Italeri 1/12 Fiat Mefistofeles

Looks like a interesting build,I like the grill it looks very detailed.

Superb details there mate.

Hi all well the friction dampers are definitely fiddely these took all last night (the legs/arms have round holes which are an interference fit on square pegs I was worried they might snap with the force required to push them on, so I drilled them out a bit, still a snug fit but safer

Awesome!

Where did you find that model? I've never seen anything like it.

Hi all here's the next installment.
A lot of the kit supplied tubing is way out of scale, another modeler is building this (to a much higher standard than I could hope to and they are using shrink wrap tubing to great effect) the following photo is of the kit supplied tubing and the tubing I intend to use (I think you can see there is quite a difference)

I am a firm believer that Ken's custom weathering is the FINEST ON THE PLANET - PERIOD

Hi all I've just realised there is a huge error on this engines valve gear, every single cylinder is moulded in compression stroke (all valves closed) every multi cylinder engine I've ever worked on whilst one is closed the other is either on exhaust or intake stroke, had I have noticed before I'd brass leafed or stuck them on I could have corrected it fairly easily I think, too late now but for anyone else building this a point to remember.

Thanks mate glad you like it, it's a great kit but for a few short comings most of the extras with the kit are out of scale (the springs are 3 turns too short )(whilst I'm at it another flaw with the kit I just realised, no valve stems (bit of stretched sprue esily fixed)(too late in my case) also the ht leads supplied are way too thick)I'm not saying it's not a great kit, only that there is loads that can be done to improve it.

Thanks tor the info Ken.  When I build mine I hope you won't mind giving me pointers on what you learned with this build and the tips and tricks to get it built right.

Hi all well done a bit more on this, I was told by someone building this on another forum the chain is very difficult to do(you put it together in sections then melt the little pins to keep the chain together)
well as he did I melted the first link to the one underneath, so I had a rethink activexp (the other builder) tried a solering iron with adjustable heat setting and even on the lower setting had trouble with melting links so that method I ruled out, my solution which seemed to work quite well after a few minor changes (tried cold water but cooled the blade to quick)I put the chain assy in a shallow glass dish and put just enough hot water in till it is level with the top link then heat the knife blade up and melt the pin, I made the water as hot as I could bare to put my hand in (not boiling as was worried it might warp or melt the plastic)



this is just one set there are I think 4 more

Hi all well back off hols with renewed energy, oh dear, there is something weird with the plastic on this kit, the paint I'm using I usually (on other models anyway) I can get off with meths, I didn't like the look of this so I thought I would remove it and start again, I started brushing it off using meths and it started melting the plastic?

I put some plastic from another kit in the meths along with a piece of sprue from this kit over night, as you can see the ItalarI sprue has dissolved completely


And the other sprue as you can see is completely untouched

Don't know what to do now, if I sand it out I will loose the rivet detail, all I can think of is to do a what if and have it as a derelict in a barn now, any suggestions.