MFH Ferrari 512BB LM - Alex's Next Double Build

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360spider

01-28-2009, 02:40 PM

The 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 47th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 9 and 10, 1979. Ferrari had no chance against mighty Porsches and new BMW M1s, but it did enter several cars in competition. It was Beurlys 512BB LM #61 "EMKA" with its screaming 4.9L Flat-12 driven by Nick Faure, Steve O'Rourke, Bernard de Dryver, and Jean Blaton that showed 12 overall result having completed 274 laps. Today I will build this car in 1:24th, using multimedia kit from Model Factory Hiro.

I will not hide the fact that I will be building two of them this time though :grinyes: The second car will be JMS Racing/Pozzi #63 3M "Cloud Car", which unfortunately DNF after completing 219 laps. Here are couple of pictures of the real cars:

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BBLM61LM7901.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BBLM61LM7902.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BBLM3M01.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BBLM3M02.jpg

The kit is a usual MFH detail tour de force, with lots of white metal, turned aluminum and steel, and photoetch. Body is half resin half metal, and lots of other materials used for various parts of the kit as well. I started with cleaning the bodies, but as with all MFH kits, the process will be slow (and painful) because of the amount of cleanup and test-fitting required.

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BB-01.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BB-02.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BB-03.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BB-04.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/512BB-05.jpg

The Sheene Machine

01-28-2009, 03:24 PM

Another thread to drool over!!! 63,000yen's worth of kits!! I love the 3m scheme - very cool :cool:

rollin80s

01-28-2009, 03:53 PM

that price is just :eek7: :boink: :wtf: :twak: dunno man, i think your a drug dealer. to buy one is just crazy, but two!! god damn.
if i could, i would buy one too. i just can't afford a divorce. lols.

ill be watching this thread. these i know are going to be bad ass.

da_ashman

01-28-2009, 06:07 PM

Man Alex, how do you find time to build superdetail builds all the time and then to 2x at the same time!!!! Cant wait to see your work on this build.
Which one of these badboys will be living on your shelf? Do you have photos of your entire collection and how you store them? Also , how long do you expect these builds to take you?

pawlie

01-28-2009, 06:43 PM

Looking forward to this thread, I really like the cloud car!

klutz_100

01-29-2009, 12:31 AM

Looking forward to following these even though I already know what the outcome will be - 2 more awesome models! :thumbsup:

I like the 3M livery - it somehow makes that beast almost cuddly :D

Today I will build this car in 1:24th,
What's this? A speed build? A 1/24 scale model of a 24 hour Le Mans car built in 24 hours?! ;) :evillol:

The Sheene Machine

01-29-2009, 12:39 AM

Do you have photos of your entire collection and how you store them?

Try here...http://www.italianhorses.net/

ddtham

01-29-2009, 01:06 AM

More masterpieces in the making. Can't wait to see what surprises you have in store for us, Alex.

mrawl

01-29-2009, 02:35 AM

Great looking cars. You (or your customers) really know how to pick 'em Alex.

CrateCruncher

01-29-2009, 10:21 AM

Awesome! I hope to look over your shoulder on this one and get some tips and warnings on potential land mines when building my K84. Looking over my kit, I think Hiro really went all-out with the engine detail on this BB. Combine that with the 250LM style rear clip revealing the entire bay...and that huge engine...and this should have enough mechanical candy to make for one incredible looking model. (I really liked your recent F40's but as with all F40's, it's a challenging subject for displaying mechanical detail because the V8 is tucked forward and obscured by so much plumbing on the real car you can barely see it.)

Duncan1098

01-29-2009, 10:47 AM

Looking forward to seeing these take shape, I like the 3M car, loved the last double build.

360spider

01-29-2009, 04:09 PM

roddo

01-29-2009, 06:04 PM

da_ashman

01-29-2009, 06:09 PM

WOW, im speachless.... your model collection (unbuilt) rivals my local hobby shop. Very organised and impressive, I like all the awards.
Cant wait to see more

jano11

01-29-2009, 07:06 PM

:eek2: How did you manage to put all that into one closet?!

Impressive to say the least!

Looking forward to see the two 512BB's come along.

PS: Those hand built cases are awesome, do you make them yourself? If yes, could you show us how?

tuned.by.twenty

01-29-2009, 09:29 PM

And of course part of my kit collection (it is a closet after all :rofl: ):
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/Workshop/06.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/Workshop/07.jpg

:eek7:

rockinanko

01-29-2009, 10:12 PM

ok alex,
now that definitely put us even closer to you...the master modelor & his entire ferrari collection!
say, you miss any other kits put inside the loo that you've forgotten to take pics!?!? hehe...

so this is THE work bench that's chunking out all those, those...i don't know how to describe.

so this is the family man alex the (ferrari) great, is that a photo of you & your lovely family, master!?

360spider

01-30-2009, 10:24 AM

From what I've seen of your build's Alex you always make your cars (if they were real) better than factory new, have you ever thought of doing otherwise? I find it fascinating how people build in different styles. Yours are always pin sharpe, Robrex is able to incorporate a cirtain patina into his builds, the Andy Matthews F1 cars seem to have undergone a surgical clean constrution process etc..... do you think this type of outcome is subconchas? Nice subject by the way and nice e30 evo sport on the dicast shelf. Cheers David R.

David, I really don't know. I guess it comes from a personality - I always keep my 1:1 vehicles spotless clean, and so my models.

WOW, im speachless.... your model collection (unbuilt) rivals my local hobby shop. Very organised and impressive, I like all the awards.
Cant wait to see more

Thanks!

:eek2: How did you manage to put all that into one closet?!

Impressive to say the least!

Looking forward to see the two 512BB's come along.

PS: Those hand built cases are awesome, do you make them yourself? If yes, could you show us how?

Well, that is a rather big closet....
I order these cases from a guy who makes jewelry displays for jewelry stores. The base is real wood, polished and stained, wrapped in leather, and felt backing, the cover is clear plexiglass. They are very expensive, but very high quality. To me, they are worth the price.

ok alex,
now that definitely put us even closer to you...the master modelor & his entire ferrari collection!
say, you miss any other kits put inside the loo that you've forgotten to take pics!?!? hehe...

so this is THE work bench that's chunking out all those, those...i don't know how to describe.

so this is the family man alex the (ferrari) great, is that a photo of you & your lovely family, master!?

I have another stash in my garage :-)
Yep, that is the workbench thats chunking all of those. :-)
And yes, that is a picture of me an my family.

Thanks guys!

SuperMele

01-30-2009, 01:29 PM

Any tips on how you make you're own display cases? I buy the tamiya cases but there 25euro each. Got a little pile of them laying around but it would be nicer if i could make em myself...
Good luck with the build!

alex156

01-30-2009, 04:26 PM

Alex,
Good to see your set up at home and your kit collection is truly amazing! I showed the pics to my other half just to prove my own pile was not that bad!
Thanks for all your inspiration and work.
Alexp

AustinMartin

01-30-2009, 07:39 PM

Alex, need any help reducing the stash? :D:D:D

360spider

01-31-2009, 08:42 PM

Alex, need any help reducing the stash? :D:D:D

Nah, I'm good :-)

lotus123

02-01-2009, 12:35 AM

Hi Alex

I'm always intrigued to see where and how the master modelers do their work, so while you're showing us your workspaces how about some views on where you do your painting?

I do my work in the study, but the one thing I find a real pain is to set up and take down the spray booth I built. There's not really enough space in here to leave it up permanently, and it's a bit of an eyesore anyway!

Thanks for sharing.
Graham

Duncan1098

02-01-2009, 05:11 AM

Great photos, love all the kits, should keep you busy for the next 25 years! great idea with the display cases, it is always a problem how best to display ones kits, and not taking over the house and upsetting the wife!

quadzero

02-01-2009, 12:48 PM

Fantastic insight to how these masterpieces start their lives. I really enjoyed looking at the behind the scenes pictures. Clearly looking forward to more of this amazing thread.

sam01contact

02-03-2009, 10:20 AM

SWEET collection Alex!! Now, we must find the fountain of youth to build all we have in our closets! :iceslolan

Big Pat

02-03-2009, 08:43 PM

rollin80s

02-07-2009, 01:48 AM

holy shit man!! you have well over um....dare i say it. 10k worth of unbuilt
kits!! nice collection of finished kits as well, im having some trouble to finish one.:lol:

looking forward to your many builds.:smokin:

360spider

02-07-2009, 09:22 PM

taliesen

02-07-2009, 10:00 PM

Stunning work as usual, sir!

:popcorn:

I have to say, though, seeing all the effort you have to put into an MFH kit, I'll be sticking with styrene - cheaper when (not if) I mess up on it!

Helico

02-07-2009, 10:08 PM

I'm still saving up for my first MFH kit and 512BB LM is exactly the one I want. It's really awesome to see one (two actually) being built by you. I'll definitely follow this thread.

klutz_100

02-08-2009, 01:12 AM

I had been playing with the idea of getting one of these kits - until I read this update :(

Great work Alex, really :thumbsup:

Duncan1098

02-08-2009, 03:40 AM

Great start, love the doors, they are a work of art. hard work having to do it all again on the other car.

Decs0105

02-08-2009, 04:24 AM

great job, Alex!

jano11

02-08-2009, 04:35 AM

And this is where I'm right now....with one of the cars... :-) Now I need to do the same for the other! :screwy:

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/28.jpg

Wish me luck!

Good luck! ;)

Seriously, stunning work. Making that front cover is a major achievement.
Doing it once certainly give you a nice feeling, 2nd time will be more like a pain in the behind. :iceslolan

When you make the doors do you use the cut of resin piece to shape the thin metal sheet?

jano11

02-08-2009, 04:52 AM

I had been playing with the idea of getting one of these kits - until I read this update :(

You bet.
At first I was upset that I have just bought the 512BB LM Bellancauto Ferrarelle kit instead of going for one of these kits, now I'm more than happy that I didn't chose the Hiro kit. :iceslolan

CrateCruncher

02-08-2009, 08:08 AM

Nice work Alex. Glad to see you opened the doors up! It's a lot of extra work but really adds to the impact.

I wish Hiro would just quit making white metal body parts, they seem to get worse with each new kit while the resin bodies seem to be getting better. If you guys think BB front clip is bad you'd scream in horror at the 330 P4 body.

360spider

02-08-2009, 09:34 AM

I had been playing with the idea of getting one of these kits - until I read this update :(

Great work Alex, really :thumbsup:

Thanks!
Don't get discouraged, Hiro kits are not without their problems, but they are better than many too. You know, you are working on one, right? Right?

When you make the doors do you use the cut of resin piece to shape the thin metal sheet?

I used the other body :-) Now I will have to make doors first, using the other body as a test-bunny, and then cut the doors on the second one.

You bet.
At first I was upset that I have just bought the 512BB LM Bellancauto Ferrarelle kit instead of going for one of these kits, now I'm more than happy that I didn't chose the Hiro kit. :iceslolan

Did you get LMP Little Garage kit? WHERE?

Nice work Alex. Glad to see you opened the doors up! It's a lot of extra work but really adds to the impact.

Well, yeah, it is a lot of work, but opening them is just the beginning. Making the doors out of brass, and more importantly making them fit and work right, is the journey!

I wish Hiro would just quit making white metal body parts, they seem to get worse with each new kit while the resin bodies seem to be getting better. If you guys think BB front clip is bad you'd scream in horror at the 330 P4 body.

Yeah, don't even start me on that one. I was just looking at that kit the other day and crying. LOL.

jano11

02-08-2009, 10:56 AM

I used the other body :-) Now I will have to make doors first, using the other body as a test-bunny, and then cut the doors on the second one.

:runaround:You've got me there, for some reason I forgot about the other model! :screwy:

PS: PM sent.

Tamar

02-08-2009, 01:41 PM

Hello Alex

Fola attended me to your WIP, and as we are working on one as well I will be following your build with much enthousiasm..letting you sort out the problem areas..before we'll tackle them ;)
As usual we won't be able to get all the detail that you'll be incorperating in your 512, as ours will be build to race.
But we'll try to get as much engine detail as possible in the backoffice.

Anyhow....why I'm posting is because this link might be helpfull to you during your build. I discovered these guy's while doing research on the 365 GT4 BB that I did in November.

For me these guys are the ultimate source for the 512 BB LM on the web.
They have tons of photo's and info I didn't dare to dream of.
I hope your french is good enough to read the posts, but even if not, they are open to English enthousiast (for which you definately qualify ;)
And can/will reply in English.

Here's the link http://forums.motorlegend.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29703&page=26

p.s. Since I will need every mm of body width I choose not to trimm/ sand down the hood. There is some play in the fitting of both the resin and the whitemetal parts. So I just added some very thin strips of styrine to the front and sides of the front chassis assembly. This way the front spoiler is mounted a bit more forward and the wheelarches match the hood better as well.
I did mill a little bit of material from the inside ot the hood (where it fits to the doors) and managed to bend the hood so that it fitted almost flush with the main body.

Although if you look at some of the pictures of the real cars...why bother trying to get a good alignement. The guys at Ferrari certainly didn't ;)

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/3815/mugellohistoricfestivalwu0.jpg

Keep up the good work Alex, looking forward to the next episode of your build.

da_ashman

02-08-2009, 05:29 PM

Man thats alot of work,
I like the use of brass to remake panels, in your option (which is highly valued) is brass the best material to bend? Im considering a similar modification.
Good luck for the next one, hope your fingers dont bleed this time!!!

tuned.by.twenty

02-08-2009, 07:54 PM

Alex, I have two words for you; box-stock. Do they mean anything to you?:lol:

I love the detail going into these already. I can't wait to see more.

bmwmech1

02-08-2009, 08:58 PM

Nice start and choice of subject matter... I agree that opening the doors adds a huge amount to the impact. And to think this is 1/4 the size of the Pocher F40 I'm building...whew! A little OT, but I spied a Revell BMW 750iL kit on your shelf... remember where you picked that one up? I happen to have a 91 750 and would love to snag one of those kits, just because I have the 1:1. I'll be watching this build...:popcorn:

BM1

LeeABC

02-09-2009, 02:12 AM

Alex,
You're quite clearly barking mad but I love it.
My next kit is on order, not MFH this time!

360spider

02-09-2009, 11:15 AM

Tamar,

Wow, thanks for that link, great pictures indeed. I can't read, but that is a great reference.

I like the use of brass to remake panels, in your option (which is highly valued) is brass the best material to bend?

Brass may be not the best to work with, but it can be soldered, which is a huge plus.

Alex, I have two words for you; box-stock. Do they mean anything to you?:lol:

No - what's that? :-)

...I spied a Revell BMW 750iL kit on your shelf... remember where you picked that one up?

I bought this one in Germany, long time ago, maybe 6 or 7 years ago in Koln. they show up on eBay from time to time. Its a nice full detail kit.

My next kit is on order, not MFH this time!

I hear ya!

Thanks guys!

BVC500

02-09-2009, 11:34 AM

Alex,

I spotted a completed Ferrari Daytona Spider on your shelf. Any more pics of that? Also, I think we have the same collection minus the resin kits!

360spider

02-10-2009, 12:13 PM

Alex,

I spotted a completed Ferrari Daytona Spider on your shelf. Any more pics of that? Also, I think we have the same collection minus the resin kits!

Its a Revell Miami Vice Daytona clone. Built like 10 years ago, nothing really to look at. :-)

The Sheene Machine

02-11-2009, 06:46 AM

Inspirational work Alex. I'm a little surprised by how far off the front was - but your magic hands seemed to have remedied that! Love the doors...:cool:

Ferrari TR

02-11-2009, 01:50 PM

Very nice!

Robi J

02-11-2009, 02:46 PM

guiwee

02-15-2009, 11:57 PM

Some_Kid

02-16-2009, 12:46 AM

wow alex is the man..ive seen his stuff in the mags..is this his real job or a hobby?....those cars are the absolute best.he is truly skilled at a level i can only hope to obtain?.....idont see how he has the time anyway good job and keep up the good work

Alex I've been wondering this myself. Would you mind telling us what your profession is? Is this your job? Because you put so much detail in it I don't see where you get the time if it wasn't.

By the way I still believe your supra is your best non-ferrari. Stop light red looks so sexy on that car. I didn't see your red enzo in your display case. I bet it has its own high chair and shroud, truly amazing. I know you love all of them, but what is your favorite ferrari?

Nice job with the brass, I'm sure sanding that metal was a pain, I hope you wore a mask.

ddtham

02-16-2009, 08:36 PM

Excellent work like always! Thank you for all of your tutorials (I'm building your version of photo booth as we speak :D).

360spider

03-03-2009, 07:45 PM

Outstanding job on the door, I love your ability with the brass. I'll follow this topic with particular interest, I know this kit from my friend Alessandro, he had his hard time with its outstandingly poor fit.

Alex, are you going to use the wheels from the kit?

Robi :)

Robi - Alessandro built this kit? I need to talk to him!
Yes, I'm planning on using the wheels from the kit, unless you know something I don't? :uhoh:

Alex I've been wondering this myself. Would you mind telling us what your profession is? Is this your job? Because you put so much detail in it I don't see where you get the time if it wasn't.

By the way I still believe your supra is your best non-ferrari. Stop light red looks so sexy on that car. I didn't see your red enzo in your display case. I bet it has its own high chair and shroud, truly amazing. I know you love all of them, but what is your favorite ferrari?

Nice job with the brass, I'm sure sanding that metal was a pain, I hope you wore a mask.

This is not my "main" job, though I've been building for collectors for quite some time. I don't build much because of the time, but that is why every single one is so special to the customer.

I don't have red Enzo anymore - it was built to order. Out of the models featured on my site, and have very few left in my possession, since a good number was built for somebody.

OK, time for a small update. A small one, but I'm glad to have this out of the way. Door frames!
Still a few tweaks needed here and there, and solder needs to be cleaned up, but basic shape is there.

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb01.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb02.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb03.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb04.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb05.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb06.jpg

Robi J

03-03-2009, 08:22 PM

Robi - Alessandro built this kit? I need to talk to him!
Yes, I'm planning on using the wheels from the kit, unless you know something I don't? :uhoh:

Yes. A few years ago he built this kit totally closed (it was a customer request).
About the wheels, I guess you noticed the diameter of rims and tires is small. At that time we send a written complain to Mr. Hiro, asking for a decent replacement. We're not successful and at the end he used rims and tires copied from a Fisher kit:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a163/RJ1108/AP/e1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a163/RJ1108/AP/e3.jpg

At the moment I do not remember exactly if 312 or 512. Let me investigate, I'll be back tomorrow.

If you want to talk with him, I guess you should do it over me since Alessandro doesn't speak English. If you want, feel free to send email to my private address, I'll forward to him :)

Concerning your update... oh Alex, what a beautiful tiny doors !!!!!

Bye: R

taliesen

03-03-2009, 10:50 PM

Just simply amazing work . . .

I just realized you're right down the road from me, I may need to come steal your mojo one night :grinno:

jochen kieslich

03-04-2009, 12:42 AM

Alex,
your style is something i'm very fascinated by. Even not that much can be seen by now (don't get me wrong, your doors are killer) your work appears "smooth" and very clean. It also may be your way of taking pics from your subjects / wip's (for sure).
It will be a great pleasure to watch this one also.

Yours
Jochen

jano11

03-04-2009, 05:17 AM

OK, time for a small update. A small one, but I'm glad to have this out of the way. Door frames!

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb01.jpg
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MFH%20512BB%20LM/bb02.jpg

Amazing work!
Can we have a tutorial on the making of these doors?

gionc

03-04-2009, 08:17 AM

Fantabulos.

Alex, I remember the thing Roby is writing about, I sold my Fisher's 512 but I still own the awesome 312P, and I think they share same wheels. In case you don't own one we'll check fors size and in case replicate rims, I'll get same issue on my MFH Sunoco 512, just started.

CrateCruncher

03-04-2009, 08:27 AM

Nice! What thickness is your brass? It looks thicker than .005, maybe .010? Does the .005 crack, too floppy?...

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MFH Ferrari 512BB LM - Alex's Next Double Build