Following a suggestion by Anthony (Abie321) that I start a new thread, herewith an overview of my South African F1 builds. I have previously posted some of these on the Formula 1/32 forum but have added some detail around the Chassis and laminated body shells.
I have used either the Scalextric Lotus 49b (Jo Siffert (C3413) or the all white Lotus (C3442) as a base for the Brabham, Lotus 49, March 701 and the Surtees. Some use just the under tray, motor and wheels with longer axles fitted to widen the wheelbase where required, while others use the whole car with bodywork modifications. This allows for a similar level of performance when racing against my collection of other Scalextric 1960s and 70s formula 1 cars.
The 2 Lotus 72s are based on the Scalextric Lotus 72C (C3542A) with modifications to the rear spoiler and scratchbuilt air-boxes, while the McLaren started as a McLaren M23 (C3414A) and has side pod and rear spoiler modifications with a scratchbuilt air-box. All the modified body shells, spoilers and air-boxes are built up using laminated styrene sheet. (I have boxes of scrap styrene from 10 years of building WW1 Vac Form aircraft)
Start of the Surtees and March bodies, designed to fit around the Scalextric Lotus 49 undertray.
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1st styrene skin over the body
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Trial fitting and building up the laminates for the airbox
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End product - Surtees TS9 as driven by John Love in the 1972 South African GP finished 16th
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The March was built the same way
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Paint for all is a mixture of Testors and Tamiya aerosols with Humbrol for the detail painting and various mixes airbrushed for the Gunston Brown. Decals are mainly modified Pattos with some custom printed and gold pinstriping/lining hand painted.
Airbox builds and modifications to Lotus 72's for both Dave Charlton's Lucky Strike and Ian Scheckters gunston sponsored cars
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McLaren modifications for Dave Charltons Lucky Strike car
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Brabham Modifications - from the "white" Lotus 49
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Some of the finished cars
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A very long post - so if you made it this far - thanks for looking !!!
I have used either the Scalextric Lotus 49b (Jo Siffert (C3413) or the all white Lotus (C3442) as a base for the Brabham, Lotus 49, March 701 and the Surtees. Some use just the under tray, motor and wheels with longer axles fitted to widen the wheelbase where required, while others use the whole car with bodywork modifications. This allows for a similar level of performance when racing against my collection of other Scalextric 1960s and 70s formula 1 cars.
The 2 Lotus 72s are based on the Scalextric Lotus 72C (C3542A) with modifications to the rear spoiler and scratchbuilt air-boxes, while the McLaren started as a McLaren M23 (C3414A) and has side pod and rear spoiler modifications with a scratchbuilt air-box. All the modified body shells, spoilers and air-boxes are built up using laminated styrene sheet. (I have boxes of scrap styrene from 10 years of building WW1 Vac Form aircraft)
Start of the Surtees and March bodies, designed to fit around the Scalextric Lotus 49 undertray.



1st styrene skin over the body


Trial fitting and building up the laminates for the airbox

End product - Surtees TS9 as driven by John Love in the 1972 South African GP finished 16th




The March was built the same way




Paint for all is a mixture of Testors and Tamiya aerosols with Humbrol for the detail painting and various mixes airbrushed for the Gunston Brown. Decals are mainly modified Pattos with some custom printed and gold pinstriping/lining hand painted.
Airbox builds and modifications to Lotus 72's for both Dave Charlton's Lucky Strike and Ian Scheckters gunston sponsored cars





McLaren modifications for Dave Charltons Lucky Strike car




Brabham Modifications - from the "white" Lotus 49





Some of the finished cars

A very long post - so if you made it this far - thanks for looking !!!