Gurney Eagle T1G

[2whl]

Since the Lotus is on it's way to the checkered flag, I'll kick off the 3rd of my planned builds for this GB.  It's a MFH(what else) kit of Dan Gurney's Spa winning T1G.  I had started this kit in July of 2018, but only got the engine, wheels and basic tub completed before another kit got my attention.  So I'll start out with catching you up to where I'm at so far.  First is a look at what's in the box.








Here's a review of the engine build.  The kit came with a rubber belt which was supposed to drive the fuel distributor.  But you can see it had gotten melted to the bag it came in.  I decided to make my own by looping some Tamiya tape.  Once I got the size it needed to be, I painted it black.





















Wheels were done by painting the centers black, then lightly sanding down the raised spokes.  Followed by the lug nuts.










Back then I hadn't purchased a polisher yet.  So I would wire brush the parts.  Then use steel wool.  And finally Simichrome polish.  It was a very messy process.







The engine was put into it's bay.  So that's where I'm at.   Now the real fun begins.....

[handiabled]

Heck yeah I'm on board this one! Looks sensational so far!

[kyledehart5]

In my humble opinion this is one of the best looking race cars of all time. How long ago did you kick this one off Paul? Beautiful start on the engines. And the wheels are perfection.

[2whl]

I just got done reading through "the return of model of the month" thread and I am perfectly willing to share whatever knowledge I've managed to gather, so any comments, questions, suggestions, and witty repartee are welcome.

Aug 3, 2024 3:31:49 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Heck yeah I'm on board this one! Looks sensational so far!

Thanks Brent.

Aug 3, 2024 5:06:57 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

In my humble opinion this is one of the best looking race cars of all time. How long ago did you kick this one off Paul? Beautiful start on the engines. And the wheels are perfection.

Thanks Kyle.  I started this one July 9, 2018.  At least, that's my first post about it on Open Wheel Racing Modeling.


This is going to be a heavy model.  The cockpit and body work are white metal.



45

[joelw]

Paul,
I'm back on your journey wagon, so lets get this build once again moving full steam ahead.

Since this is a much earlier build, your expert level of building these kits is already quite evident from the belt replacement via Tamiya tape, the detail painting of the wheels, and naturally the Metal finish of the engine ( done by hand no less).

Are you planning on using a acrylic block under the body to help support what you referred to as extra weight, or isn't it a concern?

joel

[kyledehart5]

Witty repartee? That rules me out. 😂 That is a lot of white metal for sure. Love the shape.

[chrissmith]

Glad to see drag this out after a long hibernation, must have had to knock off some cobwebs. Great start!

[2whl]

Since I'm building an Eagle, it only seems fair to show the real ones being built.

Aug 3, 2024 14:36:08 GMT -5 joelw said:

Paul,
I'm back on your journey wagon, so lets get this build once again moving full steam ahead.

Since this is a much earlier build, your expert level of building these kits is already quite evident from the belt replacement via Tamiya tape, the detail painting of the wheels, and naturally the Metal finish of the engine ( done by hand no less).

Are you planning on using a acrylic block under the body to help support what you referred to as extra weight, or isn't it a concern?

joel

Thanks Joel and welcome aboard.   MFH provides w/m standoffs to place under the model.  I'll be using them and painting them flat black

Aug 3, 2024 16:49:15 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Witty repartee? That rules me out. 😂 That is a lot of white metal for sure. Love the shape.

Aug 3, 2024 20:21:05 GMT -5 chrissmith said:

Glad to see drag this out after a long hibernation, must have had to knock off some cobwebs. Great start!

Thanks Chris. No cobwebs...just a lot of dust.


I got color on the body panels.  Tamiya TS-53 Deep Metallic Blue


90

[sharp]

That is an awesome looking kit! The engine looks like you could put fuel in it and fire it up. Great looking paint too! Nice work!

[2whl]

Aug 4, 2024 21:11:53 GMT -5 sharp said:

That is an awesome looking kit! The engine looks like you could put fuel in it and fire it up. Great looking paint too! Nice work!

Thank you Mike.   Now if I could just source some 1/12th scale gasoline

[keavdog]

Oh wow - looking awesome. What I wouldn't give to take a lap or two in one of these cars.

[kyledehart5]

Are you quite sure your reference photo this time isn’t just a close up shot of your workbench? I can’t tell the difference. Beautiful paint work also!

[handiabled]

I love the color!

[406 Silverado]

That engine work is fabulous Paul. I hope I can get mine to look that realistic one day. Just totally impressive stuff.

[406 Silverado]

Aug 4, 2024 21:20:39 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Oh wow - looking awesome. What I wouldn't give to take a lap or two in one of these cars.

 Tell me about it. Right there with you on that John.

[spook]

Wow !
The Engine detail is Narley !

[joelw]

Paul,
The paint looks better then perfect as usual. Just one question. Since you didn't mention primer, did you apply a primer coat, and if so I'm assuming it was one of Tamiya's primers.

joel

[joelw]

Aug 5, 2024 16:09:07 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Aug 4, 2024 21:20:39 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Oh wow - looking awesome. What I wouldn't give to take a lap or two in one of these cars.

 Tell me about it. Right there with you on that John.

Heck, I'd settle just to buckle up, and fire the engine up.  I highly doubt that I could get the car out of the pits without stalling or spinning it out.  

joel

[2whl]

Aug 4, 2024 21:20:39 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Oh wow - looking awesome. What I wouldn't give to take a lap or two in one of these cars.

Thanks John.  I wouldn't say no to a lap.  Maybe that's why I like building race cars.  So I can live vicariously through them.

Aug 4, 2024 22:43:56 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Are you quite sure your reference photo this time isn’t just a close up shot of your workbench? I can’t tell the difference. Beautiful paint work also!

Can't be my workbench.  I'm only building one car.  It must be articwolf's bench

Aug 5, 2024 8:45:23 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I love the color!

Thanks Brent

Aug 5, 2024 16:02:22 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

That engine work is fabulous Paul. I hope I can get mine to look that realistic one day. Just totally impressive stuff.

Thank you Joe.  I've seen your work.  You make them realistic also.

Aug 5, 2024 16:09:07 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Aug 4, 2024 21:20:39 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Oh wow - looking awesome. What I wouldn't give to take a lap or two in one of these cars.

 Tell me about it. Right there with you on that John.

You guys can queue up behind me.  I want first shot at it.

Aug 5, 2024 16:10:52 GMT -5 spook said:

Wow !
The Engine detail is Narley !

Thanks Quint

Aug 5, 2024 19:17:27 GMT -5 joelw said:

Paul,
The paint looks better then perfect as usual. Just one question. Since you didn't mention primer, did you apply a primer coat, and if so I'm assuming it was one of Tamiya's primers.

joel

Thanks Joel.  I used my usual Upol metal primer.  I find it sticks to w/m better than Tamiya.



I did some work on the front bulkhead and the master cylinders.   Then I finished up on the trans in preparation of mating the front and back.





154

[kyledehart5]

That is beautiful. What a great looking drivetrain you’ve got going here.

[joelw]

Paul,
I'm just in total awe how you can actually assemble the Eagle so that it looks better then the real car. Those pictures of the transaxle with the double oil filters and lines along with all the rest of the added details could very well be a kit all by itself. And you build at a pace that's truly amazing.

BTW, I just love all those pictures as a bonus, so keep 'em coming.

joel

[handiabled]

More glorious drivetrain detail you have added!

[2whl]

Aug 6, 2024 4:19:31 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

That is beautiful. What a great looking drivetrain you’ve got going here.

Thank you Kyle

Aug 6, 2024 8:06:05 GMT -5 joelw said:

Paul,
I'm just in total awe how you can actually assemble the Eagle so that it looks better then the real car. Those pictures of the transaxle with the double oil filters and lines along with all the rest of the added details could very well be a kit all by itself. And you build at a pace that's truly amazing.

BTW, I just love all those pictures as a bonus, so keep 'em coming.

joel

Thank you Joel.  But you should know the reason for my build pace.  I'm retired, so it's just a matter of spending 3-4 hours each day at the bench.  

And don't worry about the pictures, I've got more than enough to go to the end of the build.

Aug 6, 2024 8:34:53 GMT -5 handiabled said:

More glorious drivetrain detail you have added!

Thank Brent



With the powertrain completed up to this point, it was time to mate it to the chassis.  Once that was done, the sides were added on.  Then I added the front uprights and brakes.   I still need to plumb the brakes from the master cylinder.






207

[keavdog]

Great progress! What is your process for cleaning up the metal parts? I've got a white metal gatling gun that needs a lot of clean up. And I'd like to get the process down before investing in one of these MFH beauties.

[kyledehart5]

Quick work and just as nice as ever. This is looking truly wonderful.

[chrissmith]

Just ripping right through this, looking good my friend 😁

[chrissmith]

Aug 6, 2024 18:06:00 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Great progress! What is your process for cleaning up the metal parts? I've got a white metal gatling gun that needs a lot of clean up. And I'd like to get the process down before investing in one of these MFH beauties.

If Paul doesn’t mind…

I usually sand all the seams off, just like you would with a plastic kit. The big thing we use is a magnetic tumbler with polishing solution. The machine has stainless steel pins that do all the work. It’s a small investment, but it’s sure worth it if you’re going to do a few of these types of kits.

[project510]

Thats it, I quit. It was nice knowing y'all

J/K, but seriously. WOW. Those wheels are a sight to see for sure.

[kyledehart5]

Aug 6, 2024 22:27:57 GMT -5 project510 said:

Thats it, I quit. It was nice knowing y'all

J/K, but seriously. WOW. Those wheels are a sight to see for sure.

Lol. My first instinct every time Paul or Chris post an update. 😂

[arcticwolf]

Oh Gawd, not another Eagle.