MFH Ferrari 2003 GA, 1/20 WIP

I spent a lot of time on this kit before I decided to start it as a thread because I was not sure how will it turn out being my first MFH attempt.

But it is going surprisingly well (for now :lol: )

But let's start, it all started some three months ago and I decided to do it strictly by instruction (as for the steps of build).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2174.jpg

those are the engine parts, cleaned with proxxon.

I also got 2004 exhaust since those in kit looked silly.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2169.jpg

Since this is not the same thing some fitting was needed, exhaust are a bit wider then the holes in the engine block.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2176.jpg

But I removed the end pins (ones on the outer side) and slightly bent others to fit the holes that were widened.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2183.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2184.jpg

Also I have cleaned all the connectors on the engine since they were molded together with the rest of the piece.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2188.jpg

Since recently finished Toyota from S27 was sitting on the table I decided to check the wheels since they looked a bit to flat and I was right.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2191.jpg

so I tried to give them a bit of dimension.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2201.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2204.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PA028550.jpg

still not good, I will redo them once more with a bit more primer.

All metal colors are Alclad because I simply fell in love with those and got almost all the shades :lol:

CF from SMS is used on the intake cover

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2210.jpg

and bright red from Gunze for valve covers

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2288.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2289.jpg

everything is heavily wired from reference pictures (MFh only give you basic wires)

Same thing for the gear box (cover is stainless steel)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2315.jpg

and all together, CF-ed and all

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PA228557.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2394.jpg

Then I went for the brakes, again SMS CF but this time 1/24 high def.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2539.jpg

heavy clear coat of course

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2551.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2549.jpg

and then flat clear

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2616.jpg

I decided to use flat clear on all CF parts that are covered.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PB199005.jpg

Complete monoque is in 1/20 high def + gold BMF on the back

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PB239030.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PC039071.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PC039072.jpg

and all wired up and prepared for the belts

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PC099254.jpg

Then I moved to the body parts, primer first

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PC039077.jpg

than Zero paint and 2K clear (very thin as a base for the decals)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PC099212.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PC099248.jpg

so now I am working on CF and decals.

Like I said this is three moths work so next update will take a while :lol:

I hope you like it :wink:

Hi Sasa,

not long ago I was wondering, why we don´t see some new projects from you - now I know the reason lol

Well, stunning job so far, great details, fantastic work on the CF-decals, looks absolutely perfect to me.

Your thread makes me look closer to those MFH F1 kits ;-)

You was worried uh? LOL
Quite tedious to use ever same words. So I'll start to use italian (and so you'll not know if I say crap or awesome LOL)
ECCEZIONALE VERAMENTE!!!!

Very nice work,all looks great.I may even be tempted to build one of these MFH kits someday!!

Everything looks great real clean work looking forward to your next update.

This is seriously impressive. Great work.

This is seriously impressive. Great work.

:iagree:...sensational detail work!!!

My jaw just dropped on the floor....
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2549.jpg

stunning engine detail, awesome job with the CF

Really great work, the flat clear on the CF is wonderful and don't get me started on the flawless paint work.
All that time was well spend.

Gorgeous...keep the updates coming!

I'm following his project for some time and it's great!

Hi

Exellent! Clearly a WIP to follow closely.

Flemming

Thanks guys, sorry for no real "how to" on each part but I was to lazy to take a photo with each step, I will do better next time :D

Wow! What amazing work and beautiful, surreal photography. This is really magical, keep it coming!

Breathtaking results thus far!
I'm eager to see the following updates.

Clean and precise (lovely connectors !), sexy pictures. Sooooooo nice, Sasa.

R :)

Great work and good to see one of those Hiro Ferraris being built!
Gotta get my running projects done to attack one of these!

I'm always a bit scared when i see you guys build an engine right down to the details without having started test fitting everything with the rest of the car:-) I guess i've had my fair share of bad experiences so i'm test fitting and building as much as i can before adding any paint but then a Hiro kit is pobably as safe as you can be in terms of fitment! :-)
Looking forward for new updates!

Simply stunning Sasa!

Beautiful detailing so far, look forward to more.

Boj Boj za narod svoj!!! :D

Looks just stunning, Sasa.
Outstanding work :thumbsup:

Thank you guys ;)

Jay I sure needed to test everything and even then there were few problems that appeared afterwards, main problem is engine cover that I will leave open anyway, so I just reshaped it to have some kind of fit.
Everything else need just a bit of a push to fit in place :D

Not much to add, I spent some time in preparing body for paint, put it all in primer and I just wait for it to cure well (white metal need a lot of care to make nice and smooth).
In the mean time I have made seat belts.
Those are strange combination.
First off all MFH set looks to small, to narrow for main tensioner, I have replaced them with SMS ones, fasteners on top are from CM, central buckle is also from SMS while material for main shoulder belts is from a gift wrap, just a bit thicker then MFH one.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/IMG_2786.jpg

I have put it all together and fitted to body (slight reshaping of side panels were needed to fit properly).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/2003GA/PC179318.jpg

I have also made the intake cone, sanded the molded rivets that will be replaced with real ones.

Thank you for watching.

Quite simply it looks great, Sasa :thumbsup:

BTW what are you using to glue the folds in the ribbon/straps?
I used 2-sided scotch tape last time which was quick and clean but I am only 80% happy with that method. Your straps look much better :D

That's a killer one! Apsolutly beauty!

Hi

Lovely! Like the look of the exhausts. Got exactly the right color!

Flemming

BTW what are you using to glue the folds in the ribbon/straps?
I used 2-sided scotch tape last time which was quick and clean but I am only 80% happy with that method. Your straps look much better :D

Now this is where I spent most of the time, first I thought the same thing (double glue tape), I took one test piece and fixed it, but like you said...it is good but.... :lol:
Then second thing that is much worse when you first think of it, CA glue, of course material will suck it, change color. But I had to try, so applied the glue only on side that will not be visible (I used Loctite precision CA that is very thin) , put a bit, waited for few moments to suck in to material and then folded. Part of the glue went through on the visible part of the belt and did exactly what I was afraid of, stained material. When it was all dry I took satin Microscale clear, diluted it with water and applied with brush, fixed the belts on the seat and repeated clear once more. When it was dry there were no more stains.

woooaaah, I like what I see. You seem to master this little sucker quite well. Keep up the great work.

Fantabulous cockpit Sasa !!!

Robi

Just beautiful... nothing more to add...!

Ohh wait there's something more :runaround: what glue go you use for the resin and white metal parts?

Amazing work,everything is well done,the cockpit is perfect.
:wink:

Looking really good.In particular the carbon fibre and the seat belts look excellent.

Wow! Stunning!

WOW, looks great :ylsuper:

Just beautiful... nothing more to add...!

Ohh wait there's something more :runaround: what glue go you use for the resin and white metal parts?

Major one is Loctite precision
http://www.blanchford.co.uk/acatalog/superbot.jpg

This is second one that is more liquid and better for PE

http://www.choiceful.com/prod_image/50826_m.jpg

and for hard joint this UHU 2 part epoxy glue (2 and 5 minutes)

http://www.sylmasta.com/acatalog/UHU%20Red.jpg

Thank you guys for kind comments :wink:

Sasa, have you ever tried the Bob Smith line of adhesives? I am thinking of giving them a try

Do you have a link, I wanted to order ZAP products.

What I have read in various places has made me very interested but I am looking for some first hand experiences.

The product line-up is awesome IMO and sounds like just the ticket!

http://www.bsiadhesives.com/

http://www.helibits.co.uk/enter.html?target=dept_19.html&lang=en-gb

Fantastic Sasa! I really have to get me one of these MFH kits...

Klutz, I've used Bob Smith and Zap. Imho they are both extremely high quality CAs. BSI is much cheaper, probably because they have very effective distribution. Having said that, my glues don't overlap - thin/gap Zap, tire/flexible/odorless/supe-thick BSI. I guess I will try thin BSI next, but the Zap is superb for sure.

Amazing detail and finish.
Hope to see it in April in Mosonmagyarovar contest :)

Excellent work, i really like the matt finish on the CF areas that are covered...great job so far.

Fantastic build! Your detail work is amazing!:thumbsup:

Can't fault the work Sasa... great modelling, painting and photography. Regards, Bill

Awesome work the cockpit looks great love the seat belts. The comparison between the S27 rims and the MFH there isn't one the MFH ris look so much better. Did you use alclad polish alum for the MFH rims seeing you painted a gloss black base first?

Trually excellent. Love all the CF work and attention to detail.:smokin:

Awesome work the cockpit looks great love the seat belts. The comparison between the S27 rims and the MFH there isn't one the MFH ris look so much better. Did you use alclad polish alum for the MFH rims seeing you painted a gloss black base first?

Yes wheels are polished alu from alclad, the thing is that I didn't put regular primer on them and therefore there is not enough volume in them. I will strip them and do again to try and get that little bit of volume needed.

Sorry for no updates but I was waiting for some parts I needed in order to continue. Next updates soon.

So back to this one, I made a lot of work but visibility of progress is so small.

First wheels, I redone them, they look much better now, I got the volume I wanted.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/P1279393.jpg

All body parts are now painted and lightly clear coated. I started with decals, CF is really killing me, I must say that I will use most of my stash of CF decals :D

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/P1279384.jpg

And most of the parts in current state, a lot of work in front of me :(

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/P1279403.jpg

Looking outstanding!

Super work. The exploded last photograph looks excellent.

Looking outstanding!
:1:

Super work. The exploded last photograph looks excellent.

I agree!

Superb work, so far

CF-work pays off on the finished model !!!!!!!!

It sure does look good the finish on the body is outstanding. The rims look great too.

This project looks amazing. And nice to see that more and more people tend to work with MFH kits after Tamiya has more or less stopped doing new projects.
The big super-detail MFH projects look fantastic. Bad news is they are very time consuming - but they look like a million dollars when they are finished.

Super work. The exploded last photograph looks excellent.
:1:

That looks simply stunning, great job!!!

Super work. The exploded last photograph looks excellent.

yes ! ! ! display it that way, would look cool

daniel
-germany-

Thank you guys, I am glad you like it.

I spent the whole day out of office and played with decals. I must say that this was real challenge, mainly because of overlapping decals.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/P1299407.jpg

Then some work with decals on rear suspension

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/P1299416_resize.jpg

some close ups

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/IMG_3141_resize.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/IMG_3130_resize.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/IMG_3140_resize.jpg

Clear is not present anywhere, those are all bare decals so I am waiting for them to dry through and then I will clear everything.

It does look nice all broken up :D

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/sjelic/P1299414_resize.jpg

Thanks for all kind comments once again ;)

Very nice build and work.
Be careful inside the airtake on the sidepods, it's not 100% red

Very nice build and work.
Be careful inside the airtake on the sidepods, it's not 100% red

Very difficult part I must say, I have to figure out how to insert AB in it :D, it will be fixed, thanks.