Progress : Tamiya Focus WRC '01 1/24

Hi All,

Well, it's called a progress thread but the only thing left to do is connect the body to chassis. I was too afraid to do one in real time incase there were disasters!! (like the one which almost occured when my one year old mog flipped my built chassis to the ground :eek: ) Anyway, here's the thread. I'm pretty pleased with the results. Hope you enjoy :biggrin:

This is my first Tamiya kit (and 3rd build after 2 Heller kits) and I have to say I was gobsmacked by the detail and parts count. All in all it was a pleasurable 6 month build(!) albeit with a few problems during decals (I really hope I get better at applying these someday!!). I learned new techniques along the way and applied aftermarket details & cf decals for the first time so it really was a beneficial build.

Before I upload the pics I'd like to thank some members who helped me during my build, namely Freakray, Mick Bench, FourtyFourpm, Sjelic, OkieModelBuilder, Gooey, SpiderEddie, GTMike400, Willimo, RobRex & Jay@AF

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/01.jpg
This is the kitbox. I love Tamiya artwork, especially this one as it's Colin McRae's model - which I'll attempt to replicate with this build.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/02.jpg
I ordered my first P/E set for this build, SMS's Ford Focus WRC parts. I also ordered Crazy Modeller hoodpins towards the end of the build but forgot to take photo's of those.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/03.jpg
In order to mask the body for the difficult swoop decal, I used photocopied decals to create the mask (thanks for the tip freakray!)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/04.jpg
Here's the masking tape using the photocopied decals as guides. I stupidly had the tape stuck to corkboard and I'd advse anyone else to use glass instead. However I still managed to get my masks cut out and then stuck them to the body.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/05.jpg
Here's the body with the masking. I did find this tricky, however I am a newbie so more able modellers will probably find this quite easy. The body had already received 3 mist coats of Racing White and 1 final wetcoat.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/06.jpg
And here it is with the Telfonica Blue. 4 mist coats and 2 wet coats were required.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/07.jpg
Here it is with the mask removed. As you can see, I had some 'leakage' though there were other more severe problems. I used 40mm Tamiya tape to mask the body and it left noticable residue on my lovely white body! I tried polishing it out but eventually just masked the blue, sanded the residue, the shot the body with 1 mist coat and 1 wet coat of Racing White.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/08.jpg
With the body being left in a cupboard to cure I started on the rest of the car starting with the chassis, which called for more masking and also my first attempt at cf. I found the cf quite tricky but love the results.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/09.jpg
Here's the front of the chassis with the Focus' semi-engine detail. Painted as per instruction sheet - didn't know how to dry-brush at this point.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/10.jpg
Various chassis pieces

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/11.jpg
More chassis pieces

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/12.jpg
Here's the brakes/suspension set-ups. I applied the P/E parts from the SMS set. It may shock some of you but I left the discs unpainted :eek: they looked fine that way to me :p

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/13.jpg
Here's the chassis and various parts prior to assembly.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/14.jpg
The fit of the kit is great! Thought I'd have problems here but it was a breeze!!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/15.jpg
Here's the chassis starting to take shape.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/16.jpg
Again, fit quailty is superb. I was starting to fall in love with Tamiya at this point :lol:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/17.jpg
More parts fitted to chassis.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/18.jpg
Starting to take shape nicely!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/19.jpg
More cf detailing. This time on the footwells. It was a bit tricky with the fire extinguisher in the way but patience, perseverance and microsol won over in the end.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/20.jpg
I don't have many photo's on interior progress as I was without the camera for a while. Here's the cockpit taking shape.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/21.jpg
The wheels are excellent with nice low profile tyres and correct tread. Some decals gave me heart-stopping moments but I got through it eventually. I detailed by painting the centre circle and the wheel nuts.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/22.jpg
Here's Colin & Nicky feeling a bit detached from the WRC! I had great fun painting, decalling & detailing these figures - one of my favourite parts of the build. By this point I knew what dry-brushing was and attempted it and came away with reasonable results. For me at least!!!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/23.jpg
Once I put the figures inside I was really starting to enjoy this build - just makes the car more realistic I feel (in motorsport models at least).

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/24.jpg
Another view of the cockpit.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/25.jpg
And another.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/26.jpg
I have no progress pics of the body decalling because I didn't want to tempt fate! Here I have added mesh from the SMS P/E set and detailed the bottom mesh with Racing White shot through a mask by Renaissance (great buy as you get three Ford masks)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/27.jpg
Another view of the body

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b167/SFingers/28.jpg
Here's the completed chassis. The kit calls for the see-through chassis guards to be painted but as this was my first 'detailed' kit I left them 'as is' so I didn't hide my hard work!

Well, that's it. Next step is connecting chassis to body. I'll do that & take some shots outside for the completed thread soon.

Let me know what you think. Constructive criticism welcomed!

Wow, looks very nice. Figures are awesome, and I agree they adda nice finishing touch for motorsport models. Looking good!!

Ah ha.. The Sticky (Get it right this time) fingers Ford Focus build. Been waiting so see this for ages... And now I have.. It's great work, and I knew you would like a Tamiya kit. I build them all the time, and the detail and parts are good. You get a lot of mold lines, but I can handle that.

As for not painting P/E parts, sometimes you don't have to. I searched around only a few days ago to see how to work with them, and parts you want to look metal you can leave unpainted. i've YET..!! to get my P/E parts for my Honda 272 build, but I'm planning on leaving many parts un-painted from the set.. So I'm not shocked, and I think it looks very good...!! The mesh needed to be painted though, and I'm glad to see you did, and the ford mask looks great..!!

i've got the 2002 WRC kit, and I was planning on building it next. Do you think the P/E set you got would be OK? Looks a nice set to work with. And my next step is CF decals as well.. Just get this Honda I'm building out of the way.. :lol2:

All in all, VERY good work.. Nice to see you build a Tamiya kit and like it, and make a nice job of it..

Thanks guys!

Mick, I assume it's a Tamiya kit you're building? I would think the same set would work - however as you know models change in WRC from year to year (even country to country) so I couldn't say for sure. Why not email scalemotorsports I believe their public relations are good.

Looks great! One question, what is Crazy Modeller? An aftermarket company, hobby shop, or what?


:biggrin:

I think athat you done it nicely!
Attaching body to cahssis will not be problem.

As far as I know it's a company. That's what is stamped onto the p/e part anyway. Got them on ebay 'buy now'.

To answer MickBench's question regarding the photo etch set, the SMS set will work fine on the 2002 Perf Blue kit.
In fact the 2002 Perf Blue kit is the same kit as the 2001 WRC kit, except for the decals in the kit.
It's a bad show on Tamiya really since Ford changed the headlights at Sanremo in 2001 and the 2002 kit still comes with the 2001 headlight assembly.
Scaleracecars.com has a replacement headlight set for sale to replace the kit headlights with the correct ones.

Looking excellent!
Nice clean build, and i have yet to see a car that looks bad in the Martini-livery! I really like your chassis work!
However, when i looked at it i saw just a very little detail missing, and i hate to be nitpicking here, but the surrounding of the upper grille on the front (with the ford oval on it) needs to be painted black, up to the headlights, and just a little bit on the bumper. if you picture-google you'll know what i mean. Otherwise, keep it up!

To answer MickBench's question regarding the photo etch set, the SMS set will work fine on the 2002 Perf Blue kit.
In fact the 2002 Perf Blue kit is the same kit as the 2001 WRC kit, except for the decals in the kit.
It's a bad show on Tamiya really since Ford changed the headlights at Sanremo in 2001 and the 2002 kit still comes with the 2001 headlight assembly.
Scaleracecars.com has a replacement headlight set for sale to replace the kit headlights with the correct ones.

Not to hijack sticky fingers build thread, as I'm sure he posted this not for me to discuss scale motorsports, "sorry sticky" it is the Ford Focus WRC 02 Tamiya kit I'm going to build next, and I will get the SMS P/E set, do you think the SMS CF templates for the focus will be fine as well?

Anyhow, back to Sticky Fingers superb focus build.. :smile:

Thanks RallyFanatic. As I said, constructive criticism welcome! With regards the mesh between headlights, this is a p/e part which has been painted in it's entirity and I dont want to paint the body at the edge of it as that would mean painting the body. Believe me the gap between headlight and grill is negligible - I think the contrast in the shot makes it seem otherwise. The bit immediately under the grill doesn't meet the decal due to my on-going problems with decals.

Or, do you mean the 'holes' need to be painted black?

I don't think you should paint the holes, just the 1mm around the PE grille part. Maybe painting it would also do away with that little withe edge around the decal you were talking about.
You'll only have to mask that edge, and brushpaint the sg black on, as the headlines are an easy border.
It's not a huge thing, but it is noticable (and besides, now you know I know everytime you look at it you'll notice too, I know i would :biggrin: )
The only thing i could think of is if you didn't clear over the decals, and the tape would pull them off.

Great job Stuart, now give us the done deal :D As for the grill if I remember correctly there is panel line around that thin line that goes around the grill. Just put very deluted black wash in that panel (different then your overall paint, if body is Acrylic then use enemal wash or vice versa) and then make the reised line with permanent black marker.

or just use sasa's way, that could be better :biggrin:

Thanks chaps, so nice to get good feedback from your peers. Anyway, yes I will do something with the grill and RallyFanatic, you're right I will notice it all the time now so has to be done!

Thanks for the tip Sasa, I'll have a look at the grill tonight when I get home.....and cook sausages! Sorry, just my attempt at a very bad joke.

And Mick, don't worry bout the hi-jacking of my thread. More people reading it the better - took me ages! Regarding the CF templates I wouldn't know as I made all mine by using tamiya tape as templates. If these tamplates aren't dear then you may aswell buy them to save the hassle but then again it's good to keep adding to your modelling skills so you may prefer to make your own :p

Regarding the CF templates I wouldn't know as I made all mine by using tamiya tape as templates. If these tamplates aren't dear then you may aswell buy them to save the hassle but then again it's good to keep adding to your modelling skills so you may prefer to make your own :p

I already PM'ed Mick my thoughts on the templates, but I'll add them here since you mentioned making your own.
I think you did it the right way, there is a lot of redunancy on the templated decals which adds up to a lot of wasted sheet.

coming out nice, should turn out to be a clean build, what i do when masking is spray a mist or two of clear where the masking tape is let it dry for 10-15 min, then spray what ever color you intend on using, works wonders for me.

Cheers for that tip Midmazar, though I put the last of the kit together last night and it could have been better but could have been worse - attached p/e hood pins, attached p/e for emblems, attached aerials and attached chassis to body. I managed to get everything together okay in the end after a lot of arsing around and also managed to snap the rear aerial but thankfully fixed it to a reasonable degree.

I would love to put up pictures of the completed build but I live in Scotland and who knows when we'll see a dry sunny day again!!

Lookin great so far!! Hope McCrae does good in the Skoda for rally GB..hopefully the Skoda will last him more then 1 stage:rolleyes:

An all in one progress thread! :lol:
Coming together very nicely indeed. Excellent CF and other detail work. I'll be looking forward to seeing it finished

Lookin great so far!! Hope McCrae does good in the Skoda for rally GB..hopefully the Skoda will last him more then 1 stage:rolleyes:

Its not the Skoda's reliability we need to worry about it is whether or not Colin McCrash will trash it by throwing it off the road. Skoda is one of the most if not THE MOST reliable car behind Citroen for not having mechanical failure in recent years.

Anyhow great model! your doing colin proud! Love the CF decalling!

WRCfan

Being a big rally & McRae fan (cos he's Scottish & reckless & fearless) I can't wait to see him in action! I hope he does well cos he deserves to be competing for real next season though I don't know if that's his plans.

What's the chances of Tamiya manufacturing a McRae Skoda?

Being a big rally & McRae fan (cos he's Scottish & reckless & fearless) I can't wait to see him in action! I hope he does well cos he deserves to be competing for real next season though I don't know if that's his plans.

What's the chances of Tamiya manufacturing a McRae Skoda?

Would be nice.. Tamiya do nice rally cars.

And take pictures inside of the completed car, just to post a few to this thread.. We should get to see this model now it's completed. I bet it looks great now it's all done..

You can make a completed thread when it stops raining.. Although in this country (UK) I wouldn't hang about when it does stop..!!
:lol2:

What's the chances of Tamiya manufacturing a McRae Skoda?

probably never, they even havent done a Citroen WRC car yet :(

in the months before the 206 WRC bozian car came out when tamiya announced a Peugeot WRC monte carlo i expected the new 307cc, but no it was the old 206 and i thought hang on theres no 206's this year its the 307cc and having resaerch further, the bozian is a private team rather the works car that i was expecting as Tamiya always do works rally cars

and now Tamiya announced the 307cc works rally car, so yippeeeeee!!!!!

michael

This is a great build wonderful detail and it inspires me to do my own sitting in my collection

Hey man, wonderful build. Could you possibly, however, give me the part numbers or something for the large skidplate, the rear spoiler, and all the suspensiony bits, as well as the wheels and tyres? I built the blue verion of this car, but the guys at the airport were rough with my package of model cars (even though it said HANDLE WITH CARE! on it) and I've had to fix two models. My 959 was easily fixed, but my Focus WRC took the brunt of it, and the poor girl needs some fixing, and I'm planning on ordering replacement from Tamiya soon.

Firstly, can I say mega-thanx to the people here for their kind words. It means a lot to me to be congratulated by fellow builders on my build - I'm still a newbie so all these words of encouragement will do me the world of good!

Deltableh, that's bad news. Send me a PM with your address & I could send you the instruction sheet and that will have the kit-piece numbers for you.

VWRacerSam; Go for it! Which version Focus do you have? '01 or '02?

BTW, Hopefully a dry bright (but cold!!) day in Scotland tomorrow! So, Colin may be having his photo-shoot tomorrow, yay!

I have the 01 version and its one of 15 kits to build all intersting(to me)so still don't know if it's next. Also on the Skoda thing I would love to build one because I'm a VW nut and its the only VAG product running competitive.

Also on the Skoda thing I would love to build one because I'm a VW nut and its the only VAG product running competitive.

You're pretty sure about that?

well yes in other races but it is the only one I'm aware of in WRC( I'm probablly wrong though) :icon16: