In Progress: Tamiya Ferrari F50

Man the engine is a kit in itself!!!!!! Hell, I can't wait to see the rest of it!! AWESOME!!

Superb!

Bring on the cockpit !!!!................
This is an awesome build!!!

This is why I love Ferrari...

that engine look awesome !

Thanks for all the comments, everyone!!

Next, the dashboard.

Tamiya includes 'carbon fiber' decals for engine components and the cocpit- but it's kind of a strange patern, and the decals provided only cover a few areas of the cocpit- but not everything they should. So, I decided on SMS carbon kevlar- but the kit decals do provide terrific templates. Here's how I'm going about it:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=502/67954102_0207.JPG

Step 1: Make a photocopy of the kit decals.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=503/67954102_0208.JPG

Then, cut out the shape you want to use- the dashboard front, here. (The CF decals are awfully hard to photograph witha digital camera!)

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=503/67954102_0209.JPG

Clamp it down and cut it out

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=503/67954102_0210.JPG

A punch and die set is useful for cutting out the circles.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=503/67954102_0211.JPG

There, ready to be applied. Helps to have good siscors! The only thing missing is the F50 emblem, which will come later. The dash is already painted gloss black. The decal was then applied, painted over witha couple of coats of Tamiya Smoke, and masked off so that the top of the dash could be painted.

At this point, I realized I didn't really like how the windshield defroster and A/C vents looked- so I drilled them out to open them up. Would have been nice if I though of this before the decalling and painting....

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=502/67954102_0228.JPG

I recreated the slats by using plastic strip cut with the punch and die set, then painted them black.

The final results:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23882&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=503
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/67954102_0230-med.JPG

The F50 emblem was taken from the S27 detail set. It was intended for the engine airbox, but the metal transfer that came with the kit worked fine there. Don't really know why S27 contains extra emblems- but they'll certainly get used on other models!

Awesome stuff! I really like it!

wonderful build. I love this attention to detail - and you have the abilities to built it that detailed!

very good technique! looks very smooth

Truly amazing

incredible work of art !

simple dumb question, which paint did you use for the dash ?

Great cf work.

Nice work. Dash looks very good.

Thanks, guys!

Vric- the dash top is painted with MM Acryl engine grey. The real dash is covered with a soft, grey foamy covering- not leather. The F40 and track 360 Challanges I've sat in have this, also. I wanted something dead flat, and I thinned with alcohol when spraying to suggest a slightly grainy texture. I think it looks pretty good in person.

it look really good on picture too. I will need to get this color for my next projects

Thanks for all the comments, everyone!!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=502/67954102_0228.JPG

I recreated the slats by using plastic strip cut with the punch and die set, then painted them black.



Where to buy the punch and die set??

Where to buy the punch and die set??

Ooo, you had to go and ask-

I got mine several years ago, from these people:
http://www.rollmodels.net

It cost a packet, and took forever- but I did get it. I want to say I got it for under $40, but I can't say for certain. I had looked for it for years before I found someone who claimed they could get it. I understand it hasn't gotten easier to find, but perhaps more expensive.

It's a terrific little tool, but it's really most useful if you happen to have a bit of a detailing fettish/sickness. One certainly can, and many do, get by without, but having one myself, I do find it useful. If I didn't have one, I'd probably have to try to machine one myself. Much as I enjoy machining, however, I'm glad I don't have to- I like to think I could, but wouldn't really bet on it. And that's why they cost so damn much.

wow...this thread is amazing. This model is definitley a work of art. Peaople like you inspire me. Can't wait to see the rest. :thumbsup:

more progress please... we are all waiting.

phenominal job. 150/100!!

I'm salivating just thinking about the finished results.

dude its going together so well for you, I only wish my (seems to be 6-month old) project would do better.

Time for another update, then.

But first, before I go on to the pics, all of you who have been posting here, PMing me, and emailing me, pestering me for more upates...

Thanks guys!! I appreciate your enthisiasm- it's really been inspiring me to go on. Just wish I could get more time to build! :rolleyes:

And thanks for all the comments, everyone!!

Now, the pics- the cockpit, like I promised.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954102_0231.JPG

The kit part, painted gloss black as a base for CF decals. Pretty dull at this point, huh?

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954102_0234.JPG

I applied the CF strip by tiny strip, using the dividers to measure the width of each strip I needed. Fortunately, the dot pattern on the carbon/kevlar made cutting out easy- much easier than the diagonal stripes of SMS's plain carbon fiber.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/67954102_0247.JPG

Finally, all done. Like I said, its all strips to fill in the gaps.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/67954102_0249.JPG

Different view, just gloss black and CF decal.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954102_0242.JPG

Seats. Note I carved out the bolster arches and seatbelt anchor points. Yeah, I suppose I could have taken the pic from an angle to show off the carved out arches. Bit late now, I guess.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/67954102_0250.JPG

All together now. The CF was overcoated with Tamiya smoke, the back wall and center console were brush painted, and the seats were painted. I also added the finger switches to the left of the wheel.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954102_0253.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954102_0255-med.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954102_0257.JPG

Anyone want a ride?

Still to be added are the hand brake, seatbelts and anchors, and the pedals. Then, on to the front brakes/suspension.

Enjoy!

very nice work. very detailed. please continue to post progress pics.

impressive

simply beautiful - this car will come out perfect!

Very nice cokpit, like everything else BTW.

Coming along nicely. The interior looks great. Work of art here :bigthumb:

top notch work!

Absolutley Friggin Amazing!

JeFF

ive seen nicer a Ferrari f50
but after 20 seconds the rent a cop
asked me to leave the dealership
great build
waiting for more updates!!!

Crap, man! You deserve extra-credit just for having enough patience to do that kind of CF-ing.
And for building such a damn-fine looking model. :smokin:

Finally, time for a new update!

At long last, the bodywork is done. I shelved the F50 for a while, after I came across two snags. The first of which was the oil cooler and air conditioner airscoops. I painted all body components seperately, but didn't bother to see if a seam would be visible when the scoops were installed. Turns out, of course, one was (Dammit!). I found that for weeks after discovering it, I was in no mood to attempt to correct it. Finally, I have it fixed. The second snag was the rear engine grille mesh screen- from the S27 set. A truely miserable experience- but I'll post details and pics of that later. First, the finished bodywork!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0361-med.JPG

The body is painted with MM Metalizer dark anodic grey- which turns out to be pretty close to Argento Nurburgring. It's clearcoated with Tamiya clear laquer. This combination gave me more trouble than I expected- I don't know if I'll try it again. But at least it's thin! Shiney too- I'll have to get some outdoor pics to show it off.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0362-med.JPG

The engine bay has heat shielding around the exhaust areas, and the wheel humps have the same SMS carbon/kevlar covered with Tamiya smoke that the cockpit has (strangely, you can't really see it in this pic....).

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0366-med.JPG

The engine lid interior is finished with heat shielding. I've had a hard time finding references that show what the underside of the lid looks like. Tamiya isn't terribly helpful, either. The directions indicate semi gloss black- which is of course Tamiya's catch all color. Could mean it's carbon fibre. Could mean it's really black. Could mean they don't really know either, but black would look as good as anything else.... I decided on heat shielding because even if it's not truely 'correct', it isn't incorrect. It's entirely reasonable, and even if the F50s didn't originally leave the factory this way, it would be a logical retrofit- to protect the CF bodywork from deforming after hard driving. Besides (and probably more importaint), the foil lined lid will show the engine off better than black or CF decals- a bit of artistic licence I'm willing to live with.

Almost ready to install the engine into the body! And then that damned mesh grille....

Excellent work! I'm most impressed with your engine detailing and CF work.

Excellent work. I've started mine, but it looks horrible compared to that. Keep up the good work.

Just because you are making such a great detailing of this kit I tried to find a reference pic for your engine lid...
Found this (not very good) pic.
Looks like semi-flat black of some kind. May be some kind of soft sound insulation?

http://www.skynet.ie/~keith/paconcours/MVC-169X.JPG

:worshippy
Fantastic !!!

Mike

Hi,

very nice what you did up to now. I like the decent weathering on some parts. Did you already mantion, what silber you used? It fits like a glove.

Go on this way

Micha

I feel as if I should never build again after seeing masterpieces like this one!!:eek: Truly awesome!!!:sunglasse

the interior looks outstanding man, more progresss!!!

If i wasn't a modeler i would ask if you are out of your mind :screwy:

But, understand hehehe, unfortunately i don't have the same hability to make such impressive work!!!

My reaction is almost something like :eek2:

hehehe
Nice work!
Keep us update!

See'ya
Magliano

Soooooooooo Pro! Awesome model! Can't wait to see it finished! Loving the detailed progress thread! There is alot to learn from in here. Thanks!

Exceptionally fine work throughout. The machined aluminum parts really add something special and unique to this project.

Thanks for the comments, guys! :thumbsup:

sportracer02: The body color is Testors Metallizer Dark Anodic Grey.

Martin S: Damn, guess maybe it is black! Oh, well, I think I still like the heat shielding. Thanks for the pic!

JE123: Let's see some pics! I'd love to see someone else's stab at this kit.

And really, Tonio, you're no slouch yourself.

OK, more pics.

Front suspension:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0379.JPG

Since the dampers will hardly be visible, I decided just to paint out the kit part. Could have turned replacements, but I'm hoping to actualy finish this thing someday.... :rolleyes:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0374-med.JPG

The brakes are again done with the S27 PE overlays. I think they look OK, but I also think the kit part, with a good paint job, would look terrific also.

Wheels:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0368.JPG

The chrome was stripped off by soaking in a bit of bleach. Each wheel has an annoying little sinkhole in the center of the hub. A decal will eventually be placed here, so it needed to be fixed. The easy/lazy solution I used was to cover each hub with a disk of thin styrene cut with the punch and die set.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/67954103_0377.JPG

Here they are painted up with MM Metalizer aluminum. I think it simulates Ferrari's brushed alloy wheels pretty well. It also contrasts very nicely with the body paint. The wheels are shod with Goodyear Eagles ( :eek7: Is this really what came standard on the F50?) But for that matter, has anyone else noticed that the tires on Tamiya's Carrera GT kit have no branding? :sly:



When the F50 first came out, I seem to remember seeing, maybe in a car mag somewhere, a pic of the F50 with all the bodywork removed. Can't seem to find it anywhere, but here's my best attempt, in 1/24:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0371.JPG
(I've got bigger versions of this pic, but not that I can display with the 80KB limit! :shakehead)


http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0373-med.JPG

And here, with wheels:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67954103_0378-med.JPG


It does look kind of cool like this. (Yeah baby, she may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts! :sunglasse) Guess that's the point of those clear view kits Tamiya sometimes puts out.

Enjoy!

Next, time to start putting this thing together.

NICE!!! Even more great pictures from you! When its all set and done can you please take some outdoor pictures for us. Would look soooo nice!

Awesome work!

Very impressive, I wish I had the patience and skill to do this kind of work.

Guess that's the point of those clear view kits Tamiya sometimes puts out.

Funny you mention it, because Tamiya made the F50 as a Clear-View kit for a short time. My dad even built one, and I must say it's a stunning kit!

Truely inspiring art. That f50 is going to turn out way georgeous! Especially those heat shields keep impressing me. Finish it and show us the Ferrari done!

Great update!

What can I say? I was planning to build one of these sometime this year, but now I don't know... I don't want to compare and find out I don't have half your skill! :crying:

Great model, great attention to detail, I love it!

Thank you for sharing it with us and for sharing your techniques!

Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see it finished!

Great pics. Looks like your build has got it all! Naked pics are awesome, I'm looking forward to seeing it all bolted together. :)

WOW!! Very impressive work. Already have one of these kits but was never really pleased the way it came out. I'm definitely gonna purchase another one and build it better. Your work is an inspiration!!!!

Jesus.. help me.

Jesus.. help me.

Maybe he posts here? (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=697) :lol:

this may have been answered in another thread somewhere but i dont remember, what do you use for the heat sheilding? a sticky aluminum foil type tape? I want to do window trim with it soon, i have no idea where to find it.

and yeah, gorgeous build. your decal mastery is amazing, along with the assembly. cant wait to see this in silver.

I think he answered it here, I think it's just household aluminum foil wrinkled, then smoothed out with some glue applied to the back.

I can't believe I have missed this thread so far! I am totally in love. I look forward to seeing that step by step guide for painting the exhausts like you did.

missed it too! that's awesome, now i'm wanting to get one for myself. eek!

This is so awesome.... can't wait for the next update!!!

Maybe he posts here? (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=697) :lol:
:cwm27: :lol2:

Ansel, the heat shielding as, Partizan said, is plain aluminum foil applied with glue. It works great for large areas (if I ever decide to do a Delorean, this is how I'll do it!), but for window trim and the like, I'd use Bare Metal Foil. I've also tried several other brands, and not been happy with them.


SniperX13, I'll get to it, soon as the F50 is done. I may do it as a How To.

Porsche Carrera, T\/\/iN-Tu|2Bo- Looking forward to seeing it! Don't know why this kit doesn't get built more here- good fit, pretty well detailed, and you can make a decent looking model of it. If I were ever to do another, I think maybe I'd do it in metallic black....

I can of course tell you my two least favorite points about the kit: the rear grille mesh, and no masking seal for the windshield! :cya: