1998 Ford Escort WRC

Hi everyone,
Thought I'd share this in order to motivate myself to finish in a timely manner. My last build probably took the better part of 3 years (off & on). You can check it out in the completed projects gallery (the 206): http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1063148

Anyways this is the 98 Escort WRC. Base kit is the Tamiya 94 Escort RS Cosworth. I believe the 96 Swedish Escort could also be used as they share a lot of the same parts. The transkit is from Renaissance for the 98 Network Q Rally of Great Britain, the last appearance of the Escort. I plan on building the Kankkunen version (finished 2nd).

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/decals.jpg

The transkit is fairly good but there are some major differences not addressed which I plan to remedy:

- X-type rollcage, slightly different placement
- fuel tank
- rear suspension/exhaust
- kit tires are pure slicks whereas I believe they had grooved/cut slicks by then
- each wheel decal should have 2 instances of "OZ Racing" split by Ford logos where these have one & the word "Motorsports" instead
- probably a few others things I'm choosing not to identify as to not get out of hand :)

The biggest issue is the rear suspension & tailpipe which are drastically different. You can see how much by comparing the instruction sheet to a great photo I found (might be a 97):

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/instructions.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/rear_suspension.jpg

First step was to cut the front bumper off and replace with new one. I found mine didn't sit flush with the front of the hood so I had to build it up with putty.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/front.jpg

The rear wing was a little more trouble. The instructions make it look easy to build up the inside and cut off the remaining wing but I found there was no way to do without severing the bottom of the window. As a result I had to build it back with lots of putty test-fitting along the way and scribe new window lines. Looks like it should come out well.

The spoiler wing was also too short to fit the mounting and had to be extended.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/back.jpg

You can also see the work I'm trying to do with the fuel tank. Squaring it up, rounding the corners and attaching a little compartment on the side based on some photos (and the aforementioned X cross-bar).

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/fueltank.jpg

This is the current state of the rear underside. I still need to cut off more of the existing arm part but will wait until I get the rest of the pieces in place so I don't mess up the ride height. The tailpipe is made up of extra parts & sprue so it snakes around everything convincingly and protrudes through the hole in the bumper.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/underside.jpg

This is as far as I got. Hopefully won't be too long before more progress is made!

Very good proyect and good focused. I really like this type of transformations as there are much more to do that only parts coming with the TK, so lot of scratch is necessary to do.
One question. In picture you show of the rear suspension exhaust looks divided into two sections, one to the left and one to the right. In fact, I don't see the final exhaust colector. It's no there by any service operation, or it's really the configuration used on the car? Do you think modify it in so deepth?
I don't see too the round box for the spare wheel. Are you going to eliminate it, or the angle of the picture avoid see it?
Also it's one of the tons of projects I have waiting on my shelves. Good to see this "classic" remains in our heads.
I will follow this thread with so much expectation :iceslolan

Good job!! I will follow your job because I have it in my future models, like Borjacho, but I will do the Repsol version of Studio27.

Wow! Very interesting build. One of my favourite car of all times, the Escort Coshworth. I have to rebuild mine, but it's very difficult to get nice refs. pics.

Anyway. I'll look forward to your progress.

CHEERS

I agree with others, very interesting project ! :thumbsup:
I started same transformations few years ago for my brother's model and gave it to him but he never finished him and I recently got it back from him.
I didn't have same skills, materials and tools than today and was a newby scratchbuilding, I think I will be more easily be able to finish it today.
I had started modifying or rebuilding rear suspensions arms, exhaust...
Haven't decided for the exact version except the official Ford livery, maybe I'll try to build Ari Vatanen's Portugal car... Or Kankkunen's RAC car too...
WIll follow your wip closely !

Borjacho,
Yes, I'm confused about that too. The pic shows the orange on the bodywork which makes me think it's the 97 car. Could there have been some big differences from 97 to 98? At the end of the day however I still need to make everything fit so that will be the determining factor! If anyone has a better photo or knows for sure I'd be grateful.

Good call on the spare wheel hub, I keep forgetting about that. Again I'm not sure. It makes sense that it would be gone (should be pretty easy to do) since the spare sits on the tank.

Also, does anyone know what the colour the front grill should be? In some photos it looks blue. Does that seem right? Does anyone know for sure?

http://imcdb.org/i071800.jpg

All grilles are black.

To answer the question about the exhaust and 97/98 eventual difference, the first reference pic you posted (from Klein's book) show the 97 version which still had the side exhaust like the Cosworth Group A.
All 98 cars had the rear ending exhaust and it has a classic square/oval silencer just before exhaust tip.

The Gr. A cosworth used one piece suspensions arm , whereas the wrc used independant sides arms.

I don't have more reference than you have, not easy to find good pics from these early WRC...

Hi. Looking at other reference books (Rally Giants, Rally and WRC 3 special) I have, no useful pictures for rear section appart that this you posted from Rally Cars book.
I was looking for over there, but nothing reaaly valid.
Maybe this link will be useful for you in order to improve other areas as fuel tank and modules in front of it:
http://www.timeattackforums.com/forums/show-shine/1947-wrc-escort-rebuild.html
It´s not the official one, but sometimes the privateers is the only way to see some cockpit areas.
This link for Cunico 1998 WRC car confirms that there is not spare whhel box under the car:
http://www.rsownersclub.co.uk/rsocbb/showthread.php?t=89000
And here you can see other Escort with the rear suspension installed, and also the exhaust distribution, but it's not sure what car it is.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4951211-Narrowed-MK4-MK5-AWD-Rear-Subframe-to-fit-MK2-3
About grille, better pictures in Rally Giants book show them in black.

Hey!

Talking about exhaust... I remembered sometime ago in the "Rally El Corte Ingles", standing on one of the starts, we were waiting to the Escort Cosworth from "Golly Picar". The car started, and when it passed before me, I fell off the mountain where I was watching, because the car had the side exhaust end. Like someone says before, maybe it was because the car belong to a privateer. Sadly I don't have the pics of the cars. Those were the times of the film cameras, and I lost all the pictures.

By the way, the spare wheel mounting is almost the same that the Focus WRC. Maybe if you have one for spare parts...

CHEERS

Great start, I'll be following with interest. It's one I always planned to make but never got round to doing...

For a detailed look at the rear suspension please see following diagrams from the Ford WRC workshop manual.

I hope this helps! :smooch:

Thanks Tim

Hi for the exhaust, in the same Ford Escort WRC workshop manual:
http://images53.fotki.com/v140/photos/1/1042921/9590390/Exhaust-vi.jpg

I supposse that all is for sure studied, more in WRC category, but it's really strange have the exhaust going out directly to the rear wheels, because of not any picture where exhaust pipes were visible at sides of the car.
Maybe intention is directly heat the rear wheels as soon as possible?
But, taking into account that exhaust gas temperature is really high (I'm not sure in WRC, but street cars could be around 750ºC depends of circunstances), more when bang-bang system is mounted, and that from my experience tire temperature for good function must be around 85-90ºC (also depends of category and compound), I don't understand this pipes scheme :confused:
I think something is missing.
Please, gurus of WRC, advice :grinyes:

There is another draw on the manual. Maybe could help...
http://images57.fotki.com/v80/photos/1/1042921/9590390/Exhaust2-vi.jpg

Thank you Jesus & Tim! Those manual pics are far better than anything I have. My references are from the Klien Rally book, a couple Japanese Rally-X annuals & whatever else I found on the net.

I made a little more progress last night but nothing worth posting. Thanks gents for the helpful comments & posts.

~Rob

Managed to start prepping and painting. Got the brake discs done with some Krylon chrome & gold from a spray can and found some extra brembo decals. Since these will be almost completely hidden by the rims I didn't bust out the airbrush or photo-etch.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/brakes.jpg

I can't see JesusM's second pic and see the exhaust scheme he's showing you, but I am sure of one thing, exhaust can't end on the side because 98 WRC rules don't allow side exhausts on WRC !!
They have to keep the road car configuration which means ending at the rear of the car. BTW you can verify it on all WRC since 98.
I can also say it must be for the Escort ending on the left of the car because it's where bumper has a space for and I always saw Exhaust escort at this place...
That said, what private drivers do in national championships having their own rules can be different and is another point I won't ever trust to build an accurate Works Team replica.
It's hard to find non professional pictures from those early years of WRC...
Many things exist for late WRC with new cameras and phones generations, but from late 90's and former paper pictures searches aren't really successful on forums or websites where such pics are not really shared...
books and manual still are the most reliable source for me about those cars...

Few pieces done while I still work out the suspension. Inside doors panels carbon fibered. Used the Ford decals from the original kit since I won't need them any more. Placement based on one blurry photo and the most logical place for viewing between the rollcage bars.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/doors.jpg

Colours based on references photos. If not, going back to original instructions. I plan to make the little purple things on the struts too. I've seen them on other cars of the same era. Plus I just like the colour :)

The springs were done using solder and cutting apart the original pieces. A little bare metal foil to finish them off.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/pieces.jpg


http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/brakes_real.jpg

Very nice work you're showing here.
So nice that I might borrow it for my own Escort build, although I'll be building Gigi Galli's 1997 ERC Escort Cosworth (with the side exhaust IIRC).

Great job on the shocks/springs. I must try this too sometime as it looks way better that the moulded stock shocks in the kit.

http://www.areyoustillthere.com/models/escort_wip/brakes_real.jpg
Hi. Good progress with brakes and suspension systems.

Doing so much work, do you think add oil shock bottles? I can see them at the reference pictures.

Oil shock bottles, yes if that's what those purple things are. Shouldn't be too hard too add them.

Axel, I have a Galli 2005 Lancer on my to-do list :) Meanwhile here are a couple 97 pics I have. Nothing too grand but the cockpit views may be helpful.

Also a WIP from a spanish forum:
http://www.modellismo.net/forum/statico-work-progress/58056-wip-ford-escort-wrc-montecarlo-1997-a.html

Check this out for lots of Escort pics. Seems to show evidence of rear exhaust for the 97. Same with the WIP above. Maybe it only a WRC spec?
http://www.aia.tartu.ee/~indrek/ralli/ford/escortwrc/ (http://www.aia.tartu.ee/%7Eindrek/ralli/ford/escortwrc/)

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/009.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/co+drives+side+2.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/dash+drives+side.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/wrc_mc97.jpg


~Rob

Hi Rob

Thanks for the pictures.:grinyes:
I wonder what the difference in cockpits is between the Cosworth and WRC versions (if there is any).
I found a video of Galli driving the Escort in 1997 Rally Saturnus on Youtube.
I'm going to try and fit together the interior from the few on-board shots. I'll be keeping your pictures as a reference too.:)

And yes, I too will have to tackle a `04, `05 and `06 Evo WRC from Gigi Galli (yes I'm crazy...:screwy:)

To the fuel pumps maybe?? I really don't know what exactly are you saying...

Hopefully this works.
Question: Does anyone know exactly where the hoses go that start from the rear part of the roll cage?

I believe that the hoses you refer to are the cooling system for the dampers. There is a water tank on each side. Please see Group 'A' drawing attached.

However I do not believe they would appear on a WRC Escort. With the WRC there was a new Water Spray System which used a central tank as per the drawing WRC attached.

I have added a photograph as well.

I hope that helps.

Thanks
Tim

Slowly pecking away at it. Lots of parts half painted & primed. These are the pics I'm using for the interior. I'm not 100% sure what car this is but it's closest to the decal sheet and parts I've found. Think I'm gonna try some of the wiring for the first time. Would anybody be able to confirm a few things about the Kankkunen WRC car. Does anyone know for sure?

- red seatbelts with the yellow carbon fibre weave on the back like most other cars at the time? (like from 97 version) The decal sheet has grey/gold ones like pic below.
- the original instructions have a big red tank behind the drivers seat. I doubt this is in 98 car. What might this be?
- does the grill in the front have the white ford logo on the mesh or on the inside silver intercooler rad?

Much appreciated.


http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/interior.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/WRC+dash.jpg

The big red tank is for the fire system... And they ALL have it

Not so much an update as a post but thought I'd chime in on some quirks I've found in case anyone else is gonna have a go on this project. I also broke down and bought the photo-etch kit from Domino. Just too many details I'm missing.

Looks like the British car is the only one that had numbers in the window besides the driver/codriver name (in orange).

The Monte car had two Ford logos on the rear spoiler. All the rest I've seen have one bigger one centered.

The earlier interior pic I posted seems to be a show car from a couple years after retirement. Same as the WRC version but not rally prepared. Real car had red seatbelts, carbon fibre on the dash, etc.


http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/2035705006_dcc2f6005e_b.jpg

Still coming along. Chassis painted and body primed. Been trying to order the painting by layers.

Mentioned I picked up the photoetch. It's actually for the 94 car and comes with some excellent detail photos. I'll probably end up using about half.


http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/photoetch.jpg

Well after about a 2 month lay-off I'm back at it. Here is the current state of the underside:

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/underside2.jpg

Got rid of the wheel well & painted everything. The new tailpipe is making things very tricky to install. It's glued down in order to exit through the rear bumper properly. I also managed to use the little rear stabilizer bar as a guide to keep the wheel mounts aligned after I cut them off the original piece. It's pretty close to the reference pics I have. All the other suspension bars still need to be fitted and snaked through.

A couple days ago I managed to drop one the finished rear shocks and I haven't found it since. I think it ended up in the same place as lost dryer socks. Rather than tear the room apart I opted to redo it from scratch. Shouldn't delay progress too much.

Managed to glue a lot of the underside together with the already completed parts. Still need to make a few suspension arms for the back but I'm liking how everything went together. The oil-shock bottles in the rear only had room to place them behind the strut which isn't quite right but seeing as how it's all extra I'm just working with what I got. A lot of the paint colours were changed from the original instructions to approximate what photos I do have.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/underside_tray.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/underside_trayrear.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/underside_trayfront.jpg

Fuel tank before and after.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/fueltank_before.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/fueltank_after.jpg

Very nice w.i.p. Keep it up!!.

Looking great..

Is there any more progress to report?

I've just rewatched the 1998 WRC review. My favourite season by a long margin. I have the diecast 1:18 of Thiry Monte Carlo (UT Models) and 1:43 Escort WRCs of Kankkunen Monte Carlo (Vitesse with light pod and Minichamps versions), the Vatanen Safari car (Vitesse) and Kankkunen Portugal (Del Prado). However, obviously nothing like a detailed model you are making here. Any progress pics?

Ha, is that the season that Carlos kicked-in his Corolla when he lost the championship right at the very end? That is probably one of the best ones!

Progress has been slow. Painting in Canada in the winter is pretty hard. Plus every little step I made I took 2 steps back. For example, I got the wheels satisfactory but used some old decals. After 2 fell apart I put them in windex to remove the decal and that bubbled the paint underneath. Re-spraying them didn't do it so I just sanded them again to redo. And I must have broke my custom suspension arms a dozen times by now. Almost done those though. Also I finally settled on Tamiya spray-can white to replace my acrylic airbrush job. I ran into some problems there too and now have orange peel on the roof. Fortunately I can mask that off and redo.

I have got back into it recently though so I do plan on updating with more soon. Here is where it's at right now.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/seats.jpg

Bad case of the fruits
http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/top.jpg

I did get inspired to start another kit too, a kitbash of a Group N WRX. Might start a WIP for that one too.

Thanks for the update. It sounds like you've had a pretty ordinary time of it with this build with the things that have gone wrong.

A little bit of me said "Noooooooo" when you said you may start a Group N Impreza, but then you probably need the distraction of a new car that goes right to get you enthused about tackling this one again....

For more reference pics of the 98 Escort WRC, take a look through places like Flikr for Goodwood Festival of Speed photos from 2010. The '98 car of Thiry and Prevot appeared there.

Please keep us updated with progress. This is the only '98 Escort WRCar in 1:24 I've seen built, and it's from my favourite ever WRC season (love the livery). I cannot wait until it's finished!

Colours based on references photos. If not, going back to original instructions. I plan to make the little purple things on the struts too. I've seen them on other cars of the same era. Plus I just like the colour :)

The springs were done using solder and cutting apart the original pieces. A little bare metal foil to finish them off.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/pieces.jpg


http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/brakes_real.jpg

Nice Job !
Only the springs make a righthand turn (shown on the pictures)
You made them left hand turn.
I find that a little bit pitty because you make such an effert to emprove your model by adjusting it.
If you can I. I would redo them.

Good luck with the rest off the build !
Grtz
Fanza

I never thought to actually look which way the springs go. But I realize it's never going to be perfect. I'd have to break a lot of the parts to fix this and at this point I'm willing to live with it. I'll pay more attention from now on though!

The weather is much nicer and I'm back to painting. But once again a couple more problems. I redid the roof but wasn't happy with the luster (is that due to being too cold outside?). So I added another layer. This time it went on too thick and I had a pool form on one side. Thought I could buff it out but no luck. Hit it with a little sandpaper but when I painted again I had a crater form since I sanded too much. This is really aggravating. I've never had so many problems with a paintjob before.

It doesn't look so bad from the photo but it's really bothering me. I'll strip it down and do it over again (3rd or 4th time I think).

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/crater.jpg

Another problem I had is with the rims. The Renaissance decals aren't accurate so I sourced some extra OZ Racing ones. I had enough for 4 wheels and decided to print off my own for the spare. They came out well but when I gloss coated them (I have a varnish spray that I've been using for years) it made the decal run and yellowed it. I've never had this happen before (first time with a new laser printer though). I don't think I have any choice but to strip this too and try again, just gonna skip the varnish this time. Anyone have this happen to them?

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/baddecal.jpg

Everything else is going well. I'll be able to provide more photos and updates soon. Thanks for following.

those rim decals could be usable as-is if you're deciding to add rally damage to it :)

even with those missteps, this is still a great build to watch. shame really about the weather mucking up the paintjob.

Suspension finally all finished. Made from extra parts & sprue. I had a fitment problem with the silver end pieces on the back rod. Instead of rebuilding them I cut the rear lip off the rims (which are a little big anyway). Front plate covered with kelvar decals. I won't put that on until the body is attached as it will stick out a bit. This should be it for the underside.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/suspension.jpg

Finished rollcage. The padding on top is seatbelt material from a detail kit.

Also the current state of the dash & steering.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/rollcage.jpg

Good stuff. Keep us updated!

Wheels (minus the spare) all done. I use broken pieces from a mechanical pencil lead painted black for the valve stems.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/tires.jpg


Also added a new extinguisher. Starting to look like a real car now.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/side.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/rear.jpg

the pencil leads for the valve stems are a good idea! i gotta do that for my GT-R's rims. :)

Finally got back to this after a long layoff. Cockpit all is finished. Added a little bit of wiring and extras where I could.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/cockpit1.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/cockpit2.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/cockpit3.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/cockpit4.jpg

Here is the body with window trims painted and panel lines darkened.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/body-white.jpg

Very nice work, glad to see you're still working on this one.

I've spent some time trying to match the blue so I can paint the back of the car. Testors Acrylics Cobalt Blue was the closet. But when I sprayed some test spoons it didn't match as close as it looks here.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/colours.jpg

Even after a couple more goes with different paint mixes I wasn't happy with the results. I thought about the Zero Paint option but even if I had the proper paint code it may not match the decal sheet (I don't think they can even ship to me at the moment anyway). To me this is a make-it or break-it choice for this kit.

Renaissance always seem to include a lot of extra decal for the main colours and this sheet was no exception. So I made the decision to decal the entire back. This would match the hue perfectly and get the crisp line for the curve. Plus I could hide most of the veins with the other decals. Even if I messed it all up I could strip it down and try the painting again.

But it would never be enough to cover everything. So I ordered a 2nd sheet branded as Domino's own. It's the exact same thing. I'm glad I did because I had a few decals tear along the way too. Now as I go I think I might need a 3rd sheet. I'll keep going and see what happens.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/body-decal.jpg

Speaking of decals, does anyone know where these go? I can't seem to spot them in any photo, nor the red circle E that normally goes on the hood. Any ideas?

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/decals-sparco.jpg

Speaking of decals, does anyone know where these go? I can't seem to spot them in any photo, nor the red circle E that normally goes on the hood. Any ideas?

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/decals-sparco.jpg
Looks like the decals for the fire extinguishers located in the interior of the car.

Looks like the decals for the fire extinguishers located in the interior of the car.

+1 - Halon is a type of fire retardant, and Sparco make these as well as other safety equipment.

Ah, good to see this build resurected. I also have this transkit sitting waiting to start. I'm definitely going to paint the rear blue and a visit to the local automotive shop to match a blue against the decals should do the trick. I recently got some base coat for my Panache Sierra and the green is very good match.

The WRC Escort had small 'blips' on the centre of the front wings and I intend to add these with putty.

Your interior and tank are very good. What did you use for the rear shocker turrets?

RAL5002 shouldn't be too far from correct color...
I also have the TK, gotten from my brother giving up the hobby, he had already painted the body so I'll have to entirely rebuild it with a new TK but from what I remember paint wasn't bad and I think he used RAL5002...

So far decaling the back is going okay. I have a third sheet on the way just in case, which will already help with the 2 Ford logos that tore. The wing takes up a lot of surface area, and unfortunately the extra decal isn't long enough to cover the back without cutting it in half (just mm's shy of the panel lines). I think half the reason I'm even attempting this is just to see if I can do it. Painting is definitely the way to go and I will pick up the RAL5002 if I muck it up.

Kaj45rpm, what 'blips'? The transkit seems spot on in regards with the front. I don't actually remember what I used for the rear turrets, but they were 3 pieces. The base bolts were photo-etch gas tank covers, the rest probably just scraps.

The front wings have a raised section at the seam line directly above top dead centre of the wheel. Have a look at www.ewrc.cz (http://www.ewrc.cz) which has some brilliant photographs of this 1998 Escort.

As for roll cages I have seen photographs with a real mixture, some with X-type and some with single diagonal. Probably as a result of some GpA cars being converted to WRC, but this model does have an X-type rear section.

Almost finished the decals. Overall I'm pretty happy with the results on the back. It really depends how the light hits it. Sometimes it looks like snake skin, other times super slick & glossy. There are still some problem areas though. And I can't believe how long this took and I'm still not finished.

Incidentally I was able to order some Revell #51 Ultramarine Blue and so far it looks like a ridiculously close match. I really should have just asked you guys here first! :) So now I will end up redoing this with paint like I have should have done in the first place.

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/decaled-front.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/decaled-side.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/decaled-back.jpg

http://www.robpaperscissors.com/models/escort_wip/decaled-back2.jpg

You made an excellent job with the decals especially on the rear end. That is a very complex shape to cover well with decals. Paint would have been the best option as you already said, but it's not always easy to find the correct shade or to mask the complex shapes, overall though I think you did really well..