1/12 MFH Toleman TG184 (Senna, Monaco)
Posted: Fri May 26, 2023 11:19 am
I loved making this kit. I thought the rear wing assembly and the rather strange engine layout would cause trouble but everything fitted really well.
If anyone has one of these kits in their stash, my suggestion would be to build the engine and gearbox separately but do NOT join them together as the instructions would recommend. Obviously prepare the various holes in the floor for the larger black screws (4 into the fuel tank section from beneath and one into the gearbox) but I actually secured the gearbox first and when it had set firmly, I then presented the engine to the gearbox and then gently pushed the main body onto the front of the engine until I could get the screws secured from underneath. This ensured everything fitted perfectly. Two large pipes pass between the fuel tank section and the front of the engine and so there is a small amount of wiggle room - although I am surprised the real car was very stiff in this area!
Be wary of the photo-etch section for the small rear oil cooler. It hangs down slightly lower than the floor and when one moves the model around, it is constantly exposed to damage and in the end mine broke off and I had to add a small rectangular piece of plastic to re-attach it. If I could have my time again, I would suggest attaching this assembly right at the end of the build
The Candy decals along the radiator cooling vents were complicated and a little too brittle to be ideal - but as they are white, it was easy to touch up where necessary and under clearcoat (Zero Two Pack), it all looks OK (I think anyway!)
You can only assess the fit of the main bodywork top section once you have built the sidepod sections (and rads and turbo etc) and in my case, this necessitated a lot of hairdryer action on the left hand side. The car had already been gloss-coated but I got lucky and the mirror finish was hardly affected. I also added a couple of extra magnets to secure the nosecone more firmly.
I have posted about 40 photos of the open and closed finished kit on my website (URL below). If anyone is also building this kit and has any questions, please ask away!
https://hhms.info/formula-1%3B-84-91#9f ... 5ec35740a1
Thanks so much for looking,
Have a nice weekend
HUGO
www.hhms.info
If anyone has one of these kits in their stash, my suggestion would be to build the engine and gearbox separately but do NOT join them together as the instructions would recommend. Obviously prepare the various holes in the floor for the larger black screws (4 into the fuel tank section from beneath and one into the gearbox) but I actually secured the gearbox first and when it had set firmly, I then presented the engine to the gearbox and then gently pushed the main body onto the front of the engine until I could get the screws secured from underneath. This ensured everything fitted perfectly. Two large pipes pass between the fuel tank section and the front of the engine and so there is a small amount of wiggle room - although I am surprised the real car was very stiff in this area!
Be wary of the photo-etch section for the small rear oil cooler. It hangs down slightly lower than the floor and when one moves the model around, it is constantly exposed to damage and in the end mine broke off and I had to add a small rectangular piece of plastic to re-attach it. If I could have my time again, I would suggest attaching this assembly right at the end of the build
The Candy decals along the radiator cooling vents were complicated and a little too brittle to be ideal - but as they are white, it was easy to touch up where necessary and under clearcoat (Zero Two Pack), it all looks OK (I think anyway!)
You can only assess the fit of the main bodywork top section once you have built the sidepod sections (and rads and turbo etc) and in my case, this necessitated a lot of hairdryer action on the left hand side. The car had already been gloss-coated but I got lucky and the mirror finish was hardly affected. I also added a couple of extra magnets to secure the nosecone more firmly.
I have posted about 40 photos of the open and closed finished kit on my website (URL below). If anyone is also building this kit and has any questions, please ask away!
https://hhms.info/formula-1%3B-84-91#9f ... 5ec35740a1
Thanks so much for looking,
Have a nice weekend
HUGO
www.hhms.info
Off to Lord's next, I believe