Chillyb1

Yes, and it was bought by a return customer who now owns several of my built models.

Do not listen to any modeler who says that Tamiya paints are not worth the money you spend on them. As for how many 1/24-1/25 models you can paint with one can, there are many variables that will determine your results; however, three model cars sounds like my results, or maybe even four because I usually decant the paint and shoot it through my airbrush. Their paint covers plastic supremely well and rarely requires more than a couple of coats for complete coverage. Buy it; use it; sing its praises! All hail Tamiya paint!

Thanks, everybody, for the comments. Bernard, you know my build philosophy well and I appreciate the compliment. Matt, almost no one since the dawn of time has been able to resist the tantalizing temptations of a big snake. I'll find some other application for the serpent decal.

Thanks, everybody, for the comments. It really is a fantastic kit of a fantastic car. Those of you who have been lucky enough to drive, own, or just be around them, I envy you your experience. I'd love to have one of these to blast around in as my daily driver. Crazy Ed, good eye for detail!

Here's a neat little car for you. I love this car and the kit. I built this as a vintage racing enthusiast's car from the Tamiya kit mostly box-stock but with some added detail parts and some photoetch. More can be found here: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ChillyB1/library/Tamiya Alfa-Romeo Giulia GTA?sort=3&page=1

Excellent choice of color: It is a really cool kit of a really cool subject. I also had trouble with the long side spears. Not sure how I made mine stick.

It is a gorgeous color on these cars even though it isn't a VW color. And you are wise not to try the fender beading on your first Beetle: This was my first attempt but my fifth or sixth Tamiya Beetle, so I knew what I was getting into. I did it with very careful and very tedious Tamiya masking tape application, and it ain't easy! I'm sure you'll build this kit again because it is addicting if you like VWs. My only real complaint is that the taillights are molded in clear plastic and have to be masked to be painted body color, and that ain't easy either. My windows are done with Bare Metal Foil. Here's a helpful tip: put a piece of masking tape over most of the window surface before applying the BMF and you won't get adhesive residue on the "glass" that has to be removed. And to further create a realistic look, you can run a black Sharpie around the window frame on the body to simulate weather stripping, and you can run a fine-point Sharpie around the window frame on the glass parts to both burnish down the foil and to simulate the gasket. Good luck with your project and make sure you tell your daughter that I've sent my compliments on her excellent taste in cars and colors.

Your daughter has excellent taste in both cars and colors:

There is a difference between linear and rotational movement. Revolutions per minute are not "speed" the same way distance/time is speed.

Never let it be said that James can't build spectacular models. There is just so much to look at and admire. Thanks.

That is a very fine example of effective detail painting and weathering. The chassis looks spectacular.

The name of the documentary is the title of this thread.

You've proved conclusively that those Heller kits of classic French subjects can, in the right hands, be built into very fine models. They do repay a modeler's patience. I love the colors you've used. Tres bien fait, mon ami.

I use Tamiya TS paints decanted from the spray can for my airbrush and mix them to suit my taste. That's is what I would do in this instance if I were building this Audi. As I said, I see lots of red in that particular picture of that particular orange. I'd start with the TS-12 or maybe TS-56 (Brilliant Orange) and add TS-49 (Bright Red) until I got a match.

Scale Finishes also offers an Audi color called "Samoa Orange" that is probably suitable. I would just use Tamiya black and orange. The photographs you linked to don't capture the colors well. The orange looks like it has a lot of red in it.

Shaping up real nicely. I can almost see it completed.

This is appealing to me:

Every update you post makes me happy. The engine bay is looking very good indeed. There's so much detail at that scale and all the little wires and tubes and hoses add to the overall effect. Keep it up.

Not really. He sent me a clarification via messenger. But thanks anyway.

That's a very nice gesture. But I agree with your wife on this one and no amount of sweet talking will change my mind. Your life should be all 1/8 Citroen Traction Avant all the time!

Maybe I should have addressed this directly to Matt.

Why is everyone being coy about the subject? What car is it we are talking about?

A very cool project. I love seeing these cars built. The version at the link you provided is insane. I can't believe how hard some modelers work. I'm currently working on a Hasegawa Lancia Stratos, which is a great kit.

Harry Joy answered for me. Use primer but don't waste the Tamiya stuff. I use the Color Place gray primer from Walmart for everything except bodies: it's cheap and it works well.

I wouldn't waste it on an engine assembly. I use Tamiya primer for bodies and nothing else.