1/8 Porsche 935/78 'Moby Dick'

Hello Alex,

Well, better to find out now, than after spending hours applying the Martini stripes! It's weird (to me, anyhow - most people reading this thread are probably already thinking 'I know why that's happened'!) but there was no indication of trouble while the filler was being applied and smoothed, or during the priming and painting stage - and this all happened over a period of several weeks. It's only in the last couple of weeks that I've noticed the problem, but we've had this warm / dry weather in the UK for the last month (makes a change from the normal wet summer, I suppose). For what it's worth I've been using Mr Hobby 'Mr White Putty' - has anyone else had problems with this, or could it be a combination of temperature, poor application, etc? I did wonder if some of it could be caused by the panel flexing and twisting - as it's not completely rigid - but most of the crazing is in areas where I can't imagine there's any flexing going on.

I've been busy enough working on getting the roof fitted, etc, so I've not investigated further. I need to check the fit of these panels onto the car, so once that's done I'll probably set-to with the coarse wet-n-dry and see what's what. Worst case scenario is that I have to completely re-paint both panels, but I can't leave them as they are. I know my photos aren't always great, but even I would struggle to cover up this problem! At least I've had the practice of painting them the first time around...

SB

Mr hobby filler is lacquer based and will react with your automotive primer? I find they don't play nice. Nor does the green toluene stuff either. Not unless you are putting acrylic on top. Milliput is a pain but works fine.. even better is real car body filler but it need to gas out for a bit even after it has 'gone off'.

Just for example my 360 had a perfect bonnet and days later it started showing shrinking and warping of filler under paint. Painful but a lesson learned. :(

Hello again,

I've had a productive few weeks - one of the main reasons for not posting more updates is that if I'm not careful I'll end up showing too much! It's at the stage now where the end is very much in sight, so I want the final reveal to be a good one.

One of the other reasons for not updating more often is that Photobucket just seems to be less reliable than before. I uploaded six photos for this post...four arrived in my account, two are still in transit and might arrive sometime tomorrow. Kinda annoying, really...

Anyway, after sanding back the cracked areas on the bodywork, I'm of the opinion that the cracks are actually in the top layer of the fibreglass, rather than purely in the paint, primer or filler. Maybe the filler has caused the cracking, as most of the affected areas were in places where the filler had been applied more heavily - but it's a bit of a new one to me. Lesson for the future - put more work into smoothing the fibreglass before applying the filler!

Despite cutting everything back with various grades of paper to a smooth finish, the fine cracks re-appeared after the primer was applied. At this stage I'm resigned to living with it - I'm not prepared to strip back these parts again, and I'm not even sure how to best deal with the cracks given that I'm convinced they're in the fibreglass. I could apply more resin and sand it back again, but the cracks are so fine that you'd end up removing about 99% of the resin!

It's not a disaster. Some of the areas will be covered by decals, some by more paint, and the rest will just have to be as it is. There's enough other bits on the model that won't be totally perfect. Besides, after forty years there's probably a few gel-cracks on the full-size car, so I'm actually being quite accurate...!

So, first photo tonight:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1265_zpsi5jxvwec.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1265_zpsi5jxvwec.jpg.html)

To avoid the warping that affected the first engine cover panel (after I cut and glued it to adjust the shape) I modified the mould and re-made it. I added some more width along the sides, and tweaked the curve where it meets the two outer wing panels. Having fixed the positions of these two (more on this later) I could trim the new engine cover to suit. I removed the styrene surround from the grill opening on the Mk1 panel and re-fitted this to the Mk2.

Underneath, there's a length of 4mm box-section across the full width which attaches to a couple of mounting sections which locate positively onto the chassis outriggers. The wing support posts are pinned into this, and I also re-used parts of the original support blocks. Higher up in the engine bay I've added a couple of brackets to the frame, and have drilled and pinned the panel in place. Once it's on, it's on!

The trim tabs on the back edge are made from 0.016" aluminium. I spent several hours working on these - straightening out the ali after cutting, marking and drilling the holes, getting them bent to shape, etc. Styrene would have been easier in some respects, but it would have been difficult to get the bends, and they would have needed painting afterwards. In ali, they just need to be glued and pinned in place and that's it. While I was at it, I also made the gurney for the main wing:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1267_zpsenz0xedb.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1267_zpsenz0xedb.jpg.html)

The main reason for making these when I did was that I wanted to drill all the mounting holes before priming and re-painting the various panels they would be attached to. I lost a bit of the paint when I drilled through the lower bumper section earlier, so this was a situation I was keen to avoid repeating.

All the outer panels for the rear of the car have now been re-primed and re-sprayed with three coats of Tamiya X-2 white. Rubbed-down with fine Micromesh in between coats, and a spray of 'Purity Seal' varnish afterwards before applying decals...

At the front, after re-primering the nose I made the decision to cut the two sets of bonnet louvres. I've fitted the exit ducts from the front rads (photo missing) so could adjust the position of the template to get the louvres in just about the right place. As with the rear, I reckon each slot took about 45 minutes to drill, cut, file and fettle into shape...good job I was on holiday last week and could spend the time 'getting in the zone'!

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1266_zpsctrv0ok0.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1266_zpsctrv0ok0.jpg.html)

Despite my best efforts it was inevitable that there would be some slips and mishaps, and you can see some marks in the primer. This justifies my decision to cut them now, as I would be cursing if I'd just marked some carefully painted (or decalled) Martini stripes.

Speaking of decals, I've started applying them to some of the panels. Here's the bonnet in progress:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1268_zps3hc375qk.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1268_zps3hc375qk.jpg.html)

I've printed out some more versions of the small Porsche shield to fit between the 'Martini' and 'Shell' logos and will apply this later during the week - I just need to check some more photos to confirm the style. The engine cover is done, I've got the decals ready for the lower bumper, and the wing and end-plates are ready for assembly.

So, lots going on, and still more to do. I'll give all the decalled panels another coat of Purity Seal to seal them in, and then I can paint the inner faces, etc. Hopefully I can get the rear wing assembled this week and with the grill fitted that would be the engine cover finished.

The nose and door extension panels need another coat of primer before spraying the top coats, then I have to make a decision on the stripes. Still work to be done on the doors and window frames, but that's under control. My main concern is that we'll soon be into September, so I've maybe got five or six weeks before the weather starts getting Autumnal - it's bad enough that it's now getting dark before 9.00pm! If I'm going to paint any element of the stripes, it's got to be in these next few weeks - anything after that will be indoor jobs.

That's it for today - have a good week.

SB

Amazing job on opening the louvers! I could never do this straight, and end up messing things up. I guess it is a bit easier on a larger scale, but this is just me making excuses!
Looks superb as always.

I dare to make a little critic sb.
Note I think u are the best modeller around in those kinda models and your work is the most impressive i´ve ever seen.

I think however there is something mistaken in the lines of the front windshield, as if the main frame doesnt have the proper shape.
In 911s usually it comes forward, I dunno how to explain this properly but I think u understand what I mean.
I try add 2 pics to make you understand what I dare to say.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gP1HFr_dFuQtta8fZk7NwU1FR1ufzaA6aJ4V6qMvlYetsc7Bo2 BbU67iQbCD96m3Y5qchdmPPzxvbdaPRMJr84Nh6byNbudWPaSu YPMkAfvqxZc6y5fokTwMSfrUijg94RQStlix9nhLBi-tmpsZwvJTpBlsv4EBEZCkLDY3rzWZc2wk-2oqt76qPYWbYUcrkMvS1PtoUQJS6Fh16L2yHqtDSsW53h35-IzC91PCXKUYSxXBbNsPW0j-_u1UvR7nPAfmBopfrAbabhuRf-16j3YrC5XNlWmPV4mESAnwWa2mw1wEJoLklkHbiNc0i6ZQn6yN 7lFok5L4RgyYMyssMsoLPocOe4bhco24FEcXNmZuUXuHPreuhx IGcijNyZt1M7vd3aLIxi-5FOQyMqCuudNHgDrP8z94YYtOBUUIfqp6rbR_LFwzD0AoFtdyA XLifEBp6Z1vFMhLMiqottgd6lgWi5IUE3JPK9XfyvqOm1PeycS xHbKoKvf_1P2hxvLknDuMoc0ekPsuxPaN3B2X4InLIzSehPU78 PX19uQCqp5LBiRDldrbV38nW0VqCF2cYLDDCy4A1nxGlBy27Ng 11XFt7WNLO7B2rlkKVCJW5ucoIFEMd-4vskYZWYiEzA7T57_bbHvaj5DUSrvvRpXafqWDH3rBP7g__A=w 447-h794-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f2fdSFtqkwZQ6P5pfo710o62qQw46eyvkqgpzznbGQvmaJlQzb oBMNX_VdYw68V99x8ZkoU2D-3nxakW04bbHKlzqmiIJb0h4Q6etARt54vkvsQPHPsvTo1tNdI5 _W19FhS8j0cYlJ6B7bieoj3ZzJklo6NH9r0ZoldL2WLmt0HYmd DfXnRBE3IxPywd_ByGZl3-XFxbo7mYa7iVKJzfpPLUI-1ZtyMiEwCoRyeNL8cdRzAEOG3yKX4-AdcfOvNnXUidkADdzw2j51MtVgppIp6an8Q5OsLpfX15c3BBpt aUOZAFQv6rwcOFjmqCmEcH-2og8h-qftYY2zc-I5J3elzP3QcYGwW3Om2tMIlNv9L6eMTOYhRpK8IsqFHPDwGrpw l_sptmViubCs8ztDkThAmkdn_U2Y1LtOcD_FLx6XhAUzqG_Aui 9GyewHPAFVbqdDtGiqM4pzuXa05V4HX-b8vtLJbcLd-8vbDbGxcFuwAkdhoq6kg0tCTLR8l6_HaJNa0ZTi5XUDGvdwwN5 4FIKCHcK1Pmf0SkO8KfmAJDyW6N8tRFr41OZ5hxnAdkDxzbvln a-7rfmIQe-WNIJB8idtgt1jt6YNmg5YYJDZksJ9Ra2p9vEs904mBRTjeUbbB 940WEkNUzmIJQpdUR3792SZ94EAMjoctrFA=w447-h794-no

I dunno if it is still possible to correct it, probably not cause u mention that passage as a non returning point in the build up.
I hope you understand for me is very hard to move ANY kind of criticism to an amazing skilled modeller as you are.

Blimey, Paolo - couldn't you have mentioned this about two years ago?!

No, it's okay! I understand what you're saying - I've just taken some more photos tonight which are more of a match for the details you've indicated. If Photobucket performs, I'll try to post them up tomorrow. The current shape of the windscreen is actually different from how I first made it - you can see here how I extended the curve of the top edge, as I wasn't happy with the original:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby996_zps8xveuqsb.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby996_zps8xveuqsb.jpg.html)

...and the original:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby913_zpsutj1v8he.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby913_zpsutj1v8he.jpg.html)

I said a long time ago that the accuracy of this project was going to be limited by the lack of hard information - there's going to be plenty of details on this that are not 100% correct! Getting the roof and glasshouse to actually come together as a whole has been one of the biggest challenges of all, and I'm pleasantly surprised it works as well as it does. I've certainly passed the point of no return, though...!

The main reason for updating tonight, though, is that I've had a successful week with the paintwork. As well as continuing to work on assembling the rear wing and engine cover, I've been working towards getting some stripes on the rear wheelarches. Plan A - mask and airbrush the red section, then add the blue stripes with decals.

I made a template for the shape of the panel from draughting film and marked up where the stripes were going to be - cross-referencing the Tamiya decal sheet with period photos and photos of both the Museum car and the Freisinger rebuild confirmed that the livery is slightly different on all of them! However, as I would be scanning the Tamiya decals, that was what I had to work to.

I photocopied the template, and used this to add 2mm Tamiya vinyl masking tape to start blocking out the red section:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1271_zps3liim7mz.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1271_zps3liim7mz.jpg.html)

Two more masks were added for the white areas at each end, again, lined with the 2mm vinyl. More draughting film and regular masking tape was used to protect the rest of the panels from overspray. In all, it took over an hour to apply all the masking to each panel.

Rather than airbrusing straight over the white with X-7 Red, I applied a basecoat of TS-31 Bright Orange from a can. The red airbrushed over this with no problems - just a couple of light coats - and looks better for it:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1272_zpsocpwz9xa.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1272_zpsocpwz9xa.jpg.html)

So, I started masking the first panel at about 10.00am yesterday, sprayed the first orange coat at about 11.30am, then started masking the second. By about 2.00pm I'd airbrushed both panels with the red and left them to dry. I didn't want to leave the masking on any longer than necessary, so by late afternoon I started to carefully remove it:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1273_zpsdvuyhd8q.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1273_zpsdvuyhd8q.jpg.html)

Success! No problems with the masking at all - no paint removed, crisp lines, and only a couple of small areas where I had slight overspray onto the white. These were rectified this afternoon with 8000-grade Micromesh and water. So, the plan is working - so far. I'm sure you can all understand how pleased (and relieved) I feel - I was very nervous about doing this, and it would have been a major disappointment if it didn't go to plan.

Earlier in the week I started working with the decal sheet to pick out the sections I would need and begin re-sizing them, prior to printing them on decal film. I've also been tidying up the edges and improving the colour. I printed a few this afternoon on photo paper (to check the colour) and couldn't resist trying them in position:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1274_zpszqa4tzwg.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1274_zpszqa4tzwg.jpg.html)

Suddenly, the finish line seems that little bit closer!

So, this week's project will be to keep working on the rest of the stripes for the rear arches, get them printed onto clear decal paper, and maybe apply them to the panels next weekend. The upper stripes will almost certainly have to be split into two or three parts to curve properly; they also flow onto the top of the panel and over some of the louvres, so that's the next challenge.

Then it will be time to start on the nose...

SB

YOu are right, I hope I could advise you 2 years ago. Problem was I didn’t notice this issue until you place the clear part on the windshield frame now, after the point of non return.

Keep on this amazing model sb.

Nice!
Seeing your hand next to the fender once again made me realize how huge this thing it!

Right, here's a couple of photos which hopefully confirm that the windscreen is closer to the correct shape:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1276_zpseg1srkme.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1276_zpseg1srkme.jpg.html)

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1275_zpswy53eepr.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1275_zpswy53eepr.jpg.html)

The original curve of the top edge was definitely much flatter, and would have caused problems when it came to fitting the windscreen. I extended the curve so it was more a of a match for the lower edge, and I'm happy with the result. Life was so much easier when I was making models that didn't have roofs!

Here are the two photos that didn't upload properly last night. Here's the underside of the engine cover, with the length of 4.8mm box running across, the reinforcing plates where the wing posts connect, and the two mounting 'cups' which locate onto the ends of the chassis outrigger tubes. Once it's in place, it's quite secure - especially when I add a couple of body pins at the front corner.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1269_zpsdixkzylf.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1269_zpsdixkzylf.jpg.html)

I wanted to drill and pin the ali gurney tabs, as I wasn't convinced how good a purely glued joint would be. I also needed the help to get it aligned properly during assembly! The pins are all 0.8mm styrene rod, with a washer added at each end, and glued together. They've all been trimmed to length now, and the underside of the panel painted black.

Here's the assembled rear wing and engine cover:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1270_zps8fg6ds6d.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1270_zps8fg6ds6d.jpg.html)

The black grille was recovered from the mk1 cover and glued into position. The wing itself is fully glued and pinned together now, but is currently a (very firm) push-fit into the bodywork. I don't want to risk gluing it in, and setting up a possible distortion.

That's me up to date for now. Still got plenty to do with the two doors, but nothing that should be affected by the weather getting Autumnal over the coming weeks. In between working on the decals for the rear arches I'll be sorting out the patterns and masks for the nose section - probably won't be ready to spray the red this weekend, but hopefully next weekend. If all the airbrushing is done by the end of this month, I'll be happy.

Have a good week,

SB

Lots of tasty bits in your photos. Enjoy reading/watching your work.

So, you know how it is when you've got everything worked out in your head about what you're going to do, and how you're going to do it. A plan, right? Well, I had one of those - paint the red section of the Martini stipes, fiddle around with the 1/24 decal sheet, adjust them to suit, print them out, apply to the bodywork. A really great plan.

Then I had a shower. Nothing odd about that, just a normal early morning shower as part of my normal morning routine. During the course of the shower, I somehow convinced myself that, actually, painting the stripes was definitely the way to go. What could possibly go wrong...?

So, using the patterns I'd made to work out the decal shapes, I masked-up the lower sections of stripes on the two rear wheelarch extensions. I would spray the X14 Sky Blue first, re-mask the bits I wanted to stay this colour, then re-spray with the X3 Royal Blue:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1280_zpscnyjdbim.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1280_zpscnyjdbim.jpg.html)

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1281_zps4ivysuid.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1281_zps4ivysuid.jpg.html)

It took most of Saturday morning to get both panels masked and sprayed with the Sky Blue. The Royal Blue went on mid-afternoon, and by late afternoon I was un-masking...

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1282_zpsdeehf4xe.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1282_zpsdeehf4xe.jpg.html)

If you thought I was pleased with how the red sections turned out last week, you can imagine how I felt when I saw these! Even at this stage they make the car look totally different from the plain white I've become used to.

So, by Saturday night I'm thinking that maybe on Sunday I can get the upper stripes painted too. I played around with draughting film patterns again, but as the upper stripes also cover part of the sides too, I decided to mask them free-hand with the white Tamiya tape:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1283_zpsesuywtrt.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1283_zpsesuywtrt.jpg.html)

As I hadn't had any issues with the Tamiya vinyl tape I was confident that this would be okay - no lifting so far. As before, I made sure the rest of the panel was protected from overspray, then applied the Sky Blue and then the Royal Blue. Here's the end result:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1284_zpsphxb0o0j.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1284_zpsphxb0o0j.jpg.html)

There was a couple of small patches of blow-under, easily fixed again with fine Micromesh. The masking over the louvre slots worked well - a little touching-up required this week, but no big deal. But you know what? Right now I just don't care! I am so happy with these! This is the most complicated bit of masking and spraying I've ever done, and it has worked out so much better than I dared to hope. I'm itching to mount them on the car and show you the photos, but I'm at the stage now where I don't want to spoil the surprise!

So, all I have to do now is to make any corrections, varnish them, add a couple of decals, re-varnish and then paint the insides.

At this stage I should point out that my first priority at the weekend was actually to paint the red section on the nose. First up, use the paper template to apply the 3mm vinyl tape:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1277_zps7dyiki2m.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1277_zps7dyiki2m.jpg.html)

X7 Red over TS31 Bright Orange:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1278_zpss7dhipm2.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1278_zpss7dhipm2.jpg.html)

...and the end result:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1279_zps8bponfax.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1279_zps8bponfax.jpg.html)

The trailing edges will extend onto the door extension panels, but I'll mask and paint these later once the doors are fitted. Next Saturday I'll spray the inner section of the blue stripes, and the following weekend I'll add the band around the mid-section / headlights / cooling ducts. Mustn't forget to spray the mesh grille too.

The only problem I have now is that it's too dark to paint in the evening when I get home from work, and I won't have any more holiday until (hopefully) sometime in November. So, it's just weekends for painting from now on...and the waiting is killing me! Still, there's other things to do in the mean-time, so I'll just have to use the time productively.

As always, have a good week,

SB

Holy.....that looks fantastic!! Brilliant work with the masking and spraying, I am envious of your skills!

Terrific masking job!

So looking forward to the finished product but I'll miss the build. :/

Strange thing about the shower and its capacity to make\break plans.

Stripes look fantastic, about like the rest of your work... ;)

ianc

Amazing paint job!!!!!

Back again.

I'm very much moving into the end-game on this project now - lots of jobs on the 'to do' lists being crossed off, and a set of bodywork which has totally transformed the look of the car. It's killing me that I'm not posting lots of photos showing the overall view, but I'm really looking forward to when it's complete (hopefully in a few weeks time).

So, a few things tonight to get us sort-of up to date. Here's a rear view of the engine cover with wing fitted, plus the three ali gurneys across the back of the main bodywork:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1285_zpscvaxan0x.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1285_zpscvaxan0x.jpg.html)

At the rear edge of the wing flap you can see one of the two curved adjuster plates which would allow the end-plates to be rotated as the wing was moved, keeping them upright.

Next up, here's the nose with the full set of sprayed Martini stripes:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1287_zpshghbgpgi.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1287_zpshghbgpgi.jpg.html)

Over the last two weekends I first sprayed the upper/inner set of blue bands, then the lower set which also extends around the headlights, etc. The lower section was probably the most complicated of the whole project - despite spending the best part of two hours making various templates and masks in advance, it took me over two and a half hours to apply everything to the bodywork before actually spraying anything! After that it was straight-forward; no tape removal problems, no runs, and nothing that couldn't be touched-up by hand afterwards. The thin dark blue lines which run up the middle of the light blue sections were painted at the very end - masked, but applied with a brush.

The interiors of the headlight pods were airbrushed as much as possible, but I was careful not to flood the area and spoil the finish of the exterior of the panel. I applied a few thin coats by brush to tidy them up, but primed and sprayed the floor sections while I was also spraying the mesh grille:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1291_zpsom7lppc7.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1291_zpsom7lppc7.jpg.html)

The 'Cibie' decals have been varnished with 'Purity Seal' as usual, so the panels are ready to fit once the headlights, indicator repeaters, etc, have been fitted into the pods. Having checked the photos again, I made two more indicator lights to attach to the top of the front wheel-arches:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1290_zpswg6fhwey.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1290_zpswg6fhwey.jpg.html)

Not many decals to add to the outside of the nose:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1289_zpshdfc8pou.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1289_zpshdfc8pou.jpg.html)

I've wrapped the two 'Bilstein / Bosch / Shell / Dunlop' decals around the back edge of the panel - I'm hoping this will help to avoid a disjointed look when I add the second half to the door extension panels.

The small black logo ahead of the front wheel is - strictly speaking - not required for the Le Mans 1978 livery. They're for the company that (I assume) painted the original factory car, and appeared at the first race at Silverstone but not at LM. They were back on the car when it raced later in 1978, and when it was in the museum collection in the mid-80's (as no.1). However, the museum car is now back as no.43 and they have disappeared. Given how much I was worried about getting the paintwork right, I'm more than happy to leave these logos on the model as a 'thumbs up' for the guys who did the same job in full-size 40 years ago!

So, a bit more work to do this week fitting the headlights, etc. Then it's back on the doors and window frames. When I'm happy with the door fit, I'll add the extension panels and can then mask and spray the extensions for the stripes running across from the nose. After that, it's the final details - add the exterior mirrors, door handles, interior door pulls, etc, apply some decals to the doors, finish the bonnet, add bodywork securing pins...and so on. Maybe another month or so? Six weeks? We'll see.

Have a good week,

SB

I love it!

Just incredible......you make my own efforts feel completely inadequate.

Wow! A few more weeks?

Hmmm... I wonder... :-)

ianc

Wow! A few more weeks?

Hmmm... I wonder... :-)


After 6,5 years, why rush anything? :)

Now all you still need is a good diorama to display it. :)

Thanks, guys.

No, there's no need to rush anything at this stage of the build. It's more a situation where the success of the stripes has really given my enthusiasm a major boost! There's also that moment when you realise that the end is closer than you thought - that last kick for the finish line!

I'm pleased to see that there could well be an AFMOTY competition this year, but I will not be entering the 935-78 - whatever happens. I stated very early in the build that I wouldn't, and I won't. I'm very proud of my win with the 908-3, but it's probably not right to enter again with another project that has taken so long to complete.

It would be nice to get the 935 finished sometime in November, though. I like the idea of having a bit of time off from work and not having to worry about the model! I'm sure I won't give myself too long before starting the next project - there will be some more research to do, maybe make a few cardboard mock-ups, etc, so it could be Christmas before work starts properly...

SB

Superlatives abound for the quality of your build SB, keep up the great work as it's inspiring to all modellers. I'm currently looking at the Tamiya 1:24 Moby Dick and I've noticed that it has 2 rows of vents in the front fenders instead of your 1 row. Do you know which is more correct or are they just representing a specific race?

The vents in the front fenders are 'variable'!

At Silverstone and LM in 1978 it certainly had the two sets as per the Tamiya shell - the lower set to exhaust the air flowing through the coolers, the upper set to relieve pressure in the wheelarches. In it's final 1978 race at the Norisring (running as car no.40) it appears to have only the lower set. By the mid-80's the car is in the museum collection and has the Norisring-spec nose with just the lower vents (as no.1). The unbuilt '1979' chassis recently restored by Freisinger has only the lower vents, as does the museum car (but now liveried as no.43).

What's been amusing for me in the last few weeks is seeing how many variations there have been on the stripes, etc, on this car - considering that there was only ever one 'works' car which only had four races in period, plus the Freisinger car. The Tamiya decals allow you to build as either the Silverstone or LM car, so that's the style I've got. The stripes on the two cars as they are now are subtly different.

For me, given how worried I was about how the painting was going to work out, I was quite happy to only cut the lower set of vents. Each one took about 45 minutes, remember! There was also a minor concern about how more holes would affect the strength of the bodywork. I decided to keep the strength and not be 100% period-correct. As it turned out, running the masking over the vents didn't really cause any trouble - it was easy enough to touch-up the little bits of underspray.

AFMOTC : AF Model Of The Century !!! ;)

No pressure, chris24...!

Things are still moving along nicely. In the last couple of weeks I've got the nose section maybe 95% finished - the headlight pods have been assembled, I've added some detailing to the back of all the light fittings, and started giving the interior a coat of grey paint. Apart from a little tidying-up, the only detailing to be done now is to add some internal wiring for all the lights.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1292_zpsoycwiavb.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1292_zpsoycwiavb.jpg.html)

I'd already done most of the work on the left-hand door window-frame, so the next job was to sort out the right-hand door. Not the most satisfying of jobs, but over the course of a few evenings it came together. The main frame is sections of 1/8" box, with 0.25mm styrene sheet and strip laid on top to pull it all together:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1293_zpsr93prtlc.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1293_zpsr93prtlc.jpg.html)

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1294_zpsabqemgl6.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1294_zpsabqemgl6.jpg.html)

In this second photo you can see where I've added lengths of 0.5mm strip around the inside so that I can fit the window panels after painting. There's also some angle-section and strip added along the top edge of the door itself to create the bottom of the frame.

The latest job is to sort out the extension panels for the nose which are mounted onto the front edge of each door. It sounds easy enough, but allowing the doors to open complicates matters! After making various cardboard patterns and test pieces, I've ended up with a pair of styrene panels each side which will space-out the door extensions:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1296_zpsjj7zqyiv.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1296_zpsjj7zqyiv.jpg.html)

The two on the left-hand door are glued in place, these two on the right-hand door still need a little adjustment. The extension panels will look kinda like this:

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1297_zpsdwasvicj.jpg (http://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1297_zpsdwasvicj.jpg.html)

What you can't see here is that I have to leave a small gap between the main nose section and the extensions in order to allow the doors to open. The extension panels as currently made end up with a gap all around, when they could actually be trimmed differently to close up the gap on the top surface - the gap is only needed on the vertical face.

After spending some time considering my options for building-up the panels with styrene and filler, etc, I simply decided to re-make the panels. The third layer of fibreglass has gone on the mould tonight, and by the weekend I should be able to re-trim the extensions and start re-painting. It's work that I wasn't planning to do, but doing it any other way would have niggled me! Meanwhile, I can use the originals to get the mounting plates fettled to shape, and to work out how I'm actually going to hang the panels so they go back on the car in exactly the same place each time.

Making progress...

SB

Absolutely stunning! It gets more exciting day by day. I am waiting for every update. I love it! =)

Man! The patience you have!
This is shaping up to be another mind-blowing model.

Amazing work. Look forward to seeing it completed.

Hello again,

Well, the good news is that the 935-78 is just about done! I just have a couple of door-pulls and stop-straps to make at the weekend, and that's it.

Why no updates recently? Very difficult to show what I wanted to show, without giving away the surprise! The last couple of weeks or so have been spent finishing the doors, making bonnet pins, attaching some of the little detail pieces (wiper arm, door mirrors, etc), sorting out the brake cooling ducts, and anything else that needed to be done.

Here's one of the front doors before I attached the extension panel:

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1298_zpsfquvmbpa.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1298_zpsfquvmbpa.jpg.html)

You can see that by this stage I had masked and sprayed the red and blue stripes, and added the decals (which wrapped around the front edge of the panel). Another styrene plate was added to the bottom to close-off the structure.

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1301_zpsbamsmrly.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1301_zpsbamsmrly.jpg.html)

The two wing mirrors were drilled and pinned into the tops of the doors - I'd added some reinforcing plates to the inside before attaching the extension panels. In this photo you can also see the wiper arm has been added, and the black mesh over the inlets for the cockpit vents.

Let's add some more bodywork - here's the nose and rear wings:

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1304_zpsz5iabhtd.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1304_zpsz5iabhtd.jpg.html)

...and from the back:

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1302_zpsp75hcwor.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1302_zpsp75hcwor.jpg.html)

In this shot you can see the closing panels in the bottom of the door extensions. The rear window has been fitted, and the rear panel behind the engine has had all it's securing pins attached. The bonnet panel has also received four (functional) securing pins.

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1305_zpsnrexaran.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1305_zpsnrexaran.jpg.html)

...and these last two photos hopefully prove that the last 6 3/4 years have not been a waste of time:

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1307_zpsa0om6o51.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1307_zpsa0om6o51.jpg.html)

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1308_zpsaymbrwpi.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby1308_zpsaymbrwpi.jpg.html)

I'll start a separate thread in the 'completed projects' section next week - I'll take some proper photos showing all the internal and external details. For now, I just wanted to share these shots with you, and say 'thank you' for continuing to follow my progress.

It actually feels slightly strange to be in this position - as much as I want to have a break and relax for a while, I know that the next project is waiting. In the mean-time, I've tidied away all my modelling supplies, sorted out all the 935 paperwork and notes, thrown out lots of useless pieces of styrene 'that were going to come in useful', and generally cleared the decks. No doubt at some point in the next couple of weeks I'll start doing some drawings for the 956 tub (oops - spoilers!) but I'm not planning on starting a new build-thread just yet...

Hope you like it!

SB

Absolutely, completely - incredible!!

Simply amazing model, brilliant work!

Keith

Wow, 6 years, more than 750 posts, what an incredible work!

SB you are a true Master Modeller. You've inspired so many people with this and the many other builds we've been privileged to share. A museum piece if ever I've seen one. Where will you display your work?

Cheers & Beers
Richard H

Breathtaking! The sheer size of this thing is very impressive.
You did a wonderful job on this model, one to be proud of for sure!

My Lord, has it really been 6 3/4 years? It seems like just a year or so ago you were wrapping up the 908!

Truly a phenomenal piece of work. You skill just improves with each project, and I've enjoyed each and every update, even if I didn't post after every one. Thanks for taking the time to share your work with us.

That said, inquiring minds want to know what's on the horizon now? Or is it too early to say?

Ausgezeichnet!

ianc

Do you want my mailing address so you can send it to me? (just kidding).

Being a scratch builder on a smaller scale, I sure can appreciate the dedication, and skill you have used to complete this masterpiece.

As previously stated, your work is an inspiration to many of us I I want to say thank you for including us in your modeling journey.

AAA+++

v/r,

Ben

Absolutely awesome!
Hard to believe how long it took...and how quickly that time passed at the same time.

Breathtaking! Simply amazing build! Congratulations! =)

Thank YOU for showing us your incredible work.

And it certainly did not feel that long. It seemed to me the 908 project was some two years ago at most. I will follow closely your next project as well. Even if it takes even more time.

Truly amazing! Have followed this piece from the beginning and every post was an inspiration and learning experience. A masterpiece to be sure. Thanks for taking us along on the journey!

Mike

Checking the progress in this thread over the last few years has been a treat, I would usually check on a sunday night, and I am just amazed that what started with some tubes and lego pieces has transformed into one of the most beautiful and significant Race cars in Racing History in 1/8th scale.

It is just simple incredible, well done SB !!!

P.S, I am also curious how/where you're going to display it

with all the work you've put into it, it is a priceless work of automotive art!

SB your work on this 935/78 is a "work of art"

While most of us struggle to assemble and paint a pre-made kit that comes with all the pieces in a box.

You build these exquisite models piece by piece from raw styrene.

I enjoyed watching your skills on the 908, but this 935/78 has really amazed me.

While many have abandoned AF for Facebook pages - your thread has kept me coming back again and again with amazement.

You truly are a craftsman with your builds and they are worthy of a museum for all to see.

Well done SB - words escape me for commending you on this project.

As for the 956 or maybe a 962C - you will keep me coming back to AF again and again.

Cheers SB
John

Congratulation on the completion of your model, have been following since the start.

could you take a photo with a 1/24th body so we get a idea of the size?

long tail 956 ?.....please

thanks for taking us on this journey.

Paul

Congratulations for your work and also for your patience!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

You've wasted your life! No talent!:banghead:

Unbelievable! All these efforts finally reaching their natural conclusion!

What next? Binky will finally meet the road?

All kidding aside, I think calling you a masterful scratchbuilder is the mother of all understatements. Thank you for sharing your project with us!

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all your comments and questions - I think there will be some answers later in this post! I've started a 'completed build' thread this afternoon with 19 photos, and hope to add more when Photobucket allows me to upload them. If I'm honest, it's been getting the photos online that has been the biggest headache over the last year or so...

Overall size of the 935 is about 610mm by 260mm (or about 24" by 10", if you prefer!). I took a photo of it alongside a 1/18 model for scale, but that's one of the shots that is currently waiting to upload - I'll get it online as soon as I can. I haven't tried weighing it yet...

For now it's sitting on an empty desk, but I suspect it'll end up in the dining room - many of our family and friends know about my model-making, and most of them have seen the 935 at various stages of it's life, so it's probably safer to have it on display downstairs for a while. I'll have to show the guys at work too, as they know all about it - several of them have full-size project cars on the go, so we're often discussing the same problems but in different scales!

Beyond that, I guess it will end up on the shelf with the other projects while I get the next one underway. I've said before that it's hard to put a cash value on something like this - my main reason for modelling is for my own pleasure, rather than financial gain - but when something takes over 4000 hours of your free time (and, realistically, won't be repeated) it would be very difficult to part with it.

So, what's the next project? For now I'm still thinking it's going to be a 956: I have some layout drawings from one of my books, the engine arrangement is basically the same as the 935/78, and the bodywork can't be any harder to make, can it?

I do have concerns though; the 956's ali tub was a first for Porsche, and would be a new challenge for me too - I need to convince myself that it can be made accurately and strongly enough. There's a lot more wiring and plumbing visible on the 956, so that's going to be fun, and the general feeling I get of the suspension, etc, is that everything is more 'refined' compared to the 908/917/935. Even at 1/8 scale, I fear that there's going to be some parts which are a struggle to get the right balance between scale detail and actual strength. At this stage I'm not planning on re-creating any particular car - I'll be using photos and references from multiple sources, and I'll worry about the livery later!

If the 956 doesn't go to plan, I'm not sure what the alternative will be. I suppose I could just build the engine and gearbox as a display piece? It would be better to have something to put it in, though...

Before I finish this post, a few words of appreciation. Firstly, to everyone who's followed the build, posted comments and encouragement (even from my brother, daglesj) and generally had the patience to sit through to the end - many thanks! I truly hope that the next project will not take so long - but don't quote me on that!

Thanks to Rijk for the springs (again), and to Nicky Y for the carbon floor panel - without this I'm not sure that it would have been possible. Thanks to Freisinger Motorsport for posting all the photos of their rebuild of the sister 935/78 - a gold-mine of information!

Finally, thanks to my folks for putting up with all my problems while I've been working on this - the cutting and drilling, the dust, the little bits of white styrene that seem to travel all over the house, the ranting and raving when things haven't quite worked out, the glue smells wafting downstairs from my room...but I think it all worked out in the end.

From this:

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby001.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/moby001.jpg.html)

To this....in several thousand easy stages!

https://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/ScratchBuilt917/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/IMG_6485_zpsnzyrddzb.jpg (https://s604.photobucket.com/user/ScratchBuilt917/media/Scratchbuilt%20Porsche%20Moby%20Dick/IMG_6485_zpsnzyrddzb.jpg.html)

All the best,

SB

absolutely smashed it out of the park with this work of art, sb!

It's hard to write words that describe this build in a way that hasn't already been done by another member, so maybe instead I will just say thank you. As someone who has followed this build from the first thread (and often just lurked in the background) I am very appreciative of not only your craftsmanship, but the way you document and present each step of your progress. Cheers! Stuart

Following your projects all the years...wow, wow, wow, unbelievable!

Impatient...waiting for the 956!!!

such a great work!And now an incredible ,stunning model!
many many compliments! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: