After many months of detailed research of the real cars and that of two 1/12 scale models made between 1998 and 2005, the photobook is finally complete and available to view on-line via Photobox, click here.
With two cars being involved, I felt I could not justify producing one photoboook for the model of the 1974 car, only to then produce a second one for the 1976 model, obliging interested readers to consider a second photobook. From the outset, a single book covering both cars was decided on, however it has been a monumental task and I had to limit it to a sensible size, enlarging the usual photo book from 60 or 70 pages to 124 pages. The cost via myself, is a little more at £95 plus P&P, rather than the usual £70 excluding P&P. However, the story of how these two models came about and the interactions with the cars themselves and the personalities around them are parallel theme. In this way, considering these cars and the models of them I have made side by side, is itself fascinating and an insight into the evolution of this ever so successful icon of Formula One racing during the era 1973-1977. Therefore, they go well together in the same photo book and I hope you will enjoy a good read and the wealth of photographs of both the real cars and the very detailed models of them. As ever, the purpose behind these photobooks has been to produce one for each model for my own library only, however I will in time accumulate a small stock of this photobook for supply to others in the future, for I can’t rely on holding such a valuable resource in the digital realm permanently (shared with all, via Photobox).
I welcome comments sent to Contact in the usual way, both by way of constructive criticism and enjoyment of the product hopefully.
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Raison D’Etre
If anything I have made brings pleasure and a degree of wonder, please do give God the glory and praise, for it is merely the talent He has given, that I am exercising. Amongst the F1 designs I have incorporated as wall tiles in my workspace, are two with the Bible texts John 3 v 16 and Romans 10 v 9 which help me keep my mind focussed on what really matters. Do give them a read. These models were built as one-off, hopefully unique cars of the 1970's mainly (some late 60's and fewer 90’s and later) which I am now prepared to sell from my personal collection, to the right special people. Over the years, I have been unable to accept commissions due to lack of time and an over indulgent approach. Each model is a museum-display exhibit and they are not in any sense 'working models'. Over many years, I have built 1/12 scale F1 models almost exclusively, each being in the order of 12-14" (30-36cm) long. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, my aim was to increase in a small way, the 1/12 scale representation of Grand Prix car entries to the F1 World Championship that were not available commercially, as kits to be built. Since 2010, Model Plus and Model Factory Hiro especially, have supplied more and more of these older subjects to model makers. The models shown here, perhaps represent my desire to own the the full-scale car, yet that is not feasible or practical (unless you are Bernie Ecclestone) and each of my models feels like the real thing to me, having often spent so much time with the actual car. The photographs of the original cars were taken with special permission. Out of respect to the owners of actual Grand Prix cars or race 'shop owners, these photos are not available for further distribution, nor are my own inexpert engineering drawings. The models are built with the idea of 'no effort spared' and to look as realistic as possible. I will go to eccentric and sometimes otherwise unreasonable lengths to replicate every detail of design and engineering in order to satisfy myself that I have something properly accurate. This includes the concept that all bodywork should be removable in the same way as on the full-size car though not actually with working miniature fasteners of course, but instead faithful visual representations of these important details. In this way, I am able to allow the model to reveal the engineering within. Additionally the underneath of the car is also modelled, for there is much to be enjoyed regarding 'how it all works' from seeing what is not normally visible. I have felt that in this way, these models may serve to educate interested folk as to what makes a Grand Prix car 'tick', for access to the real thing is rare and makes this aspect somewhat mysterious. I have shown some of those I consider the better models at shows, but do so relatively infrequently due to the effort and logistics of getting to often far-flung venues, not to mention the potential accelerated ageing effect on the models themselves, in transporting them. Inspiration comes from the great model makers such as Henri Baigent, Gerald Wingrove, also my friends involved in the same hobby and in particular folk like John Shinton here in the UK and especially Andy Matthews from America who produces 1990s 'gems', which are wonderful to study. Hopefully that covers everything; now all it remains is to enjoy! MRO, August 2010 (updated November 2023)
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