Tamiya 1/24th Scale Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA

[mikevillena]

Started working on some of the finishing details since I won't be able to spend too much time on the bench this morning. I thought about adapting my technique for scale license plates. Used some plastic cling wrap, the kit's decal sheet, a small piece of aluminum foil and filler/primer paint.

After giving it a shot of black trim paint and painting the raised characters with titanium white acrylic:

The 1/24th scale license plate next to a 1/10th scale license plate for my AE86:

Overall, it came out okay but I will try to improve the technique further.

Edited May 22, 2014 by mikevillena

[fitforbattle]

Mike, the most impressive thing about this build is that I can always sense the finish line. I hope you can too.

[mikevillena]

Mike, the most impressive thing about this build is that I can always sense the finish line. I hope you can too.

Thanks Robin. I know it's taking a long time.... I haven't even ordered the paint as I'm on the fence on the colour. Corsa Rosso or Plain Silver?

[mikevillena]

Went back and refined the license plate. This time I used .010 clear plastic upon which to trace the characters. I also allowed the filler/primer paint to cure for several hours.

The fully cured filler/primer paint was firmer so the impression was crisper this time:

I decided to adapt the technique I came up with for the igauges on my ancient 1/10th scale Mini build. However, I won't be able to retain the moving dials:

[superbike-shaun]

Mike thanks for the ..--- tip ! now if I may ask again , how did you do the gauge faces, I understand the needl part, but where did the gauges come from? thanks again, Brilliant work again, Shaun.s

[drawingDrew]

So much detail, so much work, so little time..

how about you pass some of that talent this way.

Glad you are sharing with us all

[fitforbattle]

Thanks Robin. I know it's taking a long time.... I haven't even ordered the paint as I'm on the fence on the colour. Corsa Rosso or Plain Silver?

Corsa Rosso! Or maybe some blue?

[mikevillena]

Mike thanks for the ..--- tip ! now if I may ask again , how did you do the gauge faces, I understand the needl part, but where did the gauges come from? thanks again, Brilliant work again, Shaun.s

Hi Shaun. The Tamiya kit provides decals for the gauge faces. I simply applied them to the scratchbuilt backing. I applied some MicroSol to help them snuggle down and coated them with Vallejo Gloss Varnish. I also used a tiny drop of the varnish to glue a piece of stretched sprue and laid the gauge needle on top of that to elevate the needle giving it a 3D effect. I forgot that Evergreen styrene has a surface texture so the gauge face is slightly textured when seen up close.

So much detail, so much work, so little time..

how about you pass some of that talent this way.

Glad you are sharing with us all

Thanks Drew. I'm not sure it's talent. Rather it's more like problem solving. We as modellers are always asking ourselves "how do I replicate that in scale?". Sometimes you have to think outside the box. I've had a little more practice because of the extensive scratchbuilding that I was forced to do in my larger 1/10th scale RC projects. Now my challenge is to improve my build quality and to do so in a considerably smaller scale.

[mikevillena]

Corsa Rosso! Or maybe some blue?

Robin, I've seen a striking GTA in French Blue.

[mikevillena]

I haven't been able to spend much time on the bench as I was extremely busy preparing for a job interview with CAT yesterday. Anyway, I used a lump of clay and borrowed the seat from my Tamiya 935/78 to determine how high to make the seatbelt mounting crossbar. It has to be at or higher than the shoulders:

One of the many areas that I needed to improve on was the kit's disc brakes. Although much of it will be hidden in the final assembly I wanted to see what can be done. The intent was to replicate a near stock brake disc but ventilated and cross drilled. I started by sawing a slit and glueing tiny segments of .010 x .020 styrene:

After trimming the excess styrene and sanding the disc round:

The tricky bit step of cross drilling:

I also started modifying the passenger seat based on some reference photos. Ultimately, the seat back will be hinged.

I purchased some Alumilite Mold Putty and casting resin so that I can make a duplicate the 935/78 seat to use for the driver's side.

[mikevillena]

Found some reference photos for the passenger seat. The upholstery has an interesting texture:

I experimented with various techniques but I think I've found something that comes close:

But I found something that is even closer:

Rollcage in primer:

Played around with making a mold of the seat from my Alfa 155 V6 DTM and tried to familiarize myself with casting. First shot was horrendous as to be expected. I modified the mold somewhat and I preheated it before pouring the resin. This Alumilite Super Plastic is really great. It flows very nicely and cures firmly but is easy to carve:

Spent some time cleaning up the seat and filling in some short areas and pin holes. Fabricated the seat mount:

Edited May 25, 2014 by mikevillena

[fitforbattle]

Amazing. And yes, French blue suits these bad boys perfectly.

[mikevillena]

Amazing. And yes, French blue suits these bad boys perfectly.

Thanks again, Robin. Unfortunately, I already painted the driver's seat red w/ yellow kevlar so French Blue won't look right. So it's down to Rosso or Silver.

[mikevillena]

Painted the driver's seat and used some red flocking to simulate the cover. I also used Scale Motorsport Kevlar decal for the first time. Had to apply MicroSol to get it to snuggle down. A few tiny bubbles here and there. Oh well.

Started building out the front cowl structures:

[mikevillena]

Project snapshot:

Started work on the doors and door jambs. Thinned out the door skins:

Used more robust .030 thick styrene for the door jamb base structure because of stresses due to the doors opening and closing. The hinge area is also reinforced with a bead of thick CA on the inside joints.

Additional surface details will be added.

[mcandela]

More, More we want more!!! this is great craftsmanship!!!

[Danno]

wow!

[mikevillena]

More, More we want more!!! this is great craftsmanship!!!

wow!

Thanks guys for the very kind compliments, I don't know about great craftsmanship but I'm having a lot of fun even if it gets frustrating sometimes. And I thank you for sticking with this build as it is turning out to be a saga! And to think that I was going to build it "box stock"

[mikevillena]

Started adding more structures to the door jamb:

Quick check on the door fit and making sure that it sits flush with the surrounding bodywork:

A quick and thick coat of filler/primer or surfacer to begin blending:

I also thinned out the lower grill openings on the front cowl based on my observations of the full sized car:

[mikevillena]

More progress on the door jamb:

Started work on the door. I carefully cut a groove on the vent frame to accept the side glass using my razor saw:

I ground off part of the molded trim to provide clearance for the glass:

I built the glass guide channel using Evergreen strips:

[aw106]

I have to say your build is incredible and quite inspirational. Also The level of detail of amazing, I've seen a road going Alfa of this age and type down to it being just a rolling shell and you model instantly makes me think of it, you really have raised the bar here.

[mikevillena]

I have to say your build is incredible and quite inspirational. Also The level of detail of amazing, I've seen a road going Alfa of this age and type down to it being just a rolling shell and you model instantly makes me think of it, you really have raised the bar here.

It is extremely kind of you to say so but considering the depth of skill and talent by other builders on this forum, I would be happy to even be considered as "competent". Critically speaking, the project has minor issues and many aspects that can be improved. But I am having fun and hopefully learning. Again thank you for the very kind and if somewhat overly generous words.

[mikevillena]

More work on the door and general fit:

Several tries at building the door hinges:

I didn't like the fit and function so I made a new set and moved the pivot points outwards:

The doors open reasonably well. The hinges are not exactly to scale but that is the limitation when working with relatively soft styrene. I don't have the ability to do photo-etching in house for the moment so it will have to do.

Edited May 30, 2014 by mikevillena

[mikevillena]

Bogged down on replicating the door details:

Project summary:

Edited May 31, 2014 by mikevillena

[superbike-shaun]

Hey Mike, jus checking in, as always super fantastic detail, ,,,,,, 3 things, #1 the relief in the upper front door panels, to clear the rollbar,,,AWESOME, #2 the door hinges,,,,,,AWESOMR!!!! #3 the DOOR PANELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! I CANT TAKE ANY MORE, im just gonna go away and take up playing w/ dolls or somthin'.Shaun.s