Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12

[HubertB]

Lots of prep work going on, Rob. If it’s any consolation, the fit of the body panels of the original Cobra was not that great, when you look at period pictures.

Hubert

[Landlubber Mike]

Nice work Rob - seems like a lot of work on such an expensive kit, but maybe that's part of the charm?

[CANicoll]

My eyes hurt just looking at those hinges and then having to fill and redrill the holes to get a better fit.  Wow...

[DocRob]

3 hours ago, HubertB said:

Lots of prep work going on, Rob. If it’s any consolation, the fit of the body panels of the original Cobra was not that great, when you look at period pictures.

I know Hubert, but want to do the preparations as good as possible. No way to tell, how everything will fit onto the chassis in the end. It´s definitely a phase in the build where I don´t want to rush anything.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

3 hours ago, Landlubber Mike said:

Nice work Rob - seems like a lot of work on such an expensive kit, but maybe that's part of the charm?

Somehow even these delicate steps are rewarding, Mike. You need a different methodical approach with all the sub assemblies, but I can see the day, when I start to paint.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

2 hours ago, CANicoll said:

My eyes hurt just looking at those hinges and then having to fill and redrill the holes to get a better fit.  Wow...

I did shy away from these steps for a while Chris, but it has to be done. I hope my later to add 2 mm magnets will keep bonnet, rear hatch and doors in place, when finished. 
Don´t get me wrong about the quality of the kits, they are extremely well engineered, but so close to the real thing, that even Tamiya´s 1/12 kits seem like cheaters.

Cheers Rob

[CANicoll]

Rob,

The kit itself is amazing, but equally amazing is how much work (really skill) you are demonstrating in putting it together.  Fascinating to watch.  The magnet idea is terrific.  I used those magnets on a Tamiya P-51 build to make it easy to remove the drop tanks.  I only have about 50 magnets left from that!

Good luck!

Chris

[BlrwestSiR]

Seeing your progress on the Cobra is like watching car restorers working on a real one. Testing the fit of the body panels, making adjustments and repeat until perfect. 

[CANicoll]

Carl, Exactly!!!  I think that is what makes this so cool - it really is like watching a total off-frame restoration.  Cool!

[DocRob]

23 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Seeing your progress on the Cobra is like watching car restorers working on a real one. Testing the fit of the body panels, making adjustments and repeat until perfect. 

It´s indeed an iterative process and I hope the tiny threads for the screws hold up for numerous disassembling sessions. It can be a bit trying at times, specially considering, I wanted to spray on first paints on the body parts long ago, but it´s best to take time and prepare and align everything ahead of painting.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

18 hours ago, CANicoll said:

Carl, Exactly!!!  I think that is what makes this so cool - it really is like watching a total off-frame restoration.  Cool!

It is nearly this, Chris, except for the scale and no oily fingers .

Cheers Rob

[ScottsGT]

Amazing build!  

[Bomber_County]

On 12/27/2024 at 2:08 PM, DocRob said:

The Cobra Coupe is not forgotten and got some love lately. There is not a lot to show, but a lot of work has been done in advance to painting the body. Numerous sub assemblies has to be finished and you have to browse through the entire manual, to see, what connects to what and with which diameter the what´s need to be drilled. Alignment of doors, bonnet and rear hatch has to be taken in consideration, as well as fitting everything to the chassis.
I think, this is the most critical sequence in the build and I want to do it properly. I also think about adding some 2 mm magnets to hold the closed doors and hatches secure in place.



Cheers Rob

Rob, just catching up with this build, cars are a different beasts with this and the F1. Maybe I’ll put these off for awhile. Stunning modelling skills, congrats……

[DocRob]

14 minutes ago, Bomber_County said:

Rob, just catching up with this build, cars are a different beasts with this and the F1. Maybe I’ll put these off for awhile. Stunning modelling skills, congrats……

Don´t let you put off, Phil. there is a lot of fun in car building and my two examples, the Cobra and the McLaren where not the easiest picks for sure. I´m actually debating with myself, to shove an easy car build in between. The MFH kits are something special, but they need a lot of attention, specially with these huge body parts, which need to fit perfectly and also should stay openable to show the details.
Car kits call for a different skill set and I always like to learn new techniques, so it´s a perfect break for me.

Cheers Rob