SONAX C-Class DTM - It's Finished!! Here are the Pics - 7 pcs!!

Hey guys,

Finally I have been able to take pictures of my finished SONAX racer. :D
Lots of extra detailing went into it. CF decal intensively used, seatbelts added, wheel detail, aerials in turned alu, wiring in cockpit etc. Hope you enjoy the pics. More pics will be on Automotomover (http://users.skynet.be/automotomover/) tomorrow.

Guido

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/677550PICT0047.JPG

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http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/128090PICT0042.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/464430PICT0030.JPG

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Looks very detail. and you have good macro on your digital camera

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

Veeeeerrrrrryyy nice. I've got a Sonax Merc on order, but I think I'll make the black one.

OMG, that is soooooooooooo sweet:eek: :eek: :smoka:

sweet. I like the details on the tires and the cockpit details. Very nice work. :bandit:

where'd you get the cf decals?

Guido, that is AWESOME!!!

GREAT CAR AND GREAT pictures.. how did you get them soo close!!!!:licker:

Great work.Very nicely detailed.

So what's the other 1% that needs to be finished? I can't spot it! :)

I can't find anything bad on this car... awersome job on that kit !!

A lot of effort went into making this magnificent model! Great job!

Beautiful job and great pix. One of my favorite DTM cars ever.

Looks great.

It may be time that you update your signature....;)

If i dont get a P.Message with this model for out modelling contest i'm going to come over to Belgium and smack you one :finger: :finger: ..J/K....this has always been my favorite DTM and you have done a great job....IM LOVIN IT !!!:flash: :flash: :flash:

As far as the digicam is concerned... it's not mine... :(
I got it from a friend this weekend to take pics for the contest!! :D It's a Minolta 4Mpix with 7x digital zoom. The thing is to keep it stable while in macro mode, but therefor I use my tripod :cool: I must say I was impressed myself with the result. I'm going to stop buying some kits (stock is a around 80 now, so I should be fine for some time...) and start saving for a toy like that :licker:

Thanks everyone for the comments so far, as as you can see, my sig is updated now as well :finger:

I've posted the complete review on my site Automotomover (http://users.skynet.be/automotomover/) now, including 21 pictures!

P-Man, I knew you would love it! Entry will be on it's way later today.

Great car, love the carbon fiber.

Originally posted by huudo
Thanks everyone for the comments so far, as as you can see, my sig is updated now as well :finger:

*phew*, Crisis over. :D

Excellent Merc Huudo:eek:, well done!!

Exactly what colour is this car supposed to be? Is it a simple dark green metallic or is it some tricky “flip-flop” green to black paint?

I’ve seen it described as both. A bit like the Raybrig NSX, doesn’t look “flip-flop” in pictures but in the metal (carbon fibre ;) ) who knows…

Originally posted by RallyRaider
Excellent Merc Huudo:eek:, well done!!

Exactly what colour is this car supposed to be? Is it a simple dark green metallic or is it some tricky “flip-flop” green to black paint?

I’ve seen it described as both. A bit like the Raybrig NSX, doesn’t look “flip-flop” in pictures but in the metal (carbon fibre ;) ) who knows…

Well that is a good question and I'm not 100% sure about the answer either. I met a guy a couple of months ago, who claimed to have used to orignal Mercedes colour and it look nearly black... I didn't ague that but, firstly I've seen pictures of a green car and secondly I guess Tamiya have researched it thourougly, so I followed their instructions. I've included some pics from Bernd Schneiders official website to give you an idea.

1993 season Merc 190E and this looks black.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/136514bsgallery07.jpg

1994 season Merc C-Class and this looks green to me, but as you can see the rear view mirrors are different on this one.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/465616bsgallery01.jpg

1995 season (?) Merc C-Class and this looks this blackish green.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/811356bsgallery21.jpg

So it's my guess that in 1994 they ran in green livery and changed back to the blacker one in 1995. The 1995 car differs from the 1994 with a different front wing. If anyone else has pictures to make a point about this, I would love to hear it, because it has bottered me also for a while...

Cheers,
Guido

Thanks for the comprehensive reply!

Regardless, your Merc looks fabulous.

Interestingly, in some of your photos of the model there does appear to be a green to black fade anyway. Perhaps that is a characteristic of a dark green metallic finish and the rumour of a "prismatic" paint job stemmed from that? :confused:

I've done some extra research on the colours. As this is what I found. The 1994 version 'was' green and the 1995 'was' black. Other difference between 1994 and 1995, apart from the front wing, are intakes right behind the rear doors, which got even enlarged for the 1996 version, but that's another story.

so anyone building a black one, make sure you do the 1995 modifs ;)

Nice benz!:D

Very nice Huudo!
I always liked that car and one day I will make it, too.

There was a build up article of that Sonax Merc in Tamiya Modeling Magazine(if I recall correctly) some years ago and there were pictures which showed that the paint had a chameleon effect from green to black to purple. I think you can see the effect also in the pictures you posted as the bonnet is more bluish than the rest of the car.

However I think your model looks great and realistic in green:)

-Mikko

Originally posted by mel79
I think you can see the effect also in the pictures you posted as the bonnet is more bluish than the rest of the car.


It is also possible the bluish tinge you refer to is caused by the reflection of the sky.

I'm not convinced that the SONAX Merc (or Raybrig NSX for that matter) had prismatic paint jobs. And even if they did the effect is so subtle that it doesn't show up in photographs.

The only choice to make is the one Huudo did - build it as you see it. Consider, viewing a scale model from a foot or two is like viewing the real car from 30 or forty feet. So if the effect is only noticed with your nose on the real car's paintwork it don't need doing in 1/24th!

Phil

Wow! Great to see some work from you, this is just a beautiful model!

Nice to see it finally finished.
You have done a simply amazing job in this lovely model huudo.
The overall aspect is perfect and the addiction of all that small details make it even more beautiful model.
Will be waiting for your D2 and Promarkt ones :)

Originally posted by RallyRaider


I'm not convinced that the SONAX Merc (or Raybrig NSX for that matter) had prismatic paint jobs. And even if they did the effect is so subtle that it doesn't show up in photographs.

Phil


It's a bit of both.

The thing is that the colour is made of Clear Green mixed with Metallic Blue and a couple drops of Black. If you look at the model under different lighting conditions, the colour will be different, slightly, but there's a difference. That's the result of mixing the colours and there's probably not much one can do about that.

That being said, the variations in the pics are indeed as Phil indicated, reflections of daylight but probably the blue pigment of the metallic blue plays a little part in it as well. So again a bit of both. And like stated before I'm really happy with the result

The yellow Promarkt version, which I'm about to spray is another matter. Yellow is probably the most difficult colour to spray.

Originally posted by flyonthewall
Wow! Great to see some work from you, this is just a beautiful model!

That one is higly appreciated. Thanks mate! :D

Originally posted by Gainsbourg
Nice to see it finally finished.
You have done a simply amazing job in this lovely model huudo.
The overall aspect is perfect and the addiction of all that small details make it even more beautiful model.
Will be waiting for your D2 and Promarkt ones :)

Thanks! Gains,

The D2 has nearly received all the decals, just one side left to do and then the interior AND!! engine detail will start all basic painting is done so I hope this one will be finished before X-mas.

The Promarkt is a harder nut to crack with the yellow being very difficult to paint, but I'll get it right somehow.

But wait there's more...
I've found decals sets to do 2 more. A Kummerling and a Daim

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/185224dtm95-1.jpg http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/267333dtm95-2.jpg

Which make a nice family collection of 5 C-Class DTM's :D :D :D

Which color did you use to paint its body?!

Very nice work Guido! Looks flawless. I like your eye for details. :thumbsup:

This is a very old thread. Maybe sending a PM was better then revamping it. Luckily the pics are still on the old server. Will be gone there soon though.

anyway, regarding the paint question, I used the mixture that is suggested in the plan by Tamiya. ;)

Hi,
clean work, beautiful details
Lg
Kurtl

I've done some extra research on the colours. As this is what I found. The 1994 version 'was' green and the 1995 'was' black. Other difference between 1994 and 1995, apart from the front wing, are intakes right behind the rear doors, which got even enlarged for the 1996 version, but that's another story.

so anyone building a black one, make sure you do the 1995 modifs ;)

I'm sorry, but this is simply not correct.

The 1994 SONAX car was a blue to green flip flop paint. I have painted mine with paint from the guy who does the DMC decals - DAIM, Kuemmerling etc. No I'm sorry there aren't any more and it costs the better part of a jetfighter! It is a rather faint effect that really only shows in strong light - but it is there. That is why the car in some pictures look green and in other blue(ish). It is correct that the car advised in the instructions are metallic green, which is close, but no cigar. The 1992 Mazda Le Mans winner is also noted as just being orange in the Tamiya instructions, while in fact it is a sharp neon orange. So don't always rely on that.

The 1995 Sonax car was not black - it was dark brown (Not metallic in any way) as the colour of other sponsor on the car - UPS - United Parcel Service. It looks black in pictures sometimes - but don't count on that.

The DMC decals are very good, but beware of carrier film on white surfaces. On some batches they turned out brownish :-(

Best regards

Flemming

Can you be 100% sure of that Flemming? I've been very dissaponted in the couple of DMC decal sheets I've seen and therfore am a little hesitant to completely trust the guy behind them. Or do you mean that is just where the paint was from and you have other sources?

P.S. Welcome to AF :wave: Nice to have you aboard.

Can you be 100% sure of that Flemming? I've been very dissaponted in the couple of DMC decal sheets I've seen and therfore am a little hesitant to completely trust the guy behind them. Or do you mean that is just where the paint was from and you have other sources?

P.S. Welcome to AF :wave: Nice to have you aboard.

Hi

The short version: Yes!

The long one:
Sonax 1994: Issue no 48 page 28 Tamiya magazine june/july 1995 shows a picture of the hood of the real car with a very clear view of the effect they call iridescent. Nils the DMC guy was at that time producing a lot of decals for the DTM cars and were often at the races in Germany and saw the car. He 'managed' some of the paint which is 'simply' a two tone metallic green blue paint which dries dead matt after application - and looks rather dull blue/black/green. When it gets a layer of varnish it sets off like a rocket, but really needs strong light. I was lucky to get a sqirt of it to get my model painted in the correct colour. I will try to take some pictures of it to see if it is noticable.

Sonax 1995. I have seen it at Avus in 1995 and I have som 'debris' from Jan Magnussens rather dented racercar. I have also made the body of that car with decals from DMC, but I have sort of 'died' on all the modifications inside the car... It is simply Humbrol gloss brown with a little black added.

DMC decals vary in their quality. A lot of time you will find that decals are missing, the wrong size and so on. Some of them are ok(ish) - but not perfect. Studio27 are not perfect either. If I had a dollar for each wrong sized / proportioned decal on Studio27 sheets I would be very rich! A lot if not most of the decals has neven been tried on the model before printing I'll bet!

Best regards

Flemming

Awesome Merc, love the carbon fibre details,well done!

Flemming,
consider yourself very lucky with all the knowledge you have on the colour schemes. I'm not a modeller who spends his time hunting down the last inch of accuracy, just because it is simple impossible to recreate the true colour on a scale model - due to the scale the different type of media that the colour is sprayed on and so on. An original colour will never be a "cigar" match once sprayed on a model. But if it makes you feel sleep better at night when you used the original colour, that's also fine of course. I can sleep well even when my colour is close. I'm not a cigar smoker anyhow. ;) :D

The research I did was based on images, which is what most of us so, no? :uhoh:

Flemming,
consider yourself very lucky with all the knowledge you have on the colour schemes. I'm not a modeller who spends his time hunting down the last inch of accuracy, just because it is simple impossible to recreate the true colour on a scale model - due to the scale the different type of media that the colour is sprayed on and so on. An original colour will never be a "cigar" match once sprayed on a model. But if it makes you feel sleep better at night when you used the original colour, that's also fine of course. I can sleep well even when my colour is close. I'm not a cigar smoker anyhow. ;) :D

The research I did was based on images, which is what most of us so, no? :uhoh:

Hi Huudo

Your model is very good indeed - and in the very sharp end in this forum and no one would ever notice that the colour is wrong(ish) apart form the occasional hardcore fanatic. You do it your way as you sees it naturally and I would not have made a comment on that - before you made this statement:


I've done some extra research on the colours. As this is what I found. The 1994 version 'was' green and the 1995 'was' black.


This is quite a 'cast in stone' statement - don't you agree? I just had to add a little of my knowledge to that.

Colours are a very difficult subject I agree - but there is more to it in this than just a subtle difference in this case. But this is just my opinion.

Best regards

Flemming

WOW!! Looks excellent!! This was my first completed Tamiya kit.

I do love these old Merc touring cars.

I would love a set or two of those DMC decals. Are they available anywhere still?

I would love a set or two of those DMC decals. Are they available anywhere still?

Grand Prix Models may still be able to supply. Have a look on:

www.grandprixmodels.com

Grand Prix Models may still be able to supply. Have a look on:

www.grandprixmodels.com

Hi

Or try this:
http://www.group7.suite.dk/html/1_24_decals.html

I have no experience with them [group 7] it has to be said.

Or why not ask Nils from DMC himself:
Telephone +45 38869175.
He does carry old stock of most of his decals.


Best regards

Flemming

Hi

Or try this:
http://www.group7.suite.dk/html/1_24_decals.html

I have no experience with them [group 7] it has to be said.

Or why not ask Nils from DMC himself:
Telephone +45 38869175.
He does carry old stock of most of his decals.


Best regards

Flemming

I recently purchased some other decals directly from them in Denmark, and the service is very good. Quick delivery and good communication over email too. Recommended.

As for the Sonax colours, sure, if one can show another angle that indicates that the somewhat "cast-in-stone" comments are not 100% accurate, why not, absolutely. But as you might understand, I'm pretty sceptical to just comments when images of the real thing are missing. ;) That being said, I consider myself as a hardcore-mercedes-fan, but even then I can cut a corner or 2. :)

I emaild Nils directly but have not heard back yet. Anybody have experience with Group7? They seem to have a few sets of decals I am after.

I emaild Nils directly but have not heard back yet. Anybody have experience with Group7? They seem to have a few sets of decals I am after.

one post earlier:

I recently purchased some other decals directly from them in Denmark, and the service is very good. Quick delivery and good communication over email too. Recommended.

;)

ahh yes, now I see. Thank you.

As for the Sonax colours, sure, if one can show another angle that indicates that the somewhat "cast-in-stone" comments are not 100% accurate, why not, absolutely. But as you might understand, I'm pretty sceptical to just comments when images of the real thing are missing. ;) That being said, I consider myself as a hardcore-mercedes-fan, but even then I can cut a corner or 2. :)

Well Huudo. I can't resist a challenge- so here goes. This is the 1995 Sonax car. A Minichamps and a piece of actual Mercedes debris from the car of Jan Magnussen from the pileup at Avus in 1995.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/307346Resize_of_jm950003.JPG

Pictures of the car looks black - but it is actually brown...

Now I will look for 'evidence' of the flip flop Sonax 1994 car. Prepare to strip your model Huudo 8-)

Flemming

Now I will look for 'evidence' of the flip flop Sonax 1994 car. Prepare to strip your model Huudo 8-)

Flemming

This should do it:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/307346Sonax_merc94-med.jpg

The caption has been scanned from the Tamiya magazine as mentioned earlier and is naturally their copyright. If this somehow is against rules in the forum it will be removed as fast as it came!

Flemming

That is what I call "reference evidence" :iceslolan

But me stripping a model for that? :grinno: It's an interesting conversation, as it comes down to ones taste. I've seen a 1/18th flip-flop green model of the C, and although it's probably 100% colourwise, to me, it didn't look right, as the effect on the model was different then on the real thing. So in order to achieve the same scale effect, it's prolly not enough to just take the orignal colour and spray it. Mixing and tweaking of paint is needed then, to get the correct "flip flop scale effect". Since I don't consider myself a paint master, I cut that corner :iceslolan

Same thing with the brown. Black is prolly not the good colour choice here, I'm convinced by now :D, but the brown on the model shown is to chocolate to me. Also here, there's a 100% match with the original, but does that model looks right to you? In order to be a good "scale representation" more black needs to be mixed with that brown.

My point is, if you use orginal colours, you'll be able to say that you did, but if you're model is gonna look right then, I don't think so. At the end of the day also the colour needs to be scaled down ;) if you're a hardcore modeler :evillol:

But for the record of the real cars, you're right. Flip^flop green for 1994 and UPS brown for 1995.

Well that tears it, no way I'm going to try building one of those Sonax machines now! :D
Do all Minichamps diecasts come with a piece of the actual car? :lol:

That is what I call "reference evidence" :iceslolan

But me stripping a model for that? :grinno: It's an interesting conversation, as it comes down to ones taste. I've seen a 1/18th flip-flop green model of the C, and although it's probably 100% colourwise, to me, it didn't look right, as the effect on the model was different then on the real thing. So in order to achieve the same scale effect, it's prolly not enough to just take the orignal colour and spray it. Mixing and tweaking of paint is needed then, to get the correct "flip flop scale effect". Since I don't consider myself a paint master, I cut that corner :iceslolan



It was a joke Huudo. I hate stripping my own models too ;-)

You are right about the scale effect of that flip-flop paint. It is no way near as pronounced on my model as on the real thing. You would actually have to study it very close in intense sunlight to see it - but it is there.

1/1 paints do not scale down very well. Most obvious is metallic colours that looks good in 1/1 looks like gaudy metalflake colours in scale.

The brown looks very light - but remember that it is taken with flashlight, as it in 'real life' is darker. In most photos it does look black. Just try to look at your friendly UPS guys car next time. The mercs were that colour.

Flemming

Just for the record, huudo, your model looks outstanding, correct green or not.

Interesting thread though. I think I will also use the Tamiya colr recommendation for mine.