Red Bull Racing Renault RB6 Formula One car, Tamiya, 1/20th
Here's my latest build, and the last one for 2016. The RB6 was introduced for the 2010 season and was an evolution of the RB4 and RB5 that came before it. These cars featured a revolutionary aerodynamic feature known as the "F-Duct" system, where one duct channeled air from the top of the induction pod to the underside of the rear wing while another would channel air to the rear wing flap. The latter duct was fed from an intake in the side pod, but this air would normally pass through a snorkel and into the left side of the cockpit.When the driver blocked this snorkel with his arm, air would be allowed to pass through to the underside of the rear wing flap, effectively reducing downforce and drag thereby increasing maximum speed. As in 2009 the car was powered by a Renault V-8 2,400 cc engine. Lead driver Sebastian Vettel went on to win the drivers' championship in 2010, becoming the youngest world champion ever, and giving Red Bull their first championship. Unlike my previous last couple of postings, this car retired in its first race although it did claim pole position.
The RB6 is Tamiya's latest F1 offering being released in 2012. It is well up to standard and built straight out of the box apart from some slight detailing of the steering wheel which I've placed on top of the bodywork complete with its curly wurly connecting lead. I did have a couple of problems with the build, mainly matching the paint colours with the decals, especially the yellow, so please don't look too hard, and I couldn't get the rear cowling to sit quite right. Tamiya provide the F-Duct in the kit as can be seen in the photographs, but this has to be removed in order to fit the rear cowling...
Anyway, that's it for 2016, thanks for looking, and a Happy New Year to everyone. George.
Wow. Looks like a Starfighter meets Mad Max. Sophisticated aerodynamics went into this one eh? There is no windscreen? at those speeds?
Fit decals and finish look great to me.
Hi Bill, these modern race cars are certainly sophisticated. There is a very small windscreen, difficult to see in the photographs. Thanks for your kind comments.
Another masterpiece George, love what you do with those racers.
Thank you, Tom.
Great build George, you must have to get some pics of your collection posted.
Cheers, Simon,I'll see if I can set up a group photograph.
Looked hard...looks fantastic !
Again an amazing example from your bench.
Happy new year to you and your family !
You're very kind, Bernd, happy new year to you all, too!
Still another beauty, George...stunning build. And as Simon said (no pun intended), let's see the display.. 🙂
Thanks, Craig, I'll see what I can do re a group photograph over the holiday.
She's a beauty! All that ducting talk reminded me of my fluid flow dynamics material back in advanced physics class - way beyond me these days! I does make for some really cool design, which this vehicle demonstrates in spades!
Thank you, Greg, I'm not sure that this era of F1 cars is my favourite, but, as always, they are very interesting.
Great racer George!
Cheers, Robert.
If I didn't know better I would think that it was the real thing. Outstanding article and workmanship my friend!
Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year to you as well.
Thank you very much, Louis, much appreciated.
Happy new year George, another fine F1 model.
Thank you, Allan, I know you like racing machines as well.
That's fantastic George, and a mean looking car as well!
Cheers, Richard, these Tamiya kits are hard to beat, as you well know!