Power_uP builds 1/24

[Ivan141]

Some interesting surgery going on there..
Glad I'm not the only one to think the Fujimi kits are shit.

[Power_uP]

(06-16-2019 09:10 PM)Ivan141 Wrote:  Some interesting surgery going on there..
Glad I'm not the only one to think the Fujimi kits are shit.

Many years ago I bought some Fujimi kits from a member on here and I was very excited to build them. After the first build I gave up on Fujimi entirely. I'm keeping my Fujimi kits for the decals and a few useful parts, but I'll never build any.

I want to give credit where its due, so if anyone's interested, here's the blog that inspired me to build a 2-door from a Fujimi rear end:
http://www.hobidas.com/blog/j-tipo/deskt...-ae86.html

[banpei]

You really can see the difference in between the quality of the two kits when you put the two door rear end on the three door shell...

[Power_uP]

I've been busy lately, so only a small update for this weekend. I've done a lot of planning for the rest of the build and I'm going to have to butcher a 1/24 Corona kit in order to complete the interior. I bought the Corona for parts anyway, so it'll be OK.

I've got the wheels painted, looking just like Lime wheels:


Had to cut the rear end into two pieces to glue it in, this took a very long time to glue into place but I think it will be worth it in the end:


For rigidity, I've glued some reinforcement to the inside of the shell, this will also help when I add the filler:


You can't see it here (I need to take better photos), but after some sanding, the panels are starting to line up on the side of the shell:


Bumpers, grill and mirrors painted:


After some testing and it looks like James Bond's Corona will be useful for this build (you'll see how in the next update):


I'm sorry there isn't much done so far, but I've got a good idea of where to go with this now, so progress should happen faster from now on. Here it is so far (starting to look like a Lime! ):

[banpei]

It's a shame you're not building the Corona hardtop! One of the best looking Coronas!
But I understand: it's for a good cause!

[Power_uP]

Progress is being made, don't worry. I've got most of the sanding and filling done, the roof is totally smoothed and the rear quarter panels are almost perfect. I've added a raised section to the trunk lid (something Fujimi forgot about), and I've figured out how to fill the pieces under the tail lights.



There's no way I'm making another 2-door shell using this method, so please expect further delays when I'm finished building because I plan to do this:

There hasn't been enough time spent on this project lately because of organising a career change (I made a thread about that too). Everyone will be kept updated as the Lime gets built, and if the molding process is successful then I will likely build another 2-door.

For anyone interested in building a similar 2-door, its worth knowing that the Fujimi plastic is not the same as the Aoshima plastic. They seem to have different rates of abrasion when sanding and the glue even reacts differently to the two types of plastic. I'm absolutely done with Fujimi and I will never build another of their kits. The Fujimi kits are so inaccurate that it would be more appropriate to sell the Fujimi AE86 as a model of a battleship than a model of a Corolla,

[banpei]

Wow! I hardly see any difference now!
Maybe you could use this as a mould for your own new model?

[Power_uP]

Something I've struggled with on this build is finding a way to fill the large gap under the tail lights (you can see in the pic that I've already filled one gap, but I forgot to photograph the process for that side):


Well, you won't like my method for this, but I figured I could just slice a section out of the tail end of the Fujimi kit and glue the piece in place:


Sadly, the plan didn't work because Fujimi kits are made from a special plastic that may have been specially designed to be almost impossible to work with, so I had to remove the relevant piece from the itasha car that I've been slowly picking for parts anyway:


Got it! I just removed the rear corner from the Aoshima shell and sanded it down to size:



While I'm here, I should mention a little tip to help other builders. The rear bumper on these kits doesn't always fit correctly. I've found that cutting the corners as shown here will help the bumper sit much more flush:


That's it for now. I've ordered the resin and will be moulding the shell so that I don't have to butcher any more plastic kits if I want to build another 2-door in the future. I really want to finish the shell so that I can begin the Lime interior.

[Power_uP]

Progress is happening. I've been helping my nephew with some models (he's a beginner and is building some strange stuff), I will have an update on the Lime this Sunday. I've got a new solution for the glass, so it looks like the Corona isn't being picked apart now.

[banpei]

Never say never with James Bond!
I would love to see that Corona being done. I really dig the quirky design of the two door Corona RT141 hardtop coupe!