Drilling for spokes is complete. 5 wheels, 72 spokes each, 360 x 0.016" (0.4 mm) diameter holes to drill in the hubs. Only broke six #78 drill bits, and only stabbed myself once with a spoke (so far -- three wheels left to assemble).
Well, the rear clamshell still doesn't fit but at least it has a proper hinge on it now so it can be posed with the clamshell open or removed. That's enough, I'm moving on.
Doors are complete and the hinges will be glued into the body at the absolute last minute.
Finally got back to the Ferrari 250 LM (1965 Le Mans winner at 1/12 scale by Model Factory Hiro). You may recall I quit in disgust when I couldn't get the engine lid to fit -- the first picture illustrates the problem.
Next the body goes back on the chassis and I get back into it, for instance doing up the spokes on the remaining 4 wire wheels (yes, there are five wheels -- there's a spare). These MFH kits are like a love-hate relationship. Beautiful but frustrating.
The issue of a completely new kit, with completely new molds, is always a cause for celebration. Even more so when it is of an obscure Lancia from the pre-Fiat era. So of course I had to have this new Italeri kit of the Fulvia HF in the 1972 Monte Carlo winning livery.
The kit is typical Italeri, not as high quality as Tamiya and with some bizarre decisions around where to mold parts together and where to offer a separate piece. But it goes together reasonably well, with one note on fit.
The oddball narrow-angle V4 is well modeled. Getting the blue stripe on the valve cover, unique to the HF version, was a bit of a struggle, and the distributor could be better detailed.
A tidy fit in the engine bay. The battery is moulded in to the chassis with the inner fenders.I added wires and fuel lines.
The hood hinge involves the cabin ventilation system and the firewall, and prevents to a certain degree easy installation of the chassis. In particular the leading edge of the front inner fenders had to be cut away to allow it all to be inserted.
Nonetheless the kit builds up nicely with a small PE sheet adding to the detail. I love the light roof pillars giving it a definite '60s vibe,
The Fulvia was a very successful rallye car. This 1972 version was the last one to won the Monte Carlo, with the Stratos taking over as works car in 1974. The Stratos was designed after the takeover by Fiat and benefited from Fiat's access to the Ferrari parts bin for the 2.4 litre V6.
The full set of Lancia race cars is shown next. The ESCi Beta Monte Carlo is not shown as it is an older build and not really up to snuff.
Behold the mighty, er, Giannini 650NP? Right then, fat little tires and fat little fenders all in the service of a rip-roaring air-cooled twin, 650 cc, about 40 horsepower, apparently driven by one M. Leonardelli to a number of European hillclimb wins in Group 2. KMP transkit for the Tamiya Fiat 500F. Loads of fun and a quick build for my second build of 2025.
Yes, I have completed only one kit in 2025. Life got in the way.
Posed here with my selection of 908 and 917 kits. The first 908, on the far left, was really a 906 with the new 3 litre flat 8 engine, but the 908/03 shared a chassis with the 917.
This kit was provided to me by a colleague who had painted it but didn't feel up to the engine and chassis. I've now boxed it up and shipped it back to him.
As always with these Model Factory Hiro kits, a lot of stuff doesn't fit or is excessively flimsy. The fit of the engine cowl and its ridiculously weak hinges are just one of the stories. I did get the doors to open and shut, however.
The body having been painted by my friend who asked me to finish the kit, I had to get it all to fit before putting on decals. But first I tackled the interior.
