I have been doing some rearranging in my hobby room and this has been moved around in doing so.
It was then that I thought maybe some of you might be interested to see it.
It is the Tamiya 1/12 Renault RE-20, which I built way way back in 1991 (so yeah 32 years ago
)Its starting to show its age and as such is aging gracefully, which I kind of like anyway...
I was only a young lad then and was a keen model builder, however this was one of the first models that I started to use spray paint on (Tamiya of course). It was the first model where I added extra bits of pieces and went the extra mile on. I can't remember why I decided to add a driver figure, but I am glad I did as you rarely see them added to a 1/12 scale model. What I do remember was that it was a Tamiya 'straight run' motorbike rider, and that there was a lot of cutting and adjusting of the limbs. The helmet design was hand painted. The feet are firmly on the pedals, however I was reluctant to take the body off for more photos as the passage of time has allowed the air hose to the helmet react with the paint and it has welded itself together
The base idea came later after the model was complete. During the course of construction something went a miss and the rear left wheel was sitting higher and not flat on the ground. I wasn't happy with that, so came up with this solution to hide it. It is loosely based on Mirabeau corner at Monaco. My late father was a craftsman (and also built kits as a kid) and together (well mostly him
) we made the base and figured out and solved the complexity of the compounded curves that makes up the four sides. It worked a treat and achieved its purpose...all wheels firmly on the ground!
For many years space constraints meant that the model was in the cabinet (with wheel of ground
) and the base was in a cupboard. It was only some years ago that they finally came together again. I got an acrylic cover made up for it and it now sits beside my desk in the model room. Everytime I look at it, it reminds me of dad, for it was he who introduced me to the hobby all those years ago.
Thanks for looking and hope you like it.
Cheers. Tim
It would be great to hear other guys stories..., and even how they got into the hobby in the first place. I could keep on going but that might be for later