Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787b Le Mans Winner

[benb]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! 

It turns out that I have the 2019 release of the kit and the decals are from Cartograph. No wonder they're so good! I usually automatically replace kit decals with better aftermarket, but the Studio 27 sheet dates back to some time around the original 1992 release. I'll add them to the spares box and will keep using the kit decals for the rest of the project. I have to go back and add a bunch of cut up dashes to fill in some spots here and there. Tamiya provides probably about twice as many dashes as you need, so you're safe if you happen to screw up something. I also pulled the S27 CHARGE decal off of the wing and added the kit decal. No bleed through at all on the white areas. 


Ben

[kyledehart5]

BRB. Going to check and see if mine has actual useable decals. What a happy accident that is!!

[project510]

Fantastic! Hmmm judging by the condition of my box. Im going to bet mine is not from 2019. Ill have to see if I can source the Tamiya decals haha

[keavdog]

Looks spot on dude! Great paint work.

[handiabled]

I can see the difference now with the decals and the bleed through from the last pictures you posted. Looks like you nailed the decals and paint work perfectly on this!

[benb]

There are a bunch of aftermarket decals for the #55 on eBay, but they’re stupid expensive. I’ve never used Hobby Design’s or Decalpool’s decals, so I don’t know how they perform. I have used some from MSM Creations (“Yours for the low, low price of $94!), and the whites covered well but the decals were so brittle they were barely usable. This was back when they were still available at a sane price from places like SpotModel.

I don’t understand the logic behind these Japanese sellers asking such crazy high prices for kits and decals. I guess you only have to find one person willing to pay 100 bucks for a $10 set of decals.

Ben

[joelw]

Ben,
The dash lines look great. And while I couldn't see the bleed through on the Charge originally as bad enough for changing it, your after Change picture once again proves how right you were, and how wrong I was.

I've used Decalpool decals a few years ago. Back then they were reasonable in price, silk screened, took nearly forever to get from where in Asia they were made, and were on the thick side, but laid down very well. Plus the price was more then reasonable.

joel

[benb]

Looks like the Decalpool set is available direct from the manufacturer for a much more reasonable price: LINK

Ben

[kyledehart5]

Checked line. 1992 issue…molded in bright orange. 1992 decals from Tamiya. ☹️☹️😂

[project510]

Sept 23, 2024 2:15:30 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Checked line. 1992 issue…molded in bright orange. 1992 decals from Tamiya. ☹️☹️😂

Same. Decals are yellowish also, so I will have to replace them. Thanks for the link Ben!

[benb]

That's a bummer. Good luck with the replacements!

Ben

[benb]

The decals on the body are mostly done. I just have to hit a couple of spots with Solvaset, annd add the wheel decals and the pointers for the body latches. The kit decals for the tires are those wet transfer type Japanese manufacturers like. They’re already peeling off. Fortunately, I have some conventional water slide Dunlop decals I can use. I’ve decided not to use the carbon fiber decals. The weave pattern looks overscale, so I’m going with paint.



Ben

[joelw]

Ben,
The 787b is looking great. Can't wait to see it with all the decals, tires, and side pods on.

joel

[kyledehart5]

Brilliant!! That’s looking so good!!

[handiabled]

My goodness this is outstanding!

[406 Silverado]

Sept 25, 2024 18:19:11 GMT -5 benb said:

The decals on the body are mostly done. I just have to hit a couple of spots with Solvaset, annd add the wheel decals and the pointers for the body latches. The kit decals for the tires are those wet transfer type Japanese manufacturers like. They’re already peeling off. Fortunately, I have some conventional water slide Dunlop decals I can use. I’ve decided not to use the carbon fiber decals. The weave pattern looks overscale, so I’m going with paint.



Ben

 Man.........I just can't get enough of this build as it all just looks so dang GOOD!! This thing is a frickin' modern art masterpiece Ben. 

Sometimes we do get a pleasant surprise like the Cartograph decals that came with this kit and it's always good feeling to know that the money we spend on these kits comes back to us in the quality department. Keep the good show comin' bud. 

[kyledehart5]

I’m so jealous of the Cartograf decals that I’ve begun trolling the interwebs for one of this release. 😂. Of course this kit has gotten pretty pricey in the intervening years since I bought mine.

[benb]

Thanks for the compliments, everyone! As always, I’m depending on poor photography to hide the flaws.   I’ve been really enjoying this one. The kit itself is great and you can’t go wrong with Cartograph decals. Fingers crossed that I don’t screw up the clear coat.

Ben

[benb]

I just found a fantastic walk around of the 787b. Here is the link for anyone who builds this kit in the future and stumbles across this thread. There are a few details that are different from the kit. One is the way the dashes pass underneath the RENOWN logos on the sides (now I find good photos of this area!) and the Gurney flaps on the back of the body and wing are missing. The photos of the car taken during the race do show the Gurney flaps and it appears that the dashes do not pass under the RENOWN logos. 
Mazda 787B Walk Around

EDIT: Here is another walk around of what's also supposed to be Chassis 002. It does have the Gurney flaps and the dashes don't go under the RENOWN logos.

ANOTHER EDIT: In the late '90s, Chassis 002 was driven in several events around the world, and at one point the rear end was damaged. It was restored by Mazdaspeed in preparation for the 20th anniversary of the win. That probably accounts for the missing Gurney flaps and markings differences. Another good example of why one shouldn't completely trust museum restorations.

Ben

[joelw]

Ben,

Great find for sure.

Finding this walk around after the fact is closely linked to dropping a much needed small piece and no matter how long you search, the Carpet monster ate it for sure. I don't know about you guys but I do eventually find some of the missing parts builds later. Just gotta be the Carpet Monster playing with my head again.

joel

[benb]

Even though I try to do my research before I start a build, I almost always go back to the Googles, looking for something I have a question about that pops up during construction. And I almost always find something I missed, usually after it's too late to do anything about it. I added a second link to my above post to another great walk around of what I think is Chassis 002 prior to the rear end being damaged. 

I need to get off the internet and get going on the clear coat so I can finish this build! 

Ben

[joelw]

Ben,
Same here about spending way to much time on the internet and way to little free time modeling. But in all fairness, you make way more progress then I ever do.

joel

[project510]

Sept 29, 2024 9:39:24 GMT -5 benb said:

I just found a fantastic walk around of the 787b. Here is the link for anyone who builds this kit in the future and stumbles across this thread. There are a few details that are different from the kit. One is the way the dashes pass underneath the RENOWN logos on the sides (now I find good photos of this area!) and the Gurney flaps on the back of the body and wing are missing. The photos of the car taken during the race do show the Gurney flaps and it appears that the dashes do not pass under the RENOWN logos. 
Mazda 787B Walk Around

EDIT: Here is another walk around of what's also supposed to be Chassis 002. It does have the Gurney flaps and the dashes don't go under the RENOWN logos.

ANOTHER EDIT: In the late '90s, Chassis 002 was driven in several events around the world, and at one point the rear end was damaged. It was restored by Mazdaspeed in preparation for the 20th anniversary of the win. That probably accounts for the missing Gurney flaps and markings differences. Another good example of why one shouldn't completely trust museum restorations.

Ben

Good Karma for you my friend. Great coverage of a car all of us in here want to build or have it a plan to build. Great stuff.

[greg]

Sept 29, 2024 11:59:37 GMT -5 benb said:

Even though I try to do my research before I start a build, I almost always go back to the Googles, looking for something I have a question about that pops up during construction. And I almost always find something I missed, usually after it's too late to do anything about it. I added a second link to my above post to another great walk around of what I think is Chassis 002 prior to the rear end being damaged. 

I need to get off the internet and get going on the clear coat so I can finish this build! 

Ben

Wow. Everything you said hits home with me big time.

[benb]

Coming up on the home stretch! The chassis is finished, I just have to add several decals to the seat. 


The clear coat is dry and I thought I’d do a little test fitting.


I just have to do a little more detail painting and mask and paint the trim on the clear parts, then it will be just a matter of gluing stuff together.

Ben

[joelw]

Ben,
This has to be one of your best builds to date. Great painting and decaling, as both are not for the faint of heart.

joel

[kyledehart5]

Ben, this is exceptional. Great work on the paint, decals and the interior and chassis bits. Awesome stuff

[benb]

Thanks, guys! The paint and decals were actually not too difficult. Tamiya really made it a lot easier by having very faint raised lines showing the color demarcations. They were so faint, they almost disappeared under the primer coat but it made lining up the masks pretty easy. It would’ve been a bit more challenging if I’d had to mask it all freehand. The chassis has a lot of room to add lots of detail, if you’re so inclined. So far, this has been a very relaxing build. (I probably just jinxed myself!)

Ben

[project510]

Sept 30, 2024 16:13:06 GMT -5 benb said:

Thanks, guys! The paint and decals were actually not too difficult. Tamiya really made it a lot easier by having very faint raised lines showing the color demarcations. They were so faint, they almost disappeared under the primer coat but it made lining up the masks pretty easy. It would’ve been a bit more challenging if I’d had to mask it all freehand. The chassis has a lot of room to add lots of detail, if you’re so inclined. So far, this has been a very relaxing build. (I probably just jinxed myself!)

Ben

You probably did, but we will hope for the best for you! Hahah

[handiabled]

The paint scheme and markings look flawless.