MFH Ferrari F40 GTE IGOL Monza 96

In 1996, some 9 years after its introduction, Ferrari F40 was still a brutal force on the circuit. This was proven by several IGOL sponsored F40 GTE's in various races throughout the year - LeMans, Monza, Suzuka... Today I start another superdetailed build based on Model Factory Hiro kit, with few aftermarket additions.

Here you can see what I'm starting with: MFH kit, Zero paints and clearcoat, an assortment of various carbon decals, Top Studio connector sets, and Sakatsu fittings and valve stems. I will be also using various aftermarket items that I will identify over the course of the build.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/01.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/02.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/03.jpg

Starting with the body, as usual. All body parts were carefully washed, cleaned, sanded, test fitted, and panel lines re-scribed. Then I mocked it up to see how everything fits together.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/04.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/05.jpg

I will spare you boring priming and masking details (used BMF for masking), and here are the pics of the parts 1) after painting 2 & 3) after clearcoating.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/06.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/07.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/08.jpg

After the paint was completely dry, it was polished, and decals applied. Let me tell you, green decals on the front and rear bumpers were such a pain in the neck!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/09.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/10.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/11.jpg

That's all for now!

Really nice start Alex.
Will be one masterpiece more in your collection.:iceslolan
Beautiful!

Jamme

Great start! as always.
Can't wait for updates.

Ohhh fantastic :D. I have that kit too, so I know how detailed it is and I know you'll do an excellent job on it.

Great! Great! Great!!! It would be sure useful: this is one of my preferred Hiros, speaking of shape and details. How did you felt, Alex, the 1k Zero clearcoat? It cure at touch after seconds but I found a bit textured..

Can't wait for engine details ;)

Nice work.Superb looking paint work,really good masking job.Looking forward to seeing more on this.

Wow. Great start with that paintjob. I'll definitely follow this one :-)

Thanks guys.

Gio, I have actually liked 1k clear a lot. Easy to use, great results, no mixing.

Beautiful start, the kit looks excellent

May have been a pain in the neck, but those decals look great.

Ohh that one will be awesome to follow. Great start, the body looks killer :popcorn:

Hi, fantastic paint job,..........and very nice varnish.i wait for the next updates. gerard

Just awesome love the paint job that you have done

Pretty damn cool! Nice kit, and great looking scheme on the F40. :sunglasse (Terrific work as always. :grinyes:) Looking forward to seeing it come along.

Thanks guys! Appreciate all the comments!

A 30,000 yen model kit. Now that's one expensive model and detailed at that too. Looking great!

Very nice livery :thumbsup:

What the heck is a "1K" clear? What does the "k" stand for? :confused:

Very nice livery :thumbsup:

What the heck is a "1K" clear? What does the "k" stand for? :confused:

I might be wrong, but the 2-Part clear is called "2k Clear", right?!

So this is a 1-part clear called "1k Clear"?!

That being said, I have seen Clear written as Klear in many instances. I dare not say it could be a European thing cause I am not aware if true. But Microsol has Kristal Klear, etc...

Seems like it would fit?!

Alex, where did you find those allusive valve stems?! I have been searching for well over a year for some of those! Have they become available once again?! :runaround: Life's irony is great; I was looking into buying this kit tonight as I received the discount email from Steve. I think I need to find a way to scam $300 out of the misses, and then I can build it at any hotel I choose as I will be kicked out the second it arrives. Oh well,.........:shakehead

I might be wrong, but the 2-Part clear is called "2k Clear", right?!

So this is a 1-part clear called "1k Clear"?!


:lol: Thanks - I got that far all on my own ;)

I know that 2K aka 2-pack is a two part clear (I have a bell in the back of my memory that one of the first 2-part clear coats was called "2000" or something similar and hence maybe the transcription to 2K as in Y2K).

My point is what the heck is a "one part" clear?? :lol:
What is so special about a 1K clear? What makes it different from TS-13 or Gunze Top Coat for example? (we don't we call them "1K" clears...or do we?)
I can't imagine a 1K clear being a pre-mix of a 2K clear because presumably it would harden in transit but maybe I am wrong?

I'm getting a whiff of "1k" marketing BS but I'd love to know what the real answer is :popcorn:

Well Steve I appreciated the hilarity but the misunderstanding start from me and my own idio(t)ms. 1K stand exactly for the rounds you'll do with the finger polishing: 999 and your model would be rough yet, 1001 and you'll expose the primer: just count and you'll have a "Alex standard" ;) J/K.

The right name from the "other" Steve is just Lacquer Clear Coat. I thought is an acrilic coat with a very volatile thinner: it cure at touch in seconds (really). I found safe on decals and undercoats. Despite it cure very fast he's a bit sensitive to masking tapes so a couple days of curing should be sufficent to avoid some textures. I polished it at mirror shine after 15 mins from the application, but he lost a bit of glossy then. Used like you use a TS13 (times) is just great.

Sorry for the descent Alex, I'll stay sit now ;) :D

1K stand exactly for the rounds you'll do with the finger polishing: 999 and your model would be rought yet, 1001 and you'll expose the primer: just count and you'll have a "Alex standard" ;) J/K
That's an answer I can understand :licka:

Now, please leave the English language alone for a while! :iceslolan ;)

Wow...you make it look so easy Alex - superb painting skills. I'm watching and learning. :popcorn:

I agree with others, another master pice from you on the way!

Hi Alex, just like for Nino, i take a chair and i look and learn too. Thank you. gerard.

wow The day I tried to mask with BMF ended up in mayhem, too thin and it cracked with the pain. Tour paint job is wonderful.
Keep going !
MANU

Klutz...I have some of the "1k clear" from Hiroboy, and it is a pre-thinned clear coat, just spray on a wet coat and that's it.


Maybe it isn't perfect, but very good IMHO.

Just to add my 2c to the 1K-2K-mystery...
In Germany the K stands for "Komponente" or component in english.
No mystery about it then for us:-)

Fantastic work Alex.:)

Thank you all.
I actually have no idea where Gio got this "1k" thingy, I just assumed he knows what he is talking about! :-)

Thank you all.
I actually have no idea where Gio got this "1k" thingy, I just assumed he knows what he is talking about! :-)

touchè! ROFL

Just to add my 2c to the 1K-2K-mystery...
In Germany the K stands for "Komponente" or component in english.
No mystery about it then for us:-)

When I worked in the motor trade spraying cars it was also called 1 pack for the 1K and 2 pack for the 2K.I was always told that the K stood for Komponente or component as Jaykay mentions above.The differences are that the 1K air dries by evaporation of the solvents and the 2K dries by a chemical reaction caused when you mix the clear with the hardener.Much the same as 2 part epoxy glues such as Araldite.I think this is why the 2K stuff is a lot more durable.

2K or no K this paint work is amazing :D

Fantastic as always Alex. Looking forward to see some details under that body.

Looks great, fantastic paint job.

Jens

Maybe we could start a thread to argue about the name of the clear coat:)

OMG! Can you make this build look any easier?

Sure, you make it so easy and people would think they can follow this to get the same result, but I know that is not possible... :)

Great job so far as usual!

Wow, that paint looks supurb :iceslolan
Waiting to see the rest

(OffT: Hi CifeNet good to see you back, modeling again :biggrin: )

Off Topic...if anyone hasn't visited Alex's website:

www.italianhorses.net (http://www.italianhorses.net)

it is FANTASTIC!!!

Off Topic...if anyone hasn't visited Alex's website:

www.italianhorses.net (http://www.italianhorses.net)

it is FANTASTIC!!!

You mean my personal "Holy Grail" of inspiration?! I love his site!

Have you made any more progress yet, as it's looking really nice.

Have you made any more progress yet...

Yes.... But have not taken the pics yet... :-)

Not really knowing what kind of car to expect when I opened this thread I was treated with one of the most beautiful and striking race cars I have ever seen. I already knew the skills and workmanship were to be sublime but I love the subject car. It must be pretty exciting to have this beauty on the bench and get closer to finishing, even thou it would be hard to divert your eyes from that fantastic paintjob.

Started working on the engine a bit - most of the time is spent cleaning white metal. Block and gearbox were assembled, intake and turbos were cleaned (awaiting paint) and few little bits and pieces cleaned too. Pre-drilled and painted cam covers italian red and assembled everything together.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/12.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/13.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/14.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/15.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/16.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/17.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/18.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/jter/MFH%20F40%20GTE/19.jpg

Very nice! A pity much of that work won't be visible once you drop it in the car...:-)

Great looking engine, how detailed are you going to go?

Great looking engine, how detailed are you going to go?

It will be short of everything but able to fire up when completed, lol.

Thanks!

It will be short of everything but able to fire up when completed, lol.

Oh I don't know about that, but I will try not to disappoint!

Wow, that engine is looking incredible, can't wait to see what else you come up with. Fantastic work!

Nice work Master!
:grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes:

Jamme

Very nice work Alex!
Just out of curiosity, is that basic block simply cleaned or does it have a coat of primer or paint on it? It sort of looks like it has been media blasted? All the white metal parts I have waiting for me in some MM kits look like they would take hours of work to get looking half as good as that!

Alex: are you sure this car mount a AC compressor? I checked but I haven't any unbuild racing engine ref.

Great job: cant wait for turbo's details/wiring.

Just out of curiosity, is that basic block simply cleaned or does it have a coat of primer or paint on it? It sort of looks like it has been media blasted?

No primer or paint on this one. Just cleaned and polished metal parts, then lightly weathered with Blacken-It chemical blackener. I wish I had access to media blaster to try it on WM parts!

All the white metal parts I have waiting for me in some MM kits look like they would take hours of work to get looking half as good as that!

Yeah, it takes some time, a lot of it actually. I usually start with basic sanding and mating of the parts, and do subassemblies (like engine halves and such). then I block-sand all flat surfaces using sanding boards. Then I go over all curved surfaces with rolled sandpaper, or files, or boards - whatever fits! Flexi-files are a great help here. Then I go over all parts with soft wire brush in my Dremel, and finally, I brush everything with toothbrush and a bit of metal polish, then wash with soap and weather.... takes a lot of time, but I prefer natural metal look to painted...

Alex: are you sure this car mount a AC compressor? I checked but I haven't any unbuild racing engine ref.


Well Gio, I'm not really sure, can't see the front of the racing engine on any of the photos I have, but entire front cover with compressor, generator and all the rest was given as one part, so I assumed it was correct.

Alex,

Kind of OT, but how long have you been building models?

Thanks!

Alex,

Kind of OT, but how long have you been building models?

Thanks!

About 8 years.

About 8 years.
You're kidding. You know that saying that you'll be responsible of a lot of harakiri here around !!?? :D

Well Gio, I'm not really sure, can't see the front of the racing engine on any of the photos I have, but entire front cover with compressor, generator and all the rest was given as one part, so I assumed it was correct.
yep was a quite stupid question: like we can't recognize from any refs... probably we can't also see it than, after next updates ;) :D

I agree

Its not whether you can see it or not its knowing that its there!

Isn't that what true superdetailing is all about?

You can always photograph it before you drop it in!

millersbrm
http://members.shaw.ca/millersbrm/speeddetails.html

About 8 years.

I don't believe it, your builds are amazing!

I forgot I had an album in my Fotki with racing F40 pics in it. There are a couple of pics of the engine which might help. I was hoping that MFH would do the Pilot or Totip versions.

http://images16.fotki.com/v3/photos/1/11926/94356/FerrariF40engine_1-vi.jpg

http://images16.fotki.com/v3/photos/1/11926/94356/engine1-vi.jpg

Here's a link to the whole album. Hope they help.

http://public.fotki.com/scalecentral/race_car_references/lemans_ferrari_f40/

Nic

I can't imagine why an F40 LM would carry an A/C compressor. :dunno: But this certainly doesn't look like a street version powerplant (great pics, Nic).

http://images16.fotki.com/v3/photos/1/11926/94356/engine1-vi.jpg

Alex, the engine looks terrific. Looking forward to seeing it in it's home.

I can't imagine why an F40 LM would carry an A/C compressor. :dunno: But this certainly doesn't look like a street version powerplant (great pics, Nic).


I've heard of closed cockpit racecars running airconditioners, it's not incredibly frequent but it does happen - especially when the race takes place over extended distance in a hot climate.