WIP: Hasegawa Lancia Stratos 1/24 1977 Monte Winner

[SeanyG]

... and the next one on the bench!

OK, OK - I know EVERYONE has built one of these however I never have so there!!!!! This is up there with my all time favourite rally cars but definately is my favourite colour scheme, its gonna be the Alitalia liveried Lancia Stratos driven by Sandro Munari at the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally.

Not only is this my first Stratos its my first Hasegawa model too, I have to say it looks as good as the Tamiya models I have built however the proof is in the baking as they say so we will see along the way.

As I did with my little Renault 5 (http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk/...y_renault5.htm) Im gonna be opening the rear cowl as I have managed to get one of the rare Renassiance (I think) resin engine transkits for the car, I also have some Studio 27 goodies and a further Hasegawa Etch set. I am a little undecided wether or not to open the front yet, apart from the spare wheel I dont think there is an awful lot of further detail in there and I also think hinging it would be tricky too. Any suggestions here would be welcomed.

Anyway, out of all the models I have built so far this is the first car I really am looking forward to finishing as I just think it was and still is a stunning WRC car.

Here's what Im starting with:



and the box of the model...



as always updates will be on here and at my website, simply cannot wait to get going on this one!

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[winstona]

I have built this one before. The only problem with this kit is the design of how the body is fitted onto the chasis. You have to use a lot of finess plus force to get it in. When I built mine, I ended up breaking some parts along the way...Other than that, I really enjoyed building this kit and I do think that detail-wise, this kit is much better than a Tamiya.

Since you are opening up the back, you should not see any of the problems I mentioned! With all the after market goodies you have shown above, the end result should look great!

Winston

[puffyrs]

i'll be watching this one.
But as everyone that has made one would say be careful when fitting the body to the base, it is VERY tight.
Good luck

[gionc]

Searching a bit you'll find the legendary Phil's full open stratos as an inspiration: I don't know if him finished it but it's awesome, also for front section.

Yes is true: there is'nt too much to show in front but the shape and the way to open the cowl is awesome: go for full open.

I'm tuned and courious: I'm collecting some EM V6 dinos for my stratos so don't expect hi-detailed 246 dino from me : only curbside

[chocolate]

[sjelic]

I will folow this one, be carefull with rear wheels position, test fit them first as I had slight wheels problem, they don't go into the centre of the wheel arche (looks like the chasis is a bit to short).

[yelo]

I'm gonna keep this one in the "to watch often " tread...

[SeanyG]

guys, many thanks for all your initial advice, I've had a search through the forums but I dont think 'RallyRaider' finished his stratos, I agree it looks like a fabulous project however the work it is going to take is substantial, will have a long hard think about opening the front, however Im definately opening the rear.
It is obvious from the posts that the shell is a bitch to attach to the chassis once complete so hopefully cutting the back off will help me here.
Should have some initial pics up very soon and thanks again for your interest!

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[RallyRaider]

Good luck with this project Sean, I'm sure you'll do a great job. Quite right I have never finished my opened up Stratos, I had problems with the windscreen surround cracking. But I hope to get back to it one day. Given my problems with the windscreen, I'd suggest it wise to just open up the rear, that is where all the good bits are afterall!

[SeanyG]

Well, That is the right answer Phil, just the rear it is then ;-)

To be honest I really wasnt sure about opening the front from the start, I really hope you can make a success of yours though, deserves a good result for being so brave!

So off we go on another journey of frustration, anger, pleasure, satisfaction, annoyance and delight, all rolled into one - sounds like modeling to me!

First simple stage of removing the rear cowl, no dramas here, I used a needle saw to cut the plastic - I find it to be the best and by far the neatest way



As I type this Im thinking about opening a door although again, this makes me nervous - I may end up showing one of the windows wound down as it were so we will wait and see on that one, Phil how did you find cutting the doors off or again would you recommend removing the back only?

cheers

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[RallyRaider]

I'm sure you could pull off removing a door Sean. Would require a lot of scratchbuilding, both inside the door and of a support structure to hinge it.

[robrex]

Originally Posted by yelo

I'm gonna keep this one in the "to watch often " thread...

Me too!

[Technoman]

Excellent. Amazingly, even as something of a rally nut, I have never built a Stratos! This one looks like it should be great. I will watch with interest.

[SeanyG]

For reference, I have a few photos from the web of the stratos - I also have a few issues of the old Supercars magazines, these are excellent publications and still pretty easy (and cheap) to get hold of on the bay. They also have a some interesting info on the background of cars and their beginnings - I like to add a little history on the car Im building on my website, I just find it interesting to know the how/when/why of a cars evolution.



If anyone has a suggestion for a better book or source of photos feel free to let me know.

Progress to begin with is gonna be a little slow as Im finishing a small Birthday Present project so please bare with me, once thats finished it will be full speed ahead with the Stratos.

Sean
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http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
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[RallyFanatic]

The books "Rally Cars" and "Rally" by Reinhard Klein are very good sources for references on any major rally car.