Tamiya Subaru Impreza WRC 2002

[galaxyg]

Background:

Much to my surprise I realised that despite having completed some 97 car model kits at this point, I'd never done a rally car. I'd certainly bought quite a few, but that's only almost the same thing. So what better place to start with rally cars than a Subaru Impreza, this kit having sat in my stash for some 8 years. I'd bought this particular Impreza as I do like the "bug eye" version, and the kit has driver/co-driver figures. There's a choice of car 10 - Mäkinen, or car 11, Solberg. Mäkinen in an Impreza? Weird. Also the Solberg/Mills pair have more interesting helmet designs, so car 11 it became.

 

Pros:

Everything you'd expect from a Tamiya kit. Great proportions, great fit, loads of details, clean moulding and a joy to put together. Not to mention window masks, a few sticky plated parts for the mirrors and driver/co-driver parts. The gold wheels are a good finish and require no painting beyond the centres/wheel nuts. The body fits on and off the chassis with ease.

 

Cons:

The decals for the kevlar seat backs are bright yellow, the real thing is more like dark gold. The giant side decals are fiddly to line up and the swrt.com decals on the sills really don't want to stick. The front lip has only a tiny contact area to glue with. Also and typical for this kind of kit - no engine.

 

Verdict:

A great kit and I loved building it. Very recommended.

 

Build notes:

Built over the space of 5 weeks, Jan-Mar 2021. Painted in Tamiya TS-50, the only additions to the boxed kit are the PE bonnet pins, drivers seatbelts and some heat shielding and wiring on the interior. The mud is made from Pinnacle weathering powders mixed with Testors dullcote and applied with a toothbrush.

 

[Vesa Jussila]

Nice to see this completed. Subaru blue looks nice. And you have done nice work with interior.

[keefr22]

That's a cracking job, I really like that! I don't know why, but while I have no problem weathering my armour models I just can't bring myself to do it to my cars - I think you just might have inspired me to do so on one - I think your weathering is great - just enough, not over the top! Any plans for a small bit of tarmac stage for it to sit on...?

 

Top work!

 

Keith

[Windy37]

That’s a good result . I agree with @keefr22 about weathering rally car kits . Sometimes it’s too over done , yours is done just right , very subtle . Having built most versions of Tamiya rally Imprezzas I agree they go together really well , and require minimum painting . Makinen ended his driving career at Subaru , even though he is always remembered as a Mitsubishi driver . He also won 1000 Lakes Rally Finland driving a works Ford Escort Cosworth . 
 Gary’s. 

[galaxyg]

2 hours ago, keefr22 said:

Any plans for a small bit of tarmac stage for it to sit on...?

I've just bought an offcut at B&Q that'd do nicely, about 30cm square MDF. Something to put on the to-do list.

[Toftdale]

Great build, the driver and co-driver really add to the build 👏 - Andy PS, also agree great subtle weathering. 

[HoolioPaulio]

Looks ace, love me a Subaru and you didn't disappoint  

[F-32]

Lovely looking Scoob