1/12 McLaren M23F1 Models
Models, text and photos
by Ed Hunt
This is the 1/12 Tamiya McLaren M23, built as the David Hobbs version, no. 33.
The front suspension begins to show here, with the top of the machined shocks, steering column, and links. The harness mount gussets and air bottle are also scratchbuilt.
I found it difficult to get the ride height set after tweaking all the suspension components. Seizing-up the working shocks eventually did the trick.
I cut the dash apart and fabricated all new instrumentation, retainers, etc. A batch of wiring, but pretty standard stuff.
Here is a glimpse of the turned fire bottle strapped to the floor. The wheel hub is also turned, as are the instruments, bezels, and steering rack.
Lots of tossed (cursed) Heim ends consumed in this project. Polishing the balls proved a big part of the challenge. This is pretty much all fabrications: roll bar, pillow blocks, disc, etc.
Most of the rear suspension is aluminum machining and tube. The taillight and bezel are fabrications also. No credit to me for the A/N fittings though, they’re over the counter items. The wing mount is an EDM item, polished after the cutting is done. Sorry about the dark coolers - black is black.
There - it all fits together and replicates David’s ride closely enough. I primarily attempted to capture the essence of the car.
1/12 Ferrari 312T
Primary in this build was a full aluminum monocoque capped with a machined front bulkhead. It has to be said that I don’t count rivets (literally) but I think that this one is pretty accurate.
Modifications/fabrications front to rear: the metal monocoque, instrumentation, steering wheel hub/flange, drivers air bottle, ignition coil, right side coolant overflow tank/cap, trumpets/screens, dry sump tank/caps, flank oil coolers (water rads are buried and never show up), dry sump air / oil separator, shocks, brake lines/junctions. Oh yeah, and wheels. Some plumbing and wiring in there too.
Prototype details that reflect the hand of man, such as the unfinished fiberglass brake ducts and intake plenum, make this era car particular attractive to me. Well, that and all the raw aluminum to replicate.
Sometimes I wonder why I dealt with the front bulkhead (shown below), but photos don’t always do justice. The sheet metal is clearly crisper though.
A batch of fabrication here, all the suspension, steering, monocoque, brake/clutch reservoirs/caps, front bulkhead, instrumentation, and nose pit-pins, to name a few.