GT 40 Build 1/12 scale that is.

[maverick]

Made a bit of progress...Had to fab a distributor cap for this beast. Made it from plastic tubing and some plastic rod. Glued it all together. Drilled it for plug wires and painted it blue. Also managed to get the individual header pipes squared away. These are pot metal (white metal) And come from KA Models. I checked em against the kit plastic pieces and they are a dead ringer for the plastic pipes but, the metal ones have weld bead details on em. Adds a bit of dimension to them that I was planning on having to do to the plastic ones. like I said, this thing is to big to leave a detail like that out. Glad I picked up the KA detail set. After filing the mold lines off em and getting em in black Alclad primer. It was time for the application of five different colors...All Alclad colors too. First was stainless steel, followed by a light coat of gold tittaniun to give em that heat soaked stainless color. Then Hot metal blue, candy violet and then some candy yellow and orange. Not sold on the orange yet. Put some panel line enhancer (black Tamiya) on the weld beads to give them some depth and here they are. Still have to top coat em with some acrylic Tamiya semi gloss to finish em out. Then the real fun begins! Detailing out the engine so I can mount these monsters. Stay tuned gang and thanks for commenting and following along. I promise, this is going to get interesting soon. Keep checking back!

[maverick]

Now, I did say I would go over the KA Models detail up set soo...Here it is! Are you sitting down Joe?
They ain't kidding! 8 sheets of photoetch to cover the brake rotors, interior panels and shifter gate (complete with door to cover the reverse gate) and a machined aluminum shifter knob/stalk. Also a machined steering wheel center hub and bezel as well as the metal spokes. A bunch of mesh screen for the radiator and oil coolers. That's just a small portion of what was in the box. Cost...170.00 plus shipping. That's A lot! White metal parts include but are not limited to. Axle shafts complete with U joints. (yeah, those will be fun to build up)Tiny little machined fasteners/rivits too. Now, you would think that a model this big wouldn't have such teeny parts but...yeah, it does..Sheesh! Heres the pics of what you get for a buck seventy. Enjoy!!!

This kit is a monster. The detail up set will take it to another level. This thing is going to be ALOT of work. (I am my own worst enemy) LOL. But when its done, I'll be manic and cross eyed!!!

[406 Silverado]

OHHHHHH Man!! And now the good stuff starts up!!! SO looking forward to what you're going to do in this scale with this engine Pete!!! And just LOOK at all that PE!!! Bring it bro!!

[malcox477]

like always amazing work my friend, looking forward for more

[tcoat]

May 2, 2023 19:38:00 GMT -5 maverick said:

 8 sheets of photoetch
This kit is a monster. The detail up set will take it to another level. This thing is going to be ALOT of work. (I am my own worst enemy) LOL. But when its done, I'll be manic and cross eyed!!!

[chromdome35]

The color on those pipes…wow! Very real looking.

That is a crazy amount of PE and other details, should keep you busy for a night or two.

[406 Silverado]

You’re gonna get your moneys worth outta Pete here. I can say this……this is gonna be one helluva show.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

WOW...this is really looking good Ian. That detail up kit is just as awesome as the car kit! Will that detail-up kit work with the MENG 1/12 GT-40? Is there even a detail up kit for the MENG. I have that car and want to build it one day. Watching you build your GT-40 is going to be REALLY helpful


I understand about the prices on the detail up kits. I paid 170.00 for a detail up kit for the 1/20 Senna Mclaren MP 4/4 kit that's on the to-do list. It's pretty cool.

[maverick]

Thanks Gary! I don't know if KA Does a kit for the 1/12 scale GT 40 from Meng. They do however make a detail up set for the 1/24 Meng GT 40. As for the 1/12 stuff. I am sure some of it would translate over to the Meng GT but. They are Two different manufacturers. Proportions are going to be different for each.

[maverick]

Todays episode... Bouncing around like a rabbit on crack on this thing! LOL. I am waiting for some braided hose from Top studio to arrive so I can get back on the engine work. The fabric braided line you get in the kit...Yeah, not thrilled with it. You MUST paint it with hair spray or the ends will fray when you cut them. Even so, the fit is lacking. Which means the appearance is lacking as well. This thing is big, you cant fudge details like line fitment to a fitting or its going to jump out at anyone who looks at it and scream at them. Also, the stuff is white. not silver, like real braided line. Can you paint it? Yeah but, I have enough to do on this monster as it is. lol...Enough for the rant, sorry...On to the actual work. Have been doing body work on this beast. It has a few issues, nothing major except the door fitment to the roof and pillars... Its tight, I mean if you paint the parts. The doors wont close, or open once you jam them shut. First pic bad door gaps, second,good door gap. Same goes for the hood/bonnet. Its tight as well to the front cowling. Soo, I had to sand, file and re shape the doors/ hood to get em to fit and have a gap for paint that wont jam the parts up once painted and assembled. Also got the front clip/cowling done. Sanded all the filler down and re primed it and the hood. They are ready for paint now. Rear engine cover and doors got a few coats of filler primer today in areas that need some sanding to level em out and remove mold lines...Soo, this is where its at right now. Got some more chrome soaking in the easy off bath for this thing. Why all the chrome? These were race cars, purpose built for racing. the only chrome on these things was on the top compression rings in the engine...Till nex time gang! Keep tuning in and thanks for the comments! 

[maverick]

Shoulda been a few more pics there...Don't know where they went...

While I am here... Filled a few sink marks on the roofs halo as well an a few stinkin' ejector pin marks inside the roof...I hate ejector pin marks!

[fifer]

I get cold sweats and start drooling evey time I see a GT40.
This is gonna be cool.
I am In !!!

[406 Silverado]

So much to see. I'm going to look this over and get back to you tomorrow on this jewel of a build.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

That is really looking good Maverick. Yea...the difference between the manufactures in the same scale blows me away. I mean...an inch is an inch, no matter how you lay the ruler down.

You can find the BEST braided line from Charlie at Pro Tech. I started out using Detail Master braided line, but it is hollow. Pro Tech line has a solid center with a copper wire in the middle. It will hold its shape in any position. Plus....He's a great guy to work with. Here's a link to his shop.
www.protechmodelparts.com/carpartscatalog.htm

[maverick]

Thanks Gary! Pro tech braided line is the best and I use it exclusively on my builds but...This thing has little pips on the fittings that the line is supposed to slip over. Soo, line has to be hollow. I don't use DTM braided line, even hollow its too stiff and the braiding is not in scale for 1/24 or 1/25 builds. And its way too rigid, even after stuffing a piece of wire in it to get it to hold a curve...I'll have more on the fittings I am using for this build in a future installment and all will become clear...LOL

[maverick]

Here's some pro tech stuff in use for yah to peruse Gary. Those AN anodized fittings are from RB Motion. The braiding is just so much tighter and in scale. Why use anything else, right?!

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

May 10, 2023 14:14:56 GMT -5 maverick said:

Thanks Gary! Pro tech braided line is the best and I use it exclusively on my builds but...This thing has little pips on the fittings that the line is supposed to slip over. Soo, line has to be hollow. I don't use DTM braided line, even hollow its too stiff and the braiding is not in scale for 1/24 or 1/25 builds. And its way too rigid, even after stuffing a piece of wire in it to get it to hold a curve...I'll have more on the fittings I am using for this build in a future installment and all will become clear...LOL

You are very welcome, Mav. I should've known that you were already hooked up with that stuff!! LOL I've got this build bookmarked so...I'ma look'in for sure... 

Man...is that a pinto or Vega? That is just flat AWESOME Detail and paint Mav. I also use RB Motion stuff. Haven't used his A/N fittings though. I've been using Detail master fittings for the last 15yrs. I guess I'm going to have to go over to RB Motion and check those fittings out. Again...great funny car build, and thanks for posting it.

[maverick]

Thanks Gary, it's a Vega. 1/25 scale Jungle Jim kit. Slixx decals sort of... The lettering and graphics are decals...All the stripes are painted...Once you go to RB Motion, you wont go back to detail master...

[406 Silverado]

RB motion really is all that and I've used it a couple of times on past builds because it makes such a big difference. Beautiful work on that Vega engine Pete!!

I used the RB fittings for the fuel pump line to carburetor line joint on this 396 that went into my 69 Camaro a few years back.

[maverick]

Hello gang! Yes my braided line finally came in the other day. Soo, made some engine progress! Like I stated before, I have Top Studio fittings and needed their line to work with em. Still have to resort to hair spray, The Top Studio stuff is fabric also...Sheesh! But I don't have to paint this stuff. I did buy 3 sizes in silver and black for this build. But...Still not happy with fitment between the line/fitting. The line is hollow, no wire core and slips over the little nub on the fittings with a bit of CA glue (It still looks unfinished) I found a solution though. Its not the best I could hope for but seems to be the only thing I can do. I wrap a thin piece of Foil tape around the end of the line where it mates to the fitting. If nothing else, it gives it a bit of a finished look. These are the transmission oil lines from the oil pump to the trans/engine. The chrome fittings come in the kit. I used em since the Y fitting is unique and the small 90s' have a pretty tight bend to em and space is going to be at a premium back here down the road. I also managed to mock up the ignition wires. I will tidy them up once the header pipes are sorted out and installed permanently but. Here is a little mock up for everyone to look at. Thanks for looking/commenting gang!


Oh And Joe! I remember you were wondering how much primer it was going to take for this build...
Don't worry, I have it covered...LOL..

I buy Mr Color lacquer primer by the case!!

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

That engine is really looking good Mav.

When I saw the 2 cases of primer sit'in on your bench...I cracked up. I think you have the primer stage covered for sure!!! LOL

[maverick]

Thanks Gary! Yeah, I don't fool around. I buy my regular use products by the case. Its like grocery shopping! Keep the staples stocked up so you don't run out...

[maverick]

Todays update! Yeah, exhaust pipes...About four hrs over two days. Two types of glue. some colorful euphemisms, bending of pipes (Glad they are pot metal) and its all over but the tail pipes. I'll mount those once the engine is permanently installed. Have to do a few touch ups around the collectors, nothing unexpected there. What was unexpected is the fact that the KA collectors are shorter overall than the kit parts and have no positive locating pin/position like the kit parts. That made it a challenge to get it all to properly locate/line up. Hence the bending and cussing. I did fab a small platform to sit in the original locating hole for the kit collectors. (Visible kinda sorta in the second pic) That helped to get the first few pipes and the collectors in a relatively close location. If you do this KA stuff on yours...You will be better off using the kit collectors. Trust me on this...LOL... After weathering the pipes I did put a flat clear over em. Then I went back and dusted more Alclad gold tittanium over em. (They were too silver) The picnic table worked ok for an engine stand too. Well here it is in all its discolored glory. The GT 40 bag of snakes exhaust system.

Thanks for looking gang!! Enjoy!!!
Oh yeah...Next up...The Gurney bubble...

[406 Silverado]

That may have fought you tooth and nail alright Pete but buddy...................that came out GOOD!!! The details in this part of the build alone is nothing short of amazing.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Man Pete...that engine is REALLY looking good!!!

[malcox477]

Amazing work, i need to get to that point

[406 Silverado]

May 24, 2023 6:19:38 GMT -5 malcox477 said:

Amazing work, i need to get to that point

You and me both brother.

[handiabled]

This super huge and super cool! Following!!

[maverick]

Thanks everyone!

[maverick]

Todays installment: Gurney bubble. Aptly named since Dan Gurney had plenty of seat time at LeMans in one of these. The guy was tall, like 6'3" or so. His head in a helmet...hit the top of the door/roof so they had to clearance it for him with a hole covered by a fairing/bubble...Hence the name. Trumpeter gives you the bubble and a recess in the door top for it but...If your going to do it, do it right...So I did. Drilled a few holes in the recess to aid cutting out the piece. Sanded it all smooth. Chamfered the inside edge to cut down on the thickness of the plastic and bonded the fairing in place...Taa Daa! Gurney bubble... Got a start on the interior tub too. Laid down some chrome foil for some future weathering...


Have a bonus for you today as well since the Gurney bubble installment is...Well..BOORING... I have the paint work on the belly pan mostly done at this point. Still have to cut and buff the Gulf blue but. Its beginning to get to the stage where I can start permanently adding sub assemblies to it. Soo, yeah, it's finally going to get interesting LOL...I just have to start building sub assemblies to add to it! I had to get rid of the horrible screw holes on this thing. Filling was not an option I wanted to pursue here. Don't want any kind of shrinkage ten yrs down the road!


Next time: Hopefully some finished bits and this thing starting to look like an actual race car! Stay tuned gang and thanks for looking commenting...