Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

Tamiya 1/24 Honda Today


Italianhorses

Recommended Posts

All of the Tamiya box-stockers I have been cranking out lately were done for online Tamiya box-stock contest on another site - but mostly because these are the models I have in my stash, I want to build them, but not interested in building a superdetailed, or even mildly-detailed versions - they are perfect as is from the box. The contest ends July 5th, and I still have a week to try to squeeze model #8 to the finish line. As such, I picked a very simple kit:

50052300036_0703e5fd79_b.jpg

1986 Honda Today. Tiniest kit box I've see in 1/24th. Original 1986 issue, just like I like 'em!

50052299931_8aee71788b_b.jpg

There are probably total of 40 parts in this kit, but the most interesting thing is that it is a motorized kit - and I intent on making it fully motorized!

50052544012_10824e1da8_b.jpg

50051723363_0626eb545d_b.jpg

Since there are not a lot of parts, I expect a lot of detail-painting, but that's just the nature of the beast.

50051723408_3bc3509a15_b.jpg

The color will be Honda Sunny Yellow!

hqdefault.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really pleased to see you pick this one! I'm sure you'll work your magic on it.

I have one, bought brush-painted and part-built but with everything there for stripping and rebuilding.

I put a motor in the Tamiya Gr.5 Celica I built when I was young, I can't remember it being super-quick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 6/28/2020 at 9:15 PM, CabDriver said:

I never saw this kit, or this 1:1 before.  Interesting!

I always wondered with these motorized kits how fast they are - I’d be terrified to ever let it go anywhere and be able to catch it again before it smashed itself up! ?

Yup, not a lot of people build these outside of Japan I'd imagine.

Motorized kits are not very fast. This one has one battery, so will be even slower.

19 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

It's SO cute!  I've known about these micocars.  Would rather do a 600 Coupe, which were sold in the States.  Basketball court would be a safe track.

Haha, yep.

19 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Really pleased to see you pick this one! I'm sure you'll work your magic on it.

I have one, bought brush-painted and part-built but with everything there for stripping and rebuilding.

I put a motor in the Tamiya Gr.5 Celica I built when I was young, I can't remember it being super-quick.

Like I said, they are not, enough to make it interesting for the kids, I guess.

Most parts (like there a lot, lol) were cleaned up, painted in base colors:

50055558073_4a67508996_b.jpgIMG_2106 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Body was cleaned, sanded, panel lines re-scribed, then 2 goats of grey and white primer:

50056380117_0ca642942b_b.jpgIMG_2102 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50056134036_b4d67624e4_b.jpgIMG_2100 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then Honda Sunny Yellow (Tamiya Lemon Yellow de-canted and sprayed through airbrush) and 2 coats of 2K clear:

50056133721_2fca271d7e_b.jpgIMG_2113 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50056379957_8ff03d2e6a_b.jpgIMG_2110 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50055557963_d87b56e551_b.jpgIMG_2109 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a gorgeous color!

Nice job with the 2K too - I’ve REALLY gotta try that myself!  Does it self-level to that nice sheen naturally, or do you just have a good spraying technique where it doesn’t go on lumpy (like lacquer often does) in the first place?

Always impressed by your paint!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is not a kit I've ever seen before. I'd be so tempted to modify/detail it, but I appreciate that this has to be box-stock.

Good work so far. That yellow looks flawless straight out of the airbrush. Just curious - why do you decant the Tamiya paint? Is the colour not available from the new Lacquer range in jars?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 6/29/2020 at 9:36 PM, CabDriver said:

What a gorgeous color!

Nice job with the 2K too - I’ve REALLY gotta try that myself!  Does it self-level to that nice sheen naturally, or do you just have a good spraying technique where it doesn’t go on lumpy (like lacquer often does) in the first place?

Always impressed by your paint!

Yes, I really like that shade of yellow! Thank you.

2K - its a love and hate relationship. If you mix it right, it is self leveling, never goes on lumpy, and has a lot of shine and brilliance to it when it dries. Mix it wrong - and its a disaster. And next to impossible to strip off plastic. So, yeah...

On 6/29/2020 at 10:21 PM, iamsuperdan said:

I find it amusing that this car is still a part of Tamiya's "1/24 sports car series."

Another stunning paintjob.

 

Thanks, yes - its hilarious!

17 hours ago, jchrisf said:

Awesome!

Cheers!

16 hours ago, CabDriver said:

Any car’s a sports car if you try hard enough! ??

True that!

15 hours ago, Dave Van said:

Paint is super!!!! I love these little Hondas.......I had a 2009 Fit that my son drives now. Close as you can get to the Honda market mini cars. 

Yup, those are awesome.

9 hours ago, ZTony8 said:

Here's a hint- If you have one of the Revell lowrider series kits take the wire wheels from it and put them on the Honda. They're the right size and  look pretty good on the model.

 

Thanks, I think I like the steelies!

6 hours ago, beeRS said:

This is not a kit I've ever seen before. I'd be so tempted to modify/detail it, but I appreciate that this has to be box-stock.

Good work so far. That yellow looks flawless straight out of the airbrush. Just curious - why do you decant the Tamiya paint? Is the colour not available from the new Lacquer range in jars?

Yeah, this is one of those obscure Tamiya kits they made primarily for domestic market. There is really not much to modify there!

The reason I decanted the paint cause I had it already sitting in my stash. Why buy something when you already have it :) Some 15 years ago when I was really into building I have accumulated quite a collection of paint, which I STILL use to this day. Except for primer and some staples like blacks and metallics, I have not bought any paint in years!

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Meanwhile, I have an update.
Assembled the engine, lol:

50065422492_5f509fe3b7_b.jpgIMG_2130 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Put together.. erm...suspension:

50065422537_c80237731f_b.jpgIMG_2129 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Painted and assembled tiny wheels:

50065165896_5fa51d4be9_b.jpgIMG_2131 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Completed chassis:

50065165851_09f5373f51_b.jpgIMG_2133 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Painted the window frits - what a pain in such a small piece with so many of them!

50065166216_1b4af10d3e_b.jpgDSC_0176 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50064607453_b92e416ae8_b.jpgDSC_0174 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Masked and painted all the black elements and trim on the body:

50065166036_33f6925fea_b.jpgIMG_2117 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50065422642_7ac028bd12_b.jpgIMG_2116 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Took of the masks, painted headlight buckets chrome:

50065422682_eba44d1711_b.jpgDSC_0181 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

VERY carefully transferred old, brittle decal stripes. Was quite a job, but turned out great in the end.

50065422742_2755b8c852_b.jpgDSC_0179 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50064607368_217e35700a_b.jpgDSC_0177 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Interior next!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm on a home stretch with this one, which is no surprise given the number of parts!
Interior parts were painted in their base colors, then detail painted and assembled.

50069150261_e771c52b6e_b.jpgIMG_2187 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50069406982_3f9a8f1129_b.jpgIMG_2188 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50069406892_65c2cb504d_b.jpgIMG_2189 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Completed interior:

50069406812_41b3e41b9a_b.jpgIMG_2196 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50069149996_29d42109ce_b.jpgIMG_2201 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50069149921_c3f96a4d0b_b.jpgIMG_2203 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Married it with the chassis:

50068594513_f1bf872163_b.jpgIMG_2205 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50069406582_cf7c7bd1db_b.jpgIMG_2207 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Glued in the glass and joined the chassis with the body. Little stuff like lights, mirrors, and wipers left.

50069407222_826c5a5725_b.jpgDSC_0185 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50069150336_3fa82697ce_b.jpgDSC_0190 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50068594893_2548510cbc_b.jpgDSC_0188 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Looks fantastic Alex! The decals and black relly set off that yellow paint.

Is the handbrake the right way round?

Well, unless Tamiya screwed up, I think its right - it is molded into the floor, I just painted it! :)

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Model is completed.

50072667392_2ca6f0ff89_b.jpgDSC_0199 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

50071855533_3884587ec2_b.jpgDSC_0192 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Over the last 3 months of the "social distancing", I have reduced my stash of boxes by 8. Here they are:

50071855413_90c936edcc_b.jpgIMG_2214 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Here is the result of the last 12 weeks of model building:

50072667227_376ab347e9_b.jpgIMG_2218 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Cheers all!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What great result on this quirky little number, and what a fabulous collection overall. A year’s work for me, and I wouldn’t get them close to that standard! What does your built model display look like, Alex? Please tell me you don’t put them away in a box in the basement...

best,

M.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, jchrisf said:

Awesome!  And you are on a roll.. don't stop :)

Do you do anything special to your windows to make them look so good?

As long as I'm sitting here at home, no reason to stop!

I polish the windows just like I do with paint on the body. Same principle really.

22 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

What great result on this quirky little number, and what a fabulous collection overall. A year’s work for me, and I wouldn’t get them close to that standard! What does your built model display look like, Alex? Please tell me you don’t put them away in a box in the basement...

best,

M.

No, I have a room dedicated to my models - in addition to kits I have a VERY big collection of diecast in 18th scale. Here are couple of pix:

50079696246_4fec74dfd6_b.jpg

50079122933_34c2cc6366_b.jpg

20 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Looks fantastic, and what a stunning collection you have there!

Thanks!

17 hours ago, doorsovdoon said:

Stunning collection there! I really like them.

Appreciate it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...