Mercedes 300SL - Tamiya

[sjordan2]

Thanks for the link Skip! Like you, I like to have as many pics as possible on any particular car............there's no such thing as too many pics!

My only beef with Fantasy Junction though is that they won't let you right click and save on the enlarged pics. I have a way around that though so no biggie.

BTW, I love the reference heavy aspect of this thread! LOTS of very interesting info about this car out there, and there's a couple things I picked up that I didn't know it. I have the Italeri kit of the 300SL convertible, but something about that one is not quite right to me. Almost as if the front end is a bit "stubby" or something. I think it was mentioned here before on the board the issues with that kit, but my memory is failing me.

The only really big deal with the Italeri roadster kit is the shape of the windshield, which is off, and the wheels/tires are a bit large, otherwise it's extremely accurate. Any issues are exactly the same between the 1/24 and 1/16 versions. The biggest problem with Italeri is that they've used the same basic body based on the roadster for their Gullwing, and the real bodies are NOT the same. The roadster is very faithful, but it differs from the Gullwing with a wider grille and more pronounced fender curves, which they wrongly used for the Gullwing. The EntexTestors/etc. Gullwing versions have much more accurate bodies.In short, the Italeri roadster is as good as it gets except for the windshield. The Italeri Gullwing doesn't make the cut.

 

Edited November 24, 2017 by sjordan2

[MrObsessive]

Ahhh I see!

I do remember a conversation about Italeri cheaping out and using the roadster body for the Gullwing. I never had the Gullwing kit, so I wouldn't have noticed that. I'll have to take a second look at the windshield frame of the roadster. I can say that the removable hardtop in the kit is total garbage and doesn't suit the car at all! I'd sooner scratch one up using a Gen 1 'Vette hardtop as a base and go from there.

And yes, the  wheels and tires are too big for the kit. I have HRM's wheels and tires for the Tamiya Gullwing I have, so I'd sooner swap the ones in that kit for the incorrect ones in the Italeri.

[Mixalz]

For nuts-and-bolts photo reference for the Gullwing, look at ALL the Gullwings shown here against a red brick wall at Fantasy Junction. Details will vary in scope.

fantasy junction mercedes gullwing 300 sl

 

 

Now thats the kind of reference photos I like. Fantasy Junction bookmarked

[sjordan2]

Here's what I was talking about on the windshield difference between the Testors/Italeri windshield and the real car. If you can find a Franklin Mint junker, it would be a good parts source -- it's nearly perfect.
 

 

[Mixalz]

Last update for this thread.
Car is basically completed and just needs number plates now. Didn't end up changing any hoses as the glue really did its job well.

Engine 

Wheels

Dash. This really held up the project. Trying to balance the paints used to avoid them eating to each other was brutal. Used Alclad for chrome and lacquer paints for the body and red with Vallejo to touch up the switches. Took three trials to achieve the result here. The order I finally settled on involved using a layer of Alclad Aqua Gloss between each coat of paint to: 1  - seal the previous coat and prevent burn through 2 - prevent masking tape damaging the lower layer 3 - seal the decals (one of which still peeled off and was attached to the masking tape! I was so lucky that I was able to carefully pull it off thanks to the layer of gloss over it giving it strength)

Interior assembled

[Mixalz]

The red on the dash plate was probably too thin but I ran out of paint and was too scared to try and remix the paint colour and touch it up. 

[Ich_Will]

Cool. I didn't know such a kit existed. I'll be adding this to the Merc fleet. 

[Dann Tier]

Simply BEAUTIFUL!!!!    -what paint did you use on the wheels?....they really look steel!!!

[250 Testa Rossa]

Where are the wheels from?

[Bainford]

I've been enjoying this build, and appreciate the detailed information provided by several members. I have one of these that I hope to tear into soon, so this is all helpful stuff. Your model is coming along very nicely. The carpeting in the interior looks really well done.

[Mixalz]

Thanks everyone.

6 hours ago, Dann Tier said:

Simply BEAUTIFUL!!!!    -what paint did you use on the wheels?....they really look steel!!!

I find Alclads polished aluminium seems to give a nice finish for wheels

5 hours ago, 250 Testa Rossa said:

Where are the wheels from?

The kit is being built with bits and pieces from hobby design PE kit. The wheel centres are about 6 pieces of photoetch painstakingly assembled with epoxy for added flexibility. These took a couple of tries to perfect. Luckily acetone and an ultrasonic will clean most things off PE parts.

I did manage to stuff up the rear AND side badges with these PE parts unfortunately. Thought I could get away with CA glue but slipped and damaged the badges and paint as well. Lesson learnt stick with acrylic clear and the just clear coat the whole car together.