I've started the new Fujimi F430 Challenge. I'll show some shots of the body itself, some shots of the Challenge-specific parts, and some comparos with the stock "Optional Parts Version" F430. Fujimi made a myriad of changes from stock, and for the most part have done a really admirable job of the conversion.

The body is crisp but there's a ton of work to polish out the mold lines and rescribe some of the slightly-faint cut lines for the doors and bumpers. I also spent time molding in the separate front air ducts ahead of the front wheels. This model will be built in basic Pure White w/red seats and no race markings; basically an "as-delivered" custom-ordered car that the owner can decorate (or not) for club racing. I will refinish the wheels in bright painted gloss silver.
http://images17.fotki.com/v322/photos/1/10258/3738723/Primed1-vi.jpg

Recesses for hood pins, headlight washers deleted (by Fujimi)
http://images17.fotki.com/v322/photos/1/10258/3738723/FrontDetail-vi.jpg

Comparo with stock:
http://images17.fotki.com/v325/photos/1/10258/3738723/FrontComparo1-vi.jpg

Stock fuel door deleted, replaced by quick-fill fuel inlets on both sides. Slight crease on body is a bit soft in comparision w/a Tamiya Modena. Sharpening the crease requires more work/putty than I feel will be worth it on a gloss white model, so I'll leave it be.
http://images17.fotki.com/v14/photos/1/10258/3738723/FuelInlet-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v14/photos/1/10258/3738723/Rear1-vi.jpg
http://images8.fotki.com/v137/photos/1/10258/3738723/RearComparo1-vi.jpg

Many changes from stock. No place for a license plate either.
http://images17.fotki.com/v322/photos/1/10258/3738723/RearComparo2-vi.jpg

Challenge Stradale style rims from the optional parts F430 on left; Challenge wheels w/centerlocks on the right. Sizes are the same between the two wheels from the two kits. Tires are lame. The CS wheels and extra set of stock brakes from the Challenge kit are going on my Z06.
http://images17.fotki.com/v15/photos/1/10258/3738723/Wheels-vi.jpg

Multipiece seats; the seatbacks/sides are separate which will aid in the application of C/F decals to them.
http://images2.fotki.com/v327/photos/1/10258/3738723/SeatsEtc-vi.jpg

Challenge-specific parts. Also included is a two-piece fire extinguisher, chrome exhaust ports, hood pins, tow hooks. Only disappointment is the Challenge grilles are engraved (nicely) vs. using mesh. I'll keep them as molded.
http://images17.fotki.com/v325/photos/1/10258/3738723/ChallengeParts1-vi.jpg

Engraved side glass detail is a nice touch if not 100% prototypical.
http://images2.fotki.com/v327/photos/1/10258/3738723/Glass-vi.jpg

Lots of changes to the interior, from the tub to the door panels to dash and the rollcage.
http://images17.fotki.com/v326/photos/1/10258/3738723/InteriorBits-vi.jpg

Nice kit.. i wanted to get one but sadly i havent got time to order hahaha :banghead: still doing my f430 on the bench :P BTW just a question... will u be cutting the part at the back where its suppose to be a grill to see through to the engine?

Nice kit.. i wanted to get one but sadly i havent got time to order hahaha :banghead: still doing my f430 on the bench :P BTW just a question... will u be cutting the part at the back where its suppose to be a grill to see through to the engine?

I'm not going to open them up; it would be a nice touch but would add many hours to the build because of the complexity of cutting both grilles open and opening up the body in those spots, and then forming the mesh, especially around the air hose inlet for the air jacks. I will try to replicate the air jacks onto the stock chassis.

Had there been an available aftermarket (or Fujimi) PE set for the model when it came out I may have done the open mesh, but so far nobody has anything for this kit. Sucks being an early adopter sometimes :icon16:

Understand wad u mean by hours of work to open ... as i already spent like 2 hours doing the cutting of the grils for the engine cover and rear on my f430 lol... i even had to use a power drill wif a tiny drill tip to open the hole then cut out the rest rofl..... :grinno: i think acustion is making a PE set for challenge... not sure about it but i got this feeling as they always release PE sets super fast when a new car kit comes out

WTF..I swear,(you can even ask Chad) that on my F430C, the front bumper, and sideskirts look exactly like the regular F430. But...we were not all in the right state of mind at the time;) Nice job on the startup on this so soon. Are you going to add padding to the rollcage too? Will you be using both seats? Keep up the awsome progress Bob!

WTF..I swear,(you can even ask Chad) that on my F430C, the front bumper, and sideskirts look exactly like the regular F430. But...we were not all in the right state of mind at the time;) Nice job on the startup on this so soon. Are you going to add padding to the rollcage too? Will you be using both seats? Keep up the awsome progress Bob!

I'll have to look at pics of the padding to see what I may do.

The front bumper is essentially the same except they removed the engraving for the headlamp washers. The side skirts are identical to stock on the F430, or they sure look it.

If I was in that state of mind I'd have it finished in my head but the first coat of primer wouldn't have been applied yet and there'd be greasy pizza fingerprints all over the model :evillol:

Awesome stuff!!:sunglasse I'm trying to make it down in November! Check with Mike!:)

Thanks for more insight Bob..Long weekend.
http://images17.fotki.com/v319/photos/1/10258/3642036/f430_challenge_07_senza_omp-vi.jpg
I think, from now on, this is how all F430 Challenge kits should be displayed:)

Here are the 2 threads on F430 C ref pics, for quick refference for tha lazy.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=576436&highlight=f430+challenge
http://www.joe250.com/images/ferrarichallenge/ferrarichallenge.htm

looks like you are making it now and it looks superb so far!

Thanks for more insight Bob..Long weekend.
http://images17.fotki.com/v319/photos/1/10258/3642036/f430_challenge_07_senza_omp-vi.jpg
I think, from now on, this is how all F430 Challenge kits should be displayed:)

Here are the 2 threads on F430 C ref pics, for quick refference for tha lazy.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=576436&highlight=f430+challenge
http://www.joe250.com/images/ferrarichallenge/ferrarichallenge.htm

That would be the coolest way to display it! I am going to do the jacks, the pics in the links helped me figure out how to do them. I'm going to use both seats and do some roll bar padding. I'm going to temporarily affix the Challenge grilles so that if there is a decent set of P/E in the future I may go that route.

Had there been an available aftermarket (or Fujimi) PE set for the model when it came out I may have done the open mesh, but so far nobody has anything for this kit. Sucks being an early adopter sometimes :icon16:

Bob, the Crazy Modeler PE set has some of the parts needed for the F430C and it's at a good price. Your friend Kevin at Strada Sports has them.

http://www.crazymodeler.com/pic/20064271527370.jpg

awesome kit with right builder~~~

I am working on the "optional parts" version of the kit right now and have the Crazy Modeler photo etch set. It is a very comprehensive set, brake discs, all the grill screens, badges, tow hooks, wipers, pretty much everything you need. So far the parts I've used have fit perfectly. There's a bit of cutting necessary to open up the molded in screens on the body but it's not too difficult. I highly recommend it.

Mike

I am working on the "optional parts" version of the kit right now and have the Crazy Modeler photo etch set. It is a very comprehensive set, brake discs, all the grill screens, badges, tow hooks, wipers, pretty much everything you need. So far the parts I've used have fit perfectly. There's a bit of cutting necessary to open up the molded in screens on the body but it's not too difficult. I highly recommend it.

Mike

I've seen the set, it is very nice. More detailed than I need for my use. I do have their sets of self-adhesive Ferrari emblems, they are perfect for detailing at my comfort level. If I were going w/a full-detail conversion for a contest I'd go w/all the extra bells and whistles, but I'm keeping this one a bit simpler.