Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Beware of all the tiny parts...

For all posts related to 43rd scale models.
User avatar

Topic author
dgwoodward2
Midfield
Midfield
Posts: 492
Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:39 am
Your Name: Don Woodward
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Senna
Location: North Canton, OH
Status: Offline
United States of America

Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by dgwoodward2 »

Well, after playing around with this kit for over 10 years (I am sure we all have those and more), over 5 repaintings, countless test fittings, it is finally done. While not many parts, this kit was a challenge for me. Might actually be better to say I was a challenge for the kit. My first Indycar race was the 1984 Indy 500 and I have always wanted to build the kit properly. In other words, not much to say to myself every time I look at it in the case. You know the conversation with yourself: "I should have done this better", "I wish I would have done that better". At any rate, I just kept plugging along and being a white metal kit, it certainly gives one the opportunity to redo things along the way. I still have another copy of the same kit I may build again, but for now on to the next build.

The kit is an Ampersand (original red box, not sure how important that might be other than most likely an early casting). I used Indycals.net decals for the body itself as well as the tire decals that include a black ring behind the white lettering. Paint was Mr. Surfacer white over scalefinishes.com Pennzoil pearl yellow basecoat with Gravity Colors Spain 2k clearcoat. All paint was completed using an Iwata LPH-80 (HVLP Mini-gun) with a 0.4mm needle. Most glue was the Flexy 5K CA Slow variant. Base is a BBR with the gray top. Label was with Brother p-touch placed over a silver plaque. I will point out that the last ting I did was the windscreen. I hate doing windscreens as they are usually troublesome in some way and extremely difficult to overcome mistakes with. For that I used a sharpie fine to outline the cuts and then cut close to then sand to the edge I was after. I also outlined the bottom of the windscreen and the top of the body in flat black to sort of mask the edge a bit. Glue was a white version to dry clear and not etch the surface. It is not perfect by any means but okay for me on this one.

I like to provide these details for any others out there who are curious about building 1/43 and see something that can help them. I am so glad to be back into the hobby!
mears1a.jpg
mears2a.jpg
User avatar

feelgood
F2 Champion
F2 Champion
Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:28 pm
Status: Offline

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by feelgood »

Fantastic result, you should be proud!

David-Ithaca-NY
F3
F3
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2017 8:55 am
Status: Offline

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by David-Ithaca-NY »

fantastic, great subject
User avatar

AJP01
Minor Constructor
Minor Constructor
Posts: 940
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:00 pm
Status: Offline

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by AJP01 »

Wow, fantastic! I can't do 1/43 as I'm honest with myself about my eyesight. And my finger dexterity. But you've done a brilliant job!

AJ
User avatar

Indy1977TX
Minor Constructor
Minor Constructor
Posts: 945
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 11:39 pm
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Penske Racing
Status: Offline
United States of America

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by Indy1977TX »

Really solid job. This is one of my favorites as it was the first 500 I watched on TV and I have been a Mears fan ever since. Be proud of this one.

Jordan
User avatar

Shunter
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 2887
Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2003 12:38 am
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Williams
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:
Status: Offline
Australia

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by Shunter »

Looks fantastic, very nicely done.

Formulamike
World Champion
World Champion
Posts: 671
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:00 am
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Lotus
Status: Offline
Germany

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by Formulamike »

Looks great, :D

Mike
User avatar

waxdart
Backmarker
Backmarker
Posts: 368
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:13 pm
Location: Georgetown, TX. Earth. Down the road a piece from COTA
Status: Offline

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by waxdart »

Love it! Tim
User avatar

marlborored
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 2523
Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004 1:45 pm
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: McLaren, Senna; Lotus, Clark
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Status: Offline
United States of America

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by marlborored »

Amazing!!!
User avatar

vekkuli
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 4438
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:20 pm
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Stake Sauber
Location: Oulu-Uleåborg Finland
Status: Offline
Finland

Re: Completed (FINALLY) - 1/43 Mears 1984 Indy Winner

Post by vekkuli »

Very nice & clean little Beast 8) !
Post Reply