In Progress - Tamiya Mercedes CLK GTR Team Sportswear

[mickbench]

My next project. Mercedes Benz CLK GTR Team sportswear. The one with the tastefully naked lady adored across the front bonnet. The kit has been recently re-released, and I couldn’t help it. Despite having this model already (two sportswear, one D2 and one Original Teile) I just had to pick up this limited re-release of the sportswear version.

Bernd Schneider Actually won the GT championship in the D2 livery, even though the sportswear did take a win, it was merely noted for its rather colourful and tasteful livery when on the track, and not the true racing pedigree it really was. However, still a stunning looking machine, and quite potent when in the hands of a capable racing driver, regardless of its livery.

The decal scheme looks to be quite the challenge on this one, but if I take my time, it should all work out nicely. SMS did release a super detail kit for this in 1999 I think, sadly well out of production now, and searches on ebay for months in a hope of obtaining such a gem has resulted in seeing them go for quire a bit more then I’m willing to pay. So sadly no P/E will be used, as apart from Sataksu, SMS were I think the only ones to put out a detail set, now both OOP.

The paint scheme on this, is erm. Silver. Tamiya calls out for TS-17. I’m not sure if this will be vibrant enough. I don’t like TS-30 silver leaf, as its too flat for replicating silver I feel, but I’ve accumulated a massive number of reference pictures, and the silver for this car was fairly flake free. I’ll think about it, but its either TS-17 or TS-30 for the silver.

I’ve also managed to get, the CF SMS Templates from the super detail kit. The entire interior, wing and engine back, and rear diffuser is CF however what I don’t know it’s the pattern, and one sheet of templates were 1/20, the other 1/24. I’ve got both 1/24 and 1/20 1024 CF decals, so I’ll be using plain weave SMS CF, as it looks perfectly matched to the reference pictures I’ve got.

The seat belts will be replaced, but not ordered them yet, I’ve got some S27, and they suck. But I’ve got some 1/20 MFH and they are really nice, and I know Crazy Modeler has just out a set of seat belts out. So, I’ll look into them.

And lastly, if whoever purchased the Bill Attridge built CLK GTR for $1200 I think, and is reading this, do you fancy financing another one?

Nice new packing from Tamiya.



Contents inside, not to bore you all, so these are the aftermarket goodies I’ve accumulated for this build. SMS CF 1024 decals, Sakatsu roof antenna, modelers hose mesh, and Acu Stion body clamps. And, those gorgeous lady decals.



That’s it. I’ll make a start shall I….

[malscar]

Hmmm, so you want the next comp to be sex, and rock and roll

[auw12]

when i saw the bags of decals and detail-up things i feel it'll be outstanding works.the decal is a nightmare to me,good luck!

[racer917]

Hi mickbench,
Beautiful subject. I'll need to keep my eye on this one. I saw a beautiful example with a flawless paint and decal job at TamiyaCon '06. It won it's category. Years ago I built the Original Teile oob. I may have to now build this one. By the way, I do have the SMS super detail kit.

[Technoman]

I love this car and couldn't resist buying the re-release just so I had a second set of decals if I screw up first time. Good luck with it, I am sure you will do it proud..

Just FYI, I have an SMS Super Detail set for this car (and the Porsche GT1) to trade, I have a post in the classifieds..

[mickbench]

Originally Posted by Technoman

I love this car and couldn't resist buying the re-release just so I had a second set of decals if I screw up first time. Good luck with it, I am sure you will do it proud..

Just FYI, I have an SMS Super Detail set for this car (and the Porsche GT1) to trade, I have a post in the classifieds..

What are you looking for trade the superdetail kit with? I'd be keen to trade, if I've got something you like..

PM me, I've got a stash of kits, unless your looking to trade with cash..

Update coming soon, and with added bonus..!! Keep looking.

[mickbench]

Well, I looked at this and thought, if I’m going to take the time to CF decal and detail up that front, there is NO way I’m going to cover that all up, never to be seen.

So, out comes the crazy modeler P/E saws, and off with the front. Actually, I was a little worried, as EVERYTIME I’ve done something like this; I’ve either cut at the wrong angle, or slashed my fingers open.

Happy to report, fingers intact, and bonnet nicely cut, small gap, but will allow for paint build up, and it fits back on lovely thanks to the air vents at the bottom, and a small locator pin at the front. It’s as if Tamiya expected folks to cut the front off.

This P/E saws are a good idea, but still took a while, just need to clean up the pin holes on the other side of the body and chassis, and then prime in grey primer to check.

With the body panels on, small gaps all around but not a problem, as paint build up will take care of some of this. Anyhow, its going on display with the bonnet off, but still needs to be right before I paint, so I’ll tweak a little. But I’ll perhaps just build it up with a few additional coats of primer, as primer can be a good filler, as I’ve got some surface primer.



And with the body panels off, making for a nice display piece when its all painted and detailed etc, and better then covering all that work up I feel. And looking at pictures I’ve seen of the real car, this was how it was done anyhow, as the bonnet is nothing more then aerodynamic decoration.



As can be seen, certainly looks as though the model was meant to be built this way. I’ve seen a few model builders cut the fronts off, and leave the front bumper in place. I’m sure that isn’t right..

Even the road car has the front bonnet totally removed to access the front like so –

http://www.thecarexperience.com/ASS/...1_03_10_31.jpg

[deltableh]

I'll be watching this. Maybe I'll give me some motivation to start my Merc up again!

[mickbench]

Well,

A few hours of sanding, and filling using pre thinned putty, and I’ve almost eliminated the gap left by cutting the front bonnet off. There is now just enough gap left for paint, and this should look pretty nice when completed.

It would have been such a shame to have covered up the wonderful airbox, as I’m going to, even if it kills me, cover that in CF.

Does anyone know if the whole chassis is CF? I’ve got a stack of pictures; however none show the whole chassis… The engine bay is silver, and I’m looking for a smoker to steal some cigarette foil from him, as this would look just right I think. I know the diffuser is CF, and the front lip, but was the whole think cast from CF?

Still got a whole lot of sanding to do, but the rear engine hatch, and front bonnet is now finished, and I’m happy as it’s the first time I’ve cut a model up, and not slashed my fingers, or cut in the wrong place, leaving gaps that were almost impossible to fix.





As for colour, I’ve got three choices if I want to stick with Tamiya TS, and TS is the preferred paint.

TS – 30 – almost flake free, very flat
TS – 17 – Darker, flakey silver
TS – 76 – lighter, smaller flake, more mica

I’m actually toying with TS 76, as it’s a mica, is lighter then TS17 and I’m not keen on TS – 30, fine for wheels, but not a whole model I feel..

[deltableh]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_CLK-GTR

It says CF monocoque

[SeaBee]

Good to hear your opinion on the different silver paints, having just bought TS76 (for the DTM car), since I also thought the rest won't give it enough kick. Glad to hear I wasn't the only one thinking along those lines.

Sometime in the very near future, I will do this one of mine as well. Still have the original release, the clear version. At least that'll save some sawing!

Good luck, I'll be amongst the plentyfull watching the progress.

[mickbench]

Spent hours today, and seem to have gotten little done, but actually I’ve done quite a bit. It just doesn’t look like a lot. The front air duct has had 1.6mm and 1.2mm holes drilled, for when installed will have modelers 1.4mm and 1.mm mesh hosse, to replicate the cooling pipes from the air duct, and the air duct has had to the brake cooler hose holes opened, using drills and files. Look closely, you will see them.

I tried to make my own cooling hoses for the brakes, but so far not been so successful, but then I thought… Straws… The ones with the little bending bit at the top. Sadly, have none, so off to mc Donald’s tomorrow, as they’ll have some… Or even tesco..

I also made from old sprue the oil reservoirs around the front air duct, they are in reference pictures I’ve got, so couldn’t find anything aftermarket wise, and so made my own. Be fine once I coat them with polished Alclad.

I cut of the pre made antenna holder, and tested fitted a drilled hole for a metal turned antenna, decided to leave the GPS style antenna. I’ve scribed out all the panel lines, they were actually pretty weak, took a while, but will be worth it. And started to fill in the injector holes. Still got a lot or preparation work, but as we all know, preparation is the key to a wonderful looking model..

[Decs0105]

One of my favorite cars. I am loving "all open" cars , so can't wait for the next update!

About the color, Finisher's makes a color named "CLK Silver", I have some of their paints here but sadly I haven't had the time to try them yet. In the opinion of many builders they are the best colors out there.

[SCUDERIA-FERRARI]

All that carbon work with it being open is going to look great!

[mickbench]

Originally Posted by Thesaint111

One of my favorite cars. I am loving "all open" cars , so can't wait for the next update!

About the color, Finisher's makes a color named "CLK Silver", I have some of their paints here but sadly I haven't had the time to try them yet. In the opinion of many builders they are the best colors out there.

Hi,

Found the colour you speak of.

http://www.1999.co.jp/asp/GoodsDetai...op_right_e.asp

But no idea what type of paint this is... Is it a lacquer, enamel or Acrylic..?? And just how much do you get in a jar, as it doesn't say...

Thanks...

Updates coming soon. I'm still busy sanding, drilling and test fitting at the moment