Jaguar XJR-9 Test Version

Hi motorsport-lovers,


This is my first WIP in the Motorsport section. I've been lurking around this sub-forum for a while, and was very impressed with the quality of level being displayed. I hope I can learn from all of you.

I am currently building the full-detailed 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 Test Version. The color will be TS-9 British Green, I chose this color because of its darker nature in comparison to TS-43. Here is a pic of the testcar from Exoto website.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/miniature-voiture-sport-course-jagu.jpg

I used the SMS CF template for the cockpit and absolutely loved it. It took so much blood and tears, but I think the final result is worth it.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0056-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0055-1.jpg

For the radiator grille, I used S27 PE pieces, coolant hose, and sakatsu.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0042.jpg
Here it is again after blackwashing.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0048.jpg

The brakes used three PE pieces from S27 and SMS. I also decided to go with the slotted rotor from S27, instead of cross-drilled from SMS.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0050-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0043.jpg

That's it for now, I apologized for the lack of comparison with the ref photos(I forgot where I put my USB :D)

Please voice your opinions and suggestions, thank you!

excellent start, great CF work, will be watchin this progress

keep us posted for more :D

A very promising start of a very beautiful car.
I'll be following your progress !

CF work looks good. As does the radiator.
Are you going to give the brakes a wash too ?

I am SO following this thread! :)

Excellent subject choice (I have never heard of this version before) and you are off to an excellent start :thumbsup:

Lots of details in the WIP please :D

Interesting subject, good start !!

I´ll follow this one ;-))

Thank you for the kind words everyone,

More update:

On the real car, the front diffuser is separate from the whole chassis. The front diffuser is connected to the front cowl. While Tamiya has both the diffuser and chassis as one whole piece.

Since, I will be doing full detailed build with openable front cowl and doors, I had to saw the front diffuser off.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0162.jpg

I cut all doors and front cowl using the fine Crazy Modeller's hand saw.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0163.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0164.jpg

I hope I can find a way to hinge the doors :D
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0165.jpg

Thank you for checking it out.

Nice start. I have two set aside to build a full detail version of the LeMans winner eventually. I had thought about opening the doors just like the real thing and the best way that I can find is to put two turning motions in the lower portion. If you make it hinge up and down at the long part that attaches to the body and then make it able to rotate around at the door, it should work fine. If I'm not mistaken this is how the real hinge works.
Nic

cool, this is looking good!

Good start on the Jaguar and it should be a detail up version :D

Looks great!

Cool project- I'll definitely keep watching. I love this car (and this kit), and the test scheme looks very cool.

I would really advise not trying to hinge the doors. :uhoh: You'll make yourself crazy, and you will almost definitely be disappointed with the results. The top hinge on the roofline is so small that in 1/24, I doubt even machined stainless steel would be strong enough. The cockpit looks nice and clean, and the test scheme itself also looks very clean- it would be a bit of a shame to distract from that with a poorly hinging door. :2cents:

Any ideas where you're going to get the test scheme decals?

DerXL: I blackwashed the rotors already, will take pics and post it later.

ScaleCentral: That is exactly what I've been thinking by looking at the ref pics. The only problem would be the hinges on the roofline. Perhaps I can drill a small hole , and then attaching it using wires, and then cover it up somehow.

Andy: I understand your concern. If worse comes to worst, I couldn't find a perfect way of hinging them, I will certainly closed the doors :D. I'm still looking for the gold test scheme decals (the original Tamiya kit comes with in white)

Thanks again for the kind words everyone, now I know why I loved AF so much.

For the top hinge, I had planned on doing just a simple wire loop around a plastic or metal rod. It can be made very small and very strong depending on the wire used. This would allow free movement at that joint as well. At least I have a couple of kits to work it all out on, so if I ruin one, no biggy.
Nic

Great start! I also have a 1/43 XJR-9 going as we speak. Unfortunatly, don't have as many up-grades availible so i am doing a lot of scratch building.

Nice start on what seems to be a beautiful car!
/Joel

More update:

The chassis is all CF-ed and smoked using TS-71. I used BMF Chrome for the heat shield, which is smoked as well. The rear sidewalls that are perpendicular to the Venturi used 5 pieces of PE each ( almost gone crazy over it :D) I then painted it with Flat Black (XF-1)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0150.jpg

The bottom is also CF-ed before smoked, I was going for the weathered and slightly used look, dunno if I succeed or not.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0153.jpg

For the middle of venturi, I used another BMF. I tried to blend the BMF with the CF using TS71. I think the final result is ok.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0154.jpg

A mockup pic of the cockpit after another treatment of TS-71. I think TS-71 gives depth to the CF and makes it more realistic-looking. The bolts were painted using Modelmaster Metallizer and toothpick (dunno what can I do without one :D), I don't really like the final result and might redo them later.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0161.jpg

I have a problem of choosing which seats to go for. I have a spare CLK-GTR seat, which offers more room when the driver is not super-skinny :D:D (I guess people back then were smaller) The original Jag's seat looks really tiny in comparison. What do you think?
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0158.jpg
If I were to use the CLK-GTR's seat, I will add more styrene and make it similar to the Jag's seat.

Hi everyone,

I did some work over the weekend.

Here is my ref pics on the "Airbox," it has loop wires on the side.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/JAGUAR_XJR-9LM_25.jpg
So, I drilled, put bent wires, and weathered it. I also used SMS and S27 PE for the airbox top and surround. The fuel rails are not done yet.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0148.jpg
I am also looking for materials that are the perfect match for the air filter. I was thinking of putting mesh for the side of the filter and put styrene to cover the top, and finish it with textured paint. Pics on this later.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0147.jpg

Thank you for looking.

Hi DDTham

I'm already following your build with great interest. This Jag is on my "sooner or later to be built" list :-)

For the cover of the engine velocity stacks i wouldn't use a metal mesh. The real material looks more like some soft foam. Tricky to replicate. I'm still thinking about what to use myself...:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b288/jaykay640/Diverse/XJR9airfilter.jpg

Yeah, I'm with jaykay on this one. I don't think the mesh will look right. I've thought about how to do this filter for this very kit, and this is how I expect I'll go about it- build a suitably shaped box out of styrene, and then flock it dark grey. Klutzski's flocking and carpet tape technique can make terrific looking foamy air filters.

The inside of my telescope case looks just exactly the same as this. Some sort of packing foam might work the trick? I have used "Fab-Foam" for an air filter in the past... the 'bubbles' in the foam are a bit too dense for this application but it is easy to work with and can be painted.

Bill

Hi DDTham

I'm already following your build with great interest. This Jag is on my "sooner or later to be built" list :-)

For the cover of the engine velocity stacks i wouldn't use a metal mesh. The real material looks more like some soft foam. Tricky to replicate. I'm still thinking about what to use myself...:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b288/jaykay640/Diverse/XJR9airfilter.jpg

Jaykay,

Build it you know you want to :D Thank you for your ref pics. I could certainly use more, I found high res pics for the XJR-12 but not for XJR-9.

Andy,

Your idea sounds great. I will give that a try (luckily, I've studied Stevensky's tut throughly :D)

Yeah, I'm with jaykay on this one. I don't think the mesh will look right. I've thought about how to do this filter for this very kit, and this is how I expect I'll go about it- build a suitably shaped box out of styrene, and then flock it dark grey. Klutzski's flocking and carpet tape technique can make terrific looking foamy air filters.
My thoughts exactly :)
That and very fine kleenex tissue paper but I think it might be difficult to get teh "taughtness" with tissue.

looking good so far

Excellent subject choice (I have never heard of this version before) and you are off to an excellent start

I second that. I always love to see unique and never seen projects on this forum.

Hi DDTham

I'm already following your build with great interest. This Jag is on my "sooner or later to be built" list :-)

For the cover of the engine velocity stacks i wouldn't use a metal mesh. The real material looks more like some soft foam. Tricky to replicate. I'm still thinking about what to use myself...:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b288/jaykay640/Diverse/XJR9airfilter.jpg

Another thing to consider would be a medium density urethane modeling foam. This is the rigid kind used for prototyping, not the type used for large novelty floppy hats and the like. The medium density urethane foam is open cell and I think this would replicate the air filter quite nicely. All that you would need to do would be to prime it (though don't sand as then you'll close up the cells) and paint it black.

Another thing to consider would be a medium density urethane modeling foam. This is the rigid kind used for prototyping, not the type used for large novelty floppy hats and the like. The medium density urethane foam is open cell and I think this would replicate the air filter quite nicely. All that you would need to do would be to prime it (though don't sand as then you'll close up the cells) and paint it black.


Hi Mike,

Good idea with the urethatne. Thank you for all the inputs guys. I will start from the easiest+cheapest method first to tackle the air filter.

More update,

I love the Jag logo, this particular one is from SMS PE set.
I hand brushed the whole thing with flat black (XF-1), waited to dry, and then removed the excess with toothpick dipped in thinner.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0168.jpg

For the suspension, I used Tamiya kit part that was sanded smooth, before glued the PE parts from SMS and S27. I also used the brake dust shield from SMS. The springs were made using painted wires and aluminum tubing.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0167.jpg

The sparkplugs were wired, it took me 1 hour to wire it (too bad it won't show because of the airbox on top of it. The engine block was also weathered and molded using Tamiya putty to remove the dividing lines.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0146.jpg

For the engine block, I sued XF-16 and XF-56 before blackwashing it with smoke and lots of thinner:D
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0149.jpg

Any comments, critiques, and suggestions will be well recieved and considered :D:D

Any way to remove the gap between the pe brake disk and the plastic?
Fantastic buil, by the way.

Any way to remove the gap between the pe brake disk and the plastic?
Fantastic buil, by the way.

Yes, looking on-end the brake disc should appear to be one piece.

very nice job so far on the engine,

but wouldn't the tire cover up the gap anyway, I'd say if he leaves the tires off the car, then shoot to remove the gap, but once the tire is on, you will never know

Love the Jag emblem, looks great. It might help if the pics are lightened up a bit - then we can start criticizing like mad men :)

Any way to remove the gap between the pe brake disk and the plastic?
Fantastic buil, by the way.

Yes,

I believed the gap was build up from CA glue. I removed it already, and will post better pics later this weekend. Thank you for pointing that out.

After looking at it. I think I used the wrong size of wires for the red wiring in the engine (should've used the larger coolant hose instead of wires). I'm looking forward to my order from Stradasports, too bad my LHS don't carry accessories for autos.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/XJR9_LM_Header_detail_RHS.jpg
compared to
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0149.jpg

Another update:

Almost finished with the wheels and tires. I used Sakatsu tire valves, S27 hexagonal nut covers, and S27 tire locks for the front wheels.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0250.jpg
The molds in the tires were sanded to make it more authentic-looking. the sides of the tires were also sanded to give a worn look. I later applied the tire decals, wrote the markings, and covered them with flat clear. Finally used soft pastel to make them dirty and weathered.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0255.jpg

Thank you for checking it out, another updates coming out soon.... hopefully :D

Those wheels look fantastic. Actually, that reminds me, I need to take my car to the car wash!!

Hello everyone,

More update:

The engine bay is completed. I added some DM braided wires, various Sakatsu's fittings, coolant hoses, and PEs.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0264.jpg
Exhaust is weathered using soft pastels.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0279.jpg
The fine exhaust heatshield is from S27.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0278.jpg
I also used some unused PE to recreate the exhaust clamps on top of the suspension.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/ddtham/Jag%20XJR9/DSCF0287.jpg

Feedbacks and crits are always welcome:D

Good progress!
That exhaust heat shield looks interesting. Did that come in the S27 detail set?

Excellent work :thumbsup:

I have the same question as jaykay.

Also, how are the decals coming? :)

awesome job on the engine

Is that blue on the radiators wire? I've seen everyone do it but don't know what material it is

The heat sheild looks superb.

I like the really used look on the wheels. The heat shield in the engine bay is very realistic. So keep it up. This project looks very promising.

Robert

Jaykay: yes, that shield is included in the S27 detail set. I think the S27 contains more parts and have more usable parts than the more expensive SMS.

Stevensky: my scanner is broken :crying: so, I am unable to scan anything. I guess I will just have to wait for the new scanner.

Spike: that blue is just a bent solder wires, which you can get from Radioshack.

Thank you for the comments everyone :D

The dusted effect really gives the car alot of realistics feeling...I like it!

The dusted effect really gives the car alot of realistics feeling...I like it!

Dusted or dusty?? :D:D If you meant dusty, it was super dirty, because it's been sitting there collecting dust, like any other long-term project, so it was not intended :D

If you meant the weathering, thank you!

Looking great, i really like the look of the engine. Graet progress so far and look forward to more updates.