Jump to content

Mercedes Mclaren SLR, Tamiya, 1/24


Recommended Posts

This has been lurking in the stash for quite some time... I'm not sure what brought it to the top, but a nice straightforward Tamiya build is just what the doctor ordered!

 

body-mockup.jpg

 

body-mockup-2.jpg

 

Thanks to the way the real car is engineered, there's no main bodyshell... the components and panels hang off the chassis and tub.

 

body-with-basecoat.jpg

 

Basecoated with Zero Paints Mercedes SLR-specific Palladium Silver. I quite like the matt look, but...

 

chassis-and-body.jpg

 

The chassis is somewhat simplified, but in terms of what you can actually see when it's built, it does the job, IMHO.

 

interior-bits.jpg

 

Interior trim under way -- I wanted one of the more colourful options, rather than plain black. Tamiya NATO Black for the majority, so details painted in semi- or gloss black will actually be visible.

 

chassis-from-left.jpg

 

Two piece engine washed to pop out the detail.

 

black-and-red-chassis.jpg

 

Better not forget the decals on the brake callipers!

 

shiny-body.jpg

 

shiny-body-2.jpg

 

shiny-body-top.jpg

 

Zero Diamond 2K clear coat on. This is straight out of the airbrush... I haven't sanded the primer, the base coat or the clearcoat

 

Time to progress the interior...

best,

M.

  • Like 7
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, @Spiny

 

Having heard some disquiet abroad about the fit and closure of the bonnet, I thought I'd better give it a try sooner rather than later:

bonnet-test-open.jpg

 

The mountings on the bonnet just click onto the hinge bar, so it's not so risky...

 

bonnet-test.jpg

 

Looks basically OK... however...

 

magnets.jpg

 

That's 3 2mmx1mm rare earth magnets let into the top of the engine, under the red induction cover. I'll put some tin can steel under the rear of the bonnet, which should be pulled down to snug it into place.

 

seats-mocked-up-from-front.jpg

 

seats-mocked-up.jpg

 

Just trying out some of the interior parts. I'm pleased I chose the more dramatic black and red colour scheme. It's the one I'd have in a real one, too...

 

best,

M.

  • Like 5
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks! The interior is done now. Not many parts, but crisply detailed and easy to paint. Citadel paints and some art pens...

 

dash-1.jpg

 

dash-2.jpg

 

As someone in a Youtube video I watched for research purposes 😜 said: "It's not very special inside for something that costs so much money..."

 

cockpit-done-front.jpg

 

cockpit-done-top.jpg

 

cockpit-done-rear-right.jpg

 

cockpit-done-left.jpg

 

...and finally:

chassis-16-oct.jpg

 

State of play for tonight... symphony in black, red and silver...

best,

M.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you! Chassis is now complete:

 

chassis-done-1.jpg

 

chassis-done-2.jpg

 

chassis-done-3.jpg

 

The weighty metal undertray gives the whole thing a high-quality heft, and I think the "soft chrome" of the wheels is spot on from Tamiya.

 

chassis-done-bonnnet-up.jpg

 

Continuing to test fit the bonnet -- there's something very Batman about this shot!

 

chassis-done-bonnnet-down.jpg

 

Looks like a very badass go-cart, doesn't it?

best,

M.

  • Like 9
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the home stretch now. The fit of the body, windows lights etc. is just stellar. Still haven't quite conquered the bonnet, but I'm now waiting until doors, windscreen and wipers are on before "fine tuning"... 😜

body-done-2.jpg

 

body-done.jpg

 

body-done-rear-view.jpg

 

body-done-interior.jpg

 

body-done-sharkmouth.jpg

 

body-done-top-down.jpg

 

Now I just have to decide what number plate will suit this one!

best,

M.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, @CrazyCrank

 

Door interiors:

door-cards.jpg

 

black-and-red.jpg

 

Small they may be, but the painting is pretty involved! Another great example of clever Tamiya engineering: the central red panel of each door is separate, and slides into a slot under the raised handle before clipping into place in the main door card. You just have to paint it red, and you get the area behind the handle neatly painted, and a gap behind the handle as on the real thing. I reckon most manufacturers would have moulded the whole thing as one piece with the handle integral, making for much trickier painting to make it look vaguely like the original.

 

best,

M.

 

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...