Need a bit of help with Datsun 240z Rally winner

[mickbench]

Hi,

I know there are a few WRC rally car builders on this site, and I need some advice.

I'm currently finishing up one project, and now have my eyes set on my next. I'm quite taken by the Hasegawa 240z Datsun Rally winner - http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/plamo/

Kit looks great and I was going to get some P/E upgrades but the only set out there is an acu stion set and at £15 I'll not bother with that, but I'm very confused by the build guide.

Image below -



The seat belt shows the decal laying loose around the seat sides and back. The decal supplied is way longer then the seats, how do I fit that? Once I wet the decal it'll flop around, and will be too thin to leave hanging, as the end of the belts have buckles, and I'm very confused by the guide and what I can see.

Anyone built this kit, or know what to do? Cut the decal, and glue on with white glue and not wet perhaps? Anyone know if I can buy something that will make good seatbelts?

thanks.

Picture of the decals if this helps

[RallyRaider]

I'd hazzard that what Hasegawa intend you to do is cut the seatbelt off the decal sheet and apply it still on the backing paper to the seat. i.e. without putting it in water.

There are plenty of good sets for seatbelt hardware about. Modelers make a good, simple one, with plenty of parts for multiple sets (four IIRC).

[MPWR]

Personally, I'd recommend stuffing the kit decals- they're much too thin, flexible, and sticky a material to represent belt webbing well. But there are no shortage of good options for how to replace them.

As RallyRaider suggested, you can cut them out and use them with the decal paper. Another way would be to use them as a pattern and cut them out of soemthing else- Tamiya tape and printer paper are my usual options. I don't tend to like the glossy, printed appearence of decals in this role. Cut strips of paper to suitable length, color them with markers, wet them to make them flexible, and set them in place with white glue. The white belt pads can be cut out seperately, and placed on the belts to give them a thicker, padded appearence.

For a reference on how belt systems should be set up, do a websearch on Sabelt- I seem to remember finding instalation guides online, with ample pics and explanations.

As far as hardware, there are a number of PE sets with buckles and anchors (some better than others). Haven't tried the Modeler's set, but I expect it's decent. Pick your favorite.

By the way, how's the kit? I've seen it in my LHS, and it looks pretty cool....

[malscar]

Mick, Studio 27 are coming out with a p/e upgrade set later this month. Showing on HLJ.

[SteveK2003]

I have only tried the Cam Type harnesses (The other type is for older cars), but the Detail Master set is pretty good, and you get two sets for under $6. They might be a hair small for 1/24 cars, but that's from comparing them to the sets meant for a modern WRCar, so they might work just find with an older racer.

[gpz900ra7]

If you're after some good seat belt material go to the florist and ask for some of the ribbon that's wrapped around flowers, they usually sell it by the metre and it will last for ages and it comes in loads of different colours. It's easy to cut with a straight edge and a sharp blade, I use a water based contact adhesive to stick the edges together.

[cinqster]

Mick,

You can find ribbon in haberdashery and jewellery making shops. They're always worth a visit if you see one and can be a good source for metallic braided wire for fuel lines etc.

Does the kit come with a roll cage? The upper belts mounted to it.

You may find my scans useful...Vric has kindly uploaded them to his page:

http://motorsport.magietec.com/v/Rally/240Z/

John S.

[mickbench]

The kit comes with half a roll cage, its a bar at the back of the seats. So basically, i'd be better of getting some P/E buckles and make my own from ribbon or paper or masking tape or something... I'll do that then, I normally use kit decals, but I really do not like the idea provided.

And MPWR, the kit is great. Very nice moulds, lots of detail and metal transfers. Decals look very good as well, overall from the looks if it, a decent kit.

[drunken monkey]

i've got a semi-related question about this kit.
a while back, i picked up a fujimi 240 zg kit in hk because it has full engine detail. What i really want was a regular 240z but this wasn't available.

can i fit the body from this kit into the chassis of the zg kit or would it be a bit of a chore?

thanks

[freakray]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

i've got a semi-related question about this kit.
a while back, i picked up a fujimi 240 zg kit in hk because it has full engine detail. What i really want was a regular 240z but this wasn't available.

can i fit the body from this kit into the chassis of the zg kit or would it be a bit of a chore?

thanks

Bit of a chore if they're from different manufacturers.

[mickbench]

You'd have more luck perhaps using this -

http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGHC17

With the rally version, and then using the engine from the Fujimi perhaps. But expensive..!! and thats if it worked.. Not got the ZG so couldn't tell for sure.

[drunken monkey]

...sorry for hi-jacking your thread mate....

i'll try and get some quality pics of my ZG body and you can compare it with what you've got.

[hirofkd]

You got it right, RallyRaider. The English caption left out some important words like "with the backing paper." Makes a huge difference, doesn't it? (LOL)

>> drunken monkey
None of Fujimi's 240Z kit has complete engine details. They only have the engine, but there's no details in the engine room, and other items like batteries, inspection lights etc are missing.

So, you can take Fujimi's engine and put it on the Hasegawa kit with ease, like you have to do on the Fujimi kit. You just have to scratchbuild everything else, or use some parts from Revell's fully detailed 240Z kit. The Revell kit is 1/25 scale, so some parts may appear a bit smaller, but it's still useful.

[mickbench]

Right, I do have a few options.

But I’ll steer clear of the eduard ones, as I’ve already got some, and they are naff.

Acu stion belt set. Has everything pre done by the looks of it.

http://www.mediamixhobby.com.sg/cata...oducts_id=2193

Or Reji buckles only. You have to make your own belts. But are a lot cheaper

http://www.mediamixhobby.com.sg/cata...roducts_id=601

Or, a little closer to home, are S27 belt sets –

http://hiroboy.com/catalog/product_i...roducts_id=132

These look to be the same as the acu stion stuff, but slightly cheaper, and based in the UK. Sadly Steve cannot take credit card orders. Paypal of postal order only.

Personally I’m edging towards the acu stion set. At £11 they aren’t cheap but looks like you get a few models out of them. And have nice buckles by the looks if it.

I looked at the detail master website, buckles only, and for the life of me could I find any modelers. Mind you, I only check my normal buying websites, none of these had them. What is the one that gets the majority votes, as I’ve NEVER worked with this stuff before, I always use the kit decals. Sadly.

[SteveK2003]

Yes, Detail Master is an American company and might not have good foreign distribution. You can get that at www.towerhobbies.com and through their website http://www.detailmaster.com/