W.I.P Tamiya Mitsubishi Lancer VI WRC

[stevenoble]

Small update.Just clearcoated the main bodyshell.I used an automotive clearcoat U-POL 1K Acrylic "Smart Clear".It came pre thinned but I still thought it needed a little thinner.I thinned it down so it was about the consistency of water and it sprayed very well.It should polish up nicely.It was very strong smelling,so I wore my spray mask whilst applying it.I really am considering some kind of spray fume extractor soon.Especially if I keep using automotive type paints.It would certainly make their use more pleasant.The Zero Red is brighter than the TS-49.I put the shell next to my completed Evo 7 WRC painted in TS-49 and it looks more vivid.

Two views of the clearcoated bodyshell.





I also added an extra fastener to the intercooler pipes (circled) I missed this earlier.It was made from Halford's Aluminium foil cut into strips.It is self adhesive so easy to fit.



I've been using my new Tamiya Spraywork HG Wide Trigger airbrush for the main painting on this model and it has performed brilliantly.Very comfortable to use,easy to clean and can spray nice even wet coats.



Here's another picture of the interior taken in a bit better light.In hindsight I wish I had added straps to the rear of the roll cage,it would have looked better.So would a spare wheel which Tamiya don't include.



Once all the parts are dry I will start to polish them and then onto final assembly.I might prepare the bodywork on my McLaren MP4/5B in the meantime so keep a eye out for an update on that shortly.See you on the next update.

[Hiroboy]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

The Zero Red is brighter than the TS-49.I put the shell next to my completed Evo 7 WRC painted in TS-49 and it looks more vivid.

Looks real nice Steve, do you think it was too bright or Just right ?

[stevenoble]

Originally Posted by Hiroboy

Looks real nice Steve, do you think it was too bright or Just right ?

I think it was perfect Steve.To be fair in the photos above it looks a bit brighter than in real life.I think the camera seems to do that on some colours.I always thought the Tamiya TS-49 although bright was not quite vivid enough.The Zero red just has that bit extra zing.I think it would be perfect for the works Peugeot 307 as well.Thanks for supplying the paint Steve,really appreciated.

[stevenoble]

Just another quick update.The automotive clear dried incredibly fast after a couple of days so I polished up the body to a finish.I was quite pleased overall with the finish.The roof,bootlid and bonnet came up really nice.I used 6000 and 8000 Micromesh and Finishers compounds medium and fine.The sides although not quite as good were passable (they are mostly covered by sponsor markings anyway) I also masked out and spray painted the window rubbers/trim with Vallejo Satin Black.

Side 1



Side 2



The roof I was very pleased with.(the reflection is my bedside lamp)



I also added some simple straps made from red electrical tape to compliment the rear.It looks better than nothing.



And finally the front underguard.Tamiya XF-16 Aluminium and a mix of X-12 Gold and XF-4 Yellow Green to represent the kevlar.



Still got to do the door handles satin black.Then i can press on with the decals on the body,hopefully tomorrow.See you all on the next update.

[davesans]

I don't know how I missed this one I was wondering what you been working on Steve. This is a really clean build looks beautiful great paint job. I see that your not going all out on detailing but the parts you are doing like exhaust look excellent I will have to get myself one of those Tamiya weathering kits.

[Scuderia.]

Great shine on that roof. Polishing can be so satisfy when it goes well, and so frustrating when it goes badly.

[stevenoble]

Just started to add the decals.I'm using a mixture of Tamiya kit decals,Studio 27 Australia 2000,Studio 27 Monte Carlo 1999 and some old decals left over from my Seat Cordoba.This is enabling me to do the 1999 Rally Finland.I will need to make the number plates myself as S3 TMR is not available on any decal sheet.I also need to make two decals for the front bumper APU (I think it is a Finnish TV magazine,if anyone can confirm this??) The car also carries the white Marlboro squares but not the wording.Anyway I've got one side almost finished,here's a couple of progress pictures.





I've also ordered the Scalemotorsport photo etch set as most of the parts are for the outside so I can still add them.I wanted it mainly for the accurate mesh grilles and the rear window vents,bonnet catches etc.It should add a lot to the model.(and it was supposed to be an out of the box build!!!! )See you on the next update.

PS: If anyone happens to be from Finland and they have a copy of APU magazine,if you could scan me the logo so I can create the bumper decals that would be great.Or if anyone has a clear picture of the car from Finland showing the logo that would be a big help.Thanks guys.

[rallymaster]

Hi Steve,

Yes APU is a finish TV magazine...
I don't have the logo but I have already noticed it, too.
For the number plates couldn't you mix some mitsu/GB plates...?

I follow your build closely.

Phil

[Jon MW]

Looking realy nice!

A good place to find the apu logo would be www.apu.fi just hit print screen and cut it out and print. Might not be the biggest pic but I think it should work as the logo on the car is not that big.

[Marco_Wrc]

Excellent work.
Tommi Mak would be proud of you (:

[The Sheene Machine]

Fantastic build Steve - I do love these rally Evo's. Your paint job looks very clean

[stevenoble]

Small update.The main bodyshell is almost completed decal wise.Just a couple of thin silver strips around the rear wheel arches and the Marlboro white squares on the rear doors (just waiting for some white trim film to make them from.)

Drivers side completed.



Front.



And roof.



Couple of pictures test fitted on the chassis.





I also managed to get a good graphic of the 'APU' logo from the website posted above by Jon MW.Thanks for that link.



I cleaned it up a bit in Adobe Illustrator and scaled it to the right size.(the one above is about 5 times bigger than the one for the car) I printed 4 off on clear decal paper so I can put it onto a white circle background and it will give it the correct white edge.Also printed the decals for the number plates front and rear again using Adobe Illustrator.Hoping to do a bit of work on the photoetch grilles tommorrow.The Scalemotorsport set arrived today (thanks Steve at Hiroboy) and it looks excellent.See you on the next update.

[auw12]

You're doing like some textbook! Every thing is just perfect!

[stevenoble]

Another small update.It's taking me some time to do all the little odds and ends,longer than I thought.I got the bodyshell mounted onto the chassis and added some of the remaining decals.The rear bumper was a pain.A strong join was needed as it (and the sills) hold everything in place.But there just isn't enough of a location point to get a good join without glue oozing out of the join line.I made a reasonable job of it,though I ended up using some stretched black sprue in the join line to fill the slight imperfections.Same story on the side sills but these were easier to just touch in with a little thinned paint.The homemade decal for the rear number plate worked well.Rear just needs the lights and boot catches and aeriel on the boot lid.I've also got to add some red squares on top of the white squares to give the correct look to the Marlboro boards (like on the rear doors)





I used the Scalemotorsport etched vents on the bonnet sprayed white and red and was impressed by them.The Tamiya mesh would probably have sufficed but these were all pre cut and ready to use so made the job easier.





The rear spoiler and roof vent were a very easy fit.



Just needs the front bumper and a few associated bits and it's almost finished.Possibly tommorow.

[davesans]

Looking really good Steve are you going to clear coat over the decals?