Post by Joel_W on Aug 7, 2020 10:15:21 GMT -8
Took a few days off from actually doing any modeling, then decided on building the Ebbro 1/20 scale Rob Walker Lotus 49b. The kit comes as the final version of the Lotus 49b with exhaust ports on the top of the nose clip for the Radiator in that gaudy Red & Gold paint scheme, which was quite a shocker in 1968, at least it was to me. There were several modifications from the 1st generation Lotus 49 such as moving the front wheels forward by 3 inches, added a high rear wing, and wings to either side of the nose clip. The FIA also approved wider tires for the 1968 season.
Rob Walker ran a very competitive private Formula 1 team with works Lotus cars, but just one driver, who was a personal favorite of mine: Jo Siffert. He, like Clark could literally drive the wheels off any race car. Walker was pretty familiar to most of us following F1 in the racing section of Road & Track magazine. Unfortunately, back then there was usually a lag of 2+ months or so between the race and his race article. But that's all we had back in the 1960's. As a side note, Walker never really worried about funding his team without the need for sponsors as his family took care of that issue. They owned Johnny Walker Scotch Whiskey.
The Walker car was basically a one color Dark Blue, so matching it the best I can should be fairly straight forward. Fortunately, Indy Cals makes the correct decals for this car.
The major difference between Walker's 49b and the official team 49b was the nose and internal ducting to funnel the hot radiator air out and produce a little more downforce.
Here's the nose section of Walkers car:
and here's a look down at a model of the team car.
The kit part.
Added plastic sheet backing
Filled the openings with 2 part Apoxie Sculpt putty, then removed the excess using my fingers and water. Once dry I sanded to shape, then a coat of Bondo, followed by Tamiya putty thinned with Extra Thin to fill in any depressions and scratches.
Up next is priming the nose and fixing all the issues that I'm sure I missed.
Joel
Rob Walker ran a very competitive private Formula 1 team with works Lotus cars, but just one driver, who was a personal favorite of mine: Jo Siffert. He, like Clark could literally drive the wheels off any race car. Walker was pretty familiar to most of us following F1 in the racing section of Road & Track magazine. Unfortunately, back then there was usually a lag of 2+ months or so between the race and his race article. But that's all we had back in the 1960's. As a side note, Walker never really worried about funding his team without the need for sponsors as his family took care of that issue. They owned Johnny Walker Scotch Whiskey.
The Walker car was basically a one color Dark Blue, so matching it the best I can should be fairly straight forward. Fortunately, Indy Cals makes the correct decals for this car.
The major difference between Walker's 49b and the official team 49b was the nose and internal ducting to funnel the hot radiator air out and produce a little more downforce.
Here's the nose section of Walkers car:
and here's a look down at a model of the team car.
The kit part.
Added plastic sheet backing
Filled the openings with 2 part Apoxie Sculpt putty, then removed the excess using my fingers and water. Once dry I sanded to shape, then a coat of Bondo, followed by Tamiya putty thinned with Extra Thin to fill in any depressions and scratches.
Up next is priming the nose and fixing all the issues that I'm sure I missed.
Joel