In Progress: Tamiya Ferrari F40

[Whumbachumba]

He's probably going to make his own parts. This looks like a real fun kit. One of our local hobby shops had this kit, thought about picking it up, but once again, the prices on these higher end Tamiya's are way to high. Seriously, why pay 50 bucks just to have a more detailed 1:24. Though that might just be me, we don't need to worry about. Let's just keep focus on this kit. Keep them updates coming.

[360spider]

The kit is $10 on eBay, come on...
Excellent work on the headlights, simply superb. I'll be watching this one, I have few F40's in mind! Good luck with the project, I know its goign to be a great one.

[klutz_100]

MPWR - I'm laughing to myself already as I imagine all of our sore jaws as they hit the floor with each new update on this build
I can't wait!
stevenski

[Alfa 147]

This will look awesome, great start

[MPWR]

Thanks for all the comments, guys! I've been looking forward to and planning this build for a while now. I'll do my best not to disappoint!

So....
Time for an update, then. More corrective surgery, the side windows this time. This is the second of the three significant shortcomings of this kit that I think need really to be corrected (the third, the turbos, we'll get to in good time!).

This is what the kit parts give you:




Notice the wide flange below the rear quarter window?



That flange is supposed to be body color. The kit instructions indicate to just paint it before installing the window. Obviously, this is going to leave a bit of a gap. So, there are three options:

1. Live with it, and hope the gap isn't particularly visible-
2. Install the side windows now, mask them heavily for protection, fill and sand the gap, and paint the body with the windows masked in place, or-
3. Copy the shape of the flange from the window, remove it from the window, recreate the flange on the body, and sand/fill/prime to fit.

Of course, I choose the most invasive route (more elective surgery! ) Here's how I'm going about it:




First, cover the flange with masking tape.




Then, cut and trim said masking tape to shape.





The flange shaped bit of masking tape is then peeled away, and stuck to a piece of sheet styrene, to be used as a pattern. I'm using 0.040" thick, to give the finished part a bit of strength- it is going to undergo a fair amount of filling and sanding when mounted on the body.




Here are the new flanges, ready to be insalled on the body.




Next, the windows are carefully masked, and the offending areas are then removed with Dremel tool and sanding sticks. I've masked the windows with vinyl painter's tape- it's nasty stuff for masking (at least in scale modeling), but it's a good bit more resilient than Tamiya tape or the like- I want to remove as few unnecissary scratches from the windows as possible.




Here's the flange mounted in place, and the newly flangeless window.




And here is the window trial fitted in place (Yes! It fits! )

(Am I posting too many pics?)

A little bit more bodywork and it can be painted. Then, I can really start this build.

Enjoy!

[360spider]

Excellent. Definite improvement. I wanted to do the same on my next F40 build!

[D_LaMz]

Nice modification!

[klutz_100]

Ahhhhhhhh
Too many pics? Are you joking!?!? I want a video/mpeg of this build!
Out of curiosity, how long did that re-work take you?
stevenski

[Martin S]

This is a very interesting build up.
I was thinking of doing a detailed Tamiya F40 sometime so this is a good lesson..

[slk320]

I am dissapointed.. you are nto going to open the doors, fuel filler door, make working ignition and functioning door latches??? After your F50 I am expecting a fully functional engine that will turn over with the 1/24 scale ignition key

[Murray Kish]

Too many pics???? That's just crazy-talk.

Nice job. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

Now you've got me pricing out lathes and mills again.... (wife won't be happy....)

Murray

[rx7king]

this is going to turn out to be awesome, thanks for taking the time to show us the steps

[GvEman]

I am going to keep my eyes on this thread! This are going to turn out great! And then i know how to do when I am going to build my F40 later on. Keep up the awesome work!

[Samurai75007]

I have a Q. the rear window in this kit, dose it have louvers? One of my trip's up to Lambo of Dallas I got into the shop where the owner (who lives down the street from me) has one of the Prototype F40's in there. Anyway I got some photos that Ill try to get up or can E-mail to you if you like. Anyway I think only the prototypes and LM's have Louvers in the rear windows. Also I think only the prototypes or the very early cars had slide window’s like in the kit.
*ED*
I found some more photos of F40's and see that they all have the Louvers but I still think that with the sliding glass this might be of the prototype's.

[MPWR]

Thanks, guys!

slk320- Nah, not on this one. I have to leave something for the Fujimi 1/16 version I have stashed away....

Murray Kish- Pricing machine tools, eh? Just wait 'till you see what I have planned for the brakes! Seriously, if you're really looking, I'd be happy to offer some advice on it. PM me if you want.

klutz_100- This bit took a bit over an hour- once I decided how to do it. Might have been quicker without taking pics.

druid_99- Perhaps against my better judgement, I've ordered the S27 set. Much of it I'm sure I won't use for this build, but there are a couple of details (like oil cooler logos) that I want.

Samurai75007- I'd love to see any pics you have of the prototype. I wouldn't have guessed that the prototypes would carry the EPA certifications for import into the US (close enough to the production model, maybe). As best as my research has turned up, the sliding side windows were not just a prototype feature, but also an option on the production models. It saved weight over the roll down windows. The production model was also availibe without air conditioning (I believe) for the same reason. I'm pretty sure the Tamiya kit was based on the prototypes- there are a couple of features in the engine, such as the smaller air filter boxes, that suggest this. I may correct some, and leave others. I kinda like the sliding windows, though. It adds to the 'street legal track car' (instead of trackable street car) feel of the F40 that's always appealed to me.