GT 40 Build 1/12 scale that is.

[maverick]

Yes, it's going to be a big build. Been sitting on this kit since it was re-introduced a few yrs ago. It's time to s..t or get off the pot!

Got a few goodies to help this project along. Need to get a few more. Been waiting for the aftermarket to catch up with this one. Going to start with the basic engine components and go from there while still finding and buying some after market stuff to help this one along.
Soo, follow along while I make myself manic building this one or completely loose my mind trying!

[Joe Rix]

Hoo Doggy! I am all over watching you build this beauty.

[Mence]

Following with great interest...

[chromdome35]

That is going to be an impressive build!!! I've never heard of the Magnifier brand before, is it a popular brand in the model car world?

[maverick]

Its sure to be an entertaining build! Its big, cant fudge poor fitment or the details. Its too big to hide those things. I'm gonna have to bring my Capitol A game for this one!
Chromedome. Its the old Trumpeter kit. Magnifier is just the new name for em I think.

[maverick]

Soo, the engine parts are chrome or pre painted. I am not a fan of pre painted. I usually end up stripping the kit chrome and starting over with alclad as well. I did strip the chrome from a few things to get me started here. The engine assembly is odd. Top half of engine, intake manifold/heads and top of trans axle are one piece. Bottom of engine/trans are the other. Engine block sides are two separate components as well.... Timing cover was odd. Top of it was wide open. Not cool. So I added a strip of styrene to close up the opening and make it look more realistic. Probably not going to see much of it (If any)but, I'll know its right now. After the stripping and fitment/assembly of the basic engine I put all the parts in black primer.
This kit, unlike the Meng does not have a distributor assembly so I will have to scratch build one for it. Also have to paint the engine and trans axle in their appropriate colors...Next Time!! Thanks for looking/commenting gang!

[tcoat]

Apr 24, 2023 19:20:37 GMT -5 maverick said:

Its sure to be an entertaining build! Its big, cant fudge poor fitment or the details. Its too big to hide those things. I'm gonna have to bring my Capitol A game for this one!
Chromedome. Its the old Trumpeter kit. Magnifier is just the new name for em I think.

Out of curiosity I looked things up. The Magnifier line up consists of only this kit. It is said to be an off shut of Trumpeter and there may be more someday.
What was really interesting is that the "Ford" reference is gone from everything in the kit so you can bet no licensing has been paid. 

The Trumpeter Ford 1966 Le Mans winner


The Magnifier US Sports Car endurance racing car




Note that Ford is even missing from the stripe. They could have at least made it a Ferd! Bet it has Brombo brakes.

[tcoat]

Apr 24, 2023 19:38:49 GMT -5 maverick said:

 Timing cover was odd. Top of it was wide open. Not cool. So I added a strip of styrene to close up the opening 

My '91 Eagle Talon TSi had an open top timing cover once! It wasn't supposed to be and happened very rapidly when the belt broke. Took way more than a strip of styrene to fix though.

[maverick]

LOL. Too true. There isn't a single "Ford" script any where on this kit...I'll remedy that as needed down the road though. Brombo...That's good!

[maverick]

Lol...That's why your supposed to R&R that belt at 60K! You could leave that one open though. No oil leak worries from that window.

[maverick]

Ok gang! Engine is painted. Will do some dry brush work on it and begin assembly. Colors are all Alclad. Burnt metal for the engine block , white aluminum for the intake manifold and dark aluminum for the transaxle. I did drop the pressure during the primer stage and dusted a few coats of primer on the trans to give it a bit of texture. It doesn't really show up in the pics but...Its there. Also started doing the body work since I figured I would be waiting a bit for my KA Models detail up set to arrive for this from Korea... Gotta play with panel fitment/alignment. Screwed the upper half of the body to the tub to fit doors and such. They are tight! If I paint em. They wont close. LOL Also started doing body work to the front clip. The sides of it were sunken in below the mold line that follows the top body line/contour. After sanding the mold separation lines off it, I threw some primer on it and skimmed some polyester filler on it to bring it back to shape.






AS an aside: My KA Models detail set showed up today. More on that in another installment.


Stay tuned!!

[maverick]

Did I mention, this thing is big! I actually built a work platform to put it on while I work on it. Eventually the belly pan will be painted. Once that happens, I will not be able to just set it on the work bench to deal with it. Paint will get scratched...Not happening! A few small paint mixing sticks and popsicle sticks/craft sticks later...



That grey stuff on the top is cheap adhesive backed weather stripping. Its soft and the body will not slide around on it...Till next time!

[406 Silverado]

In scaling it with the can of tomatoes in the background I can see that this is indeed the largest scale model of a GT-40 that I've ever seen Pete. I'm wondering how much paint you're going to go through to get just the body primed and painted up. lol.

That was a great idea for the work platform and will be preventing alot of issues and problems for you during the building process on down the line. I can't help but wonder what's in that KA upgrade kit. Looking forward to that and the next update.

[buddho]

Moving along quite nicely....looking forward to more!

[tcoat]

Apr 27, 2023 17:15:44 GMT -5 maverick said:

Did I mention, this thing is big! I actually built a work platform to put it on while I work on it. Eventually the belly pan will be painted. Once that happens, I will not be able to just set it on the work bench to deal with it. Paint will get scratched...Not happening! A few small paint mixing sticks and popsicle sticks/craft sticks later...



That grey stuff on the top is cheap adhesive backed weather stripping. Its soft and the body will not slide around on it...Till next time!

Saw the pics and wondered "Why is he building a picnic table?"

[noname]

I thought it looked like a picnic table too.lol Great idea and dedication.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

LOL...That does look like a pic-a-nik table.... Very good idea for the building platform. That should safe your body on this cool build.

[`Boots`]

Look forward to this....she`s a big `ol gal thats for sure, i`m about 99% done on Mengs 1/24th version so ya might inspire me to push mine over the line

[maverick]

Thanks fellas! I said the same thing while building it. "It looks like a picnic table"
I have both of the Meng versions Boots. Almost started the small one instead of this one.

[406 Silverado]

Apr 30, 2023 13:19:50 GMT -5 maverick said:

Thanks fellas! I said the same thing while building it. "It looks like a picnic table"
I have both of the Meng versions Boots. Almost started the small one instead of this one.

That's right! Meng does have a 1/24 scale version of this.

[`Boots`]

The small one doesn`t build up to bad to be honest but i did have issues with the driveshafts locating with the engine and i ended up using the headlight/fender decs as a template and made my own masks and then AB`d the red in, the decal ones were an absolute mare to fit the curves as they were so rigid.......putting the masks on was a challenge but worked out well in the end............other than that it was a good build.

[Prop Duster]

OK I'min for the ride. always liked the Ford GT in any scale. your "pick-nick" stand sorta reminds me of those car floor lifts you see in guys garages, on steriods of course.

[Joe Rix]

I am quite impressed with your well engineered picnic table.

[406 Silverado]

Apr 30, 2023 14:05:20 GMT -5 `Boots` said:

The small one doesn`t build up to bad to be honest but i did have issues with the driveshafts locating with the engine and i ended up using the headlight/fender decs as a template and made my own masks and then AB`d the red in, the decal ones were an absolute mare to fit the curves as they were so rigid.......putting the masks on was a challenge but worked out well in the end............other than that it was a good build.

Now you know that we're gonna have to see that doncha know!

[lowlife]

Oh yeah thats a monster fer sure !

Really looking forward to following this build, I`m sure I`ve seen a thread somewhere else of a build up of this car ?
If i can find it i`ll let you know, might show up some problems to look out for ?

[`Boots`]

May 1, 2023 4:10:38 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Apr 30, 2023 14:05:20 GMT -5 `Boots` said:

The small one doesn`t build up to bad to be honest but i did have issues with the driveshafts locating with the engine and i ended up using the headlight/fender decs as a template and made my own masks and then AB`d the red in, the decal ones were an absolute mare to fit the curves as they were so rigid.......putting the masks on was a challenge but worked out well in the end............other than that it was a good build.

Now you know that we're gonna have to see that doncha know!

LOL.........i just need to finish a couple of tiny bits and then i can put it up complete

[maverick]

Hang on tight PropDuster! Its about to actually get interesting! Thanks fellas! Glad everyone likes the picnic table. I just kinda tossed it together. No drawings or planning it out. Just started cutting some popsicle sticks up and here we are.
Martin! I think KPnuts did a build of one on the CMS forum...
Yes Boots...Gotta get it done so we can see it! Thanks for the heads up on the decal and axle shaft issues. I'll make a note and toss it in the kit box so I don't forget.

[robbo]

What a lovely car

[`Boots`]

Yeah i`ll get her done fella .........as for the issue, hopefully you won`t.....may have been operator error who know`s

[dannimal]

Sweet!...im gonna love watching this!