Ferrari 512S, Fujimi/Heller 1/24

[MarcoSaupe]

I finished another kit... and ruined my nerves in the process.

I have the feeling that all the kits of the cars I like to build are really bad. I know, that this is just a reissue of the old Heller kit, but considering the price Fujimi sells it for as new... The moulds have some defects, the tires are a joke, the exhaust... well, I mean, I know they don't change the kit when doing a reissue (except for nice decals), but if the quality is that bad, they really should not sell it for the same price as a newly moulded one.

The fit was as expected then, I did not make the rear cover swing open, it's just put on loosely. I cut the front of the bottom plate, and glued it to the main body first, because otherwise you would end up with a gap on the front. It still didn't fit 100% with the lights in the middle, but as the real car had a front covered in tape, I hid that under some painted Tamiya tape.
Regarding the real car: you can't build the 28 as (correctly) depicted on the cover because it had big, white outlets on the rear cover... but the kit has not. It's also hard to see in the instructions, which of the 4 versions had which mirrors and which rear flaps, and I don't think it's just my lack of Japanese, the pics are not clear, too.

Anyway, I painted it with Zero Rosso 70s 80s, Zero 1k clear, Alclad Alu and some Chrome for the fuel filler caps, TS29 and some Auqacolors I used to hand brush small parts, like the dials in the cockpit or the tire markings. And a big thumbs up to pattex liquid instant glue

Hope you like it anyway.

[ffreak]

OH my goodness !!! That is a beautiful build of a beautiful car !!! I have that kit myself and I know how difficult it must have been. I've been too scared to build mine. Way to go !!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Well, I've had my share of crap models that turn out pretty decent, and this one manages to look like it came from Mr. Tamiya's own factory, very well done

[BVC500]

Yes, very nicely done despite working with a bad kit!

[360spider]

Despite the problems, you managed to build fantastic model that looks absolutely stunning. Great photos too.

[dieteufel]

Well done!!! The 512 looks great.
I do the 330 P4 kit from Heller and I had same problems.

[JesusM]

Very clean and very well done!! Congratulations!! (I'll take your notes for the future when this car pass to the desk)

[LeeABC]

Great build of what sounds like a poor kit, well done!
Lee

[rgriffs]

sure is a poor kit, i built two, one for me and one for a mate who gave me the kits to do. i threw away the exhausts and tyres and made my own, still not really pleased with it, but yours looks excellent.

[Eric Cole]

Looks fantastic. If mine comes out half this nice I'll be pleased.

[kopperkart]

Your excellent results offer encouragement. I have had the kit for years and need motivation to attempt the build.

[euro_z]

gorgeous!!

[lemansnut]

Great looking build of one of my favorite race cars! I personally didn't think the kit was that bad, especially considering that the tooling is about 40 years old.

Mike

[MarcoSaupe]

Thanks all

I personally didn't think the kit was that bad

The sprues with the body were OK, but the sprues with the mechanical parts and the quality of the tires were not good, maybe the moulds have suffered going from Heller to Protar to Wave to Union to Fujimi...

[crisjr]

Really nice model.. 5 star.. for sure!!