24 Hours of LeMans: 2 904's built, plus C5R, Ferrari 312P, and Gulf GT40!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

In conjunction with the 24 hours of LeMans, a group of ACME members met at BRE 350Z's home and spent the time during the race building models of LeMans racers. Nobody DNF’ed; everyone finished by the 21st hour. My 904’s were finished at the 17th hour when the decals were applied at about 3:55 AM.

I picked Monogram’s simple 28-piece curbside (ex-slotcar) Porsche 904. Originally I was going to build a red 904 for the race, but decided at the 11th hour to build two. I also had a restorable original 904 model missing a couple of wheels that I decided to build as well. 30 minutes in an alcohol bath removed the decals that were placed over the silver plastic. We were allowed to bring the models prepped and primed. I could have done that during the race, there was plenty of time (but perhaps not stamina). I painted the red car ahead of time due to my change in liveries. I saved the polishing of the red car until the race.

Modifications included the use of Fujimi slotted Porsche spare wheels from their 911 Enthusiast kits (we have plenty due to a club project building IROC cars). I had to drill out the centers and re-drill some vent slots that had filled in during the years. I also cut away the styrene side glass and made the side glass from clear styrene sheet, mounted from the outside. I opened up the scoops behind the doors, and used craft-store cabachons (think bargain-basement MV lenses) for headlights. Interior-wise I added aftermarket seat belts and hardware to the otherwise simple 4-piece interior.

No drama ensued building these cars at all. I was impressed with Tamiya’s new Mica Silver; it applied perfectly in a few light coats over the gray primer, and the clear glossed it up just right. The red car is Tamiya Italian Red sealed w/clear. Next year I’ll pick something a bit meatier to work on. I love how these cars look and they look great together; there’s a lot to be said about Monogram’s simpler curbside kits from the past-they certainly look right, especially w/a few tweaks. The other builds from other group members were quite impressive; a Fujimi Gulf GT40 by CADguy, a Fisher resin Ferrari 312 Berlinetta by BRE350Z, and a Revell C5R by GTMike400.








Following pics taken by CADguy. I've been told I look like I've already been up 24 hours in this photo that was taken within the first hour


Time of photo: 01:30:


The finishing lineup. C5R by GTMike400, Ferrari by BRE350Z, Gulf GT40 by CADguy:


More pics of the mayhem provided by BRE350Z and others:
http://public.fotki.com/ACME-IPMS/mo...urs_of_lemans/

[CADguy]

Here are some shots of my build, start to finish.

Start - This is about 10 minutes before the start of the race. The body is ready for paint. The race started at 11AM our time, so everyone spray painted their parts, we filled the dehydrators, and went out for a bite to eat.




Chassis Completed - After returning from lunch I detail painted up the interior and engine parts and assembled it all.


Getting closer - Decaling at 3am should be fun, but I can tell you that trying to get racing stripes straight after 16 hours of building and hanging out with friends is a BIG challenge. I'm sure sniffing paint fumes and solvents doesn't help either..




Done - After 20+ hours, I finished in 3rd Just minutes ahead of Mike.






It's going to take me all week to catch up on the hours of lost sleep, but it was a great time.

[mickbench]

Erm..

Yep, really good models, and done in such short time, but you say you all piled round someone’s home? What he lives in a model shop…??? All those models and cans of paint… Dedicated workshop..??

There is poor old me, working on the kitchen table, storing models and paints in my wardrobe. LOL. Anyhow, nice models, I’ve got to pull my finger out and get some of my le mans models even started.

[D_LaMz]

lol so this is what you meant on spc. Great work to everyone and wtf is CADguy sniffing? polish?

[mike@af]

Finally finished my very first model ever. I was in with Bob, Matt, and Wayne for the 24 Heur du Mans build. I chose to build a C5R. When I went to look for the kit I couldnt find one, but luckily a fellow builder had one so I started all my prep at the beginning of the race and finally finished 20 hours later.
Here are a couple quick shoots of a pretty decent build. Nothing spectacular, but good for a first.









I need some more front pics.

[willimo]

"I wish my first model looked that good"

Nice work by everyone. Dehydrators - I was wondering how ya'll'd paint and decal on the same day. What a cool model party.

[heroblast]

that sounds like a lot of fun.
nice models too.

[Enzoenvy1]

NIce jobs on all cars!! That looks like a great time also. Good idea too!

[nugundam93]

amazing. all those gorgeous models done in one day...

[Jay!]

Very cool!

Well, as cool as a bunch of car nerds like us hanging out watching cars and building cars at the same time can be! :o

But I would have been totally sick of you guys after 13 hours or so!

Originally Posted by D_LaMz

and wtf is CADguy sniffing? polish?

$5 says CA quick-set juice.

[CADguy]

Thanks guys!
That is some CA accelerator in that little bottle I'm sniffing. (I don't recommend really sniffing the stuff, but it's okay to pose for a pic like that.. )

[blubaja]

Jay builds agian..and Mike has actually done a model in plastic!!!!!!?!!!?!!!?!!!! OMG!!! AF is going to flipshit and crash!!!! Looks good Mike. Nice job other ACME dude's too. Nice little collection ya'll have back there...

[freakray]

Was the theme cars which raced at LeMans or just endurance racers?

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by freakray

Was the theme cars which raced at LeMans or just endurance racers?

Any endurance racer.

[robrex]

You guys are nuts!!!! I can't believe sleep deprivation can HELP model building?