Alfa Romeo Monza - Part 1

As I said I would, here is the build up pictures and narrative:
Original issue 1/8 scale Pocher kit. I built it Out-Of-The-Box along the IPMS USA rules which allowed for some latitude in finishing materials, decals and ways to make the model look it's best. I wanted to build it to represent not only a prototypical Alfa one might see in a museum, but also as a representation of what a Pocher kit builds into, the way the engineers intended.
No machining parts, no scratchbuilding, just painting, detailing and assembling. I did do some replacement decal work as the gauges on kit's sticker sheet were damaged.

It is a departure from normal building practices to fully finish each exterior side of the engine prior to putting the block together. I'm sure it could be built in a more traditional way with a little creative re-engineering, but since I'm building it in the spirit intended by the original designers, I'll continue to follow their lead. Now onto installing the crank, rods, pistons and cylinder sleeves...

The fit of the parts is about what would be expected in a kit of this generation. (It sure isn't a Tamiya, and we are spoiled!) Almost like a resin or white metal cottage kit of a couple decades ago.
I built the Pocher F40, it seemed like giant diecast, heck it was! This is much less sophisticated even than that. Soft edged molding of the part details, a bit heavy handed on the fitting are very common, the large scale allows it to get away with it most of the time though.
Some parts simply do not line up correctly, and without a lot of re-engineering, they won't. I noticed when trying to assemble the engine that one of the main screws that hold the engine block together is impossible to access to assemble it if you follow the directions. And if you try to gain access to it, you must leave off a majority of the parts on one side, which are supposed to be fastened from the inside. Super glue is helpful...
I fiddled with it to prodded it into shape, but it was intended to be a representation of what the kit builds into, good or bad. Just patience and good old basic building skills of clean up and test fitting, then painting are what I did to it.
I used SMS Faux Fabrix for the sand cast texture.