Le Mans Contest Entry: Jaguar XJR-9LM - Progress

[nmsmith]

Originally Posted by robrex

I don't know whether I should paint the two tone white / lavender or use the kit supplied decals? Any suggestions from someone who has built this kit? All I'm really concerned about is the colour match between TS-37 and the decal. My prefered option is to use the decals.

Hi there,

I just finished the decals (never really known how to pronounce that!) on my XJR-9LM. Pictures to appear in my thread in the new few days. (There's a shameless plug if ever I saw one!)

I used the Studio27 kit for the Silk Cut stickers only, and the Tamiya decals elsewhere. I used TS-37 for the cockpit roof, but used Tamiya decals for the top of the engine cover. My observations are:

• The Studio27 decals are better to work with. They adhere more easily, and are cut more closely to the printed portion.
• The Tamiya decals look as though they have sand or grit under them as they dry, but once completely dry have a good finish. In appearance they are as good as the Studio27 ones.
• The Tamiya decals are slightly more purple, the Studio27 ones are slightly more pink.
• The Studio27 decals are a slightly better match for TS-37.

One warning: be very careful where you paint the purple border round the front of the car. The yellow stripes go square around the "Silk Cut" purple badge over the front wheels, and they can cover up any inaccuracies with the border. However the purple border on my car shows through the yellow stripe.

Either careful painting or more opaque decals are required. Maybe the Studio27 ones will be better in this respect too.

Best wishes: you have a fantastic looking model so far!

[robrex]

Originally Posted by nmsmith

Hi there,

I just finished the decals (never really known how to pronounce that!) on my XJR-9LM. Pictures to appear in my thread in the new few days. (There's a shameless plug if ever I saw one!)

I used the Studio27 kit for the Silk Cut stickers only, and the Tamiya decals elsewhere. I used TS-37 for the cockpit roof, but used Tamiya decals for the top of the engine cover. My observations are:

• The Studio27 decals are better to work with. They adhere more easily, and are cut more closely to the printed portion.
• The Tamiya decals look as though they have sand or grit under them as they dry, but once completely dry have a good finish. In appearance they are as good as the Studio27 ones.
• The Tamiya decals are slightly more purple, the Studio27 ones are slightly more pink.
• The Studio27 decals are a slightly better match for TS-37.

One warning: be very careful where you paint the purple border round the front of the car. The yellow stripes go square around the "Silk Cut" purple badge over the front wheels, and they can cover up any inaccuracies with the border. However the purple border on my car shows through the yellow stripe.

Either careful painting or more opaque decals are required. Maybe the Studio27 ones will be better in this respect too.

Best wishes: you have a fantastic looking model so far!

Nick, does the studio 27 decal kit have all the decals for the kit?

[robrex]

Some more photo updates:

The chassis and interior is almost finished. I have just got to detail the opened door and it's ready.


Here is a view from behind the car


Close up of the engine bay


I'm just waiting on the decals from HLJ. I decided to go with the Studio 27 decals because they are printed by Cartograf which usually are excellent quality. I didn't want to risk the colour showing through the yellow stripes.

[StephenDeli]

Looks great, I seriously beleive this has a great chance of winning!

What scale CF did you use on the diffuser?

[robrex]

Originally Posted by StephenDeli

What scale CF did you use on the diffuser?

All the CF decals are 1/24 scale from Scale Motorsport

[Nobbys Nuts]

Excellent job as usual Rob. Your models always amaze me with the attention to detail. The carbon decals look like SMS 1024, the same decals I just got for my Possum Bourne subaru. Would I be right on this assumption or should I be looking at a different set - looks the same though.

[Spitfire7]

Nice work on the engine!

[nmsmith]

Rob,

There are two sets of Studio27 decals. The smaller set which I bought is just an upgrade kit, to amend the missing Silk Cut labels. The larger one, I believe, is a complete set.

If building the kit again I would certainly choose to go for the complete Studio27 kit, as both the quality and the purple colour match were slightly better.

Another thing I did, which I would recommend, was paint the cockpit roof in TS-37, rather than use the decal. There are some details there, such as the upper door hinge and the aerial mount, which would probably be quite hidden by decals. That is unless decal solvent would cure that.

Still looking superb, by the way.

[robrex]

Originally Posted by Nobbys Nuts

Excellent job as usual Rob. Your models always amaze me with the attention to detail. The carbon decals look like SMS 1024, the same decals I just got for my Possum Bourne subaru. Would I be right on this assumption or should I be looking at a different set - looks the same though.

Tony, yes all the Carbon fibre is SMS set 1024. How is the Rex going?

[Nobbys Nuts]

Came to a temporary halt while I sourced and purchased all the decals, transkits, Tamiya kits to use as base of model for all Possum cars from 1999 to 2003. Ready to go again now, just need to find the time. Hopefully tomorrow.

[hrmodeler]

Great detailing!

[willimo]

I don't want to be in the LeMans contest anymore...

Hot work! I don't comment enough here in the motorsport section. Totally amazing work.

[robrex]

Well the decals from S27 arrived (ST27-DC686C) and they are excellent quality as you would expect. The only problem: they don't include the yellow stripes! I think I may have to get the re-release kit now because I think the decals were re-printed by Cartograf?
Does anyone know for sure?

[BRM]

Outstanding. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[robrex]

Great news for me! : The Tamiya kit arrived today with the Cartograf decals. They are excellent quality as you would expect. I'll still use the S27 decals for the silk cut logo's so it wasn't a waste of money.
I'm thinking of putting the Tamiya original decals on then masking around them for the lilac sections. Once done putting the new decals on top??
Is that a good idea???

I'm away this week so I'll post some update photo's after the weekend (That's if I can stop working on my TRD 3000GT - I can't stop detailing the motor!)