Tamiya 1/12 Porsche Carrera GT

[Keith Christie]

Good Evening Gentlemen,

As promised here is the start to my latest project. Tamiya's new Porsche Carrera GT in 1/12 scale. the kit was released earlier in the year and is the follow on from the Enzo kit.
Full details of the kit can be found HERE

I started building this at the beginning of July, the early stages start with the engine build and then move on to the chassis and engine bay.
Here are some photo's of the completed engine. (I still need to clean up some of the wash around the engine)











As the Chassis of the Carrera GT is Carbon Fibre, I decided to replicate this in the Engine bay and interior using SMS carbon decals, this involved making many templates from tamiya masking tape then converting them to shapes cut from the decal sheet.
These were applied using various decal solutions depending on the area the decal was to be located. once this was completed and the decals had dried for 48 hours, the chassis was sprayed with 2 pack gloss clear, Then the engine was installed.









The top rear part of the chassis also got the same treatment as the chassis as this will be a focal point when the engine cover is raised. I decided to use a different shade of carbon for this area to give some contrast, also this seemed to best match the reference photo's I have. 
Again the suspension parts were painted and assembled once the 2 Pack clear coat had hardened.







Well that ends the first instalment of the build, hope you enjoy the photo's

Any comments, criticisms or questions welcome.

Best Regards

Keith

[Deleted]

You've got off to an absolutely cracking start on this beauty Keith.That Carbon fibre looks superb,and the engine looks the Mutts!!!!

[Mence]

As always Keith, an undiluted pleasure to see your work again. So far she is looking really sweet, your usual high quality.

Looking forward to your next update...

[wbill76]

Very nice work here Keith, that carbon-fibre look is amazing.

[Keith Christie]

Chris, Mence, jackwagon, WBill,

Thank you Gentlemen for the kind words, The carbon decals were a lot of work, but I think they were worth the effort on such a large model (380x140mm).

The next job is to get the rear chassis parts finished and attached.
More soon,

Best Regards

Keith

[Leon]

Awesome work on the CF and engine Keith.Looking really good.

[MOOSE.]

Keith, she is a beauty thus far. That cf is a bit of a pain huh? I ordered some more for the Enzo (as you can take the car apart). I may nab the Porche in the near future. I'm on board for this one bud!

[Keith Christie]

Leon, Thanks very much for the kind words.

Moose, thanks it's good to have you along. The carbon was time consuming more than anything, I've still got some more to do with the seats and guards around the tyres.
If you get hold of the Porsche kit you won't be disappointed. It has a lot more metal work than the Enzo, including a full metal under tray and the front luggage area is also a cast metal piece. I think the finished model will be very heavy. So far the fit has been spot on.

I should have some more progress soon.

Best Regards

Keith.

[robbo]

Hello Keith long time no see mate, can I just say wow to your build mate looks superb, but what else would we expect from you eh?

[Keith Christie]

Hi Ian,
Thanks very much, good to have you along.

Best Regards

Keith

[Keith Christie]

Good Afternoon Gentlemen,

I have another update for you.

I have now added the rear chassis member and built up the hubs with the discs and brake callipers.
For the photo's the chassis has been added to the undertray. In the fourth photo the front chassis member can also be just seen dry fitted to the tub.











As always all comments, criticisms and questions welcome.

Best Regards

Keith

[MOOSE.]

Looking sweet Keith! All the fitment good thus far? Carbon looking really good

[Deleted]

Nice update Keith.....Up to your normal exquisitely high standards,I see

[Keith Christie]

Moose, thanks for looking in, the fit of the parts so far is spot on, the only thing that gave me a little grief was the two halves of the crank case right at the start of the build.

Chris thanks mate, glad you're enjoying it so far.

Best regards

Keith.

[wbill76]

Beautiful work on all those details Keith, very nice.

[Keith Christie]

Thanks for stopping by Bill,

Best Regards

Keith

[Mence]

Missed the update Keith, sorry. Fantastic mate, keeps getting better!

[Keith Christie]

Thanks very much Mence, glad you're enjoying it so far.
There should be another update soon as I have been working on the front subframe and suspension today.

Best Regards

Keith.

[TRM]

This looks fantastic Keith!! Excellent work so far!!

[Keith Christie]

Mark, Thanks for looking in, hope you like the work so far.
T, thanks for stopping by, Im glad you are enjoying the build so far.

Best Regards

Keith

[Keith Christie]

Good Afternoon Gentlemen,

Here is another update for you,

I have now completed the front sub frame, front hubs, suspension units and steering rack. Unfortunately most of this will not be seen once the body work is fitted. (but we will know it's there won't we) 








This last picture (I couldn't resist a trial fit) shows the front subframe, seats and dashboard dry fitted along with the white metal luggage compartment and the front and rear body work.



There is still a mountain of work to do on this so stay tuned.

As always all comments criticisms and questions welcome.

Best Regards

Keith

[Mence]

Love it, such a shame to hide it all away?

I assume the body fit is spot on?

[Keith Christie]

Thanks Mence, the fit of the body so far is spot on, I haven't tried the doors yet but I'm hopeful that there won't be any snags.

Mark, thanks , the kit is very expensive, especially if you buy it from a UK vendor, but so far you are correct it is awesome, every thing fits perfectly.
If anyone plans to build this or the Enzo, don't under estimate how many carbon fibre decal sheets you'll need not to mention the amount of paint.

More soon,

Best Regards

Keith

[thenylongag]

Beautiful work Keith

That carbon fibre looks stunning mate

Gag

[Keith Christie]

Gag, thanks for looking in, I'm glad you like the progress so far.

Best Regards

Keith.

[Keith Christie]

Good Evening Gentlemen,

Here is another update for you.
First off, some more Carbon fibre parts, the two rear wheel wells. decals were cut for these parts using tamiya tape as a template, then soaked with decal setting solution to make them conform, once dry they were sprayed with 2K clear coat.





Next up is the dash board, these parts were sprayed with Alclad white Aluminium, Tamiya German grey and Nato black to give the interior colours, here we see them dry fitted together...



...and here is a closer shot to show you the exquisite decals from tamiya for the instruments, these also required a little decal setting solution to get them to conform. I still need to do a little work on the vents to tidy the shadows up.


....and lastly for this evening here is an over view with the front end and Dash, dry fitted to the tub.



So far the fit of the parts has been superb.

As always all questions comments and criticisms welcome.

Best Regards

Keith

[Deleted]

Wow ..... half the model is CF!! Awesome detail work!

[Deleted]

FERK ME!!!! ....Mr C!!...That is some seriously slick painting /detailing in the 'pit mate!!!!We Have to REALLY get you to bring some of your builds to some of the MSC tables next year???

[deafpanzer]

Just beautiful work!!! I swear it looks like the real thing...

[wbill76]

Very nice work on the interior, looks like you could sit in it and take it for a spin!