1/12 Tipo 159M Model Factory Hiro (MFH)
Discussion
Ok - I'm going to add some WIP (Work In Progress) threads on here as well. I have them on some other modelling sites, but it is always good to get a variety of views, tips and advice.
Model Factory Hiro produce 'mixed media' kits in Japan. I discovered them by reading forum like this! Fatal - they are expensive (if you go 1/12 like I am) and beautiful. You can build Out of the Box, or add even more detail. Resin, white metal, rubber, wires, clear, turned, decals, mesh etc etc.
Man maths says that while I am living and working in NYC, I'm not using my 7 in the UK, not buying fuel, tyres or trackdays! So I'll buy models...not sure how well it stands up, but what the hell. If anyone (partner!) asks, its 'about $120'...
I've stuck to F1 cars up to now, and seem to be collecting Senna cars. I'll start other WIP's on those.
I've started a few and started on the engines - I want to do some photo's of all the engines lined up, in the future. The engines are works of art in themselves, and get buried on the kits when complete. In fact, MFH have just released a range of 'engine only' kits.
But there was something about this kit and era of cars - you don't see many kits of this era for one...
Couldn't resist. Wanted to, but I also really wanted to get an F1 car from this era, and missed the 1/20 scale. Darn
Anyway - this won't be quick, as I am already in the middle of other builds - but as this kit has just been released, I figured some may be interested to see the kit in more detail.
So although I don't want to become someone who posts pictures of the 'unboxing' of a set of new headphones or something, the first few posts will indeed be the 'unboxing' of this kit!
-taken at Goodwood FofS a few years back...
Usual MFH instruction booklet - quite a few pages.
Some very nice PE - but I wish they were the ones mounted on some sort of rubber/plastic backing and didn't have the little joining pieces of metal to file off - these are tiny, but there are a hell of a lot of them - especially for that grill!
Decals...
Model Factory Hiro produce 'mixed media' kits in Japan. I discovered them by reading forum like this! Fatal - they are expensive (if you go 1/12 like I am) and beautiful. You can build Out of the Box, or add even more detail. Resin, white metal, rubber, wires, clear, turned, decals, mesh etc etc.
Man maths says that while I am living and working in NYC, I'm not using my 7 in the UK, not buying fuel, tyres or trackdays! So I'll buy models...not sure how well it stands up, but what the hell. If anyone (partner!) asks, its 'about $120'...
I've stuck to F1 cars up to now, and seem to be collecting Senna cars. I'll start other WIP's on those.
I've started a few and started on the engines - I want to do some photo's of all the engines lined up, in the future. The engines are works of art in themselves, and get buried on the kits when complete. In fact, MFH have just released a range of 'engine only' kits.
But there was something about this kit and era of cars - you don't see many kits of this era for one...
Couldn't resist. Wanted to, but I also really wanted to get an F1 car from this era, and missed the 1/20 scale. Darn
Anyway - this won't be quick, as I am already in the middle of other builds - but as this kit has just been released, I figured some may be interested to see the kit in more detail.
So although I don't want to become someone who posts pictures of the 'unboxing' of a set of new headphones or something, the first few posts will indeed be the 'unboxing' of this kit!
-taken at Goodwood FofS a few years back...
Usual MFH instruction booklet - quite a few pages.
Some very nice PE - but I wish they were the ones mounted on some sort of rubber/plastic backing and didn't have the little joining pieces of metal to file off - these are tiny, but there are a hell of a lot of them - especially for that grill!
Decals...
I am frustrated by the MFH packaging for such an expensive kit - the very thin white metal rods and pipes get bent in this clingfilm packaging. I've found this in all their kits. They do however replace any broken bits right away...
Annnnnyway...bags of bits...
Lots and lots of metal = lots of cleaning and finishing. May be the time to invest in one of those cleaning tub things!
castings look very nice - a little bit of flash around, and some prominent split lines which are pretty visible on some of the smaller round-section parts - still, these multi-media kits always need extra work...
Lots of prime candidates for replacing cast nuts and bolts...
Drum brake cooling fins...
And now the resin parts...
Engine block, components and seat - which will be covered with fabric.
Bodywork consists of nose cone, rear 'cone', bonnet and side panels...
In that last shot you can see a wheel - these are beautifully made - turned ali, ready for threading the spokes - and rubber tyres complete with Pirelli logo... I've popped the tyres on the rims just for these photos - they may be on the wrong way round...
...very nice.
Usual bag of wires, rivets, cables and fittings.
And these tiny guys - I'm guessing these are the needles on the dash dials.
Belly pan and half the chassis...
Looking at pictures of the 1/20 models, for me the highlight is the chassis. It quite simply looks beautiful all exposed. I am seriously considering doing a cut-away model - or rather a model that has the bodywork removed on one half (longitudinally that is)
On this car more than any other is seems criminal to hide the chassis, engine and fittings..
...and that is about it! As I mentioned I have a few of these 1/12 kits in progress, so will no doubt jump around a bit. As many also know, finding time to sit down and spend a few hours is the toughest part.
Annnnnyway...bags of bits...
Lots and lots of metal = lots of cleaning and finishing. May be the time to invest in one of those cleaning tub things!
castings look very nice - a little bit of flash around, and some prominent split lines which are pretty visible on some of the smaller round-section parts - still, these multi-media kits always need extra work...
Lots of prime candidates for replacing cast nuts and bolts...
Drum brake cooling fins...
And now the resin parts...
Engine block, components and seat - which will be covered with fabric.
Bodywork consists of nose cone, rear 'cone', bonnet and side panels...
In that last shot you can see a wheel - these are beautifully made - turned ali, ready for threading the spokes - and rubber tyres complete with Pirelli logo... I've popped the tyres on the rims just for these photos - they may be on the wrong way round...
...very nice.
Usual bag of wires, rivets, cables and fittings.
And these tiny guys - I'm guessing these are the needles on the dash dials.
Belly pan and half the chassis...
Looking at pictures of the 1/20 models, for me the highlight is the chassis. It quite simply looks beautiful all exposed. I am seriously considering doing a cut-away model - or rather a model that has the bodywork removed on one half (longitudinally that is)
On this car more than any other is seems criminal to hide the chassis, engine and fittings..
...and that is about it! As I mentioned I have a few of these 1/12 kits in progress, so will no doubt jump around a bit. As many also know, finding time to sit down and spend a few hours is the toughest part.
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