Le Mans 2004 - The Complete Grid

Well, half as a bet, half because it's something I've wanted to do for years this years modelling challenge for me is to build all of the cars that took the start at Le Mans this year. I have no idea how long it's going to take, or how sane I'll be at the end, but one thing is for sure - I'll have gotten the hang of build 911GT3s(!).

There's no progress to show yet, other than an outstanding order with Grand Prix Models for 48 kits... but I'll use this thread to keep anyone whos interested informed. I have been promised the first couple of cars with in the next two weeks, and then they'll arrive as they are released.

Wish me luck, I think I'm gonna need it!

Thats one ambitious project.

48 kits :eek: that must have made one huge dent on the old credit card! Best of luck with it all, be sure to keep us updated.
How many hours of work do you think it will take? Or are those type of questions best left uncontemplated? ;)
Maybe we should include a diorama class to the Le Mans comp - so you can model the entire grid on a rolling start!

good luck on that!!, are you going to build the track to ??

Keep one for the LeMans contest! :lol:
If you feel bored one day, don't hesitate to post here, we'll do our best to support you and motivate you!

That's crazy! So, go on! I feel the best to wish you is mental strength!...

Will you add the usual grid babes?... :lol:

The Hawian Tropic girls may be making an appearance... back to my old days of miniatures painting!

You better have a lot of money :D
Lot of kit are VERY expensive resin (Ferrari 550, Ferrari 575, Ferrari 360 GT)

They're ordered already! They will all be Provence Moulage kits, with the Ferraris from BBR as I find they do a nicer job of those subjects. As for price, it's one of those things in life. PM aren't as expensive as some, but they have been creeping up recently.

As for how long, I have no idea. I figure I can turn out a car in about 15 hours if I can stop myself getting carried away with the detail work. My Audi (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=248950) probably took about that. The BBR kits tend to take longer as they have more detail... plus I may do one with the Feeling43 transkit to show the doors and hood up which will add quite a bit of time. I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself to get them all done, but I'de like to unvail them by the race weekend next year.

To start with they will be displayed in a wall mounted case with my other cars, but the plan is to eventually build the pit lane wall and start grid, then add drivers, crowds ect. but that's a long way off. I'm going to do the cars first, then see how burned out I am.

As for the Le Mans contest, I have some ideas of what I might build...

I am VERY interested in this thread. Very ambitious project. :eek:

ohh it's 1/43 project... then it will be much cheaper hehe

other than an outstanding order with Grand Prix Models for 48 kits...


i see the 48 kits annouced at Grand Prix Models , and notice that all cars will be from Provence Moulage...but also heard from PM that this year they will not release all cars !!!

Who lies ? who say the true...

lets wait, but anyway i wait to see any progress on your challenge !!

The credit card company must love you!

Ambitious...good luck with this!

I'm interested to see if any cars are missed as well. I think PM may not make all the Porsches, in which case I'll do the Renaicensse ones instead. I'm hopefull all the Protos will be done though. Guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Wow dude- I'm trying to scrape up the time to build 4 cars. Good luck :)

hey lotus_man do they sell the Dome Judd Racing for Holland 04' the one
that was driven by Justin wilson

They did the 03 version, so I expect we will see both O4 cars. Keep an eye on www.grandprixmodels.co.uk, or you can pre order it and they'll send it through when it's released.

I hope GPM will be giving you a discount. This is one of those projects that appearing Four Small Wheels mag, I hope they will feature your finished product.

Have you got any of the cars through the post yet??

I will definitely be watching this one!

They did the 03 version, so I expect we will see both O4 cars. Keep an eye on www.grandprixmodels.co.uk, or you can pre order it and they'll send it through when it's released.


Hey Thanks lotus_man if they do Release it i'm gonna get it.

For a second I though you were building 1:24 :screwy:

Well, no kits yet (winner should be arriving in a couple of weeks, may be some others sooner fingers crossed). But my copy of the Le Mans special of Automodelisme magazine shipped today, so I can start drewling over all of those cars I've got waiting for me. Think I'm most looking forward to doing the Zytec and the RollCentre Dallara-Judd. Those were seriously nice looking cars. I'll post a review of the mad when it arrives for those planning Le Mans projects based on this years race, but it's usually a vital purchase.

Sure! And Le Mans Miniature has just announced they'll realease this year Audi winner!
( http://www.mafma.com/liste.php?Marque=All&Fabricant=LE%20MANS%20MINIATURES&Echelle=All&Type=kit&rechercher=1&motsclef=NEW )

http://www.lemans.org/univers_sport/24hauto/live/ressources/images/une_2004_06_13.jpg

For those who have the money! (If I can, I'd take it: the best looking R8 to my eyes!)

(and if you want "some" R8 pics, go there: first link on Google pic searching: http://kak.net/audi/audi-r8.htm !!!!)

Well, no models yet... but Automodelisem has arrived. It's great... if you plan to build one of this years cars it's a must. Each car has a single page of photos, plus a list of the color codes needed to paint the body. The photography is top notch as is the production.

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/IMG_1904.JPG

On a more expensive track, my display case also arrived. It's hand built here in the UK by a specialist company and I have to say was well worth the money. By coincidence there's room for 48 models in it all told so it's perfect. I've just got it up on the wall with a few 'place holders' in it for now! If anyone wants details of the cabinet makers PM me and I'll fill you in.

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/IMG_1906.JPG

Oh well, of to waiting for the models to start arriving (any day now I here).

That display case is very nice,does it have a glass front?

It's an oak carcase with glass shelves and front. You access the models by releaseing four catches and removing the entire front of the case leaving just the shelves and sides.

It was pretty pricey, and I'm hoping the immense weight won't pull the wall down. It seals air tight however, so it should stop any dust getting on the models. Should also stop my other half moaning that they are always in the way!

lotus that shelf is really nice
i'am happy for you that you have
something that nice to show off the
starting line up good work

That case is great, must be a bit daunting realising you need to fill it!
Looks like it is rescessed into the wall in that shot.

Beautiful display case, however in my mind I thought you was going to make a Le Mans starting grid dioramma complete with Denizen/Le Mans Miniatures pit crew, spectators and stuff :screwy:

I wish you lots of luck and lots of courage :) (This really is ambigious isn't it?)

I am currently building the 6 Belgian entries of Le Mans 2003 and so far I finished 3 of them in 3 months, so building 48 models would take me about 4 years...

It may take a while, I hope to be done by the start of the race next year.

Beautiful display case, however in my mind I thought you was going to make a Le Mans starting grid dioramma complete with Denizen/Le Mans Miniatures pit crew, spectators and stuff

I do plan to do that when the cars are all done, they will live in the case untill I have managed to replicate the start straight at Le Mans.

I may have bad news for you - even if I hope not!...
I've read on a french modeling forum that PM (Provence Moulage), who usually makes all the Mans grid every year, is going to be closed (Legal rectification)!!!! It's not already the end, maybe they'll find a way to pass through these troubles and finally make the 2004 kits, but... nothing's sure :dunno: :(


For those who can read french, may I post here the link to the topic, maybe someone could translate the situation better than my poor english can do...
http://forum.aceboard.net/p-21852-539-7560-8.htm

(bottom of the page 9, with this post: ED: Posté le 29/07/2004 18:28:21 + page 10 for reactions . ED is the guy from Renaissance, and he's well placed to know the situation... he has made kits for Provence Moulage!)

I felt I should share this info with you... It could be better to know now than later... and ask your retailer about that.

Yup, just got an e-mail from a pretty reliable source to say that PM are no more. Checking with my suppliers now, but it looks like it's not going to happen.

Oh well, I should still be able to do the BBR kits of this years Ferrari's. Better work out what I'm going to build now, as I used to do a lot of PM kits...

I will update you as soon as I get any official confirmation of the situation.

Cross your fingers!

That is sad news, if PM are really going out of business.
Not being a 1/43rd guy I've never built any of their kits, but seeing what you guys achieve with their suff was always awesome to view.

oh man that's to bad was look forward to the build of the Grid.

Well, PM are officially no more, there are rumours of a buy out or the ex-staff starting up some where else but nothing concrete yet. However all is not totally lost. I won't be able to do a full grid as I wished but I will be doing all of the Ferraris that started the race. The first kit is on it's way, the 65 Care Racing/Prodrive Ferrari from BBR. I have some other models to finish first... but I'll reasurect this thread when I make a start. It's not what I had hoped for, but it's better than nothing.

I heard that Starter is taking over, but that's just a rumor.

I heard that Starter is taking over, but that's just a rumor.

Starter = Provence Moulage = Out, now like lotus_man said, we must wait for news because we can read in lastest news from grandprixmodels that there is something in process with the ex-staff of PM/Starter.

Erm, if there is no progress, why is this thread in the progress section?

Erm, if there is no progress, why is this thread in the progress section?

In answer to your question :iceslolan

Here's the first one of the grid, a BBR Care-racing Ferrari 550. This is the Colin McRae car for the rally fans out there!

Box contents (typical BBR fare really)
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010019.JPG

Main resin components cleaned up, primed and polished
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010020.JPG

Body sprayed Tamiya Pure White
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010021.JPG

Body color (TS39 Flourescent Red + TS49 Bright Red out of my airbrush) awaiting a good polish
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010022.JPG

That's all for this update. I better get my skates on, two of the 360s are on their way, and the Audi's should be along from PMA soon as well.

Looking great !

Wish I could find a 1/24 version of that car at good price :D

Well, the 360's arrive tommorow... the 550 is moving along nicelly.

Started airbrushing on the carbon areas of the body work.
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010023.JPG

Finished the black areas, polished up the red/orange and started with decals. Not many left to do, then it'll be ready for the clear coats.
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010028.JPG

Ah well, back to it... need to get this one knocked out this weekend. Still with the dodgy weather we're having in the UK at the moment there's not much else to do!

Your already off to a great start.

Erm, if there is no progress, why is this thread in the progress section?

If we used that as a criteria then I'd need to go back and delete a lot of my old threads :lol:
Looking great Lotus Man, the colour is too hot for my monitor!

Looking great Lotus Man, the colour is too hot for my monitor!

You should see it for real, the photographs can't capture the flourescent edge to it! Few more updates on this one, I'm hopeful it can be done in a couple of days time.

Body is now clear coated. Need to flatten the carbon areas and add flat black to the interior and exterior details
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010029.JPG

Basic interior.
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010030.JPG

Roll-cage assembled, need cleaning and painting before it's fitted.
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010031.JPG

Next up wheels/tyres, dash and finish the cage I think.

A little more progress... delayed by some decal issues. They seem to have taken a dislike to the clear coat I used and one or two have lifted. Still I've managed to rescue them, I'm trying to work out what happened as it's not a problem I've experienced with BBR decals before.

Flattened down the black areas and added BBRs excellent new pre-cut glass.

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010034.JPG

Interior and dash added, wheels rested in place until the wheel wells are blacked out. Some etched body detail added
http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010036.JPG

All thats left is to do the wheel wells, add all the etched parts to the body, finish up the rear wing, sort the exhaust exits and decal the tyres. If I get a good run at it the finished pics will be up tommorow evening.

OK, the 550 is done and in the case... here's a 98% done image, I forgot to take any of the completed model :loser:

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/care550/P1010040.JPG

Next one along is the Cirtek 360 N-GT, again a BBR resin. This is the state it's in after about 3 days working on it. Need to get a move on as I have a black 360 to do, and the Baron-Conner 575s arrived this morning!

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/f360cirtek/P1010043.JPG

Excuse the cluttered work bench!!!

Love em all!! You've obviously done a few of these before! Great job!

Murray

They look great. How many of these things are you making? Complete grid? That sounds like it will be quite a few.

Great job!! gotta love Ferrari's!!

They look damn nice, especially the 550.

that is somme good stuff right there can't wait to see the others

Very nice work !!!!!
how do you make the all in the acetate windows ?

Lovely cars, Lotus man. Really appreciate you for sharing them.
Joel

Very nice work !!!!!
how do you make the all in the acetate windows ?

Thanks for the kind comments guys... it's helping keep me sane! Right now I'm finishing up the 360, and looking at the boxes for another 360, another 550 and two 575s to do!!!

In answer to _835_'s question, BBR make the windows in their new kit's pretty easy. The come as a flat sheet, tempo printed with the black surrounds and pre-cut. Just lift them from the sheet, cleen up with vinigar+water and dry them off. Then I use Formula 550 canopy glue (get it from an RC plane supplier, it's a very strong version of white glue). I put a thin bead around the window, and drop it in place. The acetate is nice ad thin, so with some tape to hold it in place for a couple of hours it drys perfectly. The trick is to not handle the windows after cleaning them, as the finger marks will be really visible at this scale, and will attract a lot of dust! I must say I much prefer them to the old vacform windows PM and such like used, although they do scare some people!

Thanks,
i also discovered this new acetate windows in the 360 redbull kit, i will try it soon
But I made a writting mistake in my last question : original question is how do you make the "Hole" in side windows, it s bbr pre-cut ?

Curious about the windows....(acetate).
How do you put them in after cleaning them, without getting finger prints and stuff on them? Gloves?

Murray

Thanks,
i also discovered this new acetate windows in the 360 redbull kit, i will try it soon
But I made a writting mistake in my last question : original question is how do you make the "Hole" in side windows, it s bbr pre-cut ?

Yep, BBR pre-cut! Their kits are generally quite easy to make as they do a good trade in pre-builds and don't like to make their own life too hard! If you do need to drill them I use a set of titanium-nitride plated micro drill bits and a pin vice.


Curious about the windows....(acetate).
How do you put them in after cleaning them, without getting finger prints and stuff on them? Gloves?

Them kinky latex surgical gloves again. Hum... rubber :lol:

Should have some finished 360 pics up this weekend, then I think I might do a 575. If I do it'll be one of my Blitz projects, so keep yer eyes peeled!

Love the 550! Do a 575!

Final pics of the Cirtek car, not much to say other than after taking the photos I blacked in the exhausts and side vents I missed and then decalled the tires. One more in the case!

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/f360cirtek/P1010101.JPG

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/f360cirtek/P1010111.JPG

Love the 550! Do a 575!

Just for you :iceslolan

A 575, cleaned up the body a little, and assembled the cage. I just love the etched gusset plates on the cage, should look real nice when done. More pics when I've actually done some real work on it :p

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/f575/P1010120.JPG

http://www.racing-emotion.com/images/f575/P1010121.JPG