DocRob

Hola friends of American heavy metal, My next project will be the famous and fantastic looking Shelby Cobra Coupe from Model Factory Hiro in 1/12 scale. Only six of these cars were built in 1964 and 1965. It was a successful design and incorporated early aerodynamic aspects. My build will be the second build chassis with the number CSX 2286, which competed in Le Mans, but didn´t finish due to clutch problems. I may add a bit more history later during the build. I purchased the kit directly from MFH in Japan and after one week of record breaking shipping time, it appeared on my doorstep as my second MFH kit after the Crocker. //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011203.thumb.JPG.acbf283337a6b4a8714bd5b7bcfd5922.JPG I will show some pictures of what is in the box, but I will not unwrap everything, therefore the quality of some of the pictures is a bit sub optimal, but I will show everything during the build. First of all there is the magnificent two part resin body, with the hood and doors and back will be openable. Casting quality is fantastic and only a minimum of cleanup will be necessary. //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011731.thumb.JPG.b38f587ca3f6c2691837d0c9c426460c.JPG //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011733.thumb.JPG.ca8246a393419442f7576127ae884c6d.JPG There are aluminum turned rims, which later receive cast metal inserts and fantastic tyres with producer print and blue hairline. //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011740.thumb.JPG.ab0df2909fbb321aa55d4e542b9df705.JPG //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011735.thumb.JPG.c65b4c6b3e998a5b01403c2938e1adfe.JPG Three plates of photo etched parts: //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011738.thumb.JPG.055c437f3ed5e2ff1b337fd88952ba10.JPG A bag full of multi media accessories, like turned headlights and funnels, clear resin parts, screws and coil springs, cables and tubes, seat belt material, ... //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011741.thumb.JPG.abbef12535725fb6313561dc248576e4.JPG The windshield and headlight covers are clear vacuum formed parts, which need to be cut out and the rear window is tinted brown vac style (not shown) For the side windows, there is a flat clear acetate sheet, with cut and drill markings and a rubber framing for the windshield. //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011739.thumb.JPG.e7b2e4b497034931d622dd82a653a2ab.JPG There are decals for four different cars all in the same Shelby Guardsman blue. I hope the white stripes are opaque enough to not let show the metallic blue underlayer through. //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011729.thumb.JPG.8f1ce60d1cfc0dc88f2267f8b996ca96.JPG And then there is a heap of cast white metal parts, which I cleaned with my magnetic tumble polisher and 0,3 mm polishing needles for about an hour. //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011718.thumb.JPG.fbe3fa051f6a6aabe472b2a27021feed.JPG After picking the parts out of the dirty black water, I spread them on paper towels and started the tedious process to identify all the parts, sort them into box compartments according to the parts list and manual for double checking and after two eye straining //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/emoticons/default_icon_eek.gif days found, all the parts are there, phew. https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011723.thumb.JPG.9ebc21a06359604744d4e657c22527c8.JPG //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011727.thumb.JPG.910d43d7d0aaf56478ca5bb1543dbc26.JPG //forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011728.thumb.JPG.cb10d9842378cefbe1895d498d72b5d8.JPG The last box contains bits like screws, bolts and rivets, smaller parts, which will be used in different steps of the build and lastly the parts used for other chassis. https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/uploads/monthly_2024_07/P1011726.thumb.JPG.a0209d2d83179b9e7b9c9a0e405b86a9.JPG So far for now. Cheers Rob

Muchas gracias amigos, I have to do some refining with my daylight model photo skills. I still like the photo box better, as it´s easier to control the light. Cheers Rob

Thanks for your input during my build Egilman, there is a special for you. Cheers Rob

Muchas gracias Alan, I try my best with my logs with my sometimes feeble English, as I have profited from so many other´s build logs during the years. I like to reflect the days work in a log, which sharpens the eye for some skills learned and optimizing these. Photography is also one of my hobbies, but taking model shots still proves to be tricky, but I try my best. Cheers Rob

Thank you Egilman, for your praise and for your well appreciated support during the Crocker build. I learned a lot about classic bikes through your input and valid your sharp eye for my tiny hick ups. Cheers Rob

Thank you Yves, it would be great, if the Crocker would be real, as it is the most expensive motorcycle in the world. I really enjoyed working with metal for a change. The kit´s white metal is very pleasant to work with, easy to manipulate, but strong enough. You can alter the surfaces appearances very easily from semi matte finish, which looks like aluminum, to brush or polished finish. The astonishingly high weight of the kit is also a nice break from light plastic kits. Cheers Rob

I own a huge collection of vinyl and some turntables, another of my passions and remembered the perfect soundtrack for your dragster scene. It´s from the record `Tales of the Rat Fink´ by the Sadies, which I naturally possess. Cheers Rob

Well, figure painting, bring it on, Craig. Together with the dragster, it will be a nice and sinister display. The dragster looks cool, when I read loaded with chrome, ... , you may have to redo it, other ways it will reflect like a disco mirrorball.

Due to my own fault, I lost some parts, like the bezel glasses and the very prominent spring fork adjuster, which flew away during polishing and was never seen again. I emailed MFH and a bit more than a week later, I had spare parts along a hand written note, encouraging me to finish the Crocker, nice touch. Today, I added the saddle and the cockpit, after polishing said adjuster and can call my first MFH build finished. It was a pure pleasure build of a well constructed kit, with the chain, being the only troublesome area. It was a fantastic variety to work mainly in metal and be able to not paint everything, instead sand and polish or leave a natural metal finish. Cheers Rob

Don´t be too frightened, Craig, many of the obstacles during this build have to do with the numerous AM sets used. Some places are a bit confusing, when you have four different manuals in fron of you, not all of them very clear. I´m sure, a lot of the troubles are on me, as I tend to loose interest in a project, when I can´t reach my planned goals. For the gap, I have no explanation, everything looks straight and in right position. The body itself is a bit bent inwards, but that´s not the cause for the problems. It is possible to glue the body to the floor pan without problems, but I wanted the body detachable. Cheers Rob

After some bits of progress, the MP4/6 project stalls again. It seems to fight me on all cylinders, but maybe it´s just me. Over the last days, I prepared body parts, front and rear wings for painting and in the process, I test fitted the body over the engine and monocoque. There was a huge gap to the lower floor pan. In the progress, some parts from the engine and monocoque cracked loose and the described gap can only be closed with sheer force. It would be possible to glue the body in place, but that was not what I had in mind, with all the detailing and decaling of the innards of the car. I hate to admit it, but the McLaren is getting on my nerves, which is rare with my projects. Normally, I pull through obstacles, but the constant struggle with this kit let my patience vanish. My whole bench is cluttered with the detail sets and all the partly badly and small printed manual sheets, which should be merged during the project. The kit´s manual isn´t to good either. But the neck breaker was the GAP, which you can see on the pics. I absolutely wanted a removable body and that´s not possible at all, so back on the shelf. Cheers Rob

The AK matte effect thinner is exactly what I use, I didn´t specify, because I thought this must be common stuff and available from other brands too. I use it with my Abteilung oils and can therefore not comment about how it works with W&N oils. The Abteilung oil colors behave exactly like other oil colors, I had used though, so I believe, the AK matte effect thinner should be usable. Cheers Rob

The interior looks fantastic, Dave. I hear you about detailing and problem free construction, as I have a Kotare Spit in my stash as well and planned to build it soon. Since a while, I use Tamiya panel line washes rarely, because of the hard to clean residues. I prefer oil colors, thinned with matte thinner, which flows equally good and cleans up much easier. Cheers Rob

I added the front suspension and the carbon side air intakes with some electronic device detail, but decided against wiring them. The engine and car bottom are not finally attached to the monocoque. For the next steps, I prepared the air intakes for the brakes, which needed to be decaled with carbon pattern decals. When you apply the decals to the sides of the intakes, they are slightly oversized, but with some doses of Mr. Mark softer and hot air from the hairdryer, the start to contour around the edges and the mid section can be applied the same way. Time consuming, but it works and the carbon decals behave good and are not to brittle. The carbon thread pattern looks absolutely beautiful in black and anthracite. I also finished the brake calipers with Titanium gold, some black panel line wash and finally the tiny Brembo markings. Cheers Rob

After a long pause and the Crocker motorcycle near finished, I thought, I could finish a started build and continue with the McLaren. This project fought me from the beginning and in deep contrast with the Crocker, it continues to do so, but I want to have the kit off the bench or bin it. I finished the cockpit, using many parts from a Studio 27 detail set. The switchbox and it´s steering mechanism came out good enough, but was extremely fiddly. The steering wheel was even more complex and I used the kit part, which was not too shabby. The seat belts are completely wrong and should be black, but the Studio 27 belts tested my patience too much and I used a Tamiya set. These look a bit toyish and were so shiny, that I flat coated the seat assembly. Well if you don´t look to close, it might work . Cheers Rob

The engine looks fantastic, Gary. Exhaust seem always to be a bit vague with their attachment points with these old Tamiya F1 kits. I had similar issues, with my Renault Turbo kit and brass pinned some of the parts. It had only six cylinders luckily, but the turbo tubing lacks the good fitting as well. Cheers Rob

Came out very nice, Craig, a very elegant form of heavy metal. Cheers Rob

Thank you Ken, I´m blushing, but lots of your praise should be directed to MFH for engineering this fantastic kit. If you have the basic skillset and patience, everybody can produce a very beautiful result from that base. The kit was expensive, but I had two months of pure fun and now I know, I can handle MFH kits, something I was unsure before I began. Cheers Rob

Very nice progress Gary, the engine looks extremely good. Is this net over the air intakes a solid part? I have to build the same engine for my Brabham BT44 and have added a set of metal trumpets and real mesh from MFH. One thing about decals, if they are taking the usual solutions not so well, applied heat with a hairdryer may help, but best to be tested on a spare decal. Cheers Rob

Yup, Craig these gauges are made up beautifully. You can choose between two decals with different mileage, who wood have thought . Placement of the layers is a bit delicate though, as the PE and decals have to match perfectly, not so easy, when using CA. Next time I may use thinned white glue for this task. Today, I paid my replacement parts, so in a week, I may have them. until then, I have to decide, If I install the PE hands, before adding the acetate glazing. The price of MFH kits is shocking at first sight, but if you want to build a similar detailed 1/12 F1 kit basing on a Tamiya kit with all the Studio 27 galore, the difference is not that big anymore. The only aftermarket item, I used was a bit of tin foil from a wine cap. You are right about the availability of the kits. I scan their web site frequently and that´s how I found that the Ferrari 512 TRI was re-released and bought it. I guess, the total numbers of production aren´t that high, the way the kits are produced. A while ago, I found two videos about how they produce their kits and found them very interesting. Here is a link to part one: The price, well, you pay a lot for something really special and you have to decide if it´s worth it. To me, buying directly from MFH proved to be the best and cheapest way, in the end 20% to 30% less than from other online shops. Cheers Rob

Today, I attached the foot rest, and finished the instrument panel, which is a little kit in itself. The main instrument consist from different PE layers, which receive decals then, to add some depth to it, nice touch, MFH. As the fuel tank is polished, I decided to only brush finish the IP for a bit of contrast. There are also tiny PE hands for the main instrument, but I´m not sure, if I use them. Then, I airbrushed the saddle with semi matte black, after some relatively less thinned black Mr. Surfacer 1000, to achieve a tiny bit of grainy finish to simulate the leather. Afterwards, I inserted tiny rivets around the saddle, which was extremely tedious. With the last rivet, I smeared a tiny dot of CA glue onto the saddle and will have to finish it again. Maybe, I will use the hairspray method for this, airbrushing flat black on top and then rub partly away, for a slight worn finish. The seat is not finally attached in the pics. I hope, MFH reacts soon and I can purchase the missing parts. Other than that, the Crocker is near ready, but I hope the bad mojo of the last days doesn´t carry over to the next built, as it already spoilt this builds end. Cheers Rob

Thank you Alan, I like to follow good build logs a lot, as they helped me multiple times with my own builds. I always try to remember, what would have been my questions or points of interest, when I write down my progress and let some emotions flow in, as it´s a hobby and meant to be fun, which is not always the case unlikely. None the least, I write logs for myself as well, as I have very diverted interests in modeling and try a lot of different techniques through my builds. When I try to replicate a technique earlier used, I have the older logs and gather information and can even improve those techniques. Cheers Rob

Despite some progress, today was kickback time. In the morning it dawned to me, that I haven´t seen the round clear acetate instrument glazings for a while and after a very long search it was confirmed, they were gone . After that, I installed various bits and pieces around the handlebar. Among them the very prominent finely engraved and polished large head nut, which seems to pre-tension the fork suspension. When I wanted to glue it in place, I saw a tiny dot of CA, which was left by my fingerprint. Back to polishing, but guess what, the part flew away, never to be seen again . I heard it hit somewhere in my shelf and searched for more than two hours without finding it, browsing through all the tools and boxes there. I´m pretty frustrated now and will reach out to MFH, to ask for spares to purchase and drown my bad mood with some Manhattan´s Anyhow, that´s how the Crocker looks now. Cheers Rob

Thank you both, it is indeed a stunning bike. Me not being a great admirer of American two wheeled heavy metal, have to say, the Crocker is a pure beauty, something like the essence of American bike design of it´s time. @Egilman, I will try to find my white background later or do some outdoor pics in later stages of the build. Cheers Rob

Some major steps got done, as I married the ready assembled fork with the rest of the bike. Alignment of the various parts connecting the fork struts was a bit fiddly, as you had to join a dozen tiny pegs into their holes, while adding CA glue all at the same time. The electric wires for the horn and headlight should be wrapped around tiny bolts, which I couldn´t do. I drilled three millimeter holes into said bolts and glued the wires in, after threading them through. The headlight got polished, as is the reflector for a nice and bright appearance. Cheers Rob