I bought a Trumpeter GT40 model kit about 5 years ago. I didn’t do much research before buying it. I immediately regretted buying it because it is very toy-like. I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time reengineering it, corrected inaccuracies, and making missing or replacing toy-like parts. Honestly, if I had space and metal fabrication skills, I could have probably built a GT40 replica by now.
1/12 Scale GT40 MKII build
- Thread starter Paul V
- Start date
Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
were the seat grommets tiny PE parts?
that seat took about 10 hours to do. I still have to do the other one. Drilled out all 150 grommet holes in the plastic seat with a pin vise. Covered it in fabric. Cut holes in the fabric for the grommet openings. And inserted 150 bead crimps (for jewelry) in to the holes.
Thank you. I’m trying to make it look as realistic as possible. Some things are not finished yet and look too model-like. Like the exhausts. Those will be detailed to show the seams and weathered. I’ll post additional pictures as I go.
Randy Folsom
Supporter
I have the same kit untouched and taking up space for the past three years. You have given me inspiration to start working on it.
If you are as crazy as me, I recommend not following the instructions and view it like building a real car. The chassis tub is one of the worst aspects of the kit. I cut all the pieces apart from things that are not chassis and built the tub. Almost the entire rear is plastic sheet.
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Randy Folsom
Supporter
I agree. The tub is why it’s still in the box. Your work is really nice. The kit can provide some parts such as the body, windshield, wheels, tires, etc that are hard to make, but just about everything else can be made to scale based on real car parts. These days a lot of the parts can be printed.
This forum and other sites with restoration photos are great references. I have pictures saved to my phone of all kinds of parts I had to make from scratch: starter motor, water pump, distributor, oil filter assembly, steering rack, pedal assembly, dash toggle switches, fuse box, suspension mounts, sway bars…
I don’t have a 3D printer. I do have a decent stash of plastic and aluminum to build from.
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Up to you guys. Could be more than models. Could include other forms of art and man cave items.
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Rick Muck- Mark IV
Supporter
Now this is a TUB! The Trumpeter kit is very toy like and the Meng kit is similar. They leave a lot out. Guess what scale this brass tub is?
That’s a big one. 1/4 scale or bigger? I don’t have that level of tub detail. Especially where things will be covered. But I’m matching it where you can see to pics of 1046, 1032, and others. It will look like 1046 currently does (like it or not).
Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
1/4 scale???? and its in a more advanced state than my 1:1!!!!! Ron, maybe a Models and Mancave forum?
Rick Muck- Mark IV
Supporter
I agree. I have some GT40 "collectables" to share.
The previous pictures I shared were just a mock-up of parts stuck together. It has taken a lot of time to get to the next stage. Had to make a bunch of parts, fittings, and brackets. Since there are so many customizations, getting everything to fit together has been challenging. I’m happy to say that the “mechanicals” are complete.
Randy Folsom
Supporter
Really nice work
Most of my collection looks like pristine, restored subjects. I just started with patina in the last year. I find it very rewarding.
Neil
Supporter
I think the prop master for that movie got the inspiration for it from a "Broomhandle" Mauser C96. I bought one in Germany back in the early '60s. 7.63mm cartridge.
