I received a number of encouraging replies and as a result of those bought myself a very simple kit – the Subaru Impreza 1999 WRC (Tamiya).
This was all built before I picked up my new prescription glasses (last Friday). I purchased myself a set of ‘over the counter’ readers - +3.5, which worked quite well – or at least worked well with my right eye. I have significant astigmatism in the left eye and therefore need prescription glasses to see clearly with that one.
My new prescription glasses are varifocal with a +2.5 reading correction – this enables me to read very well, but isn’t going to be strong enough for close-up modelling work. I think I’ll try a set of +3.5 – reading glasses, but with the astigmatism correction, which should work pretty well. Although I’m almost certainly going to need some form of extra magnification for the more detailed work.
Anyway, on to the model:
This is a typically high-quality Tamiya kit, with very little to complain about other than a few ejector pin marks and a few seams to sand off on the body.
I sprayed the body with Ultimate Modelling Products white primer and Tamiya Mica Blue (the LP paints). I have to say that I’ve used LP paints a lot since they were first introduced and have been very pleased with them.
There was a separate thread that someone posted about white primers and there is a picture of my Subaru on the reply I posted there – I’ve been very happy with the UMP white.
I replaced the Tamiya decal seatbelts with a couple of sets from Eduard – seatbelts are normally one of my pet hates and trying to do them with my degraded vision (essentially one-eyed) was significantly frustrating – as was trying to paint the silver/chrome inside the front and rear lights.
I hand painted the majority of the components on the underside – mostly to practice my hand-painting skills. I would have made a much better job of the engine if it were not for the fact that it will soon be covered with a sump-guard. Indeed, most of the back suspension also gets covered with protective undertrays (not quite sure what the proper term is).
Anyway, I was so happy with the kit that I’ve just got myself a 2001 Impreza, which I’ll build with my new glasses, before moving on to ‘the stash’ – although I’ve promised myself that I’m not starting on any new builds until I’ve completed a couple of my WIP builds – I confess that I’ve got in the order of 12 partially built cars, which I really need to finish or else make the decision that I never will finish them.
I’ve posted a few ‘quick and dirty photos’. I hate taking photographs of my cars – it makes you so aware of all the defects – there’s one significant one at the front that just needs me to remove the polish residue and another around the rear right light that I’ll certainly have to try and correct.
Malcolm
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