Brabham BT45 - Model Factory Hiro - 1/12

[DocRob]

The front section was really difficult to build together due to many intersecting parts. Finally, I got the coolers glued to the framework and let dry for a while. The next difficulty was to add the front section to the monocoque. You had to plan ahead and follow the instructions to the number, to get it done. Finally, I got the four connection points glued in, while fiddling all the other ducts, hoses and wires. I´m lucky that this part of the build is behind me now and I can look forward to marry the monocoque to the engine section soon. 









Cheers Rob

[FullArmor]

3 hours ago, DocRob said:

The front section was really difficult to build together due to many intersecting parts. Finally, I got the coolers glued to the framework and let dry for a while. The next difficulty was to add the front section to the monocoque. You had to plan ahead and follow the instructions to the number, to get it done. Finally, I got the four connection points glued in, while fiddling all the other ducts, hoses and wires. I´m lucky that this part of the build is behind me now and I can look forward to marry the monocoque to the engine section soon. 









Cheers Rob

Impressive amount of details

[BlrwestSiR]

Those rads look absolutely fragile on the front there. I'd be afraid to handle it after attaching the pair of them. 

 

[DocRob]

19 hours ago, FullArmor said:

Impressive amount of details

 

9 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Those rads look absolutely fragile on the front there. I'd be afraid to handle it after attaching the pair of them.

Thanks FA and Carl, the radiators are indeed protruding far out, but they are relatively robust. The process of getting the complete front section glued to the monocoque needed some hefty handling and they hold up.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

Today, I joined the engine with the monocoque. Test fitting was done before, but a last aggregate with three tubes attached needed to be fittet in between. That proved very difficult, but after some attempts, I got it done. If you ever build the kit, don´t glue the metal end plates (M142, M143) to the monocoque, like shown in step 13. Luckily I didn´t, because other ways I would have had to remove them to fit the engine in step 17.











And finally, I tried the fit of the center body parts.



Cheers Rob

[Landlubber Mike]

Looks so good Rob - the level of detail is incredible on this kit!  You're doing a masterful job.

[DocRob]

On 7/14/2025 at 7:25 PM, Landlubber Mike said:

Looks so good Rob - the level of detail is incredible on this kit!  You're doing a masterful job.

Thank you Mike, there is indeed a lot of detail included. Luckily the design of the kit is very good, which helps to get everything into the body.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

Slowly, I´m nearing the finish line. I added many details to the body, like fasteners, bolts and rivets and worked on the final fitting of the body parts. I am always a little scared when it comes to vacuum formed parts like the smoke clear windshield. It´s always best to cut it with a pair of scissors, than sanding, because the burr is very hard to remove. Finally I got it done, using Tamiya flexible masking tape as a guideline.
The clear part was glued to the body with 1mm wide double sided clear adhesive tape and then received the tiny rivets. The side air intakes are not finally glued to the body, I may let them removable for better sight on the engine, but then, I add some guiding bolts.
Now I´m preparing the rims and the nose section and then wroarrrrrrrrrrr.





Cheers Rob

[Martinnfb]

Simply amazing. The level of detail is stunning and your execution flawless Rob. Truly a master class.

Cheers

Martin

[DocRob]

16 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

Simply amazing. The level of detail is stunning and your execution flawless Rob. Truly a master class.

Thank you Martin, at the moment, it´s about hiding all the details under body parts, but they are removable, luckily.

Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

There is a song from The Reverend Horton Heat, which is called "It´s Martini Time". The song is like a anthem to me as I love cocktails and specially Martini cocktails, albeit, I never prepare them with Martini. Anyway, the BT45 would fit into the bar, but no chance, no models in the living area .

After two more sessions, the BT45 was done surprisingly rapid in the end. The innards of the nose section fit perfectly and on went the nose. It is removable as are the cockpit and engine fairing. 
It felt nearly indecent, to paint the beautiful turned aluminum rims, but my car had them in black. After drilling all the needed holes very carefully, not to scratch the precious parts, I primed them with Mr. Surfacer 1500 black and found the matte black looked so good, why spoiling it with a color coat. Finally the tyres were mounted onto the rims and then I added the air vents, which proved fiddly. The tyres are absolutely perfect, with pre printed branding and much heavier and durable then e.g. Tamiya tyres. They need to be with the weight of the car, which is also supported by two spacers under the chassis.

Well, let the pics speak:





































Cheers Rob

[DocRob]

Here is the song. If the Reverend says so it must be true 
 

Cheers (I mean it) Rob

[FullArmor]

Pictures certainly speaks🤯. You have outdone yourself

[DocRob]

2 hours ago, FullArmor said:

Pictures certainly speaks🤯. You have outdone yourself

Thank you FA, it was a relatively easy project for a MFH build. It took me less than three month, and it was all joy and not a lot of problematic areas. It seems, I slowly develop my car building skills.

Cheers Rob

[Landlubber Mike]

Wow Rob, you've really built up a beauty there!  The white makes for a really sharp looking subject in my opinion.  Great job as always!  

I can't believe you're already done.  Did you decide on a next subject?

[DocRob]

13 hours ago, Landlubber Mike said:

Wow Rob, you've really built up a beauty there!  The white makes for a really sharp looking subject in my opinion.  Great job as always!  

I can't believe you're already done.  Did you decide on a next subject?

Thank you Mike, despite the white BT45 never really raced, I liked it better than the red version as well. I´m surprised too, how fast the kit went together in the end. It confirms my initial thought, that a F1 car is way easier to build than a full bodied car. It is not that I spent the whole day in the cave during the build.
I haven´t decided on the next build. I will travel a bit over summer, so maybe a relaxed in between build.

Cheers Rob 

[HubertB]

Great result, Rob. She is looking very sharp indeed.

If my stash was not already overloaded, your build threads would push me to look closer at MFH's offers ...

But we modellers are just reasonable types when it comes to modelling, aren't we ?

Hubert

[DocRob]

6 hours ago, HubertB said:

Great result, Rob. She is looking very sharp indeed.

If my stash was not already overloaded, your build threads would push me to look closer at MFH's offers ...

But we modellers are just reasonable types when it comes to modelling, aren't we ?

 

Thank you Hubert, I have to question your status as a serious modeler. There is no thing like an overloaded stash, buy a bigger house .
The BT45 was a blunt sword unfortunately, but I always have a heart for good looking underdogs.

Cheers Rob

[crazypoet]

On 7/18/2025 at 9:27 PM, DocRob said:

There is a song from The Reverend Horton Heat, which is called "It´s Martini Time". The song is like a anthem to me as I love cocktails and specially Martini cocktails, albeit, I never prepare them with Martini. Anyway, the BT45 would fit into the bar, but no chance, no models in the living area .

After two more sessions, the BT45 was done surprisingly rapid in the end. The innards of the nose section fit perfectly and on went the nose. It is removable as are the cockpit and engine fairing. 
It felt nearly indecent, to paint the beautiful turned aluminum rims, but my car had them in black. After drilling all the needed holes very carefully, not to scratch the precious parts, I primed them with Mr. Surfacer 1500 black and found the matte black looked so good, why spoiling it with a color coat. Finally the tyres were mounted onto the rims and then I added the air vents, which proved fiddly. The tyres are absolutely perfect, with pre printed branding and much heavier and durable then e.g. Tamiya tyres. They need to be with the weight of the car, which is also supported by two spacers under the chassis.

Well, let the pics speak:





































Cheers Rob

This is utterly beautiful- much more than a “model” 

this is a stunning representation in miniature of every fastener and system - more like an engineering prototype 

beautifully rendered

[DocRob]

9 hours ago, crazypoet said:

This is utterly beautiful- much more than a “model” 

this is a stunning representation in miniature of every fastener and system - more like an engineering prototype 

beautifully rendered

Thank you, the good thing about MFH models is, they force you to super detail, It´s all in the box, no need for aftermarket items. The only thing you need is patience and commitment.

Cheers Rob