Le Mans Contest Entry: Jaguar XJR-9LM - Progress

Here is the progress so far on the Tamiya Jaguar XJR-9LM. I purhased this kit of a friend including the original Silk Cut Decals and the Scale Motorsport Photo-etch detail set. It will represent the number 2 car which won Le Mans in '88. I'm planning on opening the drivers door to show off the interior detail.
I also picked up a metal lathe and I'm trying my hand at turning some parts in metal. :banghead: I guess it's gonna take a bit of practice?

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag1.JPGhttp://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag3.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag5.JPGhttp://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag4.JPGhttp://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag2.JPG

Nice, love the V12. This is one of my favourite of all the Group C cars.

that is gunna b one mean lemans car.....do the silk cut decals come with the kit or are they aftermarket ones.

Very impressive start already Rob. What did you use for the flocking on the seat? Do you intend this to be your Le Mans comp entry?

Very impressive start already Rob. What did you use for the flocking on the seat? Do you intend this to be your Le Mans comp entry?

Thanks Phil. I use detail master flocking material then spray a matt clear over the top. Once the clear coat is dry I press the flocking flat. The photo doesn't really show the finish that well but it looks pretty good in person. And Yes, this is going to be my Le Mans entry as well.
I'm hoping to have it completed for the Qld Model Expo at the end of August...here's hoping?

You're off to a great looking start. Could you point out the parts you made on the lathe? I acquired a Chinese-made lathe from Harbor Freight recently and am having a ball using it. What kind of lathe did you get?

WoW.. really nice start, Love the CF work

Very nice progress.
You picked up a metal lathe just for this contest. :eek:

Wow, you're moving along pretty quickly! Nice job. I'd be interested in more info about your lathe (pics, details, etc...) I've been considering getting one for many months... (originally was looking at the small Clisby hobby lathes)

Murray

Beautiful CF Work!
I can not belive my eyes!!!

Very nice entry this will be.

sweet !
cant have enough jaguars in the le mans competition huh!

sofar this is looking really stunning with the details on the cf and the seat and all, it s simply mouthwatering , I hope you show us more of the progress.

Ciao

Olivier

Looks superb! The CF decals are perfect and the flocking adds a nice touch to the seat. Keep up the good work.

Woha, best of luck getting this finished by the end of August, that is a tight schedule you have set for yourself :eek: Added to the entry page.
I too am very interested in the details of your lathe. Particularly as you're in Australia so it will be relevant to me!

Ahhh crap. Yet another potential winner here.

The engine and chassis detailing looks very clean and I'm sure alot of us will be using that trick with the seat & the flocking from now on!!!

As far as the lathe goes, if you get stuck, just send it to me and I can check it for you...may take a few years for me to set it up and everything...LOL

Bill

p.s. Once again le tme say that skyline in your sig looks awesome...as does the gt350r!

Thanks everyone!
A few of you have expressed some interest in the Lathe I bought. It's a Mini Tech Micro Lathe and by far the best value Lathe I could find. I got it for about $800 Australian. The company is located in Brendale in Queensland, Australia but I think they ship everywhere. Here's the Website if your interested:
www.minitech.com.au

I'll have more updates on the Jag after the weekend.

Thanks for the link Rob. Which lathe did you buy? Happy with it? What extras do you need, like cutting tools, etc. Sorry to hi-jack your progress thread :)

Here are some updates
-Machined the shocks
-Added fuel lines, brake lines & hydraulic jack lines
-Heat shielding over exhaust headers
-Oil cooler lines added

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag8.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag7.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389jag6.JPG

Astounding work Rob. All the details are extremely life like. Did you scratchbuild the tray around the intake trumpets or is it the kit part? And how did you make the tiny sensor/brackets on the exhaust? They look great :eek:

Looking good man. The CF and BMF look perfect.

Damn I just saw the new photos! Great detailing, I hope I can do the same on my CLK. What did you use for the silver lines?

Nice work on the engine.

Engine is great!

fantastic progress on the engine... I wish we can get some bigger and more close up pics.

Here are some more updates. I've cut out the drivers door and also the front section of the body. I plan to add all the brake ducting etc. and cover the whole lot in Carbon fibre decals.
Here are some photo's.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0403.JPGhttp://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0402.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0408.JPG

Didn't quite get it finished for the Qld contest Rob! Good luck with whatever you have entered. I am sure you will do well. Wish it was open in the evening so I could come up after work for a look instead of shutting at 5 pm.
Tony

Damn, thats some work you putting in there. Great work though.

Man, I'm feeling like I might be better off backing out of this contest, for fear of embarasment!!

Nice work.

Murray

I’m sure this one will be fighting for the first position.
Excellent work so far Rob.
How did you cut the body parts? Especially the round door part in the roof.
Keep up the good work. :)

Looks great so far.

Now that is badass.. makes my XJR-9LM look like a toy, btw I still haven't finished my progress thread! waiting on some replacement headlamp covers. Can't wait to see the end result!

Wow looks great. Nicely detailed engine. Keep up the good work :thumbsup:

This thing is getting bigger and more impressive with each update Rob! I guess you didn't get it finished for the State Titles? No big deal the important deadline is still quite a way off :)

Great work Rob!!Go ahead.

Wow!!Very nice Details!!!!

:worshippy That right there is top notch work :p

Keep it up man!

I didn't look at this one before simply because I am not a Jaguar fan, but the work is fantastic. I may even like Jaguar after this one is done. Keep it up, realy nice work.

here are some more updates:

Firstly in answer to a few questions -
kt100 the Silk Cut decals were included in this kit. I bought this from a mate with the SMS photo-etch kit for $30 AU -BARGAIN.

Phil, I used the SMS photo-etch kit which has a part for the intake box? The trumpets I turned myself. The sensors on the exhaust were simply 3 pieces of photo-etch sprue that I cut to equal lengths then glued together to look like brackets. Looks pretty good though.

BRM, for the silver lines I rolled a file over some solder of the correct thickness and it looks like braided line.

Gainsbourg, I cut the panels out with Hasegawa modelling saw scriber set. Here is the link from HLJ
http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljpage.cgi?HSGTP-4
The saws easily cut around small bends and leaves a perfect finish. I use these for adding depth to panel lines as well.

I've used a few extra sheets of Carbon fibre decal now and still going. The brake ducting is completed as well as the radiator etc.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0411.JPGhttp://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0413.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0414.JPGhttp://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0415.JPG

For the used look on the tyres, after putting the Dunlop decals on, I sprayed the sidewall with flat clear then rolled a black chalk pastel around the edge. It gives a nice scuffed look?
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0417.JPG

Now the hard part - painting the kit?

Sensational. All the work at the front looks great. Are you going to open up just the one door?

Wonderful work so far!

Sensational. All the work at the front looks great. Are you going to open up just the one door?

Thanks Phil,
Yes I'm planning on just opening the drivers door. I still haven't figured out how to hinge it because it swings in an arc rather than just having a straight pivot. I might try to turn some sort of ball assembly to help with the rotation. :screwy:
Then again..... :banghead:

Awesome Jag ! Superb craftsmanship !
This kit is on my super detail to do list :)
Looking forward to seeing it complete !
Mick Sz.

That is looking great so far.

Thanks for the tip Rob. :) I will include one of those in my next order.
As for the model it look real good. I love the effect on the tyres, stunning.
I’ll be waiting for new progresses.

No update photo's just a list of things to do.

Finishing the cooling ducts and hoses in the engine bay. The No. 2 car had an additional vent for the radiator on the right side of the car. This isn't in the Tamiya kit so I've got to make one.

I think I may give up on the hinge for the drivers door and leave it open. Besides these are meant to be static models aren't they?

I don't know whether I should paint the two tone white / lavender or use the kit supplied decals? Any suggestions from someone who has built this kit? All I'm really concerned about is the colour match between TS-37 and the decal. My prefered option is to use the decals.

Also, I'm looking for some reference photo's of the underside of the body panels to determine whether it should be painted a Matt Black or use Carbon decals?

Hopefully I'll have some more update photos by the end of the week.

Thanks

Great progress the build is so detailed great job!

Excellent!

Your wheels looks amazing, I'll rememeber that tip. Thanks!

I don't know whether I should paint the two tone white / lavender or use the kit supplied decals? Any suggestions from someone who has built this kit? All I'm really concerned about is the colour match between TS-37 and the decal. My prefered option is to use the decals.

Hi there,

I just finished the decals (never really known how to pronounce that!) on my XJR-9LM. Pictures to appear in my thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=277571&highlight=xjr-9lm) in the new few days. (There's a shameless plug if ever I saw one!)

I used the Studio27 kit for the Silk Cut stickers only, and the Tamiya decals elsewhere. I used TS-37 for the cockpit roof, but used Tamiya decals for the top of the engine cover. My observations are:
The Studio27 decals are better to work with. They adhere more easily, and are cut more closely to the printed portion. The Tamiya decals look as though they have sand or grit under them as they dry, but once completely dry have a good finish. In appearance they are as good as the Studio27 ones. The Tamiya decals are slightly more purple, the Studio27 ones are slightly more pink. The Studio27 decals are a slightly better match for TS-37.One warning: be very careful where you paint the purple border round the front of the car. The yellow stripes go square around the "Silk Cut" purple badge over the front wheels, and they can cover up any inaccuracies with the border. However the purple border on my car shows through the yellow stripe.

Either careful painting or more opaque decals are required. Maybe the Studio27 ones will be better in this respect too.

Best wishes: you have a fantastic looking model so far!

Hi there,

I just finished the decals (never really known how to pronounce that!) on my XJR-9LM. Pictures to appear in my thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=277571&highlight=xjr-9lm) in the new few days. (There's a shameless plug if ever I saw one!)

I used the Studio27 kit for the Silk Cut stickers only, and the Tamiya decals elsewhere. I used TS-37 for the cockpit roof, but used Tamiya decals for the top of the engine cover. My observations are:
The Studio27 decals are better to work with. They adhere more easily, and are cut more closely to the printed portion. The Tamiya decals look as though they have sand or grit under them as they dry, but once completely dry have a good finish. In appearance they are as good as the Studio27 ones. The Tamiya decals are slightly more purple, the Studio27 ones are slightly more pink. The Studio27 decals are a slightly better match for TS-37.One warning: be very careful where you paint the purple border round the front of the car. The yellow stripes go square around the "Silk Cut" purple badge over the front wheels, and they can cover up any inaccuracies with the border. However the purple border on my car shows through the yellow stripe.

Either careful painting or more opaque decals are required. Maybe the Studio27 ones will be better in this respect too.

Best wishes: you have a fantastic looking model so far!

Nick, does the studio 27 decal kit have all the decals for the kit?

Some more photo updates:

The chassis and interior is almost finished. I have just got to detail the opened door and it's ready.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0430.JPG

Here is a view from behind the car
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0434.JPG

Close up of the engine bay
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/67389DSCF0431.JPG

I'm just waiting on the decals from HLJ. I decided to go with the Studio 27 decals because they are printed by Cartograf which usually are excellent quality. I didn't want to risk the colour showing through the yellow stripes.

Looks great, I seriously beleive this has a great chance of winning!

What scale CF did you use on the diffuser?

What scale CF did you use on the diffuser?

All the CF decals are 1/24 scale from Scale Motorsport

Excellent job as usual Rob. Your models always amaze me with the attention to detail. The carbon decals look like SMS 1024, the same decals I just got for my Possum Bourne subaru. Would I be right on this assumption or should I be looking at a different set - looks the same though.

Nice work on the engine!

Rob,

There are two sets of Studio27 decals. The smaller set which I bought is just an upgrade kit, to amend the missing Silk Cut labels. The larger one, I believe, is a complete set.

If building the kit again I would certainly choose to go for the complete Studio27 kit, as both the quality and the purple colour match were slightly better.

Another thing I did, which I would recommend, was paint the cockpit roof in TS-37, rather than use the decal. There are some details there, such as the upper door hinge and the aerial mount, which would probably be quite hidden by decals. That is unless decal solvent would cure that.

Still looking superb, by the way.

Excellent job as usual Rob. Your models always amaze me with the attention to detail. The carbon decals look like SMS 1024, the same decals I just got for my Possum Bourne subaru. Would I be right on this assumption or should I be looking at a different set - looks the same though.

Tony, yes all the Carbon fibre is SMS set 1024. How is the Rex going?

Came to a temporary halt while I sourced and purchased all the decals, transkits, Tamiya kits to use as base of model for all Possum cars from 1999 to 2003. Ready to go again now, just need to find the time. Hopefully tomorrow.

Great detailing!

I don't want to be in the LeMans contest anymore...

Hot work! I don't comment enough here in the motorsport section. Totally amazing work.

Well the decals from S27 arrived (ST27-DC686C) and they are excellent quality as you would expect. The only problem: they don't include the yellow stripes! I think I may have to get the re-release kit now because I think the decals were re-printed by Cartograf?
Does anyone know for sure?

Outstanding. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Great news for me! :bananasmi: The Tamiya kit arrived today with the Cartograf decals. They are excellent quality as you would expect. I'll still use the S27 decals for the silk cut logo's so it wasn't a waste of money.
I'm thinking of putting the Tamiya original decals on then masking around them for the lilac sections. Once done putting the new decals on top??
Is that a good idea???

I'm away this week so I'll post some update photo's after the weekend (That's if I can stop working on my TRD 3000GT - I can't stop detailing the motor!:screwy:)