Then in the early 1970's I purchased a landmark model that shaped my model
building hobby for the future. This was a 1:12 scale Tamiya model of the Lola T-70 MkIII
illustrated at the top of this page. This same model has recently been re-released and
this link is to a good review of it.
Firstly this was by far the most expensive and complex project I had ever attempted and I was
worried that I couldn't really afford it plus it may have been beyond by capabilities to build
it. Well this turned out to be an excellent model to start off at this level of kit
construction. Firstly Tamiya building instructions are crystal clear with each stage put
together in such a way as to guarantee success for any careful kit builder. Secondly, Tamiya
parts all fit together perfectly with minimal work necessary removing excess plastic flashing.
Thirdly the spru's are moulded in different colours reducing the need to paint the model. This
is most important with the blue body moulding that gives an acceptable colour finish without
the need for a novice to get involved in painting a large expanse of body colour where the
slighted blemish tends to stick out like a sore thumb. Interestingly it turns out that this
colour / engine combination was factually incorrect.
The completed project was enough to encourage any novice builder, it just looks so
impressive. It's large with great attention to detail but most fascinating was that so much of
it actually works. If my memory serves me well, the steering, suspension and even the door
handle lock mechanisms all work. All major body panels open to give a clear view of all the
superb mechanical detail. This just has to be an ideal project for any kit builder that has a
little experience and ample patience because it's a most rewarding end result.
I've never had enough space to exhibit all the models I build so the next major project was
a JPS Lotus F1 car that I built into a glass case for my nephew. Once again it was a Tamiya,
moulded in the correct black body colour so again avoiding the difficulties of painting large
areas and to this day I still avoid projects with a lot of bodywork painting despite having an
air brush to do it with.
If you plan to give kit building a try, then I recommend that you don't start out with
models quite this ambitious. Choose a simple model of interest to you from a good plastic model
manufacturer that you can build in about a week or two. Assemble this with as much care as you
can and don't deviate far from the enclosed instructions. This will be invaluable to build up
the basic skills needed in this hobby and gain confidence to tackle the more complex projects.
Although I recommend that at this stage you stick to the makers instructions I think you
should attempt some of the tips included later on in this WEB page. An ideal example of such a
kit is the Lindberg 1930s Stutz racer pictured here.
I don't have the Lola and JPS models above now, the Lola broke up during a house move and I
haven't seen the JPS Lotus in years. My next major project was a step forward that involved not
following the instructions building the kit straight from the box. Surely this eventually
happens to any hobbyist when they have developed a little confidence based upon previous
successes.
I had bought a new BMW R45 motor bike in 1979, it was my pride and joy so when I saw a BMW
model by Tamiya of a 900cc version, I couldn't resist buying it. I can't say I set out to do
this but during the building process several adaptations to the kit were made to make it look
more or less like my downsized machine. When it came to painting I took great care mixing
various Humbrol paints to get a close match to my bikes colour. The end result, although not
identical, it does gives a very passable copy. This concept of adapting a model similar to a
car or bike you may own adds a new dimension to this hobby, the model being a lasting reminder
of that "super car" you owned years ago. The adaptation process can be minor changes in detail
to quite drastic changes to body shape and specification but virtually anything is possible
given time and patience.
I used this idea to build a replica of a Lotus Elan S2 based upon a kit that's still
available from Guntz Sangyo. This is a small 1:24 scale model that cost £56 more than ten
years ago. Its different to the similar models still available today because it's got a fully
detailed engine compartment, transmission and suspension with most parts made of white metal.
Working with these metal parts was new to me but its quite easy. Some flashing has to be
removed with a knife and files then it polishes up easily with a brass wire brush normally used
to clean suede leather shoes. The end result after many months work is an absolute treasure,
although small in stature this is far and away my favourite model of all time.
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This is a selection of tools that I find very useful. the X-ACTO knife has a variety of
blades available but only the pointed blade in this knife and the separate saw blade are
indispensable. The pointed tweezers are superb at placing liquid glue with absolute precision.
With the pin vice you can make fine holes, put into the holes thin plastic strips making
switches and pipes for super detailing. I couldn't live without a swiss army knife and this
simple one will meet all your modeling requirements. There are many other tools you will need
but will probably already have such as fine nosed pliers, fine emery paper, various model paint
brushes and bulldog clips to act as clamps.
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I then moved on to build a Tamiya at a scale 1:12? This is a big model and tough project. It
took many months work to build this, not least because I had become really interested in two
new aspects. The first was that I did all I reasonably could to research this project looking
for books and photos of the real plane as well as getting hold of lots of technical data. The
second was to attempt to add as much extra fine detail as I could over and above that provided
in the standard kit from the box. Many model builders do this but in practice its quite
impossible to fully detail the interior of a wheel bay for example and after this project was
complete, I decided not to do that again. Adding detail to the extent of including every pipe
takes forever and most of this detail is totally invisible to people looking at the end result.
It's my opinion that the addition of a little extra detail in key places is well worth the
effort but don't go overboard. It is a good idea to add detail to cockpits, dashboards and
engines but go to far, especially in hidden corners and your risking loosing interest and you
will never be satisfied with the end result.
There are so many variations to the things you can build, another project was to make a
radio controlled tank the 1:12 scale flackpanzer geppard. This wasn't as difficult to build as
the end result may look. Tamiya are masters of easy to build complex mechanics and there is
plenty included here. Apart from being fully steerable, the guns and turret can also be
controlled by radio. (I modified the guns to have direct up and down control via an additional
servo motor rather than use the simple mechanical up and down motion provided as the turret
turns). Rather than finish this in pristine showroom condition, I attempted to make it look
well used and splashed with mud. This adds to the realism and developing the techniques to
achieve the result your looking for all adds to the fun.
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Under Construction
Miff
Mavis
Mavis at 15 months
Mavis at six years