Saab Aero-X 1/6

Hello!

First of all - this is my first model to build/assemble and therefore has taken a lot of time and patience to figure out how something can be done. But thats why I'm here - to get your feedback, tips and support in any way. In time i'm hoping to contribute from my own experience and know-how to this forum and the members.

I'll make it as short as I can... Started to make this model in 2007 some time. It was introduced by Saab in 2006 in Geneva motor show. Since then I started thinking how can I make this myself since there was no scale model (then) to buy and later it was a 1/43 anyway... My first problem was that i did not have any drawing. My second one was that I was stupid enough not to make them and so, with just some rough scetches i started carving 1/6 body from styrofoam...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u-s1C_0W6cs/SH-hQfaKm4I/AAAAAAAAByw/vsrl7BWWVwQ/s800/DSCN0419.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_qAzrfPOmOs/SH-hRgeioHI/AAAAAAAABXs/HtlhTM_TM-w/DSCN0566re.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y_mQmj2LysY/SH-haaszmiI/AAAAAAAABXs/AOW4wKfaFEM/aerox%252520mudel.jpg

That is covered with putty :screwy: Should have used modeling clay...
And made a two part mold that was another bad move but since i did not have experience with fiberglass also, then so it went.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tgTzewy23PM/ToBF5F3ViYI/AAAAAAAAB2M/peySDN1TI74/s640/IMGP4636.JPG

Miraculously I managed to produce the first plug.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xs81N9ZeXcc/S3FCTR7ykAI/AAAAAAAABXs/OCeybVdKEnk/s640/IMGP4886.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ubOPadN2s-Q/ToBG4TA-iTI/AAAAAAAAB2k/2h2CnPRu3ew/s800/IMGP5079.JPG

Then more fun part
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mL9AxvAeH9A/TEMhTeR0fLI/AAAAAAAABXs/5TZccMfI2-g/s640/IMGP5108.JPG

And now I'm here, from where I will continue my story with Saab in this forum :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ma9mX4lrpUs/TV2lYjuxPHI/AAAAAAAAByw/3Ab-tp0jBtk/s800/DSCN2602.jpg

Very latest progress. At first "impossible to make" wheels are being finished.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ztNsOpcuCb8/Tod2yAWm6GI/AAAAAAAAB4I/uXxvBSHGCRQ/s800/DSCN2957.JPG

Cheers,
Andreas

1st, Welcome on AF!

Incredible craftmanship :eek: :bigthumb:

I'm sure your threads will all be a pleasure to watch :)

Those wheels look fantastic!

Andreas, as I've mentioned before, it looks like a very promising start. It's also going to be huge :)

Love the wheels, they look absolutely flawless, and it's an indication of how cool the rest of the build is likely to be. Maybe you could show it to me some day :)

I could tell a very long story about the wheels and how "flawless" they are, but I'd radher not. But a lot of effort has gone into them and I'm happy with the overall result. I have to make two more and then I can reveal "how it's made".
But since you are too from Tallinn (good surprise), then sure I can show it to you some time.

Just finished the first brake caliper. Well I need to make some decals (dont know how yet) but other wise it's done.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DK1D5Um7ng8/TotaZycJQDI/AAAAAAAAB4k/mJ-GRza1xzc/s912/DSCN2960.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Eu4jkxFgjIw/TotaKmcmDEI/AAAAAAAAB4c/MafwaPSA054/s912/DSCN2983.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZO72Hfw-2do/TotaL6X03QI/AAAAAAAAB4g/HNRoyuCrfb4/s912/DSCN2985.JPG

I must subscribe to this thread. This is going to be just great modelling! :licka:

I've had a German company (http://decalprint.de/)print some decals for me recently, I'm quite happy with them in 1/24 scale and I'm sure they'll be even better in 1/6.

How do you know that the prototype had four brake pads per caliper? Yours look nicely detailed, I must say.

Wow! Great project! Are you using casting and molding for producing wheels?

I've had a German company (http://decalprint.de/)print some decals for me recently, I'm quite happy with them in 1/24 scale and I'm sure they'll be even better in 1/6.

How do you know that the prototype had four brake pads per caliper? Yours look nicely detailed, I must say.

Well I know that the concept has 380mm Brembo ceramic discs all round. But the only caliper from Brembo to use 380mm disc is an 8 piston 4 pad brake caliper.



Am I using casting and molding for producing wheels? No. Each wheel is scratch built from 12 hand made spokes, hub and rim. I can show you the process some time when i finish the last two wheels but right now i can show you the half done one.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4Y9-3Lv5NmU/TUh9QZLazhI/AAAAAAAAByw/qY5Q9R1SO5M/s912/_DSC3809.JPG

This is awesome!!! wow!

Wow!! This is going to be neat to see come together...will be nearly all scratch built...very cool!! Excellent craftsmanship so far!!

Thanks!

I like to experiment often and search inspiration everywhere I can. So heres my attempt to replicate carbon ceramic brake disc.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pJ_rHmNFnYo/TprhARK0M3I/AAAAAAAAB6I/jIufjz0cqG8/s912/DSCN3045.JPG

I'm really happy that I came up with this idea, but I'm sure that it can be made even better.

Heres the secret if any of you would like to know or improve it and try out yourself:

1) Sharpen some graphite pencils and collect the graphite
2) Make the disc from styrene, but a little bit thinner so you can build up the carbon surface.
3) Apply glue to the disc (I used PVA) and then collected graphite.
4) Allow to dry. Sand the disc surface and repeat step 3
5) Sand again with 400 grit sandpaper and basically it's done...

So, what do you think? How do you guys replicate carbon ceramic surface?

Wow simply amazing, and the carbon ceramic disc idea is genius!!! And those calipers are just amazing, keep up the awesome work

Today I tried out making the tyres. I did not have any good idea how to make them, but just recently, when I joined this forum and found ScratchBuilt's 1/8 Porsche 908/03 thread and asked him, how is he going to make the tyres. Well and then I tried to replicate the idea. Here is result so far.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RdKJknoBrUE/TqQP4Q2imnI/AAAAAAAAB7U/hJUFtvEb-JM/s640/DSCN3065.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J3_7IQRiHAY/TqQP4k9VMqI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/XOaAgnoje80/s640/DSCN3069.JPG

Big thank you to ScratchBuilt from Estonia!

Those carbon ceramic discs are amazing! Great work, and brilliant idea! The rest of your build is just as magnificent. Can't wait to see more.

my God!!!!!!

You are officially my new scratchbuild deity! The brake rotors are genius! Was this how you made your brake pads too?

Oh my goodness!! this is definitely a thread that should be follow by every modeler!!.. great start.. the rims looks perfect!!.. what paint did you use to get that chrome result??

You are officially my new scratchbuild deity! The brake rotors are genius! Was this how you made your brake pads too?

Oh my goodness!! this is definitely a thread that should be follow by every modeler!!.. great start.. the rims looks perfect!!.. what paint did you use to get that chrome result??

Thanks!

I actually made new brake rotors already with a bit finer carbon particles and different rotor bell. Looks even better I think. The brake pads are made of black, softer cd case. Easy to cut and after light sanding with fine grit paper I got that result.

For painting the rims I used Alclad polished aluminum over Alclad gloss black base. So I was not after the chrome.

FYI this is my first ever model to make or assemble, so I think I'm the one that should follow other modellers threads. :smile: And lately I have, and got some new ideas and techniques which is great! But for this Saab it's a bit too late to put all the new knowledge to use that mostly I have learned in the process of making it. But I'll finish it the way I'm able to and be proud of it when it's sitting behind the glass showcase and say: "I could not buy one, so I made one"

Here are some "behind the scenes" photos. Since I only have two wheels done, I'm working with the rest of them. Just like brake calipers.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WNKsIcGFU9o/TswXDKmO1aI/AAAAAAAAB-c/4sxsNPOukEw/s912/DSCN3035.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WvPjz3bN1iQ/ToOOuiixW4I/AAAAAAAAB24/kCCqbu1V8v4/s912/DSC_3970.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zmrhbmLFWMw/Tod21zCl_PI/AAAAAAAAB9o/0YSvKOg1YWg/s800/DSCN2958.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UiOY4l2uzrM/TswXTBsMu3I/AAAAAAAAB-0/5HLYFe4PzwE/s912/DSCN3095.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-89IS5bm7rUc/TswXWr50jVI/AAAAAAAAB-8/qe0BosZfFRc/s800/DSCN3096.JPG

The wheel hub is from an rc car and the spokes are cut from 2mm styrene sheet, filed to shape and then baked in an oven for about 30 seconds to make it soft and give the right curve. So, if you ever want to spend 40+ workhours to make a wheel - now you know how it's made... :)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gfISxI461uE/TItEv-NXjJI/AAAAAAAAByw/8ugmcKg16dY/s800/DSC_2288.JPG

i wish i could see some more progress on this project :(

As some of you may know, Saab is going through a very difficult phase of its life and has filed for bankruptcy. Why I drive a Saab and what attracts me to this brand is a mixture of many unique ingredients that other car brands do not have or do not mix together the way Saab does.

But even if they really do not make Saabs any more, I will. And through that show my gratitude and deepest respect to people who have made my favorite car recipe.

With that in mind I am trying to spend at least some time I have in the weekends to the model.

New brake disc with smaller carbon particles and with new center part:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GRUqKrVsiAM/TwtHoFBva2I/AAAAAAAACCo/IC8NdcPjb3I/s800/DSCN3083.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CSdqo8kc8Gc/TwteYdHER4I/AAAAAAAACC4/Gmknqi3br7k/s912/DSCN3108a.jpg

Half done exhaust pipe:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O6h5ZHukThE/TwtHbf1e8HI/AAAAAAAACCI/-dIO6lLYuK4/s912/DSCN3125.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4dELVamAySI/TwtHcDLGh_I/AAAAAAAACCQ/QnWHLFyjzRo/s800/DSCN3122.jpg

And the template for headlight:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BmzhOTg2E9I/TwtIBUstNDI/AAAAAAAACCw/Yevmnfmn7YI/s912/DSCN3134a.jpg


But here is a question: I was thinking that the headlights glass could be made by vacuum forming a clear plastic sheet over the template. What I found was that the clear plastic that I'm using is not as easy to manipulate with. It appeared to cool down ultra quickly when taken from the oven or was not soft enough... Does anybody have any experience or suggestions for this kind of process?

Here is the clear plastic used:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EQaagRiH9ks/TwtHjG2wtcI/AAAAAAAACCg/4wXQv8q3wnQ/s800/DSCN3137.JPG


Oh, and here is my favorite recipe - and it's all mine....

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OVzNRIytG68/Tk-pQQ3hy8I/AAAAAAAABxs/XLwOZHBMjzU/s912/_DSC7635.jpg

Good to see your model is doing better than Saab itself.

Nice 2-door there! Turbo? (I'm a Volvo guy myself ;))

Good to see your model is doing better than Saab itself.

Nice 2-door there! Turbo? (I'm a Volvo guy myself ;))

It's a 1993 900 Aero. Yes, it's a turbo ;)

Well done so far.. glad to see that you didn't gave up!. i wish i had some experience to share you with regarding to reproducing the glasses.

btw... very nice car.. 1993.. it looks very nice :)

crazy!!

WOW this is a nice project. Your workmanship is stunning.

But here is a question: I was thinking that the headlights glass could be made by vacuum forming a clear plastic sheet over the template. What I found was that the clear plastic that I'm using is not as easy to manipulate with. It appeared to cool down ultra quickly when taken from the oven or was not soft enough... Does anybody have any experience or suggestions for this kind of process?


Try using the clear plastic from a blister package. Make a mold for the headlights, heat the plastic with a lighter and pull it over the mold.

Sincerely

Pascal

Some great modeling here!!! I have had success with limited experience vacuforming sheet styrene. I've always had to make a frame that had pins and made holes in the styrene located on the pins so the styrene will strech and not bend & warp when heated. Are you using a vaccum box???

I have not made the vacuum box just yet, but there is no escape from that :)

But I had some time this weekend and managed to get my hands on the model.
Not much but everything takes me a lot of time.

New brake caliper finish. I wanted them to stand out a bit more since I put a lot of effort into them. But it had to stay modest. The mat gold seems to do the trick. Just the red Brembo decal is missing :)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PPDiBTMYW24/TycDnxpqeYI/AAAAAAAACDQ/9q6pgMqSOK4/s912/DSCN3148.JPG

All 4 tires and wheels are finally fabricated. (To be painted)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PsKjX8TlaUY/TycDosVohFI/AAAAAAAACDY/OVvmiN_0LBs/s912/DSCN3153.JPG

And the two small air intakes next to the headlights are also being made
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k-elXqXBrOs/TycDox_lpuI/AAAAAAAACDc/AM53muA8c4w/s912/DSCN3172.JPG

Great progress so far!!.. i'm very happy that you still working on this one, i'm pretty sure that this will be one of the best handmade ever!!

Long time no see, but time has always been the main issue for me when building this model. Anyway, just recently I finished and dry fitted the exhaust pipes tip.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DnyLGNFryps/UQUcAWRNg3I/AAAAAAAADYY/RtIlMDvpDBk/s640/DSCN0543.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4SIXyAd-4b4/UQUcYEL4hJI/AAAAAAAADYg/5wbRAjrwJeQ/s640/DSCN0540.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FR0ycid0elg/UQUcnOFvgOI/AAAAAAAADYo/NXM7sA_oRHU/s640/DSCN0539.JPG

wow. builds like this are the stuff of dreams. great work on the brake discs, really looks real :)

Hello Andreas,
You choose a great subject to made a scale model. Much respect to your work. Great realization and finishing. I think you could be more attentive to details. You must use more photos to compare. Look to the wheels. The spokes must be bent to outside, not in one plane.
http://reinep.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/004_saab_aero_x.jpg
Also, as you can see on this photo, the rear bumper must have more relief with many edges and deepenings. Sorry for my grumble, but you are doing a highly detailed brakes but not a bodyshell. Anyway, good work!
P.S. I have built the only full open big scale model. It was 1/5 scale Russo Balt Impression.
http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/5627/14224223.34/0_80399_4c71559a_XL.jpg (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/mikhailpetrenko/view/525209/)

Thank you Stratos75 for your comment and the criticism that I very much agree with. Regards to the wheels being plane, then maybe my photos are not too illustrative.
But both the front and rear wheels have some depth to them - The rear slightly more. But then again, maybe you're right and they should be a bit deeper still.
The rear bumber is not completely finished yet, but I already admit that it will not be 100% as the real thing. For example the upper part of the exhaust pipe
should be partly embedded to the bumper. It's not too much work actually, but the thing is that this model has this kind of flaws everywhere and it's mainly because I have not made a single drawing to make this model. So if I make a mistake on one part of the model then this may very easyliy transfer to another part or section.
When I started making this model I had no experience or information about modeling. But in time when I've seen how others are doing this kind of work I've realised what I've done wrong and how I could improve my processes and skills in the future. And now I'm coming to the main reason why this model has and will continue to have these flaws: It's easier to start over, whith proper processes, tools etc than to fix this already built model. But I'd still like to finish this model as it is.

So, though I'm not too happy with it myself also, I sometimes take this model as an artistic approach to scale modeling. I could make all the 3d drawings and print it out just as the real thing, but this is made only by hand using just basic tools, vision and persistence.


But looking at your model, I once again see something to strive for. So, thank you!

The heading for this post could be something like: New Ariel Actilift Handwash QuickAction Gold Plus - and white is white once again.

This is after first few coats of white

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MeJah4F5ZbU/UfovqC4So0I/AAAAAAAAD4Q/Ag91S-CtWks/w904-h510-no/2013-08-01+12.18.32.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dEtWaqoHGUM/UfoqjD4_bnI/AAAAAAAAD3U/94HCyMe5Nns/w981-h553-no/2013-08-01+12.18.06.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-35HM_LyCtyA/UfoqnyiYXyI/AAAAAAAAD3c/Yde8dUShmrE/w981-h553-no/2013-08-01+12.18.16.jpg

Nice work, looking good Andreas! bravo!

Taking shape and its looking good. Good luck!!

With a 3mm design tape I started to scribe some panel lines

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WSbWM0VmuS4/Ugx_mfICqsI/AAAAAAAAD50/XyP-mfg1HHk/w1105-h623-no/2013-08-14+19.14.58.jpg

Trial and error. But more or less correct I think. By "correct" I mean it more or less matches the overall proportions.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7WHZvoqmeiU/UihKle-MkFI/AAAAAAAAEKY/A8_UGlFg4-I/w1224-h690-no/panel+lines.jpg

excellent work !!
thread like yours makes me better think we aren't on a modeling forum anymore but at the back of a Giuggiaro-like designer garage !! :lol:

Panel lines are done and the glass area remasked and painted.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1A1NshKspHs/UjQ7dmQ1R9I/AAAAAAAAEK4/vSfWBq7ZWgM/w981-h553-no/2013-09-14+13.25.52.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VrB-xqFG8zQ/UjQ7dsiaDrI/AAAAAAAAEK8/2DH07YKlids/w981-h553-no/2013-09-14+13.26.11.jpg

Andreas, you did a huge work. But what have you done with the proportions? Your car is very fat. Pay special attention to the shape of the side window and the door. The door must be closer to the rear wheel. The spokes on the wheel rims should be wider. Look to the photo.
http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/9299/14224223.3a/0_8d68a_3bc571c3_XL.jpg (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/mikhailpetrenko/view/579210/)

http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/9346/14224223.3a/0_8d689_ef8192cd_XL.jpg (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/mikhailpetrenko/view/579209/)

Very cool I had no idea people were making models this way!

Andreas, you did a huge work. But what have you done with the proportions? Your car is very fat. Pay special attention to the shape of the side window and the door. The door must be closer to the rear wheel. The spokes on the wheel rims should be wider. Look to the photo.

You are absolutely right. The door could have been a bit longer, but the position of the front part of the door could not have been changed, since there the door needs to meet the window and side. Also true is that I did not render a comparative picture, like you did here, to make sure that I'm on the right track. I knew that I was off anyway. If not from this view then the other. So I just improvised :sly: But then again, if I want to make it as a true scale replica model, then I should start all over and this time with making accurate drawings in the first place. In my case at the moment I have not used and will not use any drawing to complete this model. It's just up to the sharp eye (as blunt as it is) and steady hand. Of course with this in mind, this model can't be anything more than a 'look alike'. As a model builder I should be ashamed, but I'm not - either of them.

I've never built a scale model (not to mention from scratch) so many technicalities can be blamed to my inexperience. But I've learned a lot in the progress and if I should start making another model some day, then I'm sure I'll use a completely different and better approach. It's just too late for this model :)

You're more like an impressionist than realist -- nothing wrong with that because there's no correct way in art.
Keep doing what you enjoy. I like the Aero-X, and I'm looking forward to future updates.