About Me

São Paulo, Brazil
I am 39 years old, Chemical Engineer and Pos-graduated in Administration and started to build models when I was 8 years old. During this time, I used to rebuild my oldest brother models, like tanks, airplanes and military stuff. Some years later, I decided to join the passion for formula 1 with the hobby and started to build racing cars, motorcycles and formula cars. I don't take the hobby so serious, just for fun, I have several friends in the hobby and also participate in some contests, but in the end, what really matters is to share our techniques with friends enjoying friendship that hobby brings to modelers all around the world.

Sunday 3 February 2013

WIP - Ferrari 641/2 - 1990 - Nigel Mansell - 1/20 - Fujimi

The 641 was a developed version of its predecessor, the 1989 Ferrari 640 designed by John Barnard. The updated 641 design was overseen by Steve Nichols, and was powered by a 3.5 litre V12 engine, first with the type 036, and later in San Marino with the updated 037. The car scored 6 wins in the 1990 season (Prost 5 wins, Mansell 1 win) Incorporating the semi-automatic gearbox developed during the previous season, the car was seen to be technically advanced. The aerodynamics were reworked and the chassis given a slightly longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Ferrari's major coup was signing reigning World Champion Alain Prost from McLaren to partner Nigel Mansell. As such, Nichols designed the car with Prost's smooth driving style in mind. A variable inlet trumpet system on the engine was tested throughout the season, but did not become standard equipment.

Prost worked hard on improving the reliability of the gearbox and also worked behind the scenes to bring the whole Ferrari team closer together. Prost's development work helped the 641 chassis to be extremely fast and competitive, and he scored five wins, including a remarkable victory from 13th place on the grid in Mexico, and challenged his nemesis Ayrton Senna for the championship. Although the car occasionally struggled in qualifying, it appeared to have the edge on the McLarens in race trim. However, the famous collision between the two drivers at the Japanese Grand Prix sealed the drivers' championship for Senna and the constructors' championship for McLaren. Prost finished runner-up in the championship and Mansell finished 5th and scored 1 win, including an excellent performance in his last race for Ferrari at Adelaide, where he finished 2nd and almost won that race from Nelson Piquet and his Benetton. It would be another seven years before Ferrari would challenge for either championship again.

This is the Fujimi kit and since the Alain Prost decals were damaged, I decided for Nigel Mansell and it was easy replaced by some extra decals I had from other cars built inthe past.

the kit is almost finished, missing cockpit and some exterior details.



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4 comments:

  1. Motorsport Modeller4 February 2013 at 04:47

    Looks great and nice to see you did the #2, it would have been my pick from the start....haha How did you find the kit? Was it OK or were there issues?
    Cheers,
    Shayne
    http://motorsportmodeller.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Murilo Almeida4 February 2013 at 10:35

      Thanks for visiting...

      In general the kit is ok. the assembly is ok, except for the front wings, a little bit difficult to attach. you have to sand it and let some gaps to attach them later on when cowling is already varnished and because of it, the thicker layer of varnish can be a problem to attach it.

      Despite que wings that must be sanded I dont see any other big issue. The cowling fits very well, at least for me that most of time build closed cars...


      Special attention to sand the tires, because they are more plastic tires than Tamiya (more rubber) and when sanded you can feel the difference. I usually used a dremel to sand the tires and with too much rotation it warms the tires and degraded them, so be careful no to damage them.

      Thats it!!! enjoy!

      Delete
  2. Motorsport Modeller8 February 2013 at 03:53

    Thank you for the feedback, it is one i shall certainly put on my shopping list.

    ReplyDelete
  3. H.29 May 2013 at 12:18

    This is one of my favourite F1 Ferraris. I have never forgot the sound of those V12 engines. It was absolutely stuning

    Looks great. Congratulations for a job well done.

    I also have one of these to build, but unfortunately I will have to wait to arrange some time to build it...

    Greetings from Portugal and keep up the good work

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