Ferrari F458 GT2 1/24

this car is one of my favourite ones.
The starting kit is the Revell Street one,pretty nice model,the body looks correct and the shape of the street 458 seems taken but I know myself and I wellknow I will never build up as it is cause I like much more the "anabola" racing version Gt2.
I started looking carefully all the pics I've found around internet,and as pointed in Tom's post about the new APM model, noted there are already some minor differences between the presentation cars, the 2010 and the 2011 versions (surely there will be even more on the new 2012 which I will see in the next 3 hours here in Monza, for the annual 4 hours endurance racing qualify)

So the modification started with the enlargement of all the body..
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-osbelyNf8yQ/UHWMG7rCvrI/AAAAAAAAR8g/TXbGSjx391E/w745-h530-no/SDC18195.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l7bMWadzW-c/UHWMG6Qx-nI/AAAAAAAAAfY/3hbMg13CcM0/w638-h530-no/SDC18282.JPG

That is quite a rebuild!

Ton

Fantastic idea and work Paolo...
Good luck with it...
I also love the 458 GT2. Great car!

PS. Do you plan to make resin copies from this? I 'm interest in one...

Ciao George,
I dont think to cast copies of this one.There is already the nice model from APM http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1076852 that is complete and seems also in a very nice quality.
If only Tom posted this 1 week ago, also I probably would not start with it, but I've seen the post...only the day I finished it ..LOL.
My famous lucky, u know ;)

I was ready to do this also for the Ferrari Expo using the Revell 458 but did not have time due to other projects. Some nice looking 458 GT2's
can be done now. Your model looks great so far. I did not look forward to building the rollcage/cockpit. Thank you APM!


Tom Tanner/Scale Designs/Ferrari Expo 2013-Chicago March 2013

Thanks for your response,
I see the APM 's 458 but I like the idea to make a gt2 with engine detail based on revell's kit. Also APM 's are very expensive.
So I like your turn...
I think your job it 's excellent.

Ciao George,
My famous lucky, u know ;)

We can make a club... I work 7 month's on my 308 rally conversion (you can see it in "completed projects") when Roman announce his astonishing 308 transkit :crying: :smooch:

The rear bumbper needs reshape and also here different holes/air intakes.I add thick plastic to have ssurface to work on and to hole later.All the car need to be much more glued to road than street version.The same for side skirts,also here shape was done with Plasticard base and milliput.
Front air intakes are now done.
Front bonnet holes.Plastic near windshield becomes really thick,and I've lightened from inside with a dremel tool,even if it is too fast and melts pretty fast to this strange plastic.Quite different with tamiya/fujimi/hasegawa plastic,much more better to work with,imho.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BttG8z5wlck/UHWMG_1PXII/AAAAAAAAAfU/YKLDWsIWkGY/w707-h530-no/Ferrari_458_GT2_004.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2madDDpANXc/UHWMuXC0VVI/AAAAAAAAAiA/gLxKIsHVoEU/w708-h426-no/combo.jpg

not bad, the body seems to me a little bit too wide ???

http://www.larevueautomobile.com/images/Ferrari/458-GT2/Exterieur/Ferrari_458_GT2_004.jpg

It can be, I am copying a blueprint in 24 I found in internet.

Looking theme yesterday for real, the "wide-ness" sensation they give is impressive, much more than the 458 gtopen/gt3 ones and infinitely more than 430 gt2 (still winning cars.They got the 4 hours of Monza)

Better if I have more material anyway, if too much is a while reduce the rear border of 1 mm.would be hard the opposite though.

Well done man....
You are doing a fantastic job, considering that nobody jet did it, I mean a brand like studio27, MFH or others.

At the end of the body work you cold made some copy in resin for US !!!!!! :grinyes::grinyes::grinyes:

By the way....wich one livery are you going to set up on it ?

Spettacolo Paolo! :eek:

Hi Paolo

Fine plasticwork, :runaround: but I think the back is too wide, the front is well done.

Sascha

pardon the pun, but this is shaping up to be a great build. :)

Here some pics of the bodyshell in progress.Primered all, open side vents and replaced cap filler holes.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-deLgUCVF8Qw/UHWML9ro_AI/AAAAAAAAAf0/ZnOwK26Hb3c/w706-h530-no/SDC18303.JPG


when I build up such cars I use to rush and start immediately, then I leave it as it is for some days and retake it in hands to see if all parts are convincing me. Later will reduce of 1 mm the wide of the rear arches.The front ones look ok.is not hard to do this now (all model is still in progress),it is just millipit with some plasticard renforcements inside...stay tuned.

@Andrea, la faccio AF Corse col tricolore italiano...

Good progress and smooooooooth curves

Ton

@Andrea, la faccio AF Corse col tricolore italiano...
Mi piace moltissimo. :thumbsup:

WOW ! Amazing work ! Great skills !
I wish you would make a resin copies for sale ;)

Despite I'm not a big fan of Ferrari this is incredible! Very clean work!
Keep it up!

Oh wow. The modification on the front end is no easy task.

Paolo - this Ferrari -is coming out fantastic - great work - Keep this pics of the work coming - John

I´ll chime in with the others!

Another fantastic creation from you Paolo.

:thumbsup:

//Emil

thank u John, och tack Emil ;)

Paolo, this is amazing! Keep up the great work!

imho your ones are much nicer :thumbsup:will try to do my best. Today I've ordered the decals sheet from decaldoc.The livery will be this:
http://www.decaldoc.de/images/afcorsekasp.jpg

..as well as I also ordered the Motorsport decals for that BMW m3gt2 I have here in showcase looking at me since 1 yr. ;)

Paolo - your fantastic build of this Ferrari has urged me to order a 458 kit from HLJ - I just have to add a 458 GT3 to my LeMans collection. I too will contact Frank at Decaldoc and see what all types of livery "decals" he has for different 458 cars. I do not suppose you have any drawings of the "vents" from the front that you made? Can you either share all your reference with the Forum or at least me? I can give you a personal email address rather than the forum PM system so you can send the information?? - it would be much appreciated - no hurry though as I am sure you are very busy. Thank you - John

Meanwhile the unpainting of the chromed front lights is misteriously tricky.Usually I place theme in a bath of sodium hypoclorite and in 10 minutes they return pure plastic.This time they are bathing since 4 days and just some parts become unpainted.

Hey Paolo, I am having the same problem on my Revell 458. I use something called "Simple Green" cleaner, and usually the i soak the parts overnight, then chrome plating comes off very easily. This time the chrome plating came off but it left a sticky yellow looking film over all the parts.

Is this what happened to you as well? I think i might try using bleach if the parts are still covered in sticky yellow goo this evening.

Great progress so far on your build. I love the front louvers.

Stuart

@John:
The blueprint I have is not a serious one,and is too little.
The car is too new, so is still too hard to find GOOD documentation (even more drawings I think).I am using one from a friend making add on for rfactor and videogames.My main source of inspiration come from the accurate study of the pics of the real car.I have many,nearly all taken from internet, so nothing special (but being the car so nice there is some around,mostly to understand the little upgrades they are doing to the car race after race, as the 2011 front lips and lower air intakes).
:D happy u also wanna build one. Think they are deadly nice in a collection.
The Gt3 is also too nice one.Just saw theme last sunday in Monza track.Some differences with gt2 (less wider, less air intakes and different front end as well as the rear extractor) and many
many pretty cool livery.Dunno if around there are decals to make it.

@Stuart:
I'm going on with the bath in the liquid.some chrome went away, but really too hard this time.Also on my parts remains a yellow grease on all parts, but can it be also coming from the chemical reaction of the liquid with chrome paint.It already happened to me other times,even if when I take away such chrome from tamiya parts it tooks less than 3 minutes to become completely clean.

EDIT:
Just cleaned now the front lights.All wants to do such work, be VERY careful cause when u took away all the (terribly heavy) chrome paint, u will see the grey plastic misteriosly glossy. Such gloss is a sort of ts-13/ 2k trasparent paint that comes away with a scratch tool.
I really dunno wtf do they use at revell to make so ugly chromed parts.
If u reach the pure plastic parts, the details on the lights are incredibly nice and seems done in resin.

Excellent work Paolo - the design software really helps us get a look at what needs to be done for the roll cage. Also that for the pictures - keep them coming - this will really help me - I have ordered a 458GT on the way as soon as they are in stock again - John

Very impressive mods ,Paolo :)

Nice stuff Paolo!

I have collected some pics, maybe they will help.

http://public.fotki.com/BrianVenable/cars/ferrari-458-gt2/

great pictures Brian - thanks for sharing them - John

little update with the cockpit of my gt2.Was also thinking at open a door,but after I did it on my 430 gt2 af corse I think they loose a little the shape of the final car.Think will leave it curbside model, probably cause the livery will be cool one and very colored.

http://multiply.com/mu/alsoldatino/image/1:soldatino/photos/182/600x600/99/SDC18439.JPG?et=YdAHjPWpuVnDZvLo6WkTKw&nmid=534779152

http://multiply.com/mu/alsoldatino/image/1:soldatino/photos/182/600x600/96/SDC18435.JPG?et=4fDw9k7sxrg6f4Pht1goyw&nmid=534779152

also engine bay will be quite different from street car.all roll cages and air ducts will be rebuild different

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YrsN7LB1_FM/UHWMXa2FriI/AAAAAAAAAgs/H0dHENtfN60/w707-h530-no/SDC18436.JPG

also decals are here now. cant really wait to start the part I always like more on such models (painting and decalwork).

Unfortunately since now will be a little slower in work,cause in italy the summer season is starting soon, and I am a little busy with another passion I have..:naughty::naughty:

http://www.hobiecat.nu/media/batar/tiger/HobieSurf1.jpg

stay tuned..and if u see me capsized, plz call coast guard..:naughty::naughty::rofl:

Looking great!

Revell's method of installing the windows from the outside is far better than Fujimi's ill fitting glass shells.

Thank u Brian.
What happened at the end of your nice bmw scared me to death.wanted to try it before.

In this parts modern revell is really top notch.I've just build their He-111 in 1/32,where clear parts are too many, too clear and very very detailed (all front part is a big clear frame) and all fitted perfectly.

looking good, keep the photos coming.

then the red comes:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hH547hwk1OU/UHWMRZr9xbI/AAAAAAAAAgM/odLb0jpSQQ0/w710-h530-no/SDC18652.JPG

The main difference I've found with tamiya acrilics is Gunze needs much more time to be really dry.When definitevely dry they come very resistant to any following work on theme.I need it to be real dry before the long (and still far away) decaling process.

That 458 is coming out fantastic - looks better than the resin kit version - and the red - beautiful - John

Thank u John.
Surely working on a plastic model is better than a resin brick.APM is easyer way to add the gt2 in collection.The car is a stunner.Cant stop to look at her during the work.Think is absolutely one of the sexyest ferrari of the last years:it becomes so aggressive in the racing version (and honestly a real winning car allover).

If I will not be in italy building it I would like to cast in resin at least the bodyshell of this nice car, but all the contacts I have for quality resin cast (at an affordagble price) are only in italy and not in sweden.

In italy there is too much attention over such stuff from lawers of maranello.They have a special department taking care of these little bits.The situation is really scary.Here do as APM will create big problems for producers and customers. (read pay royalty).
It would be lovely to sell the casted body under the 50 dollars imho..

cockpit done.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gZrg8YclAbg/UHWMOz4Z6pI/AAAAAAAAJLM/WPC_Dpir7Vw/w697-h530-no/SDC18619.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kxxyb0QWXfA/UHWMQG7f9fI/AAAAAAAAAgI/PQ3PlsOUDWc/w739-h530-no/SDC18620.JPG

Unbelievable job!!!
I envy your model... For sure I try mine, someday...
Thanks for sharing...

Great work on both models. APM should have their kit out about the time you finish yours. I did a kit of the 935/76 square tail years ago with an engine. Here is a link showing pictures. It is sold out and I do not have anymore decals for it.


http://gpma.org/scaledesigns.html


Tom Tanner/Scale Designs/Ferrari Expo 2013-Chicago March 2013

Thank u guys :)

I have the Studio 27 Kaspersky decals, have you used Decal Doc decals before? How are they?

never tried theme before Brian.They look good and have little more stuff inside than st27 ones.
For sure studios ones are great, cause done by cartograf, while decaldoc are printed in alps, with its benefits and problems...we will see.

Paolo - have you used decaldoc decals before? - I got the flying lizard porsche decals from decaldoc "Frank" but I have never used them before so I'm not sure what precautions to use?? any advice from you would be appreciated - thanks - also your 458 is awesome looks better than the APM kit does, I can't believe it came from the Revell standard kit?? simply awesome - John

Paolo - have you used decaldoc decals before? - I got the flying lizard porsche decals from decaldoc "Frank" but I have never used them before so I'm not sure what precautions to use?? any advice from you would be appreciated - thanks - also your 458 is awesome looks better than the APM kit does, I can't believe it came from the Revell standard kit?? simply awesome - John

also I've never used before decals printed by Decaldoc.
Nearly all models I've finished recently were done with Alps printed decals (BMW m3GTR, F430 GT2,Alzen Porsche 996,Lancia Lc2) so I hope I can manage also these ones.The printing is very nice to be custom made ones.
Bought from theme also the BMW motorsport decal for the m3Gt2 ALMS.
What is different from st27/Cartograf printed are the clear colors as white and yellows.For this decaldoc provides another silver film decal to match the italian flag allover the body.

Here today we have bad wind to sail (for my skill) so I took some nicer pictures in the sun, cause as u see nearly all I've taken till now are done in the night with poor lights (I work as a rat..in the night, with few light..LOL, love it btw..:iceslolan)

Here comes the sun :lol: :

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M6kKDylWoHu_JewbM45xf2299TgWcDmvIAwXcydZm5g=w579-h530-no

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rLNl4wxMICU/UHWMUvn0oCI/AAAAAAAAAgc/BOsT8uTayMc/w624-h530-no/SDC18674.JPG

then I go on build up the rear part of the rollcage.
This part is very different from Revell part,and of course there is also the different rollcage tubes.I detailed the parts visible when the model will be closed.The airbox was done in plasticard with evergreen tubes, then covered with CF decal.
Wires were done melting black sprue over a candle.very easy and very cheap method.Is also light thin plastic, so very easy to glue with cyanolit.
The 2 conical tubes from filters to airscope were done with sprue rod and painted with alclad2 chrome.I will fix theme only later, cause the closure of the model can be tricky.
Also here a lot of dryfits are a must to do to avoid surprises forward.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Wfc9l9-APlc/UHWMXWbmTqI/AAAAAAAAAgo/uX7uHYWDLV4/w640-h530-no/SDC18704.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7soyr-jFv0E/UHWMXz6Nx2I/AAAAAAAAAgw/RmWpV_E7jLI/w608-h530-no/SDC18732.JPG

and now the gt2 is ready to go to Piacenza to afcorse team for the decalwork.
As many as u surely know,in reality those cars are not done in Maranello,they only make the formula 1 cars and Street cars.Not those gt's,build by Abarth in Torino or by Michelotto in Padova.

Paolo - absolutely magnifico - one very sexy Ferrari - John

The silver hose on the passenger side is for the LeMans air condition

This is truly a superb work, you have captured the agresive and beautiful lines of this car in a magnificent way, great craftmanship!!!!

Fred

Paolo - I just received my Revell 458 kit and I am dying to get started - did you have any measurements on how much you widened the fenders? = Also did you have measurements for the cutouts in the bonnet "hood" front and the NACA ducts on the sides by the back of the doors? Any help would be appreciated - Thanks - John

Very nice indeed! although it´s a bit too wide compared to the real car but that´s just a plus in my book :tongue: The only thing that realy bothers me is the wheel arch on the drivers side.. The extension you made doesent flow nicely with the rest of the body from the vent upwards and as far as i can tell you letf it as it if.. this is what i mean
http://multiply.com/mu/alsoldatino/image/1:soldatino/photos/182/600x600/114/SDC18548.JPG?et=2uNckTWGMRpX1TN6ZqtETA&nmid=534779152

Paolo - do you have any dimensions for the roll cage? I have finished my body modifications for my 458 GT3 and I am ready to start on the interior. What diameter tubing did you use? also any dimensions for the bars would be greatly appreciated. I am no as skilled as you, but I have learned a lot from your 458 build and it has given me confidence that I can do a GT3 version. - John

john, be really careful cause gt3 cockpit is very different from this one.Tubes are much more thinner and have a different way allover the cockpit (also painted in black and not in silver as my one).
also dashboard and inner parts are different.

In this moment I cant post pics, but try google for f458 gt3 and u will find some pictures.I made a special folder for those pics, cause is easy to make mistakes between the 2 versions.

They have added vents back into the bonnet for LM 24 this year, or maybe they have been in before this and I haven't noticed. They aren't like the presentation vents in any case.

http://www.endurance-info.com/version2/images/news/L9-IMG_1456.jpg

Paolo - which tyres did you use - and also I was interested in how you solved the problem of the suspension and brakes to fit the wheels in the wider body?? - Thanks - John

The wheels have been a mess to fix, and I did it before define the wideness of the wheel arches at the beginning of all the build up process.
The tyres are coming from my spare box (think anyway the came from the Tamiya sc430,but honestly dont remember it) while the rims are resin from slot cars wheels inserts.
The channels, different on the 2 axels, were made with thermoformed Evergreen sheet styrene.
The setup will be little tricky too,so I will take the correct adjustement and camber only when I will place theme in position.I usually took half an hour for each wheel to be fixed in the correct position.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mqglRnkUCOI/UHWMLCvnGJI/AAAAAAAAAfs/vmojNfy1maM/w694-h530-no/SDC18401.JPG

Right now I am placing the decals.It is a very long and difficult part, and so easy to make mistakes.All decals must be double cause printed in Alps,so being the body painted in red, all the whites (there are MANY, believe me) will appear grey or trasparent if I skip the underside silver decals.
Positive point: they are much more thin and light (and fragile) than Cartograf decals,so the long italian flags decals on the fw wheels is surely easyer to apply.

LOL...OMG my "technical" english is terrible! sorry all guys. Hope u understood my intentions/delirium. :D

Paolo - your English is fine - I will have to think about how I will widen the suspension to fit the wider body. I widened my body 3.5mm in the rear and 3.0mm in the front. I will have to consider whether to use any on the Revell parts or just make new parts from plastic stock. I'm thinking of emailing Mike at scaleproductions for a set of 18" GT3R-RSR wheels with tires. I have been using a set of my tires from a Fujimi Porsche GT3R for trial fitting as I know Mike's wheels will work. - John


Paolo - are your decals from Frank at Decaldoc? I have a set of his "Flying Lizard" decals and I've yet to apply them. I'm not sure of the technique required - any technique you have that is successful will be appreciated - thanks Paolo - John

I dunno if Mike makes the correct wheels for this car.
He has many nice wheels for gt. Probably he does, and they look very nice in all the models build up by all our german friends.Try ask him directly.He is very helpful in such kinda tips.

Yes, my decals are from Frank Decaldoc.
Not so easy to apply theme.Till now I counted nearly 200 decals...
It is not because of Frank work, its beacluse of AF Corse spectacular (read nut) livery looking very very complex.Half model is surely decal,I have nearly finished, just miss some minor stencils.
What is sadly missing in Frank decal sheet (as well as for all other manifacturers), is the lack of PRECISE documentation of the actual car.I am making gym here standing up from modelling place, to check pics on my pc screen.
Of course also the fact they had to draw decals dunno-on-what- (model didnt exsist) some measures are not corrisponding, but I will try hide/modify theme to hope they look convincing on the model.