Brabham BT45

[2whl]

I got this kit for my birthday this year, and since I've working on it lately, I thought I'd start a WIP.  In case you hadn't noticed yet, I jump around between a lot of builds as the mood strikes me.  Sometimes I run into a snag and put it aside while my brain contemplates a solution.   Other times it's just a hankering to do a F1 car or a motorcycle.  Or a GT car.  But it's pretty much always something to do with motorsport.

The kit is a MFH 1/12th version of the Brabham BT45 than ran at Long Beach in 1976.  First off is opening the box.






Then I got the resin pieces together for a first look at the shape.  Kind of a little tease to keep me going.




If you noticed in the box picture, all of the white metal parts come in bags sorted by size and weight.  For instance, all of the delicate and thin parts are in one bag.  Then another bag will be large heavy parts.  That means I get to go to the MFH site and download pics of the parts.  I have them printed at 11X17 so the parts are the same size as the image.  Then I sort them into their respective steps.




Another thing I've learned about these kits, is that you have to pre-assemble the major components to ensure that everything will line up.






As always, any comments, questions or suggestions are welcome

[keavdog]

Oh wow this will be fun to watch. Some day I'll treat myself to one of their kits. As for the subject - always loved the look of this car with those monster meats out back. Following!

[kyledehart5]

Every car looks good with sponsorship from Martini and Rossi. Whether they are white, red or even green it’s an iconic livery. Love this Brabham, really all the cars from that era. Look forward to seeing it go together

[deafpanzer]

You are off to a great start! You definitely will have my attention too.

[handiabled]

Bookmarked this one!!

[406 Silverado]

TOTALLY missed this one. Got 'er bookmarked now.....

[project510]

Thanks for the heads up on the MP4/5 from MFH Paul, I blew it and waited too long so I missed out. Cant wait to see this come to life!

[2whl]

Nov 25, 2023 15:24:46 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Oh wow this will be fun to watch. Some day I'll treat myself to one of their kits. As for the subject - always loved the look of this car with those monster meats out back. Following!

I've seen your work.  You could definitely do one of these kits justice.  That era of F1 with the sprint car look was a great one.

Nov 25, 2023 22:44:35 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Every car looks good with sponsorship from Martini and Rossi. Whether they are white, red or even green it’s an iconic livery. Love this Brabham, really all the cars from that era. Look forward to seeing it go together

Thank Kyle

Nov 26, 2023 11:15:23 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

You are off to a great start! You definitely will have my attention too.

Welcome to the party

Nov 26, 2023 11:47:11 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Bookmarked this one!!

Thanks

Nov 29, 2023 9:12:40 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

TOTALLY missed this one. Got 'er bookmarked now.....

Darn.....and here I thought I was able to slide it past you....LOL

Nov 29, 2023 11:35:11 GMT -5 project510 said:

Thanks for the heads up on the MP4/5 from MFH Paul, I blew it and waited too long so I missed out. Cant wait to see this come to life!

It does say that they are doing another production run.  I don't know how many they do in a run, but I usually jump on it as soon as I see they release a kit.  A couple of years ago, it would take them months to sell a run.  But now they're so popular it's only days.   The Cobra Daytona pre-sold out the first and most of the second run.


I got the main interior pieces through the pin polisher and some primer on the bodywork.








Now that color is on the engine block, I need to install all of these rivets.   


170

[tcoat]

Time to call Rosie.

[406 Silverado]

Off to a great start on this one Paul!!

BTW....there's not much you can get past me.

[kyledehart5]

Already progressing nicely!!

[deafpanzer]

Sweet! Pulling my chair here now...

[handiabled]

Great start! That's definitely a load of rivets to put in

[2whl]

That was way too many rivets for just the engine.  I did manage to lose a couple, but left them off in places no one will be able to see.





Got some color laid down.  I first primered with Tamiya fine grey.  The I used Tamiya Pure Red TS-86.





Getting the front radiator mount pieces. fitted up.  The main pieces are double thick p/e. 


251

[project510]

It looks like a lot of difficult work, but the results are wonderful. The detail is awesome.

[deafpanzer]

WOW! Good thing there were too many rivets for us to count so you are safe! The engine really looks great!!!

[kyledehart5]

Paul, this is going to be one gorgeous model when you are done. Beautiful work, my friend.

[406 Silverado]

Dec 6, 2023 12:39:15 GMT -5 2whl said:

That was way too many rivets for just the engine.  I did manage to lose a couple, but left them off in places no one will be able to see.





Got some color laid down.  I first primered with Tamiya fine grey.  The I used Tamiya Pure Red TS-86.





Getting the front radiator mount pieces. fitted up.  The main pieces are double thick p/e. 


251

I can't get over the level of detail just in the engine alone!!! WOW!!!! Man that is crazy right there Paul. Beautiful progress on this one buddy.

[2whl]

I've just realized I've been leaving out my inspiration photos that I usually post with the updates.

Dec 6, 2023 13:31:21 GMT -5 project510 said:

It looks like a lot of difficult work, but the results are wonderful. The detail is awesome.

Thank you James

Dec 6, 2023 14:23:17 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

WOW! Good thing there were too many rivets for us to count so you are safe! The engine really looks great!!!

Thanks for the compliment Andy 

Dec 6, 2023 15:29:59 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Paul, this is going to be one gorgeous model when you are done. Beautiful work, my friend.

Thank you Kyle

Dec 8, 2023 19:07:23 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I can't get over the level of detail just in the engine alone!!! WOW!!!! Man that is crazy right there Paul. Beautiful progress on this one buddy.

Thanks Joe.  Being 1/12th helps with the detail.


Since the bodywork got painted, I posed the pieces up for a glamour picture





I've been working on getting color on various sub-assemblies.  Here is the start of the transmission and rear suspension.




I also got further along on the front radiators.  I can't believe I was able to get the support rods the right length




A start on the fuel distributor.  12 cylinders and .4mm fuel line strains the eyeballs

[project510]

Did you color those lines yourself? Or purchase them that color? If so from where and what do you use?

[keavdog]

Dec 13, 2023 17:08:57 GMT -5 2whl said:

I've just realized I've been leaving out my inspiration photos that I usually post with the updates.

Awesome - tiny thing not much bigger than a go-kart.

[handiabled]

Just caught up here and this build isn't missing a beat. The detail in this is outstanding and you are doing masterful work with it

[2whl]

Dec 13, 2023 18:10:16 GMT -5 project510 said:

Did you color those lines yourself? Or purchase them that color? If so from where and what do you use?

James, the lines came with the kit.  But if you want to purchase some, go here.  

[project510]

Dec 14, 2023 9:42:39 GMT -5 2whl said:

Dec 13, 2023 18:10:16 GMT -5 project510 said:

Did you color those lines yourself? Or purchase them that color? If so from where and what do you use?

James, the lines came with the kit.  But if you want to purchase some, go here.  

That's where I currently get it from! I just wasn't happy with the tint of the orange. Yours looks spot on so I thought maybe you did it yourself. Thanks anyways Paul!

[2whl]

Dec 14, 2023 12:03:39 GMT -5 project510 said:

Dec 14, 2023 9:42:39 GMT -5 2whl said:

James, the lines came with the kit.  But if you want to purchase some, go here.  

That's where I currently get it from! I just wasn't happy with the tint of the orange. Yours looks spot on so I thought maybe you did it yourself. Thanks anyways Paul!

Try their yellow.  I had some and it looked just like the MFH stuff

[paddy]

Just spent a while catching up here, great thread. Not come across MFH before, bit out of my league but great to watch.

[2whl]

Dec 14, 2023 3:10:52 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Just caught up here and this build isn't missing a beat. The detail in this is outstanding and you are doing masterful work with it

Thank you Brent

Dec 15, 2023 15:28:31 GMT -5 paddy said:

Just spent a while catching up here, great thread. Not come across MFH before, bit out of my league but great to watch.

Thanks paddy.  MFH(Model Factory Hiro) is a small Japanese company that does limited runs of cars in resin and white metal.  Some would say a bit pricey.  But I've seen many who have spent more adding aftermarket pieces to their kits.



I got two things done lately.  First, I de-cluttered my area enough to be able to use my photo booth.  Then I got the front suspension started enough to join the top and bottom chassis pieces.




546

[kyledehart5]

Man, Paul. Chassis looks unbelievably nice already. That red with the aluminum and the details of the suspension. Just wonderful stuff.

[paddy]

Ahh we have a shop here in England called hiroboy so that explains it

www.hiroboy.com/

[kyledehart5]

Dec 16, 2023 18:03:45 GMT -5 paddy said:

Ahh we have a shop here in England called hiroboy so that explains it

www.hiroboy.com/

I've ordered aftermarket decals from those folks before. I'd probably order more stuff, but shipping across the pond, you know.