Ford GT40 Mk1.5

[BlrwestSiR]

Trumpeter released a 1/12 GT40 a few years ago. This was more recently re-issued under the Magnifier brand which I guess is an offshoot of theirs. 

 

To get around playing licencing fees, they called it  the US Sports Car. The kit represents the GT40 as raced at LeMans in 1966, when it won the race and also took 2nd and 3rd for good measure. This was the MkII version of the car.

Meng has also released a kit of the Mk II GT40 in 1/12 and it's supposed to be fairly nice. 

No one has done a kit of the 1968 version of the car, a modified MkI that won LeMans in the famous/iconic Gulf Blue and Orange. Even in 1/24, the closest is the Fujimi MkII with an old and possibly rare Thunder Valley Miniatures conversion kit. 

[BlrwestSiR]

The kit overall doesn't look bad. There are some issues with the engine around the carb apparently and the spare tire is missing. But it was $90 when I got it so for that money, it's hard to complain. The Meng is around $400 for comparison. 

The fit looks to be good. 

One of the biggest changes between the MkI and the MkII is the rear clamshell. The MkII has a pair of scoops  on each sides, while the MkI has a single one plus a smaller intake on the sail panel. The MkII has a chunkier appearance as a result. 

To get closer to a MkI, I used a razor saw to cut off the upper scoop. 

I then used strip styrene to fill the resultant hole. 

Compared to the unmodified right side, it easy to see the reduction in the bulk. 

This won't be a perfect copy of a MkI as there are too many things that would need changing. The engine would have to swapped from a big block 427 to a 305 small block, and there would be even more extensive body work to be done. I'm just happy to get closer to a MkI.

[Count0]

1 hour ago, BlrwestSiR said:

The Meng is around $400 for comparison. 

I got mine from Enabler Brothers for about half that. Lightning deals for the win.

And, of course I bought the little one two...

[Count0]

I never feel bad about unfinished projects when I see your bench.

[KevinM]

21 minutes ago, Count0 said:

I never feel bad about unfinished projects when I see your bench.

Now that brought out a good laugh Tony.

[ScottsGT]

4 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

The kit overall doesn't look bad. There are some issues with the engine around the carb apparently and the spare tire is missing. But it was $90 when I got it so for that money, it's hard to complain. The Meng is around $400 for comparison. 

The fit looks to be good. 

One of the biggest changes between the MkI and the MkII is the rear clamshell. The MkII has a pair of scoops  on each sides, while the MkI has a single one plus a smaller intake on the sail panel. The MkII has a chunkier appearance as a result. 

To get closer to a MkI, I used a razor saw to cut off the upper scoop. 

I then used strip styrene to fill the resultant hole. 

Compared to the unmodified right side, it easy to see the reduction in the bulk. 

This won't be a perfect copy of a MkI as there are too many things that would need changing. The engine would have to swapped from a big block 427 to a 305 small block, and there would be even more extensive body work to be done. I'm just happy to get closer to a MkI.

305?  They put that pig of a GM motor in the early GT40?  Blasphemy!  Pretty sure it was a 289. Very early was a 255. 
Been thinking about getting one of these.  

[BlrwestSiR]

18 minutes ago, ScottsGT said:

305?  They put that pig of a GM motor in the early GT40?  Blasphemy!  Pretty sure it was a 289. Very early was a 255. 
Been thinking about getting one of these.  

Sorry, should have been 302. The 1965 MkI used a 289 but they went to the 302 for '68 as the 427 got banned. 

[BlrwestSiR]

2 hours ago, Count0 said:

I got mine from Enabler Brothers for about half that. Lightning deals for the win.

And, of course I bought the little one two...

Sorry, that's in Canadian Pesos.  And for some reason Meng kits here go for more than they do elsewhere. Conversely the Trumpy one works out closer to $60 US. 

[BlrwestSiR]

1 hour ago, ScottsGT said:

305?  They put that pig of a GM motor in the early GT40?  Blasphemy!  Pretty sure it was a 289. Very early was a 255. 
Been thinking about getting one of these.  

 Of course they should have put an LS in it since that's always the answer 

 

[DocRob]

First raced one year after the Cobra Coupe in Le Mans. Great project, Carl and the surgery came out nice as well.
 

Cheers Rob

[BlrwestSiR]

Here's a better view of the changes to the rear deck. I think it better illustrates the reduction in the bulk of the shoulders. 

Once the left side sets up a bit more, I'll start on the right side. 

[ScottsGT]

I drive by this place all the time.  15 miles from me.  They’re a Superperformance dealer.  
 

https://www.downforcemotorsports.com/

Nice days they have a few pulled out in the lot.  

[BlrwestSiR]

@ScottsGT,Ohhh, that would be a fun place to visit. 

[BlrwestSiR]

I finished the cut and shut on the right side. 

So while that dries, I'm going to start on the chassis. 

[Martinnfb]

very smooth. 

[BlrwestSiR]

I started working on the engine while the rear clamshell dries. 

For whatever reason, Trumpeter decided to chrome a number of the sprues. No real rhyme or reason to the ones they picked. It's also that bright chrome and it's thick and heavy so it'll have to go. I used Castrol Super Clean to strip it off. 

Some kit parts are pre-printed as well. Again, no real order to it. One set are the engine block/transmission assembly. 

Except they're gold which is so wrong. Nevermind the chrome.

The halfshafts also have to be assembled now and get trapped between the transmission case halves. 

So after some clean-up, chrome stripping and glue, I'm here:

Oh did I mention that some parts are ABS? Looks like the (previously) chrome bits are actually ABS and not styrene. I'm glad I have the ABS cement. 

[BlrwestSiR]

Finally started with the paint. First up is the transaxle with Dark Iron. 

[DocRob]

That weird chroming and pre printing is strange, shouldn´t be too hard to get it right with such a relatively well known subject.
Interesting, that they used ABS, Carl. I didn´t knew, there existed ABS glue from Tamiya. In my recently started Tamiya RC166 build, there is a sprue in the spoked wheel package, which is labeled ABS, maybe, it was easier to produce it with the tiny holes for the spokes this way. Other than that, I never came across ABS parts.

Cheers Rob