Josep Posted June 9, 2024 Posted June 9, 2024 Hello fellows, Here, my current project, the Renault 4L, in 1:24 scale, by Heller: The mould was released in 2015. The first impression is quite good. I only noticed that the frontal grill is a compact piece... ...and that windows and doors are indeed the same clear part, as tipically in Heller models. That means that you have to carefully mask the doors when painting. And neither allows you to depict the windows open. Following the instructions, I started with the engine: Here, the engine is already installed in the chasis. For practical reasons, I removed the air filter. I painted and put the sats in place. This pic shows a little test, in oder to fit the wheels... After this, I started the body painting process, masking the clear parts, etc... I liked my 4L in yellow. There are a wide variariy of tones, starting from an ultra intense yellow, others with orange or cream tonalities, untilI a very palid... Here, one example of the real thing, with the yellow I liked the most: To achieve this tonality, I used the Vallejo 71.288 UK BSC 64 Port. Stone, which in my opinion fits very well: The idea is to show the vehicle in an accepatble state of conservation; so I'm thinking only in a light weathering Here, the dashboard already painted, and put in their place over the chasis: After putting the decals and the steering wheel, the dashborad is also completed: After installing all the windows, I put the body and the chasis together: All fits quite well. In this part, I added the steering column. In this pic, the radiator is also in their place, altogether with some decals: The next step was to install the battery, accesories, additional wires, etc. According to the instructions, there are two bars that connect from the dashboard with the engine bay. The long one connects with the gearshift lever. But the second one (the short) I don't know what function has. You can see both installed in the next pictures: Surpringly, after checking in the Internet, I did not find any picture of this second bar (the short one)... So, finally I decided to remove this bar. I used the hole for adding some wires: This is the engine bay, almost totally finished: So, that's all for the moment. I hope you like it! Cheers, and thank you for watching. Josep 29
Toftdale Posted June 9, 2024 Posted June 9, 2024 1 hour ago, Josep said: The idea is to show the vehicle in an accepatble state of conservation You've certainly achieved that, great painting - Andy
keefr22 Posted June 9, 2024 Posted June 9, 2024 That looks really good! Don't think I've ever seen one of these built before, looking forward to more progress..... Keith
Josep Posted June 10, 2024 Author Posted June 10, 2024 10 hours ago, Toftdale said: You've certainly achieved that, great painting - Andy Thank you very much Andy! 1
Josep Posted June 10, 2024 Author Posted June 10, 2024 9 hours ago, keefr22 said: That looks really good! Don't think I've ever seen one of these built before, looking forward to more progress..... Keith Hi Keith, I also think this is the first Renault 4L in BM... Thank you! 1
Vesa Jussila Posted June 11, 2024 Posted June 11, 2024 Paintwork is impressive. Engine looks really good. 1
Josep Posted June 13, 2024 Author Posted June 13, 2024 On 11/06/2024 at 16:03, Vesa Jussila said: Paintwork is impressive. Engine looks really good. Many thanks Vesa!
Josep Posted June 15, 2024 Author Posted June 15, 2024 On 14/06/2024 at 03:20, flyboy2610 said: Very nice job on that engine! 👍 Thank you Flyboy!
Spottedlaurel Posted June 15, 2024 Posted June 15, 2024 Great to see such good progress being made on this one! I really like the timeworn-but-solid, well-used look you've given it, like some of those I see when on holiday in France. 1
JeroenS Posted June 16, 2024 Posted June 16, 2024 What a great start Josep, and I too like the colour a lot, it's a classic colour. Over 30 years ago, a friend of mine had a 4L and he'd painted it bright green with brush and roller... he had some trouble getting the doors to open again 🙂 Also, I remember that the indicator and wiper sticks were switched around (at least in his car), so that every time he intended to signal for a turn the wipers went off 😄... it took some getting used to for him but it was comical for the passengers. 1 2
Josep Posted June 20, 2024 Author Posted June 20, 2024 On 15/06/2024 at 12:16, Spottedlaurel said: Great to see such good progress being made on this one! I really like the timeworn-but-solid, well-used look you've given it, like some of those I see when on holiday in France. Thank you! I watched several models in the internet, and in fact this cars are usually quite well conserved...
Josep Posted June 20, 2024 Author Posted June 20, 2024 On 16/06/2024 at 10:14, JeroenS said: What a great start Josep, and I too like the colour a lot, it's a classic colour. Over 30 years ago, a friend of mine had a 4L and he'd painted it bright green with brush and roller... he had some trouble getting the doors to open again 🙂 Also, I remember that the indicator and wiper sticks were switched around (at least in his car), so that every time he intended to signal for a turn the wipers went off 😄... it took some getting used to for him but it was comical for the passengers. Hello Jeroen!! Thank you for your kind words. And what a good memories of your friend!!😄 Cheers!
Malc2 Posted June 20, 2024 Posted June 20, 2024 Brilliant aging of the body, it looks very realistic. Malc. 1
Hamden Posted June 21, 2024 Posted June 21, 2024 On 6/9/2024 at 7:12 PM, Josep said: The long one connects with the gearshift lever. But the second one (the short) I don't know what function has. You can see both installed in the next pictures: I don't know if Jorgen @Bengalensiscan confirm or correct but I think from very old memory that the short rod is the hand brake linkage. Roger
Noel Smith Posted June 21, 2024 Posted June 21, 2024 Very nice model taking shape here. It is good to see every day run abouts being modelled instead of all the more exotic cars. 1
Bengalensis Posted June 21, 2024 Posted June 21, 2024 Good work @Josep, always nice to see another classic Renault being modelled 👍 3 hours ago, Hamden said: I don't know if Jorgen @Bengalensiscan confirm or correct but I think from very old memory that the short rod is the hand brake linkage. Roger This looks to be the water hose from the water pump to the upper heater core connection, but I'm not quite convinced Heller placed it exactly right. This being a GTL with the larger Sierra engine also has the second heater core hose routed high. From what I can see in my Heller kits it seems Heller omitted that. The hand brake linkage was originally routed closer to the steering column, until the hand brake moved down to the floor between the seats on later cars like this GTL. 2
Hamden Posted June 21, 2024 Posted June 21, 2024 26 minutes ago, Bengalensis said: Good work @Josep, always nice to see another classic Renault being modelled 👍 This looks to be the water hose from the water pump to the upper heater core connection, but I'm not quite convinced Heller placed it exactly right. This being a GTL with the larger Sierra engine also has the second heater core hose routed high. From what I can see in my Heller kits it seems Heller omitted that. The hand brake linkage was originally routed closer to the steering column, until the hand brake moved down to the floor between the seats on later cars like this GTL. Thanks for clarifying Jorgen, when I worked on these the radiators were mounted on top of the steering rack and only just changed from three speed to four and the handbrake was mounted in the dash area. Roger 1 1
Bengalensis Posted June 21, 2024 Posted June 21, 2024 45 minutes ago, Hamden said: Thanks for clarifying Jorgen, when I worked on these the radiators were mounted on top of the steering rack and only just changed from three speed to four and the handbrake was mounted in the dash area. Roger Yes indeed, that is the original configuration with the smaller Ventoux based engine, and the battery high up on the firewall. 2
Josep Posted June 25, 2024 Author Posted June 25, 2024 On 20/06/2024 at 20:55, Malc2 said: Brilliant aging of the body, it looks very realistic. Malc. Thank you Malc!
Josep Posted June 25, 2024 Author Posted June 25, 2024 On 21/06/2024 at 12:21, Bengalensis said: Good work @Josep, always nice to see another classic Renault being modelled 👍 This looks to be the water hose from the water pump to the upper heater core connection, but I'm not quite convinced Heller placed it exactly right. This being a GTL with the larger Sierra engine also has the second heater core hose routed high. From what I can see in my Heller kits it seems Heller omitted that. The hand brake linkage was originally routed closer to the steering column, until the hand brake moved down to the floor between the seats on later cars like this GTL. Thank you very much Jorgen.👍👍 I did a deep search, and couldn't find any picture of this secondary rod...
Josep Posted June 25, 2024 Author Posted June 25, 2024 Hello guys, Let me show you a little update... I decided to mount the exhaust pipe; although according to the instructions is almost the final step. Therefore, some pics of the exhaust pipe, already painted and mounted: The silencer has received some pigments, to get the "patina" effect. And the chasis problaby will receive some additional weathering...🤔 So, let's move on over the front grille, the turn signals and the headlights. All is already painted and in its place. The front grille is in one piece. I have tried to create the feeling of hollowness with Tamiya Panel Line, and by lowering each small gap as much as possible. And here, the rear bumper. It is not installed yet; it is just a test to see how the weathering and colour fit with the rest of vehicle. I hope you like it. And thank you for your comments!! Cheers, Josep 9
flyboy2610 Posted June 25, 2024 Posted June 25, 2024 2 minutes ago, Josep said: I hope you like it. And thank you for your comments!! Cheers, Josep I do! It looks quite nice! A refreshing change from all the bright shiny cars! Looks like something I could afford to drive! 😄 1
triumphfan Posted June 25, 2024 Posted June 25, 2024 Looks like a nice kit. Love the weathering and wear & tear effects. Great result so far. Atb, Steve. 1
keefr22 Posted June 26, 2024 Posted June 26, 2024 Yep that looks great, a real old workhorse! Keith 1
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