Hi all,

Ok!!! ALL sorts of goodies in the bumer issue that is pack #12.

Parts set #78

It starts with the parts for the cockpit side protector, and head pad, and also has several wings for the right and left sides. The directions have you install the brake master cylinders to the front of the body. You then add more of those absolutely beautiful carbon decals, to the front suspension. the next step is the assembly of the rear cowls, and the mini wings for either side of the cowl. Take your time here, as they want to settle a bit as the glue dries, and will easily go all catiwumpus. The last sequence in set 78 is the side protector. This is pretty easy stuff. I used CA glue instead of the recommended ABS cement here.

Parts set #79

The parts you get here are the right and left fairing fences, as well as border wings. These go together very easily, and the fit is flawless. The next step is the installation of more carbon decals to the front wing. Again, these look great! You then fit the bargeboards. This required a few dry runs on my part. The stays in particular are somewhat difficult to position. What I ended up doing was to fix them to the body, and then while the cement was still a bit soft, I dryfit the bargeboard into position, and let the stay cure. I then went back and glued the bargeboards on. ***Exercise extreme care with the adhesive when gluing on the bargeboards. The seam is highly visible, and a run would look horrible!!*** This step concludes with a brief tutorial on giving the radiators a dark wash, to pop the detail. I did this, and they look great!

Parts set #80

The pieces here are fins, monocoque covers, and a replacement induction box, for an improved fit. You, in addition to fitting the new box, also install the induction pod cowl. It really starts to look cool along in here!

Parts set #81

The bits here are the other cockpit wings, covers, and mirror. I ran into a bit of a hitch here, as the wing was a duplicate of the left one, and as such, wasn't "handed" correctly. I put in a call to CS, got the part on the way, and moved on. Plenty of other stuff to do! The work is the installation of the pushrod cowls. They have you use double sided tape, but instead, I went toth a minuscule dot of CA glue. Double sided tape dries out pretty rapidly here in the desert, and I didn't want parts going on walkabout later. You also apply carbon decals to the wings. This step is wrapped up with the installation of the cockpit display panel, camera, and pitot tube, as well as the canards and cockpit wings. Easy stuff, but again, watch that glue!!

Parts set #82

The parts with this issue are the mirror lenses, reflectors, optional windscreen, tail light assembly, and a long phillips screwdriver. The work to be done is simply assembling and installing the mirrors, and the taillight. quick and fast!

Parts set #83

The parts enclosed here are the camera, foil, the kill switch, and an antenna. You start by cutting the foil, and installing it inside the body. this is REALLY awkward, and do a couple of dry runs before you take the backing off. It is a bit difficult to het the position dead on, and I had to trim a bit off after the fact. It still came out looking very good. After the foil is placed, you get to install the radiators, and pipe. The reason for that hole and socket waaaaay inside the engine become apparent here. Take your time, and get everything situated before you stick it all down. Again, I recommend dry fitting a few times to get the motion down. The side camera is a simple bit of work.

Parts pack #84

The parts enclosed are the skid blocks. I gave brief thought to making these out of some scrap basswood I have, but decided I'd rather finish this model! You also get exhaust connectors that would tie the manifold and exhaust pipes together on the real car. The work is simple, and the biggest worry is messing up the car as you install the skid plates. I had the wheels on mine, and simply stood the car on edge, and placed them with the model in this position.

Parts pack #85

decals, decals, and decals! There are some fantastic looking decals with this set. The work, (besides decals) is the installation of the front wing, and border wings. (I deviated a bit here, and attached the border wings to the removable cowl, as opposed to the body. My thought behind this decision was that the body would be getting looked at a lot, and I wasn't comfortable with the idea of the border wings floating out there, where they could easily be knocked off by inquisitive fingers.)
I left off the front wheel shrouds, as the calipers provide an intriguing flash of silver inside the the wheels that begs a closer look.

That's one sweet build!

Thanks guys! It was an absolute blast to build. I can't really say that I gained a huge appreciation for F1 building it, but I did have enough fun to go get the MP4/4 complete from a seller in Japan. The MP4/4 reminds me of when I DID watch F! as a kid. I really do prefer the cleaner, more simple lined of the early cars...

Now, bring on the Countach, and the Mustang!!

Here are a few pics of he base for the MP4/24 I built. It is destined for display elsewhere. I was going after a general "look" for the water filled temporary barricades. I still need to sand it, clean up the glue, and get a good varnish on it. Then, I'll build a crate, and off it goes!