Tamiya Lotus 99T

Models in progress... including non-F1 models.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
gp-models
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 3446
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:17 pm
Status: Offline

Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by gp-models »

After many years without building a plastic kit i decided to do one again, the Tamiya Lotus 99T was chosen cause i like the 80`s and 90`s cars a lot.
I will build it as open version, without cowling and wheels on, seat and stearing wheel will be seperated too.
Some aftermarket stuff like the Studio27 etch set will find it`s place as well as some Top Studio stuff too, trying to upgrade this kit a little bit.
First of is cleaning parts, as it is an older kit, there are a lot of sinking marks and parting lines to be removed, so lot of sanding, putty and primerjobs needs to be done.
Some scratch build parts will be done and some changes on kit parts are needed to make this kit less toyish.
Fighting with the camera actually, some pics are ok, but lots are not to be used. Have to test a bit what`s going on, so sorry for some bad pictures, still trying to come up with better ones.
Starting with a new cockpit i scratch build from styrene, it takes a few hours to take mesurements and create the new parts and make sure they will fit, so here is a short layout of what i`ve done so far.
Image1

New parts glued together, but i made a small mistake when checking references again and again, the small part inside glued in an 45° angle has to be removed again, it does not exist in the real car. I added some structure to the back of the cockpit where seatbelts will be fixed later.
Image2

The small part is removed, holes are drilled and the section became a semi gloss black finish as base for CF decals. Dashboard is cleaned from molded switches, they will be replaced later.
Image3

The seat was seperated from cockpit section, molded in seatbelts are removed and openings for new ones are cutted. Lot of sanding, putty and primertime to get a smooth surface.
Image4

I sanded of the molded rivets and drilled holes in position, some details on top of chassis are drilled out, they will be replaced later with scratch build parts.
Image5
Image6

I removed some fixing points on the inside of the cockpit, scratch build a part where the breakfluid reservoirs will be attached.
Image7
Image8

Here you can see how old this kit is, heavy shrinking marks on the undertray which needs putty and sanding, kit fixing holes for the cowling are closed as they don`t appear in reality.
Image10

I glued the sidepods to the cowling and again heavy sanding, putty and a first coat of primer to check the surface, needs some additional touch up.
Image11

Molded in rivets on the side panels are removed and drilled, first coat of primer applied and sanded. Ready to recieve the edged rivets.
Image13

Now on to suspension parts which needs modifications, i will change the molded dumpers against Top Studio parts, so i had to cut them of. The left side shows the original kit version, on the right a new reated dumper, the lower fixing point needs more modification but first the dumper linkage is opened roughly with a dentist mill.
Image14
Image15
Image16

Still have to do the same on the front suspension, i don`t like the look of the kit part.
Image17

So not much real progress instead of cleaning, sanding and more sanding actually. Some parts have their first coat of colour to move on with CF work, but i will clean up everything before i go on with decals.
Take a stand!
User avatar

LeonN
Spectator
Spectator
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:23 am
Your Name: Leon
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Brabham
Location: Copenhagen
Status: Offline
Denmark

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by LeonN »

Subscribe :-)

I love these build threads where parts in a kit become small building projects in it's own right.

How do you make coil springs? I assume you made them?

jaykay
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 2566
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2003 10:35 am
Status: Offline

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by jaykay »

Nice start! Lots of work to come without a doubt :-)
User avatar

Topic author
gp-models
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 3446
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:17 pm
Status: Offline

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by gp-models »

Thank you guys for nice commends, appriciate it! :)
LeonN wrote:Subscribe :-)

I love these build threads where parts in a kit become small building projects in it's own right.

How do you make coil springs? I assume you made them?
I like such things too and as the kit contains not realy much parts some additional stuff is needed.
No this time i used the Top Studio parts for the shock absorbers, it comes with coils and they fit perfect. Normaly when doing them on my own i winde a copper or brass wire around a drill bit with correct dimensions, example you need a 4mm thick coil, using 1mm wire means a 2mm drill bit. After winding you can stretch it and cut to size, that`s the way i do it normaly.
jaykay wrote:Nice start! Lots of work to come without a doubt :-)
Yes, some parts are realy time consuming to be done, but i enjoy this build so far, even when it took me 5 hours to figure out a shifting linkage yesterday. CF work will be a lot too, so my plan to finish it up this year might be a little bit optimistic! :lol:
My camera makes trouble too, does not work correctly in macro modus, don`t understand why, i hope i can fix this!
Take a stand!
User avatar

Jeff
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 2752
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:36 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Status: Offline

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by Jeff »

This is great, the end result will be spectacular, I'm sure
User avatar

Topic author
gp-models
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 3446
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:17 pm
Status: Offline

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by gp-models »

Jeff wrote:This is great, the end result will be spectacular, I'm sure
Thank you very much Jeff :)

Here is what i have done so far, some work on the Turbo intakes, the kit parts needed to be changed, lower intake is removed and fixing points are removed. Primer is shot and now they are ready for paint.
Image

I changed the front shock absorbers too, again Top Studio parts, cut off the linkage and rebuild it from scratch. I`m not realy happy with the look, too big finaly, i think i have to do another set as i don`t like these parts.
Image

Image

I made the middle buckelhead and added it to the front suspension, maybe i will add the steering to it if it will be visible, many details will be lost once installed to the model like the shock absorbers too.
Image

Now on to the shifting linkage which is missing in the kit. Have to scratch build a mounting bracket to the cam cover as routing guide, it took me hours to find the right dimensions and the correct position, lot of test fitting was needed and several tries to get it done finaly, used a needle to check out if the exaust is fitting and the linkage is alligned well. The rest of the linkage will be done when parts are glued together, finaly length is not clear at moment so i hold on with it. Holes for ignition wires are drilled to the cam covers and molded in rivets are cut off to be replaced with etched ones.
Image

I scratch build some radiator piping, painted it black as base for allclad.
Image

Some modification on the roll bar is done too, a fixing point for antenna and a square bar is attached, painted black and ready for allclad too.
Image

I detailed the kit electronic boxes with Top Studio brass connectors, Hobby Design connector and some tiny badges, scratch build anther 2 as i removed them from the chassis. An oxygen bottle for the cockpit is done. I could not find that bottle in the MFH instructions for the 1:12 model, but references showed it clearly.
Image
Image

Next i glued the top of the gear box to the engine and realized a hugh gap between the parts, filled it with disolved putty. The suspension points are modified to add the suspension after painting, drilled holes and added a pin to the suspension arms.
Image

I scratch build some brake fluid reservoirs, glued it to the front buckle head and painted everything semi gloss black. Fluid lines will be added later, some hand painting has to be done too.
Image

Things are moving on slowly, but it`s the same to everyone when starting with a model.
Thank`s for watching and a nice weekend to everyone!
Take a stand!
User avatar

daveyman
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 4535
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:39 am
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Riccardo Patrese
Location: Hull, England.
Status: Offline
Great Britain

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by daveyman »

Liking this a lot. Some really nice detailing.
User avatar

Topic author
gp-models
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 3446
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:17 pm
Status: Offline

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by gp-models »

daveyman wrote:Liking this a lot. Some really nice detailing.
Many thank`s daveyman, appriciate it! :)
Take a stand!
User avatar

allnie
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 3585
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:01 am
Favorite F1 Team or Driver: Tyrrell. Lotus. McLaren.
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Status: Offline
Denmark

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by allnie »

FANTASTIC :D :D :D But be aware MFH have just released this Lotus 99 in 1/20. It is a scaled-down 1/12 kit and I could image you will get a super kit out-of-the-box.
Br
Allan
User avatar

Topic author
gp-models
FOTA Chairman
FOTA Chairman
Posts: 3446
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:17 pm
Status: Offline

Re: Tamiya Lotus 99T

Post by gp-models »

allnie wrote:FANTASTIC :D :D :D But be aware MFH have just released this Lotus 99 in 1/20. It is a scaled-down 1/12 kit and I could image you will get a super kit out-of-the-box.
Thank you for this information Allen, looking forward to it, maybe i catch one up to do another version as there are differences between the early version and the later one. :)
Take a stand!
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post