If I told you guys I set aside the 1/144 stuff to build a 1/48 kit you’d probably think I had finally come to my senses….but just because the scale is bigger doesn’t mean the model is! The wife and I were at the Strasburg flea market after the meeting Saturday and I stumbled across this absolutely adorable kit. Id like to introduce you to the latest addition to my workbench, the Lotus Ford by Renwal:
The kit appears to be based on the Lotus 25 from the early 60s, but I’m not an F1 expert by any means. I think it has a lot of potential, but the way it assembles (and its small size) is going to make painting pretty complicated I’m afraid.
I started by removing all the chrome plating by using Draino. I then started dry fitting parts and noticed you’re supposed to put the suspension parts on before closing the body. However, this means I’ll have to mask off all the fragile exterior parts to sand and paint the body. That sort of stalled me a bit and made me take a step back.
I think, despite the instructions, I’m going to try to finish the body first, then attach the suspension last. I don’t know how well it will work because of the angles involved and how the pieces attach inside, but I think it’s my only chance at having a nice finish on the body.
I’ll be sure to bring it to the next meeting so you car guys can mock my sure-to-be lackluster paint job.
– Chad
Shenandoah Valley Modelers 
But it says right on the box ” No painting required “. How do you argue with that sort of logic? My very real question is how do you secure such a tiny body so that it can be painted without blowing away? The thought of trying to grasp those exterior mirrors so they can be attached to the body, Gadzooks!
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The nose is hollowed out, so I’ll probably shove something in there to attach it to a stick for painting…hopefully. It’s still bigger than most of my aircraft fuselages, so i think I’ll be able to work it out. Re-painting the mirrors and other small pieces may be the more difficult task. I normally brush paint small airplane parts but the only way to get a nice chrome look will be with my airbrush I think.
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Molotow pen would be WAY easier. Cripes it will take you fifteen to twenty minutes just to set up an airbrush, for what eight seconds of painting? You small scale guys are INSANE. I mean that with the utmost respect of course
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That’s not a bad idea. I may have to give the pen a shot (I might even have one already). I’m just afraid the finish won’t be as smooth.
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Unless I’m mistaken, I believe those mirrors are smaller than cookie crumbs. Most everybody in our club will be taking their glasses OFF just to see the blessed things! Never mind how smooth the finish is on said cookie crumbs. A silver Sharpie will also do the trick, but it won’t be as shiny…As the ancient philosopher once said “Bro, sometimes good enough is good enough”. Lol
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I have a few of these Renwal 1/48 kits. They vary so much in quality. Some are quite accurate, some, well, have shape issues. They fit right in with other 1/43 scale kits I have. Looking forward to seeing this build.
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