In-progress : Ford Focus WRC 02 (Tamiya 1/24)

[Sennake]

The "battle" finally started : this is a very early stage of the paintjob of the bodywork. I applied a coat of primer and 1 coat of "performance blue". It doesn't "cover" very well so I guess I'll have to add at least 2 or 3 more layers. More pics and tips later...

[potsie]

Looks good so far. How much time are you going to spend making it accurate - correct wheels, vents etc. Or are you simply building OOB? I'd be interested to see you give it the full treatment - knowing your skills it would look great.

[Sennake]

I'm gonna build about a month I guess. I'm not changing anything, but I'll detail everything as good as possible. I'm also going to give a lot of attention to the driver and co-driver.

BTW : the wheels don't need to be replaced, Duval-Fortin raced the Focus in Corsica with these wheels (see picture).

[Guido]

Interesting report! from yet another Belgian rally driver!

[Midnight Racer]

Can't wait to see more progress.

[RallyRaider]

Another masterpiece in the making for sure. How do you build them so quick Sennake? I'm envious!

What paint are you using there? doesn't like the corners much does it Lots of very fine coats might do the trick.

Main mods needed to the kit are the roll cage (remove the horizontal bar behind the seats) and the headlights (much harder to fix). Dash is a bit different too but hardly noticeable. The rest of it is accurate for Duval's Tour de Corse car as far as I can recall.

[OPM]

you dfinately need to fix the headlights,haven't seen a focus from tamiya build up with correct headlights for 2002 till today...so you have the chance to do it

[Sennake]

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

Another masterpiece in the making for sure. How do you build them so quick Sennake? I'm envious!

What paint are you using there? doesn't like the corners much does it Lots of very fine coats might do the trick.

Main mods needed to the kit are the roll cage (remove the horizontal bar behind the seats) and the headlights (much harder to fix). Dash is a bit different too but hardly noticeable. The rest of it is accurate for Duval's Tour de Corse car as far as I can recall.

I try to work on my models a few hours a day (2 or 3 hours after work). Of course I don't always succeed

I'm using the Tamiya TS-51 spray cans. I applied a second coat today and it looks a lot better, although a third coat will at least be nessecairy...

The roll cage : no problem, will certainly remove the horizontal bar. The headlights : dunno, trying to fix them might actually make them look worse than without changing anything... Are there any aftermarket ones? Oh well, myabe I get a brilliant idea one of these days

[Sennake]

@ RallyRaider : thanks for the "horizontal bar tip", but I suppose you have pictures of a Focus interior to prove your point? Not that I don't believe you, but could you maybe spare me a few of these pics please? Could come in handy when I start detailling the interior

Thanks in advance!

[chipanggo]

looking good. awesome paint job. can't wait to see more.

[Sennake]

After 1 coat of primer and 3 coats of TS-51, I'm finally pleased with the result I'm gonna stop spraying now, and I'll start thinking of how to solve the headlight-problem. As a matter of fact, I think I know a possible solution : what I need are the "mirrors" of 4 separate lights, so I can "transplant" them into the Focus' headlight-block. And I think I'll use the ones I saw in one of my Ford Escort RS Cosworth boxes (of which I have 4 in my stockpile)... The spotlights that are to be put on top of the hood might do the trick...

[slk320]

Very NIce paint!! Its my favorite from Tamiya line!!

[The Lambrusco Kid]

What's wrong with the headlights exactly? I've got the hasegawa 99 safari version, does it have the same mistake?

[ales]

Originally Posted by The Lambrusco Kid

What's wrong with the headlights exactly? I've got the hasegawa 99 safari version, does it have the same mistake?

No, that one is correct if you're building the 1999 version. The headlights were changed during the 2001 season. Look at some reference photos - it's quite easy to see the difference.

[freakray]

Originally Posted by ales

Look at some reference photos - it's quite easy to see the difference.

Look at the box art on the 2002 Focus and the mistake is quite evident.