This is Tamiya's Porsche 911 GT1. It was originally going to be a full view, but the decision was taken to super detail as much as possible.

This model has been made before, straight out of the box, so it'll be nice to see what a couple of years extra practice would be like.

The model itself was started March 2004.

This one will be regulary updated so please keep looking.

I would like acknowledge the following modelling suppliers that have the forsight to produce quality parts and tips so that this little project could get underway without being a complete disaster.

Paul Fitzmaurice - for all the wiring you will see in the pictures. These wires come in many styles and colours. I'm using 0.2mm to 5mm , differnt colours for this engine. See his site http://www.little-cars.com for kits and equipment.

David Durst - for all the Photoetched parts and the carbon fibre you see .... check his site out at http://www.scaleracecars.com . Also thanks to David for the cracking reference photos from his own online album

.........3 weeks so far, and not one ship in sight, Friday has gone and done a runner... No water! locked away in this model room away from the wife and kids............

Anyway, So far, so good on the engine. I've put in a few plumbing and wiring to the basic engine shell, and it's coming along nicely.

I've since taken of the silver cladding by the airbox , as It looked tacky and overbearing.

And I've done the seat as well, using Studio 27's detail seatbelt set. I'll finish it of properly prior to fitting

Friday, the 14th 2004

I've not done too much this week CF on the chassis, a bit of priming of the shell and a start on the interior of the cockpit.

As you can see from the pictures below, I'm adding the Carbon Fibre (CF) decals to the rear of the floor pan. This decal is aprt ofa superb template set supplied by Scale Motor Sport. It looks a bit naff in the pic, but trust me, it's supposed to do that. The "microsol in the background  is applied to the decal and the chassis. It then breaks down the surface of the decal and moulds it in the shapes that yu require. Give a good finish once it is completed. Hint - do no touch the decal whilst it's like this... it's extremely delicate and will tear at the slightest touch of a gnats kneecap

Once it's dry, it looks like this. Quite a difference eh?

And repeat for the rest of the chassis!

Whilst I was waiting, I started to prime the body ready for painting. I use Halfords Primer for the job. I usually do one coat of primer to spot the mould lines and any other litte imperfections. Once I've used fine sandpaper/wet & dry or use the pads from my trusty kit, I reprime twice, checking between coats for any run (help the Lord if I do!)

Once I'm happy, I'll think about putting on the first coat. The box is my painting cover. After any coat of paint, I'll cover the parts with the box (on trusty clothes pegs to let air in, but not the dust) If you dont do this, try it, it works pretty well, especially if you cannot afford a spray box.

Well, I've started again on the Porsche after a little layoff by me to recharge the batteries.

Remember the engine pics? Well, the lump has been insterted onto/into the chassis. I used "alclad II  - Burnt metal" on the exhaust pipes

The chair has been added to the front along with some detailing, such as the plate where the gear stick meets the rear bulkhead.

I have completed the paint job on the shell, and am now in the process of getting the decals on to it.

Bonnet catch plates, full filler caps and the Porsche logo are Photoetched parts ( the porsche logo is hand painted ,and not a bad job considering the thing is only a couple of millimeteres across)

Well, since the last update, I've been a busy man and managed to get 99% of the decals done, add some detailing, get the internals finished, and get some pictures taken... here goes for the final hurdle is in sight!

The rear wing is now complete, bar finally placing it on the shell itself. I used bare metal foil for the trailing edge instead of painting it.

and on the rear shell, so that the rear light cluster will stand out better...

The chassis, engine and cockpit are all but finished.

Instead of the X-12 gold leaf on the wheels, I finished them in Titanium Gold. This gave a nicer, more subtle finish to the inner wheels, and they really look good in the pictures I think.

Finally, the shell...almost there. just minor painting, detailing, decaling, photoetched parts to be added, polishing, polishing and  maybe a final polish  till I'm happy.

more to come soon.

The reason  I'm making this GT1 is two fold... can I do better than the last effort which I made over 5 years ago, and because it's a cool car.

What do you reckon?

Well.. the model is finished... see the pictures in the Le Mans/GT pages.

The next Model Diary will be a Panoz Roadster-S LMP99