Fujimi Ferrari F2003-GA

After seeing Booch post his Tamiya Ferrari's I decided to do my first WIP using Fujimi's F2003-GA

It has been a while since I built and FINISHED a F1 car, hopefully posting it here will help.

I'm doing a curbside build of Fujimi's F2003-GA -Monza GP. I'm using the following extras: Topstudio Antenna, Driveshaft and Wheel nuts, Studio 27 Carbon template decals(very nice) and tobacco decals from Tabu.

http://i.imgur.com/TSqidZi.jpg (https://imgur.com/TSqidZi)

Attached are some pics of my progress up to now. My first order of business was to get the intake trunking assembled and blended smooth. Next I attached the trunking to the side of the monocoque followed by the side pod intake fairings.

http://i.imgur.com/IzNN3eW.jpg (https://imgur.com/IzNN3eW)
http://i.imgur.com/1Pw7lA7.jpg (https://imgur.com/1Pw7lA7)

This all had to blended in and while I was waiting for the putty to dry I assembled the main bargeboard components. These are a mixture of red and black parts which have to be painted white!.
I also had a look at the wheels and tires. Fujimi's tires have very obvious sagging and where replaced by tires from an Tamiya F2001-much better.

http://i.imgur.com/OKin99Y.jpg (https://imgur.com/OKin99Y)

I'll hopefully get the monocoque primed and the inside of the intakes painted over the weekend. With some luck I'll add the engine cowling also.:biggrin:

Looks like you are off and running, watching with interest.

So the weekend came and went, I didn't get to everything I planned but I did make some progress.
I've worked on the intakes and managed to get it blended in OK. After that I primed most of the car including the front & rear wing components(not shown)

http://i.imgur.com/pINvLFd.jpg (https://imgur.com/pINvLFd)

I started blending the engine air intake into the monocoque and getting the "gills" on the engine cover to fit. As you can see I still have some work to do:biggrin:

http://i.imgur.com/q4jYmd1.jpg (https://imgur.com/q4jYmd1)

I also started decaling the various suspension arms with the awesome S27 carbon set. The decals are high quality and goes on nicely without any issues. As you can see the decals fit perfectly-almost to perfect in the sense that there is no decal overlapping the edges of the suspension arm. The pictures magnify the bare black edges of these parts but in reality I can live with it.

http://i.imgur.com/5uU7kpl.jpg (https://imgur.com/5uU7kpl)

http://i.imgur.com/arge9nf.jpg (https://imgur.com/arge9nf)

http://i.imgur.com/0oay9Jp.jpg (https://imgur.com/0oay9Jp)

The last picture shows the rear arm with the drive shafts as one piece. This will change once I receive my Top Studio replacements.:lol2:
Next I hope to paint and decal the radiator intake trunking and gluing the engine cowling to the monocoque-wish me luck, I"ll need it

Looking great. Good luck with the rest of it !

Hello,
Over the weekend I had some time to get the intake trunking painted-finally, and I also glued the engine cowl to the body.

http://i.imgur.com/MBb50JB.jpg (https://imgur.com/MBb50JB)

As you can see from the photo above there a quite big gaps where the panel lines are suppose to be, this will get filled and rescribed. The profile of the cowling also needs some sanding to blend into the side pods as you'll see below.

http://i.imgur.com/Kp9G5FS.jpg (https://imgur.com/Kp9G5FS)

Fujimi gives you the bottom part of the engine fairing that's mounts onto the floor as 2 separate pieces, I managed to get it glued and blended into the floor OK.

http://i.imgur.com/xLZ5h3i.jpg (https://imgur.com/xLZ5h3i)

After I had had enough of filling and sanding I decided to start painting some bits. The various wing end plates and elements received it's first coats of paint-nice to have some parts in colour as opposed to grey primer :p.

http://i.imgur.com/p7qaUh7.jpg (https://imgur.com/p7qaUh7)

I'll be using Tamiya TS-49 Bright red and TS-13 clear on this kit(and the rest of my early Schumacher collection). Tamiya paints have never let me down so it shouldn't be a issue -touch wood.

I have some serious carbon fibre decal work to do but there are some holidays coming up later this week so maybe I'll get thru that whole task soon.

Hello all,

I've done some more work in past few days. I focused on getting the body ready for paint and I managed to get it primed in white after 5 tries:crying:. I'm using Tamiya fine surface primer white. I have never had any issues with Tamiya products in the past, but getting the white primer to go on smoothly was a pain. The primer just would not go on smoothly, I always decant the sprays and use my airbrush so I tried thinning the paint, adjusting the air pressure, swapping airbrushes and needles-all without any luck. Then it dawned on me-maybe the ambient temp. is too high!!! So I swore a bit and sanded the car, again, and waited for the sun to set. This did the trick-the paint went on beautifully:smokin:.

http://i.imgur.com/1MIS6mK.jpg (https://imgur.com/1MIS6mK)

While I was waiting in between primer coats and sanding sessions on the body, I did some more carbon decalling.
The template decals from Studio 27 all have silver borders, as you can see on the seat, it is strange and probably not correct but I decided I could live with it. For some reason the templates for the bargeboards are the wrong shape. I made my own using Hobby Design Hi Definition carbon fibre (SuperSmall). I'm very impressed with the HD decals, they just need a lot of heat (hairdryer) and carefull trimming as it tends to tear.

http://i.imgur.com/11N2YvP.jpg (https://imgur.com/11N2YvP)

I also did the steering wheel and "dash", really looks good and the S27 decals fit very well

http://i.imgur.com/IBLqoOS.jpg (https://imgur.com/IBLqoOS)

That's it for now-in the week I'll try and finish the wings and hopefully by the weekend the primer would've cured well enough for me to get the car painted red.

Hello again.

I finally managed to get this car painted red. I decided to spray the TS-49 out of the can, but first I sprayed all the nooks and crannies with my airbrush. It feels like I've been busy with this for years and to see it in red is a good change. I'll let it cure for a couple of days, then flat it back and give it a light clear coat before the decaling starts.

http://i.imgur.com/gufLEyD.jpg (https://imgur.com/gufLEyD)

I've also managed to get the seatbelts 90% ready for installation, only the orange medical "extraction" belts and seatbelt "release" left to do.

http://i.imgur.com/EX3GzJb.jpg (https://imgur.com/EX3GzJb)

The wing elements also received decals, clear coat is next.

http://i.imgur.com/5lMxBaU.jpg (https://imgur.com/5lMxBaU)

I gave the Fujimi tyres another go with no luck-the rear tyres still have a pronounced dip in the middle of the wheel. I used strips of high density foam inserted into the tyre to try and force the middle up. This worked OK and then I tried the front wheel/tyre combination. there is no sag but the one tyre fits the rim OK-ish but the other fits terribly?!?!?!:crying: VERY anoying.

I don't want to waste more time on these tyres and I'm seriously considering using tyres from my F2001. The Tamiya tyres look slightly different, if anyone can tell me if the tyre "shape" changed considerably between the 2001 and 2003 seasons I'd really appreciate it.

Hello,

The build is finally picking up some pace. I decaled the car and found that the standard kit decals are not quite opaque. I got another set of kit decals from a friend and after I clear coated the car again, I decaled it again.

Here you can see the difference between the first and second decal application.

http://i.imgur.com/MKDCGEw.jpg (https://imgur.com/MKDCGEw)

I also completed the rest of the decal work-this particular scheme is one of my favourites.

http://i.imgur.com/HW1FEpO.jpg (https://imgur.com/HW1FEpO)

http://i.imgur.com/bcpqkDA.jpg (https://imgur.com/bcpqkDA)

I also managed to get the seatbelts installed.

http://i.imgur.com/yqG6Meb.jpg (https://imgur.com/yqG6Meb)

During the weekend I'd like to get the wheels done. This will be some task but it has to get done...
Hopefully I'll also get the final clear coat on the car so this baby can get finished.

Looks great with the colour and decals on, nice work.

Looking good!

Nice paintwork!

Following this with great interest.
Great job mate.
PS. Top studio announced a super detail set about it, if you interest...

great work! nice remedy on the decals, being less opaque than expected.

Great modelling!I´ll be wainting for more updates!

Following this with great interest.
Great job mate.
PS. Top studio announced a super detail set about it, if you interest...

Thanks, and yes I saw the set from Top Studio.
I am not a fan of open F1 cars as it breaks the shape of the car. If I knew this car would be so much work to close up, I'd probably make an exception and built it opened up LOL

Hello guys,

I have made some progress on the F2003 over the weekend, the car has received what I hope to be the last clear coat. The wheels where painted and tyres fitted.

I'm hoping to start polishing the GA on Wednesday and I'll post some pictures then.

BTW - My modellers A.D.D. (MADD-lol) kicked in and I started playing with this:

http://i.imgur.com/CnSUVhZ.jpg (https://imgur.com/CnSUVhZ)

This is the S27 Ferrari F300 and will be my first multimedia F1 kit.
I'm trying hard not to start it before the GA is complete but it seems like I'm fighting a losing battle:runaround:

Ok, not much has been done in the past week or so.
I've managed to get the wheels presentable, still not 100% happy but good enough.

I started by stripping the chrome from the wheels and then I repainted them using Tamiya TS-83 Metallic Silver -very expensive but looks good and is a lot more resistant to handling compared to Alclad which I also use.

http://i.imgur.com/tnnQXjl.jpg (https://imgur.com/tnnQXjl)

Then I used the Fujimi supplied tyre transfers, I found it difficult to apply properly at first but eventually I got the hang of it.

http://i.imgur.com/VjWDgeW.jpg (https://imgur.com/VjWDgeW)

I've also carbon decalled the chassis. I made my own templates as the S27 templates don't fit very well and not all the bits for the chassis are present on the sheet. This is disappointing when you take into account the cost of the decals, I would be interested to hear if their later sheets are more complete and fit better.

http://i.imgur.com/LgxAlMt.jpg (https://imgur.com/LgxAlMt)

http://i.imgur.com/pgGkgsI.jpg (https://imgur.com/pgGkgsI)

Now my focus will turn to the front and rear wings, I'm leaving the body to cure a bit longer so in the meantime I'll try to finish the other bits on the car.

Looks good so far. Leave the other kit till you finish this one.

Nice CF work, mate. Hope you finish this, I'm following!

ps, how are the weels fixed to the car?

Looks good so far. Leave the other kit till you finish this one.
Thanks for your comment, yes I am fighting the urge to start the F300 but I have been cleaning up some parts on it.I won't do any assembly before this one is done, or that's the plan anyway:biggrin:.

Nice CF work, mate. Hope you finish this, I'm following!

ps, how are the weels fixed to the car?

Thanks Antonio, the wheels get attached via a pin thru the center of the wheel into the brake housing/caliper.

You can have a look at the instructions here(great site for instructions etc)
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10158309z6/70/6

Well, I started polishing the car, and as I took it off the chassis/floor, this happened.

http://i.imgur.com/qd1kGP2.jpg (https://imgur.com/qd1kGP2)

The white primer and red paint separated from the grey primer.:headshake I almost stomped the car but I took a deep breath and left it. Later I went back and used some Tamiya white putty diluted with lacquer thinner and carefully painted the "hole" left by the missing paint.

Eventually I managed to fill the area better than expected. I'm hoping to touch up the paint work over the weekend, weather permitting.

Don't ya hate it when that happens!!!! I do it all the time. I think it's the universe saying....."So you think you've got it all figured out smarty pants, well here's something to throw you for a loop. I'm STILL in charge so don't you forget it!!!!" Nice save.

Regards Rick H

Looks great and looking forward to the next update.

After a bit of a break, I managed to get some more done on the car. I got the exhaust chimneys finished:

http://i.imgur.com/KCQMzwa.jpg (https://imgur.com/KCQMzwa)

Again the S27 carbon decals look good.

I've also assembled the gearbox and rear suspension assembly, the Top Studio drive shafts really make a difference and is an easy upgrade to use. Since this will be a curb side, I didn't bother with detail on the engine and gearbox.

http://i.imgur.com/nMcno1G.jpg (https://imgur.com/nMcno1G)

I'll be adding this assembly directly to the rest of the body work and not to the floor as Fujimi recommends. I'm mainly doing this to get a fine joint between the body and gearbox "covers". I also decided not to glue the gearbox to the engine, this will also help with easing the mating of the rear suspension assembly to the body.

I'm hoping to start final assembly on the weekend or next week-this car has to get finished now:biggrin:

I sometimes want to smash a model too! LOL

your build is looking great, looking forward to seeing it completed! Scuderia Tifosi bravo!

Keep hanging in there it is looking great despite the issues.

Just a quick update, I decided to strip the paint from the car, thinking I can do a quick re-spray and re-decal job:screwy:.

Queue dramatic music:

http://i.imgur.com/XJjhKJG.jpg (https://imgur.com/XJjhKJG)

That went fine until the plastic started cracking on all the moulding flow lines. There was too much damage too fix so I ordered a new kit.

http://i.imgur.com/9y43p4h.jpg (https://imgur.com/9y43p4h)

I'll post updates as soon as I get it.:)

Incredible quality of plastics!!!:sarcasmsign:

Don't worry, the following will be even better, and you'll increase your sparepart box:icon16::icon16:!
May I ask what kind of solvent you use for paint stripping?

Hello,

The product I use is called Solvent Stripper. It is a clear, non toxic water based product and cleans any type of paint including 2k. It does dry out some plastic. You can look for a similar product from any industrial cleaning chemical company.

It works much faster than any other product I've used. I think it is used to clean clear coats from wooden flooring.

I hope this helps.

G'day 23skyline. How's the save going, managed to strip and re-spray yet?
Regards

Just noticed this thread and saw the problems you've been having. Have you tried Isopropyl Alcohol to strip the paint..?? Too late for this model I know, but it does work very well. Maybe will take a bit longer than your solvent stripper but won't damage the plastic at all..

Hello Steve and heyes57,

The save wasn't possible, I ended up buying new body parts from a friend who was going to use the plastic suspension bits on a S27 kit.

I haven't managed to get myself fired up for this rebuild yet...hopefully it'll happen soon.

I'll give the Isopropyl Alcohol a try , thanks for the tip.