Tamiya Jaguar XJ220

Well then! After some initial foul-ups, I give you the Jaguar XJ220. It is the Tamiya kit; very well engineered for an older model. It was originally TS-43 Racing Green... but after some catastrophic humidity problems it took a bath in brake fluid.
On a whim, I picked up some of the new Model Masters Custom Lacquer System paint: Plymouth Bright Platinum Metallic. I must say, I am impressed after the first coat! It sprays well and dries evenly. Also, the color itself contains more metallic particles than most metallic paint, and even after it dried flat, it still looks glossy from the "sparkle".

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609jag-1stcoat.JPG

I spent quite some time on the engine. It is airbrushed with Model Masters Aluminum Plate Metallizer, and details are painted with Tamiya acrylics and Testors enamels. Wiring was done with some fine steel wire, and the hose clamps are BMF strips.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609engine1_copy.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609engine2_copy.JPG
I'm not yet satisfied with the exhausts. I plan to paint black inside the tips.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609engine3_copy.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609engine4_copy.JPG
Heat staining was done with an airbrush and MM Burnt Iron metallizer.

Finally, the interior is airbrushed in Tamiya XF-19 Sky Gray and XF-22 RLM Gray.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609seats2_copy1.JPG


That's it for now, but I'll have more soon. Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome.
Thanks for looking! :)

Wow, that body color looks very good even at it's beginning stages. That engine detail very realistic! Can't wait for more progress.

Wow, looks good so far, I have never seen this kit built, looking forward to the end result. Engine looks fantastic.

The detail painting on the engine and interior looks great. Looking forward to seeing more progress pics of this build.

Looks to be very promising, keep us posted on the progress!!

These are awesome, breathtaking cars. They just got screwed by circumstance and poor timing.

I've seen two in my life, and have been itching to go back and stare some more...

Looks like you're off to a fantastic second-start. :D

hmmm i just got a idea those turbos look kinda tasty!

those are the most realistic looking seats i've seen in a kit

The engine detail work is 10/10...well done

looking good so far. I like interior color. :)

Wow, I had no idea that kit came with an engine. That looks awesome !

its gonna be amazingly clean

sweet! you're doing my favorite car! good job--metallic colours work well on this car's curves. this kit's a good one overall, but i had trouble getting the body to sit low enough on the chassis when i built it 5 years ago

Wow, I had no idea that kit came with an engine. That looks awesome !

Ahh... yeah. I spent about 4 month on reference pics for the engine...

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/album13/jagengine9.sized.jpg

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/album13/jagnew.sized.jpg

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/album13/engine2.sized.jpg

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/album13/engine4.sized.jpg

looks awesome!!!

orgasmic

Amazing engine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've got the same kit in my workbench, but I had to put it on hold, because couldn't find any reference pic. Could you post some links or send me some pics of the engine and interior?
TIA

very clean work

Great progress so far. The engine looks awesome!
What wheels are you planning on using?

Wow, thanks for all the kind words! :smile:

slk320, your XJ220 build inspired me to start mine... I'm still awed by the amount of engine detail you managed to include!

robrex, I plan to use the stock wheels, as the rears are almost an inch wide, and I don't have anything that could possibly fill the wheel-wells.

Inservible, once I round up all the web-addresses, I'll PM you with the links... or I might just PM you with the pics. Whatever's easiest, I guess. :iceslolan

I have applied the first clearcoat, so tomorrow I'll post pics of the Shiney-ness. Also, interior is finished, minus the steering wheel and gauges, so pics of that to come too.

Once again, thanks to everybody for the replies! Keep them coming!

Wow, great engine there, Paul. I've got a quick question that you've prolly answered before, though. Where did you get your engine stand?

Can't wait to see more progress Merkava; definately a superb build.

Just wanted to get some pics up before bed. I know they're not too good, light-wise, but don't worry. I'm just mocking up the assemblies, checking for fit, that sorta thing. Thought ya'll would like to see the interior and body taking shape. Enough of my jabbering, here's the pics:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609jagteaser1.JPG
interior: not finished, but most of it's there now. Again, that's XF-19 and XF-22.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609jagteaser2.JPG
Ahh, my favorite part... The clearcoat settled out nicely, and the color deepened considerably. Another coat and I'll be ready to polish. :sunglasse

Full update tomorrow!

Thats one crazy car:) Interior is great!

The engine stand is from an old AMt kit.

BTW - The interior is looking great!

More progress:

Got the clear polished; it's alright, I guess. The paint got a bit rough on the front hood, but everywhere else it is like glass.
Also did the panel-lines. I used black ink, and applied it with a super-fine brush to the panel-lines. When it dried, I used a cotton swab to rub off the places where I applied too much, or got it out of the lines.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609jagfin1.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609jagfin2.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609jagfin3.JPG

That's it for now. I should have the chassis assembled by tomorrow, but there seems to be a bit of warpage to deal with. :mad: I may resort to weights and clamps to get it to glue flat... we shall see.

Until then! :)

Looks like you did some nice work!! That engine is awesome! (So is the rest of the car) :bigthumb:

Stunning progress.LOve your attention to details.

haven't seen this kits for a long time...
so far so good! keep it up!

Love the engine and interior...looking forward to completed project!

Update time!

As you can see, I've been taking care of all the wee-little details on this project.

I did the sidemarkers first. Usually, I just use a dab of orange paint to do sidemarkers, but for this model, I wanted something a little classier.
First I applied a tiny square of BMF to the marker:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609sidemarker1.JPG

Then, I used MM Turn Signal Amber (how appropriate...) over the chrome:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609sidemarker2.JPG
You can see some of the minor details, like door locks, that I picked out with a fine brush.

Next was the fuel filler cap. Painted X-18 Semi-Gloss Black, picked out detail with Testors Silver:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609fueler.JPG

Then, the front grill was carefully painted with XF-1 Flat Black:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609grill.JPG

The last detail, one that really sets off the rear of the car, is the metal transfer. It accurately reproduces the chrome "Jaguar" emblem across the back of the actual car:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609jagscript_copy.JPG
(jeez, it's really hard to photograph this sorta thing! :icon16: )



The last thing on today's menu is the chassis. It's been coming together slowly, but here's a trial fitment of the interior (now complete) and the engine compartment:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609chassis1.JPG

And here is the back end:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/76609rearend1.JPG

You can see I've painted the rear valence in Gunmetal, as per the instructions. Also got the exhaust tips blacked-out. Tailights are Tamiya clear acryilics. BMF underneath gives it that realistic "deep" look.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed today's little update! I'll get to work on the glass and wheels over the Thanksgiving holiday, so maybe I'll finish in another week or two.

Thanks!

amazing work, and engine is incredibly realistic!! great work :eek:

Awesome Detailing man!!! great job so far!

It's the little details like this that make a stellar model! Great progress.

Man this car keeps getting better and better! I seriously admire this XJ220! :cool:

Holy crap the engine is fantastic!.

That looks amazing dude. The colour really catches the curves of the body. Everything looks great!
peace, WIDE

Very nice work.

Whoa! Great attention to detail!

:eek2: I'd swear that engine was a real one, fantastic !!!

Mike :sunglasse

DOUBLE CATASTROPHY!!

Woe is me! A pox hath fallen on my poor Jaguar. Two irreversible mistakes have set me behind more than I like to admit. :banghead:

1) The windshield has permanently frosted-over. Why? Well, while airbrushing the satin-black trim, I used several kinds of masking material. One of them was old painters tape, which left a cloudy residue on the glass. I tried to windex it off, but that hazed the glass. I tried to polish the haze, but that left swirl-marks. I tried to airbrush future to clear up the swirls, but that left imbedded dust particles in the glass. I tried to soak-off the future and respray an acrylic glosscoat, but that ended in a horrible frosting. It is at this point that I gave up.

2) The top of the left front fender-rim (the edge that surrounds the wheel) developed awful cracks in the plastic, likely due to the brake-fluid bath. I have a hunch that the brake-fluid ruined the integrity of the plastic, and only now manifested itself in disaster.

I have hope, though! The Hobbytown USA in which I work has one Jag kit left, and I plan to run over there later tonight and pick it up. I'll get my 15% employee discount, so I'm not too upset...
Plus, I have already thought of a use for the extra engine. It'll be implemented into a future project that I have not gotten past the planning stages yet. Trust me: It'll kick ass.

Anyway, I'ma paint the new body exactly like the old one, and hopefully not screw up the glass this time! Stay tuned for updates!

Too bad for your old body. I'm sure the new one will look 2X better once completed. Good luck.

Phew. I got the replacement body and windshield. Progress has officially resumed.
Updates... soon.

Well, when I went to mock up the chassis w/ the new body, I noticed something: The front end sits about six scale inches too high! Also, the nose of the body seemed to be high, since it wouldn't touch the front lip like it's supposed to.

So...

I fixed it. For the nose, I dipped it in hot (almost boiling) water until it felt soft, then bent it into shape. When I was satisfied with the position, I doused it in cold water, and it held just like that! Problem solved.
For the ride-height, more drastic measures were needed. Out came the X-Acto and razor saw. Then came the Evergreen and superglue. And just like that:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609sugery1.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609surgery2.JPG

It looks nasty, but here's the result:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/76609lowjag1.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609lowjag3.JPG

Looks like a supercar should, eh?
Maybe a bit too low in the front (in real life, I'm sure the tires would rub) but I don't feel too bad about it. It looks pretty cool this way and I'd rather not redo all my work for a scale half-inch. :rolleyes:

Anyway, glass is all painted, body is getting primered, and everything else is just waiting to be assembled. Updates are right around the corner, and a finished project is not too far off, either.
:thumbsup:

Thats a killer height for the suspension! Is that a Porsche Carrera GT model in the back :iceslolan

Amazing!!!!!!

Is that a Porsche Carrera GT model in the back

Yup. It's next :sunglasse

aha, you have come upon the same problem i faced years ago when i built mine. what i did was grind away some things until it came close and let the glue hold the body down far enough--a rather primitive method, but it was a long time ago, and i wasn't nearly skilled enough to attempt what you did. I really like what you've done--yes, the front may ride a bit low, but it looks mean and adds to the XJ220's characteristic sleekness

Wow, it really looks great. I plan to start on this model after I finish a couple of others. Do you mind sharing those engine reference pics?

cool~

Update Time!

Sorry for the long wait, but I had to paint the new body, trim out the new glass, and work on all the wee-little details we all love so much. Anyways, the body is still Bright Platinum Metallic. I've got the headlight assembly all worked out; it's pretty neat. Right now the main windshield is gluing with 90-minute epoxy (the clear parts cement I used before couldn't hold it... :headshake ) Here are the pics:

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/6691/glassinstall8yi.jpg

Here are the working headlamp covers:

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/23/headlights6uh.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Good job and great stamina for keeping at it, even when it all fell apart!

Thanks for sharing,
Bill

Terrific looking build! I have always wanted to do one of these. I really like the lowered front end- it gives it a perfect stance. :sunglasse

Never give up, Never Surrender!
Fantastic to see you're back on track with this great car.

Well, here it is, folks. Everything's done, and I must say that I am pleased with the way it turned out. Even after all the trials and tribulations, I still feel it was a good experience. After all, I got to build a fairly decent representation of one of my favorite cars! So a big thanks to all who followed the thread and gave me support.
Pictures:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609AAA1.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609AAA2.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609AAA3.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609AAA4.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609AAA5.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609AAA6.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609AAA7.JPG

There you have it. Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome. Tune in next time for the beginning of project #2: the Porsche Carrera GT.

Great build Sam, you really nailed the big cat.
Does the engine cover open to allow a better view of the engine?

So low, So sleek!

Does the engine cover open to allow a better view of the engine?

It sure does:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609003_copy.JPG

Thanks again for all the kind words! :)

Very fine!! :D

Great persistance to get it finished! Well done it looks fantastic!

Hi Sam,

one of the best XJ220 I have seen.
I´m looking forward for your Carrera project !!!!


Micha