1:24 Engine accessories (master cylinder, cooling reservoir)

Engine bay accessories 1:24, Yamamoto Model Parts

A set of small details for the engine bay of a car model being built in 1:24 scale. According to the name it holds a master brake cylinder and a coolant expansion tank, that is precisely those elements that in boxed kits tend to be only suggested or to merge into the casting of the firewall. The manufacturer is the Polish brand Yamamoto Model Parts.

What the accessory represents

The master brake cylinder sits on the firewall between the engine and the cabin, directly opposite the brake pedal, and turns the force of the foot into pressure in the circuit; on top it carries a see-through reservoir of brake fluid. The expansion tank of the cooling system takes up the volume of coolant that expands as it warms. Both things cannot be missed on a real car, because they are placed high and have a different surface from the sheet metal around them.

Fitting tips

This is work with really small parts, and there other rules apply than with large castings. Work over a light-colored surface, not over a carpet, as a casting dropped once is hard to find. Leave the parts on the casting block as long as you can, because it gives you a better hold than tweezers do, and paint them before you separate them. Make the cut with a new razor blade or a fine-toothed saw and level the mark with an abrasive sanding stick. They are glued spot by spot: put a drop of super glue on a piece of aluminum foil and carry it over on the tip of a pin, or the joint will drown and flow over. The reservoirs can be brought to life in several ways, as a clear varnish on the upper part imitates translucent plastic, a fine wash brings the mold seam out and a thin wire stands in for the hose to the radiator.

Who the accessory is for

• Builders of 1:24 car models who detail the engine bay
• Modelers working with tweezers and a magnifier on very small parts
• Those interested in a realistic look for the firewall between the engine and the cabin
• Builders of racing and production versions alike, as the elements are universal

This is an accessory to a model, not a kit in its own right. The parts are supplied unpainted; glue, paints and tubing are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.