24 hour build: 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 NART LeMans #25

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

This was my annual LeMans palooza build.

After picking this 330 P4 Fujimi kit up off the bargain table at Hobbytown in late February, I decided this would be my LeMans build for 2009 after I found the NART livery in photos. The model is molded in white, so painting was a breeze. I made my own decals for it, printed on a color laser printer and topped w/Microscale liquid decal film. A friend let me borrow the seat belt hardware (kit was on sale for $18 because it was missing the photoetch fret) and I used the winglets from the fret as templates to make my pieces from .015" styrene.

Started at 9AM, had all spray painting done by 10:30AM, was working on final assembly from 6PM-1AM. I saved the winglets and tire decals for early this morning between 5:30 and 8AM. Enjoyed the race, the company, and got 4 hours of sleep so I wasn't a total zombie today (and the late afternoon nap helped).

Fun kit, the only assembly issue was at the end putting chassis into body and fitting the lower side sills. The decals went down perfectly, I also used some parts box mirrors that were a lot better than the kit mirrors. Next year I'll build the "Lucybelle" Testa Rossa from 1958 in the same color scheme.

[da_ashman]

Amazing build & great finish & made in only 24hours. I think I remember seeing a build of a Jag you did during the 24hours of LeMans before aswell. Amazing building in 24 hours, dont know how you do it!!!

[BVC500]

Great job! Always great to see a model completed by you, Bob!

[Spike2933]

well done, Leman sports cars/race cars are always beautiful.

excellent job in 24 hours

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by da_ashman

Amazing build & great finish & made in only 24hours. I think I remember seeing a build of a Jag you did during the 24hours of LeMans before aswell. Amazing building in 24 hours, dont know how you do it!!!

Thanks, I did build Jaguars the past two years (D Type and E Type Lightweight Low Drag Coupe). First year I built a pair of ultra-simple Monogram Porsche 904's.

It's really not difficult to build a model in 24 hours; most kits that aren't superdetailed take me anywhere from 12-24 hours total. We look at the 24 hour build as race teams look at the race; we prepare ahead for the event. We allow the model to be primed, parts can be trimmed and ready for paint. Look through instructions to get acquainted w/the assembly and all the parts, do all your research on the 1:1 to know ahead of time what gets painted in what color, have a checklist ready for all the tools/paints you'll need, and on race day have your work area organized so you aren't spending undue time searching for tools, parts, etc. It's not like we all open a box "cold" and go at it, we all prepare for our builds so they are already familiar before the build. Like the race, to be successful you prepare ahead and have backup plans! Also you have to be mindful of what kit you choose; the simpler the better, whether the parts in the box or the decals, or even both. A big decal job can be a killer, especially as it's the last thing you do...and you're already exhausted! The 4 cars I've built for LeMans have all had incredibly easy decal schemes, no 2-tone paintjobs, and fairly simple parts count. Next year I'm going w/a full-detail Hasegawa Testa Rossa...simple paint scheme, but the engine will make it take a few hours longer than this year's model...I had about 4 hours sleep and maybe 3 or 4 other hours of down time...

[dmacb]

Well done

[Tibi Keke]

That's very nice! It's amaizing how fast you work!

[stradlegroove]

Woaa.. You must be kidding, don't you??
You did finish it in 24 hours! And your car looks great too! Awesome!
I'll give myself a shot too one day

[klutz_100]

Lovely, subject, lovely livery and lovely build - well done all round

I DNF-ed this year yet again LOL
I should finish mine off this evening. I got caught with my pants down and only realised on Friday that the race started Saturday so it was a mad rush to get started on Saturday morning!

[ales]

Beautiful beautiful car!

[jano11]

Beautiful model!

It's amazing how you manage to build such a beautiful and clean model in so little time!

[mike@af]

Great build, Bob! Wish I could've been there!

[lascar]

Very beautiful model . The ferrari's are not always red..........................

[p9o1r1sche]

Awesome looking results, Bob.

[godfather23]

Fantastic livery. Never saw this one.

I thought it about these builds whiole watsching the race. How do you guys stay awake and make sure not to mess up anything?

I would be exhausted and mess up eventually.

Great job and a nice inspiration!


Robert