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#4475594 - 05/27/19 11:12 AM Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner  
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goon Offline
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Hi All,

I had a crisis of motivation yesterday, so cleared the bench and picked up a kit I've had for a while - Tamiya's 1/24 Mazda 787B. This is my favourite racing car, driven to victory by my favourite driver (Johnnie Herbert) at my favourite race. In 2011 I saw Johnnie's demo run at Le Mans, and the car very much lived up to the legend. I've built this kit before, back in 1994 in the tiny kitchen of a tiny bedsit in Putney. All that survives is the windscreen wiper. I wanted to build another but it has long been out of production with these decals and eBay prices were ridiculous. I found this second hand for £16 (!) at a show in Stoke about 5 years ago. I remember physically shaking when I found it was an unstarted and complete kit. (It's soon to be reissued, but it won't be sixteen quid!) 

This is one of the reasons the car is so loved. (Le Mans legend has it that at night the car could be heard for the entire lap from the campsites!)

https://youtu.be/9jAngoCbOMg



So here we go. The classic box art. I cut this from the lid back in the 90s and it was always on my various bedroom walls of the time. (Students move a lot!)

[Linked Image]

I've got Hobby Design's comprehensive PE sheet to add. 

[Linked Image] 



And here's all that survives of my previous build. God knows why it's still in my toolbox!

[Linked Image]



I don't like the look of the decals, being very thick and shiny. I remember really struggling to get them to lay down last time so I'll be getting replacements, and painting the green areas.

[Linked Image]



I'm looking at the feasibility of opening a door too, if I can detail the cockpit sufficiently. 

More soon, and thanks for looking in,
Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#4475596 - 05/27/19 11:50 AM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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Lifer
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Lifer

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Posts: 25,138
Vienna, 2nd rock left.
Wow. Can't wait to see you do a car in your level of detail. I like that one too, nice piece of history to it.

#4475612 - 05/27/19 02:14 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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goon Offline
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Here's some of the PE. Some parts are very fine, and I've managed to mar one piece being ham fisted. 

[Linked Image]



[Linked Image]



The rear wing support is replaced with PE parts, some of which are aligned with tiny 'bolts'. There's dozens of these to place. I REALLY hope there are some spares. 

[Linked Image]



Cheers,

Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4475657 - 05/27/19 05:16 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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I saw the reissue coming up on this. Having some urges to build it, and had wondered at the feasibility of opening a door and maybe the front cowl.

I'll enjoy watching your build, as I still sit on the fence on whether or not to build another model kit.


WARNING: This post contains opinions produced in a facility which also occasionally processes fact products.
#4475671 - 05/27/19 06:47 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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Dart Offline
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Those little tiny bolts are giving me the heeby-geebies just looking at them.


The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.com

From Laser:
"The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
#4475685 - 05/27/19 07:52 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: Dart]  
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goon Offline
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Originally Posted by Dart
Those little tiny bolts are giving me the heeby-geebies just looking at them.


You and me both. I've lost count of how many I've lost, and getting them to stay in without a mess of glue is an absolute joy....


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4475758 - 05/28/19 09:39 AM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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Alicatt Offline
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Ice Cold in Alex or Eating in ...
Building the Tamiya 10th scale cars was bad enough, with my eyesight now I would have no hope in doing those 1:24.

I did love making the 1:10 RC cars from Tamiya and had great fun racing them and then building their Wild Willy was fun and doing stunts with it Ah great little beast that it was.


Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil
Sons of the hound come here and get flesh
Clan Cameron
#4475802 - 05/28/19 04:09 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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goon Offline
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Cheers everyone. I've had a good day in the shed today.

I've started the wheels. The first task is to remove the moulding seam down round the centre of the tyre. I fit them to the wheel and spin in the Dremel and use a sanding stick to sand it back. This also gives a nice scuffed surface, as if they've been driven on. You can also get a nice finish with a quick wipe over with a little turpentine. 

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

The windscreen wiper is complete. I'm sure it's not put together as the manufacturer intended but I couldn't make head nor tail of the instructions. I should have copied the layout of the kit part but it never occurred to me. Still, I can't imagine anyone is going to tell the difference.

[Linked Image]



More soon,

Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4475863 - 05/28/19 10:56 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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rwatson Offline
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Good show there goon..I don't have the skills to do what you guys do,,but love following what folks like you and Ajay are doing and of course I'm amazed at Darts work..


Russ
Semper Fi
#4476284 - 06/01/19 02:32 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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goon Offline
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A load of goodies arrived last week. I bought the Hiroboy paint se, Studio 27 carbon decals and a reference book.

[Linked Image]

There are 40 pages of detail like this. The only thing it doesn't cover is the inside of the door, which I could do with if I'm to open it.

[Linked Image]


The studio 27 decals are superb, but getting all 66 in place will take some time! (I've used these on a 1/12 Moto GP so I'm very confident of the quality. It's not a doddle to do, but it's hard to see how it could be made any easier. They react superbly well to MicroScale decal solutions, and are robust enough to slide around to get the right position.)

[Linked Image]


And some of the actual model. The rear wing with new end plates and Gurney strip.

[Linked Image]

Thanks for looking in,
Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4476370 - 06/02/19 11:59 AM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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Ajay Offline
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Brisbane OZ
Nice project. Cars scare me because the paintjob has too be so #%&*$# slick! Re instructions, i've found a ton of things on my Warspite build where i have had to look at other builds owing to wonky instruction angles and parts that are in the finished picture but nowhere else.

Gurney strip, as in Dan Gurney?


My il2 page
Seelowe Campaign
Cliffs of Dover page
CloD
My Models
Tanks/Planes/Ships


#4476526 - 06/03/19 02:30 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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Posts: 25,138
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Lifer
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Lifer

Joined: Jan 2001
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Vienna, 2nd rock left.
^Jep, he invented them.

#4476651 - 06/04/19 10:51 AM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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goon Offline
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Yes, Gurney invented the flap / strip.

The seat is done. The shape is accurate but the surface texture is poor. I painted it with Tamiya white bottle cement, which does not evaporate as quickly as other thin glues. I then dunked it is baking soda, working on small areas at a time. Once set I sprayed a few coats of Tamiya NATO Black, before dunking in Klear to make it withstand handling. Studio 27 provide carbon decals for the seat back, and the Hobby Design set has PE parts for the belts. There's also a sheet of sticky backed fabric textured material to make the belts. I'm pretty sure these aren't set up exactly as the original, but the diagrams in the PE set are unclear, and I couldn't find conclusive photos. I'm sure it will look suitable complex one in place. (There was a point in making these that I almost gave up model making on a permanent basis. Absolutely infuriating!)

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Thanks for looking in again,
Gareth.


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4476653 - 06/04/19 11:02 AM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 25,138
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Lifer
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Lifer

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 25,138
Vienna, 2nd rock left.
Knowing you that Seat is prolly less than an inch and it looks as real as the full size thing...

#4477216 - 06/08/19 11:48 AM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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goon Offline
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The seat is around 1.5" / 38mm tall.

The cockpit is finished, with a placards and such from the spares box to make it look 'busy', and scratch built fire extinguisher and lead wire radio button flex. Pleased with that.

[Linked Image]



[Linked Image]



I'm still undecided about opening the door, as it exposes bits of the kit that aren't supposed to be seen. I think I might have a couple of strong beers this afternoon and cut it out anyway, and then think about fixing the 'mess'!


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4479496 - 06/22/19 05:00 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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goon Offline
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I've had a long break from this to attend my 11th Le Mans race, and solo this year for the first time, but here's a small update.

In the end beer won over caution, and I chopped the door out. I think making the hinges work is too difficult so it will be fixed open.

[Linked Image]

I've also had a test of the photo etch mask for the Dunlop logo on the tyres on the inside of one of the front wheels. I've seen real tyres with the logo obviously applied by spray can and mask, so this works for me.

[Linked Image]

More soon,
Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4480601 - 06/29/19 02:46 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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goon Offline
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A picture of the completed wheels from last week before we went on 'holiday'. (Sarah and I are now Competent Crew (Sail) rated by the RYA. From never having set foot on a yacht to certified crew in 5 days!) I'm really pleased with the Dunlop logos, a really nice effect from the mask, way better than the supplied decals.

[Linked Image]

I've had a delivery of tubing and braided lines from Hiroboy today so might go a bit quiet while I work out what to do with them.

Last edited by goon; 06/29/19 03:12 PM.

cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4481051 - 07/02/19 07:33 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
Joined: Sep 2001
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Dart Offline
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Lifer

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Alabaster, AL USA
That's just crazy good!


The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.com

From Laser:
"The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
#4481127 - 07/03/19 09:58 AM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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I've got the metal replacement wing mounts in place, and some new lights from Gemini car models in Italy.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Over the weekend I started wiring the engine, and on the first try at heating the shrink tube I got distracted and melted the plate that all the connectors mount to - a careless error! I tried straightening it with hot water but it was too far gone.

[Linked Image]



Nothing for it but to make a new one, which was simple enough. I cut a piece of plastic card, and took off the original connectors, which luckily were undamaged. It also gave me the kick I needed to redo the pulleys on the top, which are just blobs on the original. I used my Silhouette plotter to cut the parts.

[Linked Image]



This is now mounted in place, and most of the ignition wiring done, but, inevitably ran out of shrink tubing with only one to make. There's more on the way, so I'll post a pic when it's complete.



Cheers,

Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4481293 - 07/03/19 09:47 PM Re: Tamiya 1/24 Mazda 787B Le Mans winner [Re: goon]  
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semmern Offline
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Nice going!

The 787B has to be one of the most remarkable endurance racers of all time. It SCREAMS at high revs like no other car!


In all my years I've never seen the like. It has to be more than a hundred sea miles and he brings us up on his tail. That's seamanship, Mr. Pullings. My God, that's seamanship!
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