Alpine A110 1600SC

[mrawl]

Looking great, I like it! I have this one on my stash but at this rate I can only dreaming of ever getting to it. I'll just watch you instead I think

[godfather23]

Oh yeah, I like the effort you´re putting into the chassis. Well done and interesting color.

One thing I would rethink if I were you is the shiny dashboard. But that is me not knowing whether the Alpine had shiny material to cover the dash - it just looks odd to me...

The rest is just as nice as it comes.

Robert

[jano11]

A little update!

Progress is rather slow on this one.
Paint was very difficult to polish because of all the molded in details.
I've used BMF for the first time, and I can't say I'm enthusiastic about the results or by the process itself, very time and nerves consuming.

The fit of the clear parts (especially the ones for the main headlights) isn't as good as I would have expected from Tamiya.

A few pictures, to illustrate the situation:






A few mock ups with the windshield (I'll have to add the chrome trim before I glue it on).



Comments and suggestions are welcome!

PS: I hope I'll be able to post more updates tomorrow.

[rockinanko]

jano my man!

i kinda like the cleanliness of your build so far.
no, nothing is slow if you wanna a mastergrade build...
to rush is as good as going out & buy a die-cast instead.

keep working!

[klutz_100]

Looking first class IMO

Lovely paint work and the BMF has been done very nicely.

(this kit is a candidate for some Giotronic P/E IMHO )

[jano11]

Originally Posted by rockinanko

jano my man!

i kinda like the cleanliness of your build so far.
no, nothing is slow if you wanna a mastergrade build...
to rush is as good as going out & buy a die-cast instead.

keep working!

Thanks Marc!
I'm trying to do my best, but sometimes I just run out of patience.
It will certainly not be a master grade build, but I hope it will be my best up to now.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

Looking first class IMO

Lovely paint work and the BMF has been done very nicely.

(this kit is a candidate for some Giotronic P/E IMHO )

Thanks Steven!

I'm not particularly happy with how the paint looks, the base coat looks like it's somewhat wrinkled under the clear coat (couldn't sand it as it's metallic), and the clear coat is smooth but not enough.

As for the BMF, don't even remind me about it. Some parts I had to do at least 3 times, others I just didn't bother anymore.

Worse part of it is that the side windows don't fit anymore because of the paint and the BMF!
I'm thinking about replacing them with some clear plastic sheet, but than the pillars will look way too thick.

You are right, this kit could benefit from some of Gio's PE parts wonders, but I doubt it would be financially viable, didn't see too many of them being built.

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by jano11

I doubt it would be financially viable, didn't see too many of them being built.

Haven't seen too many 356s before either. Chicken and egg my son, chicken and egg......

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by jano11

I've used BMF for the first time, and I can't say I'm enthusiastic about the results or by the process itself, very time and nerves consuming.

Can't see why. I'd say you got it spot on, it looks terrific. I love this car (and kit)- I'd say you're doing it justice.

When I'm going to use BMF for trim on a body, before priming and painting I like to scribe the edges of the chrome trim with a thin PE saw. Having a small gap between the chrome bit and the body makes it easier to know where to cut the foil, and I think it improves the appearance also. Obviously it's a bit late here, but next time you might find that it improves your enjoyment a bit.

Not sure about a PE set, though. I can think of very little on the kit that would look better in etched metal than plastic. Maybe some seatbelt hardware, and maybe some mounting flanges for the Webers (if you wanted to do the surgery to add them)- but otherwise it seems to me that it would be hard to improve. What would you guys have made in PE for it?

[jano11]

Originally Posted by MPWR

When I'm going to use BMF for trim on a body, before priming and painting I like to scribe the edges of the chrome trim with a thin PE saw. Having a small gap between the chrome bit and the body makes it easier to know where to cut the foil, and I think it improves the appearance also. Obviously it's a bit late here, but next time you might find that it improves your enjoyment a bit.

Thanks for your comment and for the very useful tip, I'll try it on my next builds.

Originally Posted by MPWR

Not sure about a PE set, though. I can think of very little on the kit that would look better in etched metal than plastic. Maybe some seatbelt hardware, and maybe some mounting flanges for the Webers (if you wanted to do the surgery to add them)- but otherwise it seems to me that it would be hard to improve. What would you guys have made in PE for it?

As you said:
1. seat belt
2. mounting flanges for the carbs

I would add:
3. windshield wipers
4. brakes (can certainly be improved)
5. mounting flanges for the exhaust
6. the chrome trim on the sides and on the front hood top
7. front and rear hood hinges (I know Iwould have preferred Tamiya to make them separate from the main body shell)
8. steering wheel
9. window cranks
10. a few circles to improve those instruments on the dashboard
11. the 1600 SC trim that it's done with decals over metal transfers ca also be improved
12. PE backing for various front and rear lights
13. brake, acceleration and clutch pedals
14. radiator faces (the plastic one isn't really up to the rest of the kit)
15. front and rear plate

What I would have loved to have in the kit is a firing distributor, I'lll have to make on myself or buy one online.

Parts for both civil and rally versions can be included, it would make for a nice PE set,with around 40 parts (I saw plenty of them with no more than 10 parts).
Still I'm not sure if it would be financially viable as the car isn't nowhere near as popular as Ferraris or Porsches.
I would have bought one of these when I started this build, as I searched for a set for the Alpine and only found the one for the rally version at around 17€ + 3€ shipping costs and with way to few parts for the civil version.