Countach!! 1/12 LP400

Started working on this big 1/12 Countach model. It is an "Entex" (Otaki) kit, same as all the other 1/12 Countach kits. Hopefully I will do an acceptable job at it. Inspiration is from this car http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/806-Lamborghini-LP400%20Countach-4.0%20Litre%20V12
but it wont be an exact copy. I am planning on "storm gray metallic" paint and a "regal red" interior.
I am still very amatuer, so any pointers are appreciated. Here's some pics of what I've got so far...

Kit
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293921_2348369821464_1016610758_2670411_319244323_ n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/303102_2348370821489_1016610758_2670414_736434183_ n.jpg


Other photos here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2436649708406.128325.1016610758&type=1&l=6e38324b5d

Engine work...

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381202_2436650228419_1016610758_2748338_703098902_ n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313498_2436650628429_1016610758_2748339_1099687111 _n.jpg

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Like italian people say: COUNTACH!!!
I made the 1/24 fujimi one some month ago. It wasn't too easy to build, but very spectacular. I think this model minimum the quadrat of the little brother.
I'm waiting the continue!

I have the lp500 version with doyusha box.The kit is impressive and as I see here, really well detailed.

Great work!keep on posting....COUNTACH!

sweet! very nice start

i too have 1 of these

cant wait for more progress

Heres a few more pics just to prove that I've actually been working on this. Sorry about the pic quality, they are just phone pics. I'll get some better ones soon...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/377324_2486393991982_1016610758_2775048_839557350_ n.jpg

Fuel tank with support strap. Bracket is from a PE seat harness set I had...
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320537_2515662883686_1016610758_2787050_1670763569 _n.jpg

Engine almost finished
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381948_2515471358898_1016610758_2786973_1214440345 _n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381774_2515469798859_1016610758_2786972_1081952065 _n.jpg

Checking fit...
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386285_2515653763458_1016610758_2787023_1650566033 _n.jpg

I've got most all of the engine bay parts sorted out & painted, so I am making some progress ;)

Thanks for looking

top work!

very nice detail your doing

Question for anybody who has built this kit before...what are parts N 4 & N 5 ??

Ok, I thought I'd give it a try...

First, looking at the N parts, there are two of part 4 and two of part 5, this could indicate that the part is used on each side. For example, there are L and R radiators, fuel tanks, etc.

Next, the N parts look like they have a hex fitting, as if they would be tightened with a wrench. I looked through some of my Countach books and found a couple possibilities.

In this first pic, there is a heat exchanger in the bottom right corner, perhaps the AC condenser? There are two fittings which could be the N4 parts, but this heat exchanger is not represented in the model so these N parts aren't used?

http://i966.photobucket.com/albums/ae148/AluminumRcBodies/Other/countach1.jpg

In this next pic of the engine, there appears to be an air injection tube above the exhaust ports, this is not represented in the model either.

http://i966.photobucket.com/albums/ae148/AluminumRcBodies/Other/countach2.jpg

The model also doesn't show AC lines coming out of the compressor so that's another posibility. Parts N5 look like they could almost go from the fuel tanks to a charcoal canister for the evap system.

I'll be interested to see what ideas others have.

Cheers!
Stew

Excellent possibilities...in the instructions I have it lists some parts which arent used, but says nothing of these parts. I might have to add that ac condenser up front. I don't think these will fit into the compressor as is, but its certainly a possibility. I added my own lines already, but they lack fittings...hmmm

What you're calling an air injection tube I believe is a heat transfer tube. It gathers heat from the headers and warms the intake charge.

Added some wiring...engine bay is almost finished...sorry about pic quality. I will get some good pics soon...Really!!!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389987_2574536275484_1016610758_2808957_98852885_n .jpg

Coming along...

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Blah! Since this kit only includes 1/2 calipers, I made up some. My first real scratch built parts btw, & they looked pretty good, but not wide enough & caused real problems assembling the rear suspension. I guess this car isn't getting them. Luckily they are not really visible with the LP400 wheels. Next one will get them. Anyhow, if anyone decides to do this, make them plenty wide!

great work
keep it up!

Just a heads up while I'm thinking about it, the header panel on the interior, above the rear window is shown in the instructions upside down. Could cause a real issue when the body goes on. It needs to clear the periscope roof...

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http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/407873_2720352480798_1016610758_2875540_1753933912 _n.jpg

Again, apologies for phone pics...

Here is a test paint job for color, unpolished
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/384382_2661972701340_1016610758_2842579_824982115_ n.jpg

Really looking nice, very good detail work on one of my favorite subjects. Don't forget to drill out the speaker grill holes like here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=930745

Ok, I'm teasing about the speaker holes, but when I get around to building my Otaki kit I'll have to drill them out otherwise it will be one of those things that will bug me forever, lol.

Thanks. Yea, I was tempted to try drilling them out, but feared ruining the part. They are just so close together & my skills aren't nearly as good as others on here!

lookin really nice!

should look nice in that colour as well

i also drilled out the holes on my kit, it wasn't that hard and didn't take too long, slow and steady wins the race!

Nice work... Good luck until the end...
Many years, when I was student, I bought for Christmas present this 1/12 beauty. I wish to find the courage to restore it, someday... Thanks for the inspiration...

Here's a couple shots of the rear suspension

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/377978_2601580711578_1016610758_2820104_1215216598 _n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/377020_2601584311668_1016610758_2820105_2078825367 _n.jpg

What did you use to drill them? Smallest bit I have is still slightly bigger than the dimples in the tub...& its pretty small!

Well, I polished the paint on the test body, but I'm not quite sold on the color, even though I bought the paint already. Wondering if I shouldn't use something closer to the "smoked silver" like on the car in the link from first post.
http://www.fantasyjunction.com/img/cars/large/30598.jpg

Therefore I'm soliciting opinions...what do ya think?

That smoked silver does look good on that 1:1, something different than the usual Countach colors. Is there a paint code for it or would you try to match it as best possible?

I would probably just try to get it as close as possible, since I didn't intend to replicate this car exactly...I also wanted something different from the typical red, yellow, orange LP400's but not wanting a bright silver either...if I knew how to match that exactly I would do it tho

This color is tough to photograph & the shine isn't very apparent in the pics, but it does have good reflection
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/390607_2759173531300_1016610758_2897057_1405425865 _n.jpg

In reality, I can easily read the printing on the light bulb, & it doesn't look nearly so grainy, but it wouldn't photograph that way at all...
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/381205_2759141010487_1016610758_2896969_762811552_ n.jpg

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http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/407655_2759134050313_1016610758_2896967_673477217_ n.jpg

That almost looks like that color shifting paint, I guess I'm not sure what it's called, but in the photos it looks slightly green on one side of the model and slightly purple on the other side.

If it really is that type of paint then I don't think it would be a good fit on an Italian exotic. Just my humble opinion though. Oh did you ever scratch that AC condenser?

Nope, it isn't color shifting paint...just a dark charcoal grey. Under my work light (2nd pic) it does look different. It's duplicolor "storm grey". I picked up a can of charcoal silver, but I'm afraid it will be too bright.
I haven't gotten to the condenser yet, but the front compartment is next. I might use a 1/24 radiator from a monogram countach I bought for the engine, but I haven't checked it for fit or anything yet...

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/398089_2759150930735_1016610758_2896974_2028882083 _n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/395240_2748122655035_1016610758_2889614_1679303012 _n.jpg

Does anyone have or know where I might find a 1/12 wheel &tire that looks similar to this?

http://ferraris-online.com/cars/LA-LP5000-12101/images/P021Web.jpg

http://www.lambopower.com/forum/uploads/monthly_12_2009/post-4314-1260224316.jpg

Looks like a great model! The engine looks like it could start, and the interior looks very clean. How much have you added to the standard kit?

Not much added...I switched out the spark plug wires & added some other wiring. Also switched the oil lines to braided, but that's about it

Interior is basically finished. Added seat belts with scratch built buckles. The adjuster is pe but maybe I should have made one..?

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/396708_2795295914337_1016610758_2912189_832343312_ n.jpg

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Front suspension was a bit of a pain, but it functions properly. Added hydraulic lines, brake cooling ducts & air conditioning condenser with the extra lines in the kit...
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/394257_2858817462336_1016610758_2937195_441497158_ n.jpg

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Oh, & also stained up the fuel tanks to give them some age...

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/402005_2858802461961_1016610758_2937185_354668150_ n.jpg

Wheels are on now

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Real nice, but safe belts looks strange, not in scale. And same thing with belt locks to.
http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200702/1973-lamborghini-countach-19_460x0w.jpg

Belts are probably a bit narrow in scale, but I did the best I could with what I had. Latches are different because this is an earlier car. I couldn't find a decent ref pic of the button mechanism...

http://www.joesackey.com/galleryupload/albums/Batch%20Add%20Files/Motore%20Potenziato%20(1120056)/Motore_Potenziato_(1120056)-17.JPG

Body has been polished...I couldn't resist a test fitting to see how it looks ;)

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fantastic work!

the lp400s? in the back ground is very nice looking aswell!

Thanks! The black one in the background is one I got from eBay already built. It's not as nice looking up close but it was assembled correctly & made a great reference for this build...

Looking good!

Doesn't look like much progress, but all the bits are getting added to the body...

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It's really coming together, looking good.

Looking Good!

fantastic! your doing a great job keep it up!

Thanks for the comments! These pictures really don't do the color or the finish any justice at all. I will try to get some outdoors shots taken when its all finished ;)

Excellent work, the paint is very beautiful !! :thumbsup:

Only a few details left to be added...

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Very nice one ! :thumbsup:
It seems that you're using the same kind of paint that I am on my california, with metallic particules mixed in the color, on your model the gray color gives a very nice "stone-like" effect, I really love this color and the clear gives a perfect deepness, enough but not too much. Perfect to me ! ;)

looks good! did you do some fading on that black strip on the front windscreen? looks like it has a nice transition

The sunshade strip at the top was done with Testors window tint & a soft mask...

Was able to capture the finish in the trunk lid ;)

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All those details are great and add a lot to the model !! :thumbsup:
Very inspiring, so much than having the 1/24 tamiya kit lost in all my to do models I may finally decide to build it instead of trying to sell it back as I recently thought... :)

Sweet! I've got a 1/16 Countach myself, not the LP400 version, but it's nice to see one getting built.

I've also got a 1/16 anniversary to build...fujimi brand tho
Some Lamborghini models ;)

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/423446_3198223227268_1016610758_3066002_2036581378 _n.jpg

Ooooh! Yeah, that red one in the back, LP500S is the one I have. Sweet!