Grip 1/8 John Player Special Lotus 72

[Moparman18064]

I am starting on a kit that I wanted to build since I was a kid. I have actually purchased it 3 times since the late ‘70s( sold twice due to finances), this time it is getting built. I always thought the JPS Lotus cars were the best looking of all. 
 

I want to elevate this kit as much as finances and skill allow, so welcome aboard

[Moparman18064]

First up, check all parts there, good, will need decals. Next, check for warpage on body panels, all the panels around cockpit fit well, the nose is warped on upper edge where it connects to cockpit area. I need to straighten, ideas? I was thinking of taping it to a level and trying semi hot water/ possibly hair dryer?

[absmiami]

Interesting - and brave - i built mine 40 years ago - its in need of restoration - major downfall is the profile of the rear tires - much too square - there are aftermarket resin replacements - by Icon ??  -  but very - too - expensive  - but do replace the markings / decals - there are several choices - also try to bolt the main sun-assemblies together - due to size and weight of the finished model …

[absmiami]

And by the way - the postings on the new 72 kit by Pocher are not very impressive - i think your 45 year old kit is nearly as good …

[Moparman18064]

7 hours ago, absmiami said:

Interesting - and brave - i built mine 40 years ago - its in need of restoration - major downfall is the profile of the rear tires - much too square - there are aftermarket resin replacements - by Icon ??  -  but very - too - expensive  - but do replace the markings / decals - there are several choices - also try to bolt the main sun-assemblies together - due to size and weight of the finished model …

Thank you. I have not seen tires available yet, but Best Balsa has the decals for about $85 and funnels and injectors for $145, ouch. Paul Koo has an upgrade kit for the Pocher for $145, which is a dvd, some screws/ bolts and tubing/ harness material. I have been in contact with Mad Mike about the engine, have not worked out a price yet. I do know that I absolutely need the decals, they are toast.

[absmiami]

Pl tell Mad that i’ll get the 1/8 Sc Cosworth, too ….  I bought them in 24 sc - assume you’ve seen them - would be the ultimate upgrade …

[Big John]

Definitely needs one of Mad Miles Cosworths.

[Moparman18064]

On 10/24/2024 at 3:08 PM, absmiami said:

Pl tell Mad that i’ll get the 1/8 Sc Cosworth, too ….  I bought them in 24 sc - assume you’ve seen them - would be the ultimate upgrade …

I sent Mike a DM stating that you would like one also. He had gotten a new printer setup and would have to put it all in new. You can DM me for more info.

[Moparman18064]

While I have weight on nose piece to work on warp, I started assembling block. This one may be for display outside only, as I am working on getting a super detailed DFV printed. I will update.

[Bugatti Fan]

The Pocher kit has had mixed reviews, but it might be worth while looking at build threads for it to pick up on some of the detailing work other model makers have done on this particular car subject.

[Moparman18064]

4 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

The Pocher kit has had mixed reviews, but it might be worth while looking at build threads for it to pick up on some of the detailing work other model makers have done on this particular car subject.

Thank you Noel. I have been doing that, along with finding every possible photo I can find of the real subject. By doing that, I found a few things ( mostly hidden) that I have not seen in other builds.

[Moparman18064]

Cleaned up edges, etc., washing and priming body parts

[Bugatti Fan]

Rich, if you have not replaced the decals a!ready, it might be worth contacting Hornby in the UK. They might be able to supply a replacement set of Pocher ones that might do the trick for your Edai Grip kit.

[Matt Bacon]

5 minutes ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Rich, if you have not replaced the decals a!ready, it might be worth contacting Hornby in the UK. They might be able to supply a replacement set of Pocher ones that might do the trick for your Edai Grip kit.

I’m afraid that won’t work, Noel… the vast majority of the livery and detail markings are pre-painted/tampo printed on the parts of the Pocher kit. If I remember correctly, there is a tiny decal sheet with the instrument faces and a couple of small warning markings, but that’s pretty much it.

best,

M.

[Bugatti Fan]

Sorry about my misleading suggestion Rich.

Matt is quite right. And he should know having built the Pocher kit.

 I stand corrected Matt !     Hope to see you at Telford this Sunday.

Noel

[Moparman18064]

3 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Sorry about my misleading suggestion Rich.

Matt is quite right. And he should know having built the Pocher kit.

 I stand corrected Matt !     Hope to see you at Telford this Sunday.

Noel

No problem at all Noel. I really appreciate other modelers trying to help me on my journey. I have scoured the internet quite a bit trying to find them. The only gig I found out there was Bestbalsa

[Matt Bacon]

Not cheap, and I know nothing about them, but:

https://www.tbdecalsmodels.com/product-page/1-8-decals-f1-lotus-72d-1972-1973-full-jps-decal-tbd544

best,

M.

[Moparman18064]

55 minutes ago, Matt Bacon said:

Not cheap, and I know nothing about them, but:

https://www.tbdecalsmodels.com/product-page/1-8-decals-f1-lotus-72d-1972-1973-full-jps-decal-tbd544

best,

M.

Thank you very much Matt! Now I have an alternate

[Bugatti Fan]

Had a quick look at those decals in the link that Matt placed in his last post. 

Agreed, a bit pricey Rich. But certainly would be a very good investment to revive your Eidai Grip kit in the grand scheme of things considering you have had the kit for ages. A new set of decals will really give a bit of a lift to the final appearance of the model.

Edited November 8, 2024 by Bugatti Fan

[Moparman18064]

I painted block in Alclad Dull Aluminum, taped off to paint heads in Dark Aluminum. I started working on nose cone, have about 3 hours in it, still need more. With the size of this thing, it will have to be seamless and laser straight before I can think about laying down super shiny black

[Bugatti Fan]

Going off subject slightly. I seem to remember a 1/8th scale  E Type Jaguar kit of about the same vintage, that was not a pop of the Monogram one. Was it Eidai Grip of someone like Bandai that made it?

[Moparman18064]

Imai made a 1/8 E Type in 1968, as did Bandai in 1970 according to Scalemates

[Moparman18064]

A bit more progress, painting the basic long block details, 3 shades of Alclad aluminums, Molotow, black, white. Next: pumps, ignition, the fun begins

[Bugatti Fan]

Rich   Thanks for the feed back on the alternative E Type kit(s) to the Monogram (now Revell) one.

Were the Imai and Bandai ones issues of the same kit?  I actually had the kit many years ago and sold it on,but could not remember who made it except it not being the Monogram mouldings

[Moparman18064]

Noel, the Imai and Bandai are the same kit. They are of a different cast than the Monogram. I have the Monogram in my closet.

Edited November 27, 2024 by Moparman18064