Porsche Carrera GT

Hello everyone. I've been quite excited with this kit for several reasons. Firstly, it's a gorgeous car with performance to match. More importantly though, it's because I plan to light it up and also have opening doors and bonnet.

This will be the first time I've done an opening door mod too, so I was quite nervous to start on this kit. Thankfully, this is one of the best kits Tamiya has released which makes life easier.


Started on the engine (Alclad Airframe Aluminium) with simple wiring using nylon "Display Wire". Engine is a lot more silvery and lighter in real life, sorry for the pic quality:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06736.jpg


I finally found some (very expensive) 2mm solder and reconstructed the exhaust manifold:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06738.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06739.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06739.jpg


Muffler in Alclad Chrome

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06754.jpg


Proceded to cut off the doors:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06746.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06747.jpg


Used styrene to fill in the gap between the body and chassis:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06750.jpg


1.2mm drilled into some clear sprue:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06748.jpg


Milliput is amazing stuff :bigthumb:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06752.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06751.jpg


It took a few days to try and work out a way to hinge the doors sucessfully so they open without jamming on the bodywork. At first I thought the conventional way was to attach the hinge to the inside of the body. After much swearing and frustration, I found out the hinges worked when attached closer to the chassis so...

1.2mm solder. Even though solder is softer than I'd like, it allows me a small amount of movement and flexibility in building.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06773.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06772.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06770.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06768.jpg


I still need to open the hood but after that it will be onto primer and then paint. I'm also hoping I'll have enough CF decal for the whole chassis :uhoh:.

Thanks for looking. Please be so kind to leave some C&C's.

It is looking great, especially the exhaust manifold is super realistic. I like the way you solved the hinges, It makes me kinda sorry I didn't open doors on my 1/12 testarossa (after seeing your Porsche I might try it myself). I'm looking forward to next updates

the exhaust manifold looks good :thumbsup:, what did u use to glue it?

It is looking great, especially the exhaust manifold is super realistic. I like the way you solved the hinges, It makes me kinda sorry I didn't open doors on my 1/12 testarossa (after seeing your Porsche I might try it myself). I'm looking forward to next updates

Hey thanks. Regarding the accuracy of the manifolds, the kit ones are actually more realistic. I just prefer the bare look mine have. I took inspiration for it from drazman's excellent build. You can see from these pics the look like they're wrapped in heat resistant foil.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/thumb1280x1280_3373060287_f55173cb8.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/thumb1280x1280_3373872090_f98452314.jpg

I'm sure you can still open up yours. It just means more work in fitting them and painting. Being 1/12 though, you would have to put in a lot more detail to the doors themselves.

the exhaust manifold looks good :thumbsup:, what did u use to glue it?

Thank you. I used "UniBond Repair Extreme Power Glue". Kinda like shoe-glue I guess. It's quick and means I don't have to sit around mixing my 2-part araldite.

Ok, I thought I could get on with painting the body but then if I'm intending to add lights, then I need to sort out the wiring and positioning of everything first so I don't ruin a freshly painted body.

First, I opened up the hood. I'll be creating the trunk to house the battery and switch inside.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06784.jpg


Opened up the main headlight housing to fit a 3mm superbright white LED. These things are seriously bright! More on them later. Original on top, modified on bottom. Not sure why it look black in the photo...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06782.jpg


Originals:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06779.jpg


LED in place. Only slighter bigger but it still fits:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06780.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06781.jpg


That was relatively easy. It's the rear lights that are going to cause me the most hassle. Most cars allow for the rear lights to be lit up thanks to the space under the trunk. However, being the Carrera GT, the engine bay almost completely takes up the whole rear of the body which means any lights I add will be visible. Solution...? (at least the one I'll try)....run fibre optics from the front to the back! :evillol:

So, onto bringing each individual real life LED into blinking existence...

Initial Alclad chromed before going ahead with the FO attempt:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06785.jpg


testing with the light from the salvaged lamp...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06786.jpg


Only 2 down, 100 more to go! I'm hoping by using superbright red LED's, it will be strong enough to shine through the rear lenses and have a strong enough contrast so you can tell when it's on/off.

Thank you again for the interest. It keeps me motivated.

Nice work.
Looking fwd to seeing how the tails come out.

looks great, so your using fiber optics for tail lights?? that's sweet and a lot of work.
the headers look sick, what did you use to glue it together? i had trouble using CA glue, so i soldered it together and sanded it down.

great work here, will be keeping an eye on this one :smile:

Sweet progress, can you explain what type of lights (leds) you used on the rear light? Seems like they ultra small, also where did you get them?

Keep the progress coming.

Gonna need quite a few drill bits to drill out all those tiny holes to place the fiber optics, but it will be worth it in the end!

Nice modification work so far, keep up the good work!

the headers look sick, what did you use to glue it together? i had trouble using CA glue, so i soldered it together and sanded it down.
UniBond Repair Extreme Power Glue

Sweet progress, can you explain what type of lights (leds) you used on the rear light? Seems like they ultra small, also where did you get them?

Keep the progress coming.
Thanks. I'm sorry, the last photo didn't really show what I meant. I'm going to use one single 5mm superbright red LED for each tail light. This light source feeds the 50 strands of optic fibre on each tail light which I'll somehow route...from the front. Pics below :smile:

Gonna need quite a few drill bits to drill out all those tiny holes to place the fiber optics, but it will be worth it in the end!
Tell me about it! I broke 2 in total so I'm hoping I'll have no upcoming needs for drilling 0.3mm and 0.35mm :tongue:.


This photo should help explain the point I was making to MidMazer. Each strand had to be checked for its optical clarity as any fractures along it's length means a dulled output. A simple but tedious job of using a sharp knife to cut the ends and checking it with a lamp.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06787.jpg


The pink straw helps keep all the fibres together. It also fits my 5mm LED perfectly so I'll use it as the LED housing.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06789.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06790.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06792.jpg


And I couldn't resist doing a dry-fit test...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06793.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06794.jpg


I'm happy with the results, although one or two strands have shifted too far back from the hole to shine through. They're all glued in now so oh well :banghead:. I'm so glad that even in sunlight it's clearly visible.

So the lights construction is finished minus the wiring which will have to be done right at the end. Thanks again for looking.

that is so awesome, definitely something i will think about doing on my future builds =)

Cool idea with the fibre optics. Where did you get them, and are they glass or plastic?

Nice progress on this project!
The use of optic fiber to light up the rear lights is excellent. Keep it up!

Brilliant idea for the taillights!

Thank you all for your comments.
Cool idea with the fibre optics. Where did you get them, and are they glass or plastic?
I had an old fibre optic lamp from "Gadgetshop" I bought years ago. They apparently still sell them, here's the link: http://www.gadgetshop.com/Gadgets/ViewAll/PRDOVR~222430/Starlight+Fibre+Optic+Lamp.jsp (http://www.gadgetshop.com/Gadgets/ViewAll/PRDOVR%7E222430/Starlight+Fibre+Optic+Lamp.jsp). The fibres are plastic.

I ran out o masking tape which set me back a bit, but I have a tiny update for you all.

Brakes painted in Alclad Magnesium with a few drops of Zero Jet Black. This is the mix I'll be using for my interior.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06731.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06732.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06745.jpg


Dash is 99% complete. I still need to paint the warning triangle red :smile:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06803.jpg

A drop of Future was placed on dials to give it a glaze, although it's hard to see from the pics :disappoin

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06804.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06807.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/DSC06808.jpg


Sorry it's not a big update. Next one is of the body which I'll have posted tomorrow.

:eek2::eek2::eek2:Those tail lamps are off the hook. I love the way your dash came out as well. Keep up the good work






:wave:

Apologies this is a day later than I said; I wanted to test out my new camera I got today. Body parts painted and cleared. I still need to add the Porsche badge on but they just need to be polished now.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000047.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000055.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000056.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000058.jpg


Zero Gloss Black -> Alclad Pale Gold -> Halfords Clear -> Tamiya Clear Red -> Halfords Clear. Despite hearing about Halfords clear being very hot on decals, I love it and doubt I'll ever use any other brand. It dries in like 1 min! Perfect for me since I'm an impatient builder :biggrin:

I was nervous how it would turn out but a method I use, is to practice on plastic spoons any paintjobs I might be uncertain about. They're free from some cafes and mean that you don't have to risk stripping paint off a body.

Nice man, this is such a huge leap for you. I have to get started on my projects again. It's been sitting inside their boxes since last year.

Nice man, this is such a huge leap for you. I have to get started on my projects again. It's been sitting inside their boxes since last year.
Thanks. It's nice to know that I have some visible evidence that I'm improving in my modelling. Whenever I get to work on this particular project I can't help but keep thinking of the Top Gear motto "ambitious but rubbish" :p

Haven't been able to work on this too much lately, but I've finally finished laying carbon fibre onto the chassis and the cockpit is pretty much complete; I'm just currently painting the seat belt catches...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000221.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000235.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000237.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000238.jpg


Bodywork has been a real pain as I keep burning through on the edges to the clear red, so I'm having to re-spray, then clear then wait over and over again. Due to this I can't start installing the lighting until the body is fully cured so it's quite frustrating. I'll have a better update for you guys next time :)

Thanks for the looking guys.

Hey everyone,

My laptop died on me so I haven't been able to update or check AF for a while. I have just 2 final wip photos to complete this thread off. Please checkout my completed thread too :smile:


Routing the fibres to the front was a nightmare! One thing I've learnt I did incorrectly was apply too much glue to the rear right light (top left in the photos). This made the fibres stick out into the engine bay far too much and so I've had to cut away some of the wheel well to fit it all in. The wheel had to be forced on and it now sits under quite a bit of tension.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000697.jpg

Routing to the front, I managed to fit all the fibres from both lights into one straw and so I can now light up both rears with just one LED :bigthumb:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/1-24th%20scale%20models/Porsche%20Carrera%20GT/P1000698.jpg

Thankfully the chasis base covers up the "neon glow" effect. Even though it looked kinda cool at first, I didn't want to "rice up" a Carrera GT :biggrin:

It's completed now anyways and the thread is here: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=956218

Thanks

This is awesome! I hate to put CF on chassis and interior parts....it's a pain, maybe one day when I'm not lazy I'll try it out too. :D Keep it going!

I like it!!

Inspirational stuff! I'm loving the color,I'm glued to this project keep up the good work.

Inspirational stuff! I'm loving the color,I'm glued to this project keep up the good work.
Thanks but please note this is now finished and the completed thread is here: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=956218