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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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McLaren 50th Anniversary
September 21, 2013I was privileged to be invited to one aspect of McLaren’s 50th year anniversary celebrations last week (September 11-12th). I felt very honoured when Neil Trundle (McLaren heritage) recommended me to Matthew Jeffreys (former McLaren chassis designer) and Richard West … Continue reading
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2nd Photobook, – McLaren M19C.
August 29, 2013I have recently finished my latest 60 page Photobook, which is volume 4 in the series relating to the 1972 McLaren M19C model, in 1/12 scale – follow this link to view the McLaren M19C, 1972 Photobook. This covers the … Continue reading
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McLaren Employee Motor Show
August 18, 2013I was privileged to be invited to McLaren’s 2013 event, held yesterday in order to add a little extra variety to their many superb exhibits; some were set-up by team members and interactive but mostly to give opportunity to employees … Continue reading
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Photobox Book now available!
August 11, 2013“MRO F1 Engineering, the first twenty years”, my first Photobox photo/text book is now ready for viewing. This mammoth work, burning the candle at both ends for six weeks, whilst at the same time at my full-time day job, has … Continue reading
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Twitter temporarily static
May 22, 2013I have not contributed any Tweets to mrof1models for over a fortnight due to another project taking precedence. I have at long last found a Photobook program that suits my needs. Having desired to write a Photobook for each of … Continue reading
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1973 Tyrrell 006 photos
May 12, 2013I have recently discovered the easiest way to see these, is to click on the Twitter icon (RHS Menu bar), then click on ‘View all photos and videos’ statement immediately below the six latest pictures displayed on my home page … Continue reading
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Automodellismo 3, May 5th 2013
May 12, 2013I took eight models (and one work in progress) to this event run by Mat Irvine and Paul Fitzmaurice (latter of little-cars.com, superb range of top quality after market products for modelling). The welcome and appreciation for my attendance was … Continue reading
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McLaren MP4/2C
April 23, 2013Last week, McLaren’s Neil Trundle (working with the team’s historic collection), very kindly welcomed me for a superficial examination of the MP4/2C’s early execution of Carbon Fibre. This will help me restore the 1/12 Protar MP4/2C I built when the … Continue reading
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Exoto xs 1/18 models
April 11, 2013I have recently discovered this branch of Exoto’s previously well known diecast model cars etc. The Exoto xs models are something else and show exceptional detail and craftsmanship. Being very familiar with CMC models here in Europe, having now seen … Continue reading
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British Racing Mechanics (BRM) annual dinner
January 28, 2013I was very kindly invited to attend the BRM annual dinner on Jan 26th by Neil Trundle (McLaren) and Tony Mantle (BRM Chairman). This was a real treat and privilege with my hosts offering great generosity in looking after me, … Continue reading
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