1/12 Scale 1972 Ferrari 312 PB
Limited edition kit by Models Plus of Italy
No.154 of 500, purchased direct from Italy for about $350.00
Modifications and Additions
The body modifications include reshaping the front 'lip', making the headlight opening quite a bit smaller and creating new, thicker covers, lengthening the body area over the engine, opening all the various ducts, widening the rear wing and generally realigning the body/chassis.
There were a number of changes made to the chassis. These included wiring and plumbing, a wire stone guard behind the left oil tank, opening up the area behind and below the right radiator and detailing it, adding small, long springs to the various radiator hold downs, creating the final shift linkage, machining a few pieces here and there and replacing all of the suspension and roll bar white metal parts with brass.
The main addition to the interior is the pattern on the seats. This was done on a computer by my friend Lindley Ruddick and the finished artwork was printed on an Alps and turned into a decal. I also added frame work on the floor and wired all the electrical devices.
The wheels are quite nice and the only thing I did was machine the inside diameter to fit the tires better and add valve stems. All the parts and pieces were fitted and refitted while still in their basic materials or in primer. I also built a somewhat elaborate jig to hold everything in line and at the correct height.
The model was painted in Ditzler acrylic lacquer and after the decals (which are very nice) were applied a coat of PPG Polyurethane clear was airbrushed on.
All in all a good basic kit if you have some scratch building background and in my opinion well worth the money.