To contact MRO F1 Engineering, you can email mroakley@ntlworld.com. This is for any general enquires about content on this site, related to Mark’s 1/12 F1 models.
For any website feedback, such as a bug, please email Thomas and he will fix it as soon as possible.
Or, if the matter is not private you can put a comment down below and we will read it and reply if needed. You can also use Mark’s Twitter for this as well.
Hello. Will there be a new book, for example Tyrrell 006_2? I’m still interested in pictures of a real car. Not published! Can’t it be publicized?
Hi Igor,
Sorry for delay, I hope all is well with you.
So many projects, so many family commitments, still at work, where is the spare time? Yes, there will be further books, I am at least 30% through the next book on the Matra MS10/11 and as some of the other commitments settle down, this and others will follow.
All the best,
Mark
Greetings, Mark. At the same time, I believe that the corona crisis that is taking place around the world has left you and your family and acquaintances healthy. I will pray for you. Here in Slovakia, the situation has calmed down significantly, which is good news.
I have been waiting for new books from you for a long time and I gradually realize that there probably won’t be any. I know you have a lot of pictures you took in the garage when you were preparing to build your Tyrrell 006. I believed I would see them in a book similar to the one you provided in the McLaren M19 book. My question to you is whether you would not be willing to share these real images publicly or privately. I would like to store them in my archive.
Thank you in advance for your willingness to read these words.
Among other things, I believe that after BREXIT you and your country will be doing as well as you hope.
Sincerely for you
Igor Zervan
Hi Mark. Oh how I love coming to your website and enjoy looking at your beautiful work and kind advise. That’s what we are in peril of today, loosing the teachings, advise and knowledge of past modelers, racers and technicians. I’ve been ill lately (last eight or so years) so I haven’t been as energetic over building a model as I should be. I’m in the process of building Tamiya’s 1:12 scale Wolf WR1, just to get my feet wet and try out some detailing techniques. I have been using as a guide for some of these techniques from Modelersite veteran builders, Mario Covalski and Tony Allen guide on how to build this kit. They have also included a walk around of the race car, so I can add my own detailing. What I love about building any kit, is it gets my mind off of the pain. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you again for your openness of sharing your ideas, advise and galleries of your wonderful creations. I plan to build the Tyrrell P34 and then the Brabham BT44 (both from Tamiya in 1:12 scale) after completing the Wolf. Take good care of yourself and all the best to you and your family and friends. Cheers, Glenn…..
Hi Glen, great to hear from you and sorry you’ve been unwell and in pain for a long time, but at least you can lose yourself in the WR1 (I believe one of Tamiya’s most popular 1/12’s). It’s a pleasure to leave the photos and discussion on my website for help to any who should wish to enjoy. Mario (I don’t yet know Tony Allen’s work) is of high quality and I feel I can produce a model as good as Mario, however we do these in a different style I believe, which complement each other and hopefully seeing the different approaches is helpful to others. My last build was huge and took three years to complete and utilised a lathe for many aluminium turned parts – the 1973 Tyrrell 006 in 2008-2012. Then life got increasingly busy and complicated and though I dearly wish to get on with the next project (completing the Honda RA300 and many others) I simply haven’t had the time or space. However, the longterm intention is to get back to the modelling work, especially once more of my Photobox photobooks are finished (still trying to find time to complete my Matra MS10 and MS11 book).
Re the modelling, I see many better modellers than myself on the internet and in recent years my admiration has intensified for true scratch-model making by such as the great exponents of the past like Henri Baigent (UK), Rex Hays (UK), Michele Conti (It), Gerald Wingrove (UK), Alastair Brookman (UK living in Australia) and more recently Tony Dennis (UK) in increasing degree of skill and also chronologically in time. These are true craftsmen, artists and model engineers…in this context, we are only what are sometimes are referred to as kit-bashers, even if we substitute many of the parts with newly made parts and build one-off models such as I do. So, I have grown to recognise my true position within the genre and have a proper perspective. There are other professional kit builders such as Andy Mathews (US) whose work is more substantial in quality by far, although fragile and export to Europe and beyond is not common. Then there are true professional model makers who reside in studios all over the world and are employed to make different models for film props and commission, architecture, prototypes etc and are trained at college/university to do so – they are another group of people entirely.
Let’s keep using our creative skills to motivate and inspire us and our contacts, ideally for God’s glory rather than our own.
Take care and keep positive enjoying the Wolf WR1 and others.
Mark
Hello Mark,
I’ve just received your Photobox publication covering the McLaren M19C build. What a stunning book! Great layout and fantastic photos. Really worth the money and an inspiration for my own (modest) modelling efforts.
Have a peaceful Christmas.
Best wishes
Malcolm
Dear Malcolm,
Thank you for writing a review and for your kind assessment and expression of enjoyment of the product.
For sure, it is good to know my own enjoyment in undertaking the research and the satisfaction of then building the model as an exact (near as possible) replica of a car undergoing restoration, can be matched by other model builders when the book is thoroughly looked through and appreciated. Thank you once again for taking the trouble to post a comment.
Mark
i have a 1/8th scale matra ms 10 for a radio control car and wondered if your decals are available seperately and at a reasonable cost. i can scale them from 1/12 to 1/8.
thanks in advance
michael
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your enquiry, apologies for delay in answering.
Unfortunately, for this model and the MS11, I used the relevant ones on the Tamiya 1/12 sheet and also made-up a few one-offs on the computer for the MS10 and MS11 models, each of which are on the model, no additional sheet to share decals or artwork as such.
If there’s anything more specific I can help you with, do let me know, best wishes with the 1/10 radio control project.
Mark
Hi Mark,
First of all I would like to express my admiration for your work.
I am a modeller who works almost exclusively on racing cars in 1/12 scale.
I recently made a website where I collected some of my latest projects (http://handcraftsmanmodeler.jimdo.com/).
I would like to enjoy your experience and kindness asking your opinion about the realization of my models and the website.
Many thanks and congratulations for your activities.
Luigi
Thank you Luigi for your very kind e-mail and sharing your skilful work as shown in your website (http://handcraftsmanmodeler.jimdo.com/).
I have enjoyed looking at this whole site and the WIP re Ferrari 641 especially interested me. When I eventually get around to building my 1990 Ferrari (Prost possibly), I would like to strive towards the work of the great American Andy Matthews, however your work is a great stepping stone beyond the standard boxed kit, I hope mine turns out as good, your model is beautifully photographed too. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing the website.
Your Ligier JS11 is beautiful and from a wonderfully inspiring kit (Heller) which is full of flaws. Your execution of this quite poor kit is fantastic and a real inspiration. Well done for overcoming its difficulties, I would like very much to see a WIP on this model too. I hope you can acquire some better tyres than those supplied in the kit, either specially made or the earlier ones made in hard plastic (but great shape).
Mark
Hello Mark,
I am speechless about the high quality level of both of your books.
There are so much inspiration for me to build my own McLaren M19, just like you did in your Volume 4: McLaren M19C book.
Your books are worth every pence, because the pictures and the layout is awesome.
This is nearly and step by step guide to get my own dream car.
Perfect!
Your other book The first 20 years of modeling is also very interesting to read and all your great pictures are amazing.
Its very cool to see that you have managed to meet a lot of Formula One designers, drivers and mechanics.
Its very good to read, even for a German guy like I am who is not very familiar with English language.
Its a very enjoyable book for me and also for my wife who took a look over my shoulder when I was reading it.
Many thanks for this Mark!
I wish you all the best for you and your family.
Regards,
Christian
Thank you Christian,
Delighted you received the books safely in good time and I am pleased to hear that they have been such a pleasure and inspiration, just as they were for me writing them.
Thank you for taking the trouble to spare some time to write a review and for your kind words, really appreciated.
Thanks also for the Ferrari 312 series carburettor trumpets gauzes I bought on ebay, very helpful.
Keep in touch and take care; meanwhile, I will do my best to continue with Vol 1 re Hesketh 308 from January. I visited the real car 308/2 again, just before Christmas.
Happy Christmas and wishing you a 2014 full of success and blessing,
Mark
To Anyone considering the purchase of Mark’s published works, MRO Engineering – The First Twenty Years & MRO Engineering – Volume 4: McLaren M19C, (1972). I highly recommend these publications. Mark’s work is wonderful and his writings in these books will gave any modeler a tremendous insight into the world of scratch built model making at the highest level. The photos in these books alone would be worth the cost of the purchase but the pictures supported with Mark’s detailed explanations of how thing were created will help anyone interested in expanding his or her modeling skills. Nice work Mark!!! I look forward to the next installment of the MRO Engineering line of model building publications.
Thank you Derek for expressing your thoughts on my two Photobooks, ‘MRO F1 Engineering – The First Twenty Years’ being a 70 page overview and the showing photos of all the models and the interactions with the real F1 world that the models have enabled. The second book ‘MRO F1 Engineering – McLaren M19C (1972)’ is a photo-biographical account (with text support) over 60 pages, of how the 1/12 scale McLaren M19C model came about from the raw materials to the finished item, the contents continually integrated with photos of the real car during restoration and with period shots too. This second book is an example of how a further six are to be presented, the initial vol 4 having been brought forward first in order to have ready for a McLaren event during the late summer of 2013.
For further information, there is a comprehensive article with photographs of some example pages on the home page under an article relating to ‘Photobooks’ and also some recent posts including links to an electronic version via Photobox for preview purposes; contacting me on mroakley@ntlworld.com is also recommended, especially if you would like me to send you a copy of either or both books.
I am delighted that you have enjoyed these Photobooks Derek, the initial purpose being to produce a quality product for my own records and satisfaction, it being a bonus that others can share in that, if they wish to. I will endeavour to keep you informed as other volumes are added, however a lot of work recovering the former photographic trail (35mm film) is now underway for the earliest volumes (1-3) and scanning those negatives is well underway now. Realistically with all other work going on, a further volume cannot be expected until Spring 2014, but rest assured, in the background the work continues. Thank you for your support and interest.
Mark
Hi Mark. Just wanted to let you know that Archer has put out some new additional resin rivets to their inventory and I purchased Archer AR80084 which are nearly the same as Archer’s AR80074. The 84 sheet, the rivet heads seem to be larger in diameter when you get the actual sheet than the 74 sheet. I also like it for the patterns that go across, horizontally, seem to be tighter and fit the rivet gap on the Matra better. Just wanted you to know what’s new. Cheers and all the best, Glenn…..
Impressive work all around and I figure with the new film “Rush” out in theaters, you are probably going to have quite a few more fans checking out your work (love the scratchbuilt Hesketh by the way). Now, looking at the Fittipaldi M23/5 you did with its taller airbox, would the Tamiya Yardley 1/12 McLaren kit be a better starting point to do something like this if I prefer the tall airbox to the short one, or are there just too many differences between the two kits that the original Fittipaldi McLaren is still a better starting point? Thank you for your time and the lovely creations you’ve built!
Thank you Jay, for your kind words and observations.
I would also go with the Yardley McLaren M23 with the tall airbox as this and the rear wing support are vital elements to the mid and later season M23’s in 1974. At some point in the next six months I will have produced further volumes of MRO F1 Engineering, namely vol 2 re Mclaren M23 (encompassing the 1974 car and 1976 versions I have made. The images in this Photobook may help further, but essentially the two kits are the same except for the air boxes, the rear wing support pylon, minor variations re wing mirror mountings (alternative wind screens), rollover bar shape is altered etc. These minor variations except windscreens, airbox and rear wing support are almost certainly included in both versions of the kit and so starting with the Hailwood car No 33, is the best option in my opinion.
Mark
Oh how I loves you! You leave me salivating over the wonders of you works and the dreams and ambitions to changing my building into a tenth of what you have done here. I come back and back to your website to a joy of engineering and love of modeling. Your ideas, research, design and presentation are second to none. I hope life treats you well my friend and it is clear with God has put you here to share your gift to all of us that enjoy the art and love of building models. Take good care of yourself Mark and best to your family.
Thanks Glen, very kind words and much appreciated; delighted the passion expressed in my hobby has such positive effects. As for ‘second to none’, certainly not! Fortunately, I am equally inspired by the work of Andy Mathews especially and I have recently come across some really amazingly dedicated and well executed work on the Work In Progress (WIP) threads within F1M.com This standard of work keeps us all on our toes. We each express different aspects of our hobby and my particular approach re producing a one-off model of something not yet seen in 1/12 fortunately inspires lots of folk. Some of the detailing and rebuilding of Model Factory Hiro’s 1/12 scale models such as the Lotus 97T is seriously impressive and inspiring (eg miko3572 on WIP forum, Lotus 97 T (the second), F1M.com). While there’s a risk that such work can discourage one from starting such a project, looking at these WIPs’ in detail and carefully assessing what my own goals are, they do inspire and improve significantly my own attempts.
Mark
Thanks Glenn for your ‘Contact’ on the Matra page yesterday and for saying a few helpful descriptive words re the MRO F1 Engineering book which you have now received in the US.
I’m delighted you have enjoyed receiving and reading it and that these thoughts are how you found the book from your perspective, rather than my own ‘take’. Having lived the book for several months, I see it from the context of how the last twenty years of the interaction between the modelling and the real F1 world, actually was; – it’s good to see how that comes across to a genuine reader.
If you like this website (and who wouldn’t), you’ll love Mark’s book “MRO F1 Engineering – the first twenty years” which covers more articles about Mark’s love for model building and his passion in contacting and sharing this love with fellow modelers and personnel in the F1 world. There’s also information about Mark’s meetings with famous F1 drivers, team members, etc.. But the presentation of the models is what makes this book worth every penny. It’s very hard to decipher between the model and the real car! The amount of detail on these cars instills me to dream and exceed in building the ultimate model. He also honors those contacts that are no longer with us. Cherished wealth of information that is gone forever but honors them so that they will never be forgotten. I can’t wait until he completes the second book. Thanks Mark for a job very well done….
All the best, Glenn
Some amazing stuff on this site. A wonderful standard for all modellers to admire.
At the risk of showing my ignorance… there is a picture in the section on the Mclaren M23 that shows three models in a row on a table. What car is the one on the left in Yardley colours?
Hi mark
I saw the christian symbol on the upper left corner of the open page,
I’m so glad you know Jesus and are saved, that more than anything else makes my day, yea I know aBOUT MODELS TOO AS IM AN AVID VINTAGE F-1 nut too.
You’re blessed to know how to do models like this and have them look so nice.
All I ever knew were the Tamiya kits, of course the Matra, the Ferrari 312’s, the Honda RA273 of mid sixties.
I used to do 25th scale drags and gasser’s, but when I saw the Tamiya kits in the better stores in the late 70’sit seemed hardly worth it to do the small kits.
I was at the Long Beach race in ’78. The sound of the Ferrari and Alfa flat twelve’s were really something, you’d never forget the sound of them on the backstraight.
Ive seen and heard the you tube vid of the 3 litre Matra sports car running on a back road and of course the 650s at Le Mans…. in one word..Incredible!
God bless you brother,
I’ll keep in touch OK,
Yours In Christ,
Kirk Conway
Hi Mark!
AMAZING! ….even the correct HAZ…MAT (hazardous materials) logos and period colour marking of the M23 gas bottles (discussed since, in private e-mail, eg grey air bottle, later becoming black/white, also red Halon Fire Extinguisher).
Sincerely, an “amateur”, Andi (HAZ…MAT team, Vienna Fire Dept)
While there’s no doubt that these models are beautifully constructed, no way can they be considered scratch builds. Super detailed 1/12 kits perhaps, but NOT scratch builds in any way shape or form. Scratch built means built from scratch, IE a blank piece of paper.
Thank you Graham for your observation which is strictly correct, for it is only many parts of these models that are actually scratch-built. Some of the models include the greater part of them as being scratch-built eg the whole monocoque and its contents, the bodywork and all the suspension, relying only on the wheels, tyres, an engine block and a few small parts from a kit to bring about something unique in the 1/12 scale range, the Tyrrell 006 is a good example. All other models here are to varying degrees made from parts derived from raw materials, however if the term scratch-built can only apply to a model if every part of it is derived from raw materials, it would seem a little harsh to not be able to say that a monocoque, bodywork etc were scratch-built when in reality they were.
The sections on Materials and Methods, Past, Present and Future are quite clear on these distinctions and many of the well-known commercially available models featured, are simply those built a long time ago, made as well as possible with increasing levels of super-detailing and modification.
Mark
RE: Brabham BT44B – What are the 4 curved metal lines coming out of the upper halves of the triangular sections of the rear bulkhead? The two on the driver’s right are the clutch and brake, what are the ones on the driver’s left?
Thanks David for your enquiry.
On the LHS, the connectors relate to a tube to the water header tank (from the forward water radiator) and the second one is an oil line to the dashboard oil pressure gauge, from the oil pressure transducer, which is on the oil line between the oil filter base and the engine block.
Mark
Mark,
Thanks, that makes perfectly good sense!
Hi Mark
now i want to give you the congratulations on your fantastic collection,absolutely amazing, and i want ask you if possible you built two cars the same you have your collection, is models brabham bt 44b 1975,and mclaren m23 1974, a pay for you everything, i have time can wait build, no need rush, because this two models is my dreams i’m young ,can you please tell me,thank you very much for everything and your time.
regards
pedro
P.S-sorry i forget tell you i live in england
Hi again Mark,
Thanks for your help with the information regarding rivit sizes on the Lotus 49, it was very helpful. I used steel rivits & Archer transfers, which were very good. Im just in the process of painting it at the mo and I wondered if I could ask you some further questions regarding the livery for the Jamara car? I see you used a Firestone & STP logo on one side of the nose & a Firestone & Shell logo on the other, is this based on photo reference or guess work? Could I also ask the sizes in mm of the logos?I cant find any decent images of the left side of the car. Also do you know the font of the Lotus logo on the nose, Times new Roman perhaps? Could you also tell me the size of the Lotus & Ford logo on the nose in mm x mm. Also the blue ford badges on the upper body in mm x mm, just so I can make some up in photoshop.
Thanks in advance , Best Regards Greg
Hi again Mark,
Thanks for your help with the information regarding rivit sizes on the Lotus 49, it was very helpful. I used steel rivits & Archer transfers, which were very good. Im just in the process of painting it at the mo and I wondered if I could ask you some further questions regarding the livery for the Jamara car? I see you used a Firestone & STP logo on one side of the nose & a Firestone & Shell logo on the other, is this based on photo reference or guess work? CI cant find any decent images of the left side of the car. Also do you know the font of the Lotus logo on the nose, Times new Roman perhaps? Could you also tell me the size of the Lotus & Ford logo on the nose in mm x mm. Also the blue ford badges on the per body in mm x mm, just so I can make some up in photoshop
Hello Mark
Love the model detail. Astounding work! I read you used a Roger Taylor scale drawing, Would you happen to know which magazine he published in? I have found some on the net but I was hoping to find a complete set from 75-76.
Regards Ivan
Good to hear from you Ivan,
I have looked at only one Roger Taylor drawing, i.e. that for the 1975 Hesketh 308. Accurate scaling up/down from 1/24 needs at least one known true dimension.
I believe the magazine was either Motor, or Autocar or similar, however, I was sent a photocopy of the drawing therefore not knowing what the source was exactly.
Thank you for you for your kind overall assessment expressing your enjoyment at seeing the models I have made. Great cars in the 70’s, wonderful variety of designs and ways of trying to exploit aero’ for example without wind tunnels; also fascinating interpretation of rules to appreciate evolution of the engineering, Gordon Murray being a really pro-active exponent of the latter, not to mention the iconic designs of Mauro Forghieri, the genius of Colin Chapman and the more formal thoughtfulness of Derek Gardner and Gordon Coppuck.
Mark
Hi,
Just admiring your fantastic Lotus 49 R1 on here, a true work of art. Im currently working on a version of this using the Tamiya kit as base, not in anyway near your quality but may I ask how you made the rivet detail on the bodywork & what dimension they are in 12 scale?
Many Thanks Greg
Congratulations,
Very nice models. Your cars are amazing and are inspiring us all especially the Matra’s .
Regards
Wim
Hi Mark, it was nice chatting to you this morning. Just had a look at your website and was very impressed. We really must try and arrange a rendezvous at a Farnborough IPMS meet. Take care, Gary
Very nice job on the 1974 Brabham BT44 Watkins Glenn winning car #7 driven by Carlos Reutemann. The 1974 BT44 has long been my favorite Formula 1 car, and it’s Bobby Rahal’s as well! I never cared for the 1975 version with the “too busy Martini and Rossi signage” . I had the Tamiya 1975 model BT44B and modified the decals as best as I could to make it look like a 1974, but it was a far cry from your outstanding version! I’m glad I still have my 1974 and 1975 Road and Track magazines that covered the 1974 season to look at the photos and read about that beautiful car.
Thank you Michael for your kind words of appreciation having seen my interpretation of the 1974 BT44, as seen at Watkins Glen that year. This would have been impossible without the help of Phil Reilly (US) and I am especially grateful to him for his direct input via images and technical know-how. Having the inspiration of Gordon Murray’s personal input was also energising and ‘between us’ a great moment in F1 history has been captured as it were, to celebrate a great day for Brabham when Carlos Reutemann won, with team mate Carlos Pace second and John Watson bringing the Hexagon BT44 home, in fifth place.
Great site and great models Mark, congratulations!
Is there any chance to see some pictures taken during the building of your superb 1974 McLaren M23?
Just to see the connections between fuel pumps and discover a misterious aspect of that car.
Many thanks in advance,
Gab
Wow, you are a master modeler Mark, I have an old magazine showing your Hesketh and now find your website with all these other amazing models. Thank you for give us the opportunity to see your great work.
Thank you Marcelo, very pleased you enjoyed the website content and thank you for your kind words.
Apart from current work, there’s a great deal in the archive to work-on and get on the website, but this takes time; so be patient and visit the site at least once a month and more material should be shown from earlier days (pre digital camera), but it’s still interesting. The on-going work is a gem and I can’t wait to let you see it; so again, I will get round to it, but I have to balance website work with the actual building and I want to finish the current car this summer if possible – have you guessed what it is yet, SP2. Best wishes.
Dear Mark,
I hope this note finds you well.
I met you at your local Baptist Church a little while ago when I was speaking at the morning service. You slipped me your business card on your way out and so I thought I’d drop you a short note…
Praise the Lord for the talent He has given you! The models are truly impressive! I pray that the good Lord will give you unique opportunities to further His kingdom through this special gift.
I pray the Lord’s continued blessing upon you this Christmas!
In Him,
Alex Philippi
Thank you Alex for taking the trouble to look at my website and for your kind words of encouragement.
Yes, I do pray that the Lord may be at work in the hearts of others, perhaps through this site, enabling His good news to be made more widely known.
Happy Christmas to you and your family and may the Lord bless you too!
Mark
Hi Mark!
Congratulations on this display of Oakley skills.
I enjoyed racing accross Clapham junction with you on the London Vet Show that November Saturday.
All The Best,
Richard
Thanks so much for showing me your amazing cars. I feel privileged to have seen them.
God bless
Ann
Hi Mark and Thomas,
Great looking website with very accessible images at a really nice quality. Well done and I hope it welcomes a lot of visitors. I don’t think I’ve seen the Brabham BT44 – I see you only completed it in 2009 so probably not. I like the clean white finish. Speak to you soon.
Cheers,
William
Absolutely stunning, the attention to detail is far better than in most commercialy produced models, if you were not such a superb vet I would say that you had missed your vocation.
As to owning the real thing you could try sending pictures of the 1974 M23/5 to Ron Dennis at McLaren – he might let you have one of their cast offs in appreciation of your skill!
Look forward to viewing your next completed work of art.
Kind Regards
Oh, boy! Where to start? These are truly amazing models. Not only are they
beautiful, they also help the viewer appreciate the skilled and innovative engineering
that goes into these cars. My particular favorite is the 1968 Lotus as it brings back
some great memories of the latter half of 1960’s F1 racing. Let’s face it, most F1 fans
don’t get the chance to see these machines in any kind of detail and your models give
them that window. Superb! Keep up the good work. See you when we next bring
Molly in for her check-up.
Thanks Howard for your very kind comments, full of well chosen phrases, each quite true in my opinion too. F1 cars are the pinnacle of engineering design and the details really fascinate me; my models are intended as illustration and education, hence the approach to detail. So if anyone does feel they’ve learnt something about the construction of an F1 car, that is a great bonus.
I’m glad you enjoyed the website, which is being updated and tidied-up every few days by Thomas, one of my twin boys (16yo) and therefore, it’s worth dipping into every now and again.
Best wishes;
Mark