Model Factory Hiro 1/12 car model kit Brabham BT55 (1975): New release (06-2025) from the Japanese company MODEL FACTORY HIRO. Multimedia kit with superior quality: perfectly produced white metal parts, photo etched parts, Decals, turned and milled parts, cast resin castings and many other components. Detailed engine, graphical instructions in English / Japanese. Kit complete "Made in Japan"!
In 1969, Gordon Murray left his native South Africa to take up a job with Brabham, where he demonstrated his design talents in the field of Grand Prix racing. Many of his designs during the Brabham era aimed to exploit holes in the regulations, such as the “surface cooled” BT46, the “fan car” BT46B, the BT49 which lowered the ride height when driven, the BT52 which has a small fuel tank for refueling etc. All these innovations would make Murray remembered as a genius and maverick F1 designer. In 1986 Murray would have new challenges to face: the majority of teams would use turbo engines, but the team was left with a BMW engine that was weaker than what their rivals had in an era where engine power was the most important factor. In addition, the new car needed to overcome the 1983 flat bottom regulations and yet still be able to produce downforce, and the team would lose their ace driver with N.Piquet leaving the team. The answer that Murray came up with was “low line form” - the machine would be designed to be as low as possible in conjunction with a large rear wing to generate strong downforce. To do so, the BMW engine was tiled as 72 degrees to reduce the overall height, with the body sides being lower than the driver's shoulders, and a brand new gearbox was designed to work in tandem with the engine. After positive results from wind tunnel testing the design concept was taken to the limit to create the BT55, which would debut at Jacarepagua, Rio de Janeiro for the 1986 season opener. However, despite the machine achieving its “ideal” form, problems began to surface once it started racing - the tilted engine caused lubrication problems, the Pirelli tires brought over from the previous year did not work well with the car, the long wheelbase reduced turning performance, and the gearbox was unreliable. While the BT55 seemed fast on straights and corners due to its low center of gravity, it was unable to produce fast total lap times. Midway through the season tragedy struck when the team lost their driver Elio de Angelis during a test run in May. Angelis was replaced by Derek Warwick, and he and Riccardo Patrese would team up for the remainder of the 1986 season. Various changes were made to the BT55 in hopes to improve its performance: during the season opener the engine funnels and chamber were lowered to fit under the cowl better, but in the following race the chamber was raised and exposed through the real cowl. At Rd.4 in Monaco the left cooler and turbo were moved back to improve weight distribution, and the ducts on the side pontoons were also lowered. Various changes were made to the front of the sidepods and real cowl through trail and error throughout the season, but the car showing little improvement as the season came to an end. The BT55 would be remembered as a radical car that worked in concept but not in motion. While it was a failure, it represented an era where racing machines were designed with ambition, imagination and ideals, all under a beautiful form that would be remembered by many. In 1988, Murray would move to the McLaren team, and along with their design team would bring forth the MP4/4 – the strongest F1 machine at the time. The MP4/4 properly utilized Murray's low line form concept, in which the BT55 served as the originator of the concept in Motion.
- a full detailed, multi-material kit featuring white metal, resin, etching, turned parts, rubber parts, silk screen decals and various cords allowing for maximum representation of the original vehicle.
- based on the version that raced at Rd. 4 Monaco GP in 1986, which marked de Angelis' last F1 race. Decals for R. Patrese's car for the same race also included.
- aluminum turned parts used for wheel rim, main meter, lower rear damper, wheel shaft and lock nut.
- ECU (engine control unit) parts made using 3D printing, allowing for a detailed interior finish.
- various materials used for piping, tubes, heat resistant sheet etc. for a realistic finish.
- body cowl and nose can be removed post construction, allowing full view of the detailed interior after completion.
- carbon and kevlar decals included on top of sponsor decals.
- tire comes pre-printed with maker logo.
Attention: this item is no toy and it is not suitable for children below 14 years!