Old Tamiya 1/20 F1's I've resurrected....

[Nicholas Blair]

Found some old completed/semi completed kits from almost 20 years ago. I need to do a bit of touching up as they are showing their age, but was great to come across them again and revive some old memories of going to proper racing and of course building some great models.

Berger 1990 McLaren
Mansell 89? Ferrari
Schumacher 92 Benetton
Part built 107B Lotus
Leyton House March '88?
Can't find the MP4/7 92 McLaren, although the box is there with piant brushes in it.

Hope you like them....

Photos

[dr_gn]

Nice collection. I put all mine in a couple of long perspex cases - the look great lined up together; what they lack in refinement they make up for in numbers.

Strange my Leyton House says "Autoglass" on the airbox, not "Carglass".

[fatboy69]

Mine says Autoglass as well although the unbuilt, unopened, kit I have in the cupboard says Carglass on the box art-work!

[The_Jackal]

Lovely cars, I remember making the Ferrari when I was younger.
I hate to make a suggestion but have you tried sanding the tyres to remove the seam? It would really add to the realism.

[Nicholas Blair]

The_Jackal said:

Lovely cars, I remember making the Ferrari when I was younger.
I hate to make a suggestion but have you tried sanding the tyres to remove the seam? It would really add to the realism.

Good idea - knocked these together yonks ago and didn't have a clue how to get rid. Think I will start to freshen them up, possibly even get new kits? What's the trick, fine grit sandpaper or suchlike?

Cheers
Nick

[dr_gn]

Nicholas Blair said:

The_Jackal said:

Lovely cars, I remember making the Ferrari when I was younger.
I hate to make a suggestion but have you tried sanding the tyres to remove the seam? It would really add to the realism.

Good idea - knocked these together yonks ago and didn't have a clue how to get rid. Think I will start to freshen them up, possibly even get new kits? What's the trick, fine grit sandpaper or suchlike?

Cheers
Nick

The real tyres of that era had a distinct mould line down their centres anyway, so technically it would be correct for a sticker set.

On my recent Jaguar XJR9 I wanted more of a used look, and I ended up lightly running each tyre on a belt sander to get a consistent surface finish.

[IroningMan]

I carefully clamp the tyres in an arbor and spin them on a drill - no flat-spots.

Lots of black rubber dust, though, so be careful.

You can't apply much pressure, so coarse paper is required.

[kenny Chim 4]

Nicholas Blair said:

Can't find the MP4/7 92 McLaren, although the box is there with piant brushes in it.

Hi Nick, it's a pity you can't find the MP4 as a while ago I found the same kit that I bought years ago but never started. I've since bought (the better) tobacco decal set http://www.escalemodels.com/shop/index.php?l=produ... and intend to use that when I finally put the thing together.

You could remove the existing decals by using this: http://www.relishmodels.co.uk/image.php?object_typ...

and for the red flouerescent areas you could spray using this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamiya-Spray-Paint-TS-36... instead of the kit decals.

I agree with others that the tyres look better with the seam lines removed (by scrubbing against sandpaper).

[Evangelion]

I have the Leyton House (still unbuilt!) and think I'm right in saying that the decal sheet carries both Carglass and Autoglass depending on the race.

[Nicholas Blair]

Thanks for all the replies - will endeavour to sort those tyres out and find the MP4/7!

I also built the Williams (FW12 I think, in Patrese guise), but can't find that one either.

Cheers
Nick

[fatboy69]

I will have to break the seal on the box of my unbuilt Leyton House to find out. Not sure that I want to do that!

[Eric Mc]

fatboy69 said:

I will have to break the seal on the box of my unbuilt Leyton House to find out. Not sure that I want to do that!

Now that is sad. Models are meant for building. Go on - open it.

[fatboy69]

Sad maybe but I think the box will stay sealed for now. As will the Williams FW14, McLaren MP4/6, Porsche 934 & 935 1/12 scale kits.

Looked in the cupboard earlier - there are over 30 unbuilt Tamiya kits as well as a Pocher Testa Rossa.......

[Nicholas Blair]

fatboy69 said:

Sad maybe but I think the box will stay sealed for now. As will the Williams FW14, McLaren MP4/6, Porsche 934 & 935 1/12 scale kits.

Looked in the cupboard earlier - there are over 30 unbuilt Tamiya kits as well as a Pocher Testa Rossa.......

I'm still on the look out for an MP4/6.

[fatboy69]

Mine cost me £65.00 quite a few years ago. Been offered £350.00 for mine but it's not for sale.

On the rare occasions they appear on fleabay the MP4/6 goes for silly money.

[Nicholas Blair]

fatboy69 said:

Mine cost me £65.00 quite a few years ago. Been offered £350.00 for mine but it's not for sale.

On the rare occasions they appear on fleabay the MP4/6 goes for silly money.

Followed a few and have gone for c£150. I'll be patient, one will turn up.

[dr_gn]

fatboy69 said:

Mine cost me £65.00 quite a few years ago. Been offered £350.00 for mine but it's not for sale.

On the rare occasions they appear on fleabay the MP4/6 goes for silly money.

You'll have to hope they don't re-issue it, as they often do with their old models.

Slightly different animal, but Tamiya RC Sand Scorchers and Rough Riders were going for stupid money (£1200+ for a mint Sand Scorcher in box), but then Tamiya decided to re-issue them for about £175, and that as they say, was that.

I got the 1:12 MP4/6 for about £65 probably 12 years ago. I wish I hadn't built it, not becasue of the value today, but becasue I could make a better job of it now. I've even considered partially re-building it with all the aftermarket stuff, but It's a risk.

[IroningMan]

I've acquired a few 1/12 cars on Ebay, including the McLaren and the RE20, don't think I've paid more than £60 or £70 for any of them.