but it take a lot of time.
You start by making a simple tool. Take a plank about 30 Cm long 2Cm thick. Take two nails about 10 to 15 Cm long. Knock each nail on one side of the plank in.
Than I took 0.3 mm bras wire, and span it firmly in between the nails.
Than I took an small old broken electric motor and took out the copper wiring (recycling is one of my favourites).
Than I solder the copper wire to one end of the brass wire just to keep it in place. And than you start winding the copper wire over the brass wire, very therapeutic I've to say ;D.
When you reached the end you put on liquid solder paste all over the wire and solder the whole thing as one to prevent it from unraveling.
Than you mill out of brass plate the shape of the radiator lay in your radiator wire and solder the hole thing together with liquid soldering paste.
Simple but a lot of work.
Cheers,
Danny
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Post by Mark Huber on Sept 10, 2012 18:30:32 GMT -5
Hi Frederic, Making the radiator is simple Cheers, Danny Yes Danny, that's easy for you to say... What a car. |
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1500gp
Joakim Bonnier
Posts: 40
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Post by 1500gp on Sept 11, 2012 9:40:25 GMT -5
Hi Frederic, Making the radiator is simple Cheers, Danny Yes Danny, that's easy for you to say... Thanks Mark ....  Danny, I think that I've understoud ... I'll try this technic on a radiator for a De Dietrich 1905 ... |
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Post by nuvolari on Sept 12, 2012 20:46:49 GMT -5
Hi Frederic,  Is this the Dietrich 1905 you where referring to? If so, I don't think this way to make the radiator is the best option. I got some better materials here that you could use, PM me if you're interested. Have you got an idea what to do with the chain? Cheers, Danny |
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1500gp
Joakim Bonnier
Posts: 40
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Post by 1500gp on Sept 13, 2012 8:27:51 GMT -5
Oops, sorry danny, this is a De Dietrich 1903 ...  I just have this Airfix model build in the 70s to convert into a slot car ... my first problem is : how do I do for the wheels ? ...   |
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Sept 13, 2012 17:00:44 GMT -5
Hi Fred.
A look at the pictures of both full sized car and model show big differences. The depth of the wheel rim on the model is far too great, indeed the rims on the model appear to be far too small.
For my Bugatti models, I used the original plastic wheels, much modified, and have had no problems with them.
If you wish to produce wheels for this car, or even modify the existing wheels on the model, you must posess a lathe and a many hours to spare.
Bon chance, Peter.
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Post by nuvolari on Sept 15, 2012 20:44:31 GMT -5
Hi Fred,
I agree with Peter, you definitely need a lathe to make those wheels and a lot of time.
But I also think that your problem doesn't stop with the wheels alone, finding and fitting a motor and gear in, is an other challenge.
Were you planning to use that model you've got there, or just use it as a model for a total scratch build?
Those Airfix kit are becoming more rare from day to day.
I've got a on build kit of the Mercedes 1904. I'm still searching for the Loraine Dietrich an Darracq of that era, but the ones I've found on E-bay are to expensive for what they are.
I've planed that when I'm going to build that Mercedes (not for this year), that I'm going to replace the whole chassis, with a scratch build brass chassis. Something I also plan to do with the other cars, when and if I find them at a decent price.
I was planning to make similar wheels for the Mercedes in brass, but this is also uncharted territory for me, we'll see how this works out. Perhaps we can find a solution to your Loraine Dietrich problem.
The problem in particular for me, is the time it would cost me to make the spokes. Best thing would be to find someone who hat a CNC lathe, and be able to make those spokes in a small series.
Cheers,
Danny
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