THE CHESSINGTON POST (memories of a Brabham builder)

[gp-models]

Good progress James, keep it comin!

[KekekeRosberg]

Hello James
could you please tell me what paint did you use for the Brabham blue? I wonder if Tamiya's TS15 blue or TS51 Racing Blue is suitable for spraying the Brabhams.

thank you
Louis

[JamesB]

Hi Louis!
BTW, your question comes timely as there are gonna be news soon here, stay tuned.

Well, not TS15 (too light) not TS51... too dark. The latter is almost black. Besides, isn't 51 metallic?
I've used X3, Royal blue. Which is a close match as you can get.
Yes, it's acrylic, it's pot and it's not spray can. Not sure there's a match in TS range.
I also bought Zero Brabham blue. Looks spot on also, but I haven'y come to feel fine with zeros. Gotta be me no doubt.

Then there's a "15" numbered paint that is also great: god old enamel Humbrol.
A good Brabham blue, IMHO, needs to be:
-Look ALMOST black from a distance and with little light
-But blue enough to be noticeable
-But if you see too easily it's blue probably it's too light.
-It's got to have a considerable purple hue.
Thanks for asking!
BR
James

[KekekeRosberg]

Hello James
Thank you for your response. It's not easy to find the correct blue for the Brabhams. I've also got Zero Paint's Brabham blue, it's just that i'm not too comfortable using my air-brush; I need more practice on adjusting the settings. Beside, Zero Paint is not glossy at all, so I will need to polish the kit. Which is why I was looking to use Tamiya's spray color.

I will practice on using my air-brush and polishing skills I guess
Louis

[JamesB]

Hi again Louis, you're welcome.
Haha, yes the fact of the zeros not being glss is one of the turndowns for me too!
Well you may always look for an automotive spray can. Maybe there's somethinga available at your zone.
BR
James

[daveyman]

I like the Zero paint for the exact reason that they aren't gloss. When you apply the paint you can concentrate solely on getting good even coverage, without also worrying about getting the gloss finish. I then use TS13 out of the can to gloss for decaling and finish with two coats of Gunze Top Coat.

[JamesB]

I then use TS13 out of the can to gloss for decaling ...

Really???? wow great tip!! Didn't think the zero would stand the not-so-kind TS13 which is nevertheless one of my favourites. Gotta try the tip.
Yes your point of "reducing the problem to just ne variable" makes tons of sense...

...and finish with two coats of Gunze Top Coat.

And that's one I have not tried but gotta do...
Thanks!!

[daveyman]

James, all I can say is 'it works for me'. I give the paint plenty of time to dry, 2/3weeks, before applying the TS13. This gives a good finish for applying the decals. Again, let them thourghly dry and then a couple of coats of Top Coat. It's funny stuff to spray, you have to get it right to the edge of too much paint but you get a good realistic gloss that can be lightly polished to a nice shine.

[Moscow]

No image

[JamesB]

OK, lads.
"It's beginning to feel a lot like Brabhams...."

I love to get models finished for Xmas time, though in this case, besides it's a promise.Here we go..
Not much left to do with those... I struggled a bit to fix gearbox inside. Also I made a set of engine bay parts visible thru the sidpod vent.
This latter was also a PITA: hard to fix a mesh from the outside, besides most of meshes would "slope", till I found one witn the threads stuck to each other. I finally added it from underneath, thinning the bodywork edges.
I also painted all the stuff inside in blac, added some exhausts and got some bottoms ready in aluminum. I prefer it to the brass sheet. Well, that's it:



Meanwhile, some mirrors were made from scratch, also their supporting rods.



THese two already have their bottoms glued, also the driver is there.
Hmmm.... I see I skipped a set of pics showing cockpit and engine work.... will try to bring them back here.





Suspensions are made from brass rod, on my own made resin uprights. Good thing is that I could mae the lower wishbone front arm a continuous bar that crosses the chassis, that makes it solid and helps with ride height adjustment.







Then goes upper wishbone, paint, and later, with black rod, the steering arms and pushrods. Easier than I expected.



Tomorrow hopefully, wings, mirrors, and drivers' helmets....
Best regards
Thanks for looking!
J