Progress: Crocodile Audi R8

RallyRaider · 10-05-2003, 03:01 AM

Had a bit of a holiday from modelling in the last month but am back working on my latest build. It is an Audi R8 as raced by McNish and Capello in the “Race of a Thousand Years” on the old Adelaide Grand Prix circuit on the last day of 2000 into the first day of 2001. Not only did McNish and Capello win the race but McNish clinched the ALMS Championship there too. The car is very unusual, featuring the very Australian, crocodile livery specially designed for the event. A sneak peak:

It is mainly because of this livery that I wanted to build this model – lots of decals, covering about 90% of the bodywork.

The kit is in 1/24th scale from the French firm Le Mans Miniatures. It comes nicely molded in resin with some photo etch and lots of very well printed decals. Not a lot of parts but each piece requires a lot of clean up work before painting.

So far I’ve done all of the cleaning up and am painting all the pieces. The body is now white and after curing a couple of days the decaling can begin.

The cockpit came with lots of nicely molded in detail. Naturally, I removed most of it to be replaced with 3D details later, plenty of scope for carbon fibre decals too…

Michael Schumacher · 10-05-2003, 03:11 AM

Very cool project/livery, cant wait for some more progress.

ales · 10-05-2003, 04:05 AM

Excellent project, Phil!

Focus2000 · 10-05-2003, 05:10 AM

Very interesting! The decals look like they'll be ..... fun

flyonthewall · 10-05-2003, 05:52 AM

Real nice! Gonna enjoy this build up.

RyanGiorgio · 10-05-2003, 09:55 AM

Can't wait to see more. Nice choice doing this project.

Layla's Keeper · 10-05-2003, 11:45 AM

*runs in terror from the decal sheet*

Good luck and It's way cool that you're willing to take that on.

RallyRaider · 10-06-2003, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Layla's Keeper

*runs in terror from the decal sheet*
Good luck and It's way cool that you're willing to take that on.

Yeah all those decals are a bit scary

Applied the first one tonight:

Going to take a week or two to get them all on.

The decals are pretty thick and tough, but don't take to the curves too well. It is going to need a lot of Microsol, heat and fiddling to get them to snuggle down and conform.

_835_ · 10-06-2003, 07:35 AM

This is kind of kits i love !!!! because there is a lot of decal to put ...what i prefer :-p.

potsie · 10-06-2003, 08:13 AM

Hey Phil, good to see you back - and what a return! Can't wait to see the build-up. Good Luck.

EMAXX · 10-06-2003, 09:14 AM

Very interesting project. This is going to be sweet when it done. Keep us posted.

exhaust smoke · 10-06-2003, 09:26 AM

Phil, welcome back.

That is an interesting project you got there. I can't wait for more progress. Is it all resin? it's just that there looks like some injection plastic also.

WRX-15 · 10-06-2003, 10:23 AM

Cool project. Let us know about all those decals and problems you have.
Did you make any modifcations to the body for extra detail or for this specific race?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

Had a bit of a holiday from modelling in the last month but am back working on my latest build. It is an Audi R8 as raced by McNish and Capello in the “Race of a Thousand Years” on the old Adelaide Grand Prix circuit on the last day of 2000 into the first day of 2001. Not only did McNish and Capello win the race but McNish clinched the ALMS Championship there too. The car is very unusual, featuring the very Australian, crocodile livery specially designed for the event. A sneak peak:

http://rallycars.topcities.com/AudiR8/crocaudi.JPG

It is mainly because of this livery that I wanted to build this model – lots of decals, covering about 90% of the bodywork.

The kit is in 1/24th scale from the French firm Le Mans Miniatures. It comes nicely molded in resin with some photo etch and lots of very well printed decals. Not a lot of parts but each piece requires a lot of clean up work before painting.

http://rallycars.topcities.com/AudiR8/Dcp_1518.JPG

http://rallycars.topcities.com/AudiR8/Dcp_1519.JPG

http://rallycars.topcities.com/AudiR8/Dcp_1520.JPG

So far I’ve done all of the cleaning up and am painting all the pieces. The body is now white and after curing a couple of days the decaling can begin.

http://rallycars.topcities.com/AudiR8/Dcp_1601.JPG

The cockpit came with lots of nicely molded in detail. Naturally, I removed most of it to be replaced with 3D details later, plenty of scope for carbon fibre decals too…

http://rallycars.topcities.com/AudiR8/Dcp_1608.JPG

Midnight Racer · 10-06-2003, 05:36 PM

Can't wait to see some more progress.

willimo · 10-06-2003, 06:29 PM

I always thought this was the coolest paint scheme on any race car ever. The guy who first said: "Yo, let's paint it like a crocodile in a river" must have been on somethin' pretty potent. Still, it looks wicked cool, and I've been dying to see someone build the model of the car... Good luck with all those decals! And I (at least) can't wait to see this thing done.

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