Tamiya 1/24 Mazda RX-7 FD-3S

[360spider]

All right, let's keep the ball rolling. Pandemic build #7 will be RX-7. Coincidence? Umm, yes.



Last iteration of the "rotary rocket" and most beautiful of the RXs (in my opinion). Will be building JDM version of the car (FD3S) and as such I got this re-issue of the*24110 kit from Tamiya.*





Many of you are familiar with the kit - its a simple curbside vs their R1 kit that has full engine detail.



The color will be Innocent Blue Mica.

[360spider]

Painted the body. Must say, I have never seen a Tamiya plastic that was THIS soft. Was quite a job to re-scribe these panel lines - the blade kept slipping out or digging into the line. Don't know if its the problem with the re-issue of the kit. In any case - body was cleaned, re-scribed, and primered:

IMG_1829 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

I had glued the hood shut, and it also took some work to make sure the panel is aligned properly on the sides and shut lines are even - Tamiya didnt' do a good job there.

IMG_1830 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

All body color parts in primer ready for paint:

IMG_1833 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Innocent Blue Mica is a two stage paint, so first coat was done and left to cure:

IMG_1834 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then second color coat was sprayed for this deep, vibrant blue:

IMG_1838 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1837 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

And then clearcoated with 2K clear - the paint turned out fantastic, if I say so myself

IMG_1856 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1854 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1859 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1850 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

[potsie]

Can't argue; the paint looks sensational! Another box-stock Tamiya?

[360spider]

Originally Posted by potsie

Can't argue; the paint looks sensational! Another box-stock Tamiya?

Thank you! Yes, another box-stocker - all these builds are for box-stock contest on another website - I just got carried away cause they are so fun to do, and these are the kits that I don't really want to spend time detailing anyway.

[Captain Mark]

Agreed, that paintwork and also the colour choice came out awesome!

[Kjenjak]

Originally Posted by 360spider

the paint turned out fantastic, if I say so myself

It did indeed!

[360spider]

Thanks guys!

All right, continuing with this one after a short break. Painted chassis parts in base colors:

IMG_1919 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then I detail painted the chassis and suspension bits:

IMG_1933 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1932 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Front suspension completed:

DSC_0100 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Rear too:

DSC_0097 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Finished chassis:*

DSC_0096 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0094 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Painted, decaled and assembled the wheels:

DSC_0110 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Mocked up overall to check the stance and fit. I think the front track is a bit too wide, I'll see what I can do about that later.

DSC_0120 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0118 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0115 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0114 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

[ulap1]

Beautiful. I like subtle weathering and highlighting of fine details of chassis

[360spider]

Originally Posted by ulap1

Beautiful. I like subtle weathering and highlighting of fine details of chassis

Thanks!

OK, I have finished the interior. Long time ago, I saw an RX-7 with a bright red interior.*Decided this one will have that! Painted all parts in their base colors:

IMG_1923 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then detail painted all the little bits, masked and painted interior tub black, and assembled the dash:

IMG_1987 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_2896 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1995 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Aaaand the interior is done:

IMG_2006 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_2007 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_2009 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_2011 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_2012 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

I feel I'm slowing down, but I'm on a home stretch!

[360spider]

Time to finish up this one as well.

Most tedious work was to paint the taillights - Tamiya gives very vague outline of the lights and it was nightmare of masking, color separation, and making sure the colors don't bleed over each other. Turned out ok in the end, but what a cluster..k!

IMG_8712 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Painted reflectors with chrome marker:

IMG_2092 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Tail end all assembled:

DSC_0139 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Windows, wipers, wing:

DSC_0144 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Chassis glued to the body:

DSC_0141 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Done!

DSC_0126 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0124 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0133 by Italian Horses, on Flickr