1959scudetto

Ken, this kit is a modified version of Italeri's original stock F40 - they only added a tree with racing parts and a new decal sheet. The engine cover is horrible, it does not fit at all - after making this experience with the stock model back then, I decided to NOT cut open the rear panel but leave it closed.

Decaling the body and wing is almost done (apart from Ferrari logos - I will look for some smaller ones) - after thoroughly drying, I will clearcoat the whole body with Tamiya gloss and the wing with semi-gloss. The graphics are not always correct - some too small, others a tad too large, but they were very easy to work with. Issues came up with the kit itself when applying decals and comparing the kit with pictures of the original in the web. As Italeri made some short cuts here and there (they only added some racing updates to their stock kit), not everything is correct: My final result here is a 1989 version of the F40 racing car with 1990 decals = sort of hybrid. also a few body panels are not correct, but as I glued and puttied them back in 1990 (without reasonable reference material), I let it be like that, f. e. the cooling outlet on the nose should be much deeper/steeper with a spitter in half for 1990. The car was run in 1990 with and without louvres on the front fenders - I will go the easy route here and leave them off - this is supposed to be the Topeka car which DNFed (driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille/Jean-Louis Schlesser whose names were on the decal sheet). Till next time !

Finally found some time and started applying some decals: My concerns about the (very) old decals have been totally unnecessary: These old Fred Cady decals went on like a dream - you have to work slowly and carefully, but they lay down smoothly, even into the grooves without any decal setting solution: Highly recommended if you ever find some on ebay (these are about 35 years old and behave like new ones)

Thanks, Brian !

Excellent color choice - well done. It looks best without roof but it's nice that you have different options.

Same here - same age, modelling since 1969 (on and off), same interest in race and rally cars. Welcome, Michel - this is a nice place with friendly fellows and lots of interesting models to see.

C'etait merveilleux! Well done, Michel !

x 2 - absolutely !

Excellent build, Thomas. How did you manage to lay down the #23 decal so well on the louvers above the left front wheel (looks almost like painted on) ?

Mark, this is one excellent racer - could even pass as a 1/24 scale kit.

According to Scalemates, the model was first released in 1994, however this version (Repsol) was issued in 1996.

Will be interesting to see your take on these simple toys, Pierre. But you are right, they can easily pass as 1/24 or 25 bodies....

Dave, I have some more Ferraris laying around since the early 1990's... (started back then)

Great to see you building something new, Gary !

Thanks for the encouragement, folks ! Don't expect too much here, it will be a mostly oob build (apart from some alterations that have to be done). My main concern as of now is if the decals will be still usable (I have never used Cady decals of this age - must be from 1991 or 92) - but we will see.

A few weeks ago I rediscovered an old kit I had started around 1990: Body had been painted and kit decals (1989 version) applied. When in MRRN #1 (?) Mike Quarterman wrote an article about this racer, I got me a Fred Cady decal sheet (for the 1990 version) and removed the kit’s decals and the paint, then stalled – in this state the kit had been stored away for more than 30 years ! Time to finish it, isn’t it? It will be built mostly box stock except some modifications that are absolutely necessary: While Italeri got the front panel and spoiler right, they left the rear mesh like the stock version (I have built this one also) which is wrong. It is a mixed bag: the rear wing looks to be correct, whereas the wheels aren’t. They do have the look of the OZ wheels, but the rims and tires have the same dimensions front and rear which is a NO GO. So the first is to cut off the rear mesh and fabricating a replacement using the remaining frame. Photoetched mesh from the spares was used and I cut 4 small rings from a aluminum pipe of the right diameter which will serve as light housings. All was glued together with 5-min.-epoxy. First version did not work - but the second trial went ok: Now it needs some black paint... I also fabricated a window net that was necessary in IMSA racing – therefore I had to cut out the driver’s side slide window. I used small strips of fabric tape. Though the kit supplies 2 different sets of rearview mirrors both are wrong – again something for do-it-yourself. For the wheels, I am still looking for a solution (several possibilities are there: the real car was run with the OZ wheels, with aero-discs on all 4 wheels or only discs at the rear !)

Very nice paint and decalling, Ismael- and excellent scratchbuilt seatbelts !

You always have some wonderful objects, Dave !

Good luck, Dave ! I know this is gonna be an awesome model like all of your others are, too.

Though the original was red and had only a fake engine mounted in, it is one of the best looking prototypes ever (the Pininfarina and Bertone showcars of the late 60's remain unsurpassed!)

Here is a new engine from JPG models (available in several scales) - would be perfect for Hasegawa's Miura kits: https://www.jpgmodels.com//product-page/lamnorghini-miura-lp400?utm_campaign=06f0e3fb-9822-4a01-befb-a3dbc98aab2d&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=95527487-2192-495a-8163-20c0856e94e1

Excellent flatbed - makes a good-looking couple with the 352 up front.

Very nice plain-jane fleet truck!

A really beatiful model - looks like from a ATHS truck show/meeting.

Awsome couple, Brian - the longsleeper 352 looks just excellent! The poor neglected dumper is the ideal object for towing here. Very nice!