Brabham BT45

[chrissmith]

This will be my attempt to construct the 1/12 Model Factory Hiro Brabham BT45 Press Release, Martini sponsored Powered by Alfa Romeo Driven by Carlos Reutemann…
hopefully you’ll enjoy the journey.

I decided after studying the directions to start in the middle and construct the monocoque instead of the engine and gear box.
as usual lots of drilling of holes dry fitting and a lot of polishing.

[keavdog]

I'm in! Looking forward to this my friend.

[kyledehart5]

Ah, YES! I'm always thrilled to see you starting a new build. This is bound to be a beauty.

[handiabled]

I'll be following this for certain!

[406 Silverado]

I'll be in on this one Chris!!

[chrissmith]

[/url


As per usual a lot of dry fitting needed , I need to make sure everything lines up correctly or the following steps won’t line up .
I probably spent 5 hours yesterday making sure everything good before I start painting the monocoque cover. I do have some
Body work that needs to be done.
I did get quite a bit of polishing done and most of the cockpit is complete.
I do have to remember this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon 😉😁
Thanks for looking 👀

[handiabled]

Nice start! What paint did you use for the metal finish in the tub?

[chrissmith]

May 26, 2024 3:36:48 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Nice start! What paint did you use for the metal finish in the tub?

No paint, it’s polished white metal 😉

[406 Silverado]

May 25, 2024 21:16:55 GMT -5 chrissmith said:

As per usual a lot of dry fitting needed , I need to make sure everything lines up correctly or the following steps won’t line up .
I probably spent 5 hours yesterday making sure everything good before I start painting the monocoque cover. I do have some
Body work that needs to be done.
I did get quite a bit of polishing done and most of the cockpit is complete.
I do have to remember this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon 😉😁
Thanks for looking 👀

I hear you on the test fitting Chris. I can't tell you how many times early on I neglected that part and wound up with BIG things to fix on down the line. Coming together good so far bud.

[chrissmith]

Just a little update, I was able to spend some of the Memorial Day weekend on the Brabham.
After countless hours of getting the upper and lower half’s of the monocoque to fit. I went and did some body work, got it finished up on Sunday. Did a final block sand Monday
and painted it before lunch… after a few hours I put on a mist and then a wet coat of clear. I personally only use Gravity products. I have never had any issues with this stuff.
Yesterday I started to install the martini decals.. this is where it shows I am human, I ruined the first one and now I have to watfor the replacement set from Japan.
So here we are at the moment. I did get the other one on and it looks great 😊

[handiabled]

A decal that length looks like a handful for sure. The one you got on looks superb with the paint job you laid on this!

[dupes]

This looks "complex", to say the least!

[jeaton01]

The care will pay off, I'm sure. It looks like it takes a good eye to get all those metal parts right.

[chrissmith]

May 30, 2024 10:58:12 GMT -5 dupes said:

This looks "complex", to say the least!

If anyone has ever wanted to challenge their ability and patience. These particular kits will do it.
I myself enjoy the challenge and the process of building them.

[chrissmith]

I got my replacement decal from the factory today, as usual fantastic service. I had them in 2 days.
of course I couldn’t wait to dive in a get it laid down. I’m super happy, now I can seal them up with some 2k,
and move onto the next step of the cockpit 

[handiabled]

Fantastic! You got the symmetry of the decals mirror perfect

[kyledehart5]

It appears I have fallen behind in the updates of this!! Absolutely beautiful work. those decals are laid down perfectly. Fantastic

[chrissmith]

A very productive day 😁

[buddho]

Wow, that looks fantastic already.🤓

[handiabled]

It looks like the fit of this kit is super. Do you have to wrestle with it much while assembling?

[406 Silverado]

I can't put into words how good all of what you have done so far with the decals looks Chris. MAN that's some clean work.

[kyledehart5]

Absolutely mind blowing work Chris. As usual, my friend, just beautiful.

[chrissmith]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.
I would have to say there was a lot of things that need massaging to get this where you see it now.
A lot more to do, hopefully the work behind the scenes will show in the final product.

[keavdog]

That's looking awesome. Are the rivets decals or painted? Really nice detail.

[chrissmith]

Jun 3, 2024 9:43:32 GMT -5 keavdog said:

That's looking awesome. Are the rivets decals or painted? Really nice detail.

Kev… the rivets are not rivets, they are dimples the they molded into the resin body to simulate rivets. I took some liberty on making them slightly larger. With primer paint and clear build up they can loose their detail.

[chrissmith]

Just a weeks worth of work….lol

[handiabled]

I really like the look of the brake calipers.

[406 Silverado]

That’s some very impressive modeling to get that whole braking and suspension set up to look as realistic as it does Chris.

[chrissmith]

Some more progress

[handiabled]

The detail of these kits is really extraordinary and you are nailing them down in fantastic fashion