Tamiya 1/18 Nissan R381 Racer (Plastic Kit)

Simply amazing. Love what you did with this, sad to see the decals so discolored though. 

That's a nice piece!  Great fabricating skills.  Really nice. 

That's a nice piece!  Great fabricating skills.  Really nice. 

Awesome modeling there.  You've essientially scratchbuilt it.  I like that it has a driver figure also.

FINALLY, I am putting a fork in it and calling this one D-O-N-E!, other than the door lines through the decals; here are the photos. I also know that I did not mention every little modification or part I created, but my intent was to take you with me on the journey and not make the thread chronologically exact. One thing of note is the Tamiya decals; the aged color variation of the roundel white when compared to the painted white is quite different. My color of paint was meant to match the actual car, and the number circles did not age very well and got much darker. The Nissan decals that were supposed to be directly in front of the rear wheels totally disintegrated once they hit the water. Perhaps some day I will find replacements for both the numbers and the Nissan decals. Overall, I am happy with the final product considering 100% of it has been either modified or scratch built (80%).









I hope you enjoyed viewing the build as much as I did making it. Happy Modeling!

Ben

More progress. I've finally completed the braided fuel set-up, wired and installed the engine, added the tube headers, built the chassis supports, installed the oil filter, completed and installed the battery, added the intake manifold coolant hose, created and installed the oil breather cross over tube between the carbs, etc.; here are some new photos:





Here are some photos of the updated scratch built suspension (all brass, steel, aluminum, plastic, and solder):



Another updates session, I finished the remaining suspension components, and then;

- removed and recreated the rear sway bar so it would work properly with the masts for the spoiler.
- removed and recreated the magneto as the old one was not done to standard; added it back to the manifold.
- added the rear spoiler masts.
- added and plumbed the transmission radiator / cooler.
- wired the rear disk brakes.
- removed the seams, added clamps, painted, and added the rear exhaust tubes to the headers.







I noticed that in the hurry of getting these pictures, that there is some touch-up that I need to do. I seemed to have spread some of my exhaust dry brush painting onto the rear shock tower. I still need to add the spoiler mast bracing to each other and to the bulkhead in front of the engine. I also need to add a drain hose to the upper catch can to the left front of the engine. I also need to create and add the shifting linkage from the cockpit to the transmission. I need to create the rear brake cooling ducts, and finally create and add the inner fenders. Then there are various items I need to create under the rear body section. I hope to show you most all of that in my next photo shot.

I just counted 124 pieces in the rear suspension alone, another 28 in the spoiler struts and bracing, 19 fuel / oil / and electrical fittings in the back alone, 15 parts making the exhaust, 14 in the scratch built magneto and wires, 11 parts in the scratch built transmission cooler, 21 parts for the scratch built battery, etc. ..... you get the picture and I have not counted the interior (6 pieces for each gage), front end or the modified engine. I've been wondering why it is taking so long, but this is starting to make sense.

I've also noticed that the dimensions of the kit parts, the need to scratch build many of the parts, and the placement of the body openings all combine to make it very difficult to create a scale replica that matchs the photos exactly. Some of the scratch parts had to be slightly modified to fit the kit versus match the pictures. To make it more challenging, there are development photos, race day pictures, and restoration photos which have many different components, colors, etc. With all this said, I can say it is real, real close, but perhaps not exact..... to the race day photos in most cases. Here you can see the bracing and tunnel from the rear bonnet scoops to the transmission cooler and to what will have a hose attached for the transmission case.



This photo shows the new inner-fender wells and rear brake cooling ducts in front of the inner fender. Looking close you can also see the rear brake lines. Beneath the exhaust you can see the chassis brace made out of brass. Oh, and the bracing for the rear spoiler has been added both to the bulkhead in front of the engine and across to each other.



I noticed both on the box and in the real race footage that there is an adjustable front chin spoiler (see below); it was not provided either.



So I made one from brass, painted it, and it is now attached to the front of the car. Here you can also see the driver finally installed. He is wearing PE and cloth belts. The gas caps in the kit were chrome but on the actual car they have always been body color. The are now corrected and attached too. Here you can also see the scale felt I added above the radiators (as on the real car). And finally this photo shows the wheels now attached.



And here we are in a unified shot with everything previously stated attached. Finally have the cockpit glass, rear view mirror and all assembled. I've touched-up and detailed the remaining intakes, added parts, etc. I am currently finishing up the metal support rods on the rear spoiler. The final steps will be painting the rear wing, adding the decals, and then calling it done.

Still trying to authenticate the rear chassis and suspension. I have completed the dash including the wiring of the gages (pic's soon). I also got more done on the driver which took much more modifications than I anticipated (the only thing not modified was his head). As for interior details, I noticed that most current pictures of the restores car show red seat belts but on 1968 race day they were black. The wheels were indeed black or gunmetal centers with a machined magnesium lip (not chrome). That will be corrected on the wheels.

here are photos of the completed front brake ducts, the dash and cockpit; including the basics of the driver (still more to do). Since the helmet is gloss black and the goggle band is also black, I used medical tape colored with a black marker for the goggle strap. It provided the color and texture difference that I was after. The driving suit colors are based on some u-tube footage on race day. The gages were punched from a die with solder bezels. The decals were sourced for specific 60's vintage dials. The gage lenses are clear acrylic (future floor wax). The colored lights on the dash are pin tips painted in Tamiya clear orange and red. I will be adding actual PE belts to the driver and soften the shading of the suit. The drivers legs were shortened; feet added; torso sectioned and repositioned; arms sections and repositioned; hands removed and repositioned, etc. I believe the look is convincing to appear as he is steering and shifting the car.



Here you can see a better position for the driver. Just to the left of the driver inside the right door is the door release handle I created. In this view you can also see the completed brake cooling ducts to the front wheel hubs.



This one was done with a photo flash so you could see the gauge wiring. They are not as bright as they appear in the photo after weathering.



Here is the progress on the engine to include a modified (correct) starter. It also has the return hose for the radiator scratch built that is mounted to the engine front. I added hose and clamps like on the original. The drivers suit shading was softened and the goggles were repainted a slight different shade of dark tint. On the transmission you can see one of the functional U-joints I created from various plastic, metal and solder products. Beneath the engine is the beginnings of an electrical box; it will be mounted in front of the engine on the floor pan. Below it is the 90 degree angled water hose from the in take manifold to the overflow can (as on the real car). Beneath it is the scratch built transmission cooler and to the left of it the scratch built battery (still to be completed). To the lower left of the battery is the oil filter that will be mounted and plumbed on the tube chassis on the left side of the engine. Beneath it are the various plastic, brass, and aluminum parts that are part of the chassis and rear suspension components. Eventually all of this will come together in the back of the car.



Here are some of the numerous fittings and hoses that are being used in the engine bay.



This photo shows the wheels. I painted the centers flat black and use a silver paint marker to replicate the satin machined magnesium for the lips. If you look close you can see the air fittings (smile,.... really). This also shows a closer look at the scratch built U-joints. The clear plastic in the rear is a template for the rear inner-fenders. I found it challenging to make them with the correct shape and holes for the various suspension points. It may still need two more holes; one for the brake cooling duct, and another for the lower suspension arm (both on the bottom of the template).



Here is the back of the chassis. The braided lines are not done just yet; neither are all the fittings. There are also a couple of the catch cans I made added. The braided lines that are currently shown going above the roll bar will be the fuel lines going to webber carbs. They are there out of the way until then. I am surprised by the lack of cross bracing on the original car. The torque of the GM racing V-8 must have been a hand full when driving.



This last shot shows the fire extinguishers in the cockpit and the thinned lines of the door panels.

The body has been painted white and the underside a black/grey mix. The most significant update is the completion of the basic front suspension. The total amount of pieces exceed 60 and include steel pins through the 16 brass chassis tabs that support the 14 piece aluminum suspension arms. The shocks were also from scratch, each one has 7 parts not including the brass chassis mount. The steering rack started as a brass tube, then a brass sleeve and steel rings were added representing the steering box. The three plastic pieces complete the box. Another brass rod was inserted through and attach to both eyelets that then slide over the wheel hub steering link (the steering is functional). spacers were added to the front axles so the new brakes (the kit had none) will fit. The axle hubs are the only items from the kit and were highly modified.In the first photo you can also see a pin and brass chassis hinge tab.



Parts of the lower tube chassis have been scratch built and attached to include cross bracing and a tunnel for the coolant lines (none of that was with the kit). You can also slightly see the door gap lines added over the white paint. The real car shown the steering rack to have an aluminum box and black tube. In the front of the lower chassis you can also see the brake duct boxes. I will add the brake duct lines to the wheels and brake lines to the calipers later. The steering box will have a small u-joint attaching it to the steering rod (from the steering wheel). 



Here is a better view of the front suspension components brake coolant duct and door seam.



In the next picture I have begun work on the rear suspension components (the kit has none). You can see the plastic suspension brace over the transmission that will attach the rear shocks. Beneath the tranny I created a suspension plate to include similar brass tab pivot points for the lower rear linkage. The bottom piece was created from 16 pieces. Prior to attaching the upper brace I will need to detail and weather the tranny as well as add bolt heads to the brace and dry brush it to bring out those details. I also added a brass tube connecting both transmission halves. I will be scratch building u-joints and half shafts from the tranny to the wheel hubs down the road. I did notice in the photos of the real car that the engine block does not use plugs or block-offs where you see them in the instructions, they have an oil pump and filter. It does however have an electric fuel pump. Part B28 is a cheesy magneto. I will modify it and run plug wires on the engine. Also the front of the intake manifold shows a block-off but the real car has a tube connecting to the coolant catch can while the front of the engine (water pump) has a hose going back to the front radiators. I will have all of this done when detailing the engine.



Here I created part of the hydraulic cylinders with return springs for the brake and clutch; added a return spring for the accelerator; added the 15 piece assembly to the pedals and glued them in the cockpit. Other things I've done include:

- bare metal foiled the storage tank that lays beneath the radiators.
- created the square and round front tube chassis. I've left some of it unpainted so you can see what has been added.
- still need to create and affix the brake and clutch master cylinders and then plumb them from the pedals.
- I've found another picture showing the brake duct air boxes with screen. I will also add that later too.



Here is the next update:

- finished painting front tube chassis
- de-seamed, painted, and added shifting linkage and seats to cockpit
- created steering u-joint, painted, and added remaining steering linkage
- created master cylinders (14 peices), added them to tube chassis, and plumbed them from pedals (fishing line)
- assembled, painted, and added radiators to chassis
- added fittings, braided lines, and detail painted
- cut, painted, and added screen to brake box intakes




I am calling the front of the car almost done (less brakes, brake lines, cooling ducts). Compared to the "Toy" contents of the kit, I am satisfied with the results. Currently working on the interior (dash, driver, fire suppression system, door latches, etc.), then moving on to the rear.

I have found a couple resources within the 3d modeling community for the rear u-joint half shafts and the steering rack. I am not sure if I'm going that direction or simply making it all from scratch. I still need to create the bracing and duct work found under the rear engine bonnet before I paint the body. 

This body shot shows the cut-out to the front hood for the braided line, the slightly modified engine intake opening, and engine bonnet recessed intakes that were extended back into the body (I did not understand why this was not part of the kit (?)). I chose to permanently affix the doors; it is a much better presentation that way. I had to fill and remove several large mold ejection pin marks throughout the body including the doors. I will create and add door latches to the inside prior to completion (similar to a Cobra door latch). The open cockpit makes the secure doors a "non-issue". The photo also shows the cockpit central hump which contains the radiator coolant lines from the front radiator to the rear engine; again I am not sure why it was not molded in the kit (?). The front and rear latches that should be seen on the lower pan are missing as well (that will be corrected too). I am usually praising Tamiya's molding, but this kit lacks many of the body and structural items found on the real car.



This next one shows the details of the scratch built rear axle hub and wheel set. I used a laminated plastic sheet and brass rod. The design and angles of the hub are based on photos of the real car. I also added the rear portion of the caliper which will also be plumbed back from the engine area to the front.



Here is a photo of the beginning details for the engine injection to replicate the banjo fuel fittings I used very small metal jewelry pieces that were glued together and scale rubber hose. I still plan to add the throttle linkage, a wired magneto, scratch built radiator coolant hose assembly to the front of the manifold, and detail paint it all further. The existing colors were carefully chosen based on several pictures of the actual car.



Here are pictures of the modified dash. The kit one was far too simplified and did not reflect the correct scale gage diameters; the tach (directly in front of the driver was molded poorly and had a large gap behind it. Real car photos also showed its profile to be farther off the dash. The second picture is the gages behind the dash where I will clean them up, add clamps, and wire them as they can be seen through the front opening of the hood when completed. The gage bezels will be made from either solder or jewelry wire.





And here is the beginning of what will be the driver (sourced from an old 1/18 spare kit). He is period correct, and in my opinion he will complete the cockpit much better than an empty harness. I am not sure why but Tamiya molded him without any feet (?); I had to cut some from an old farm toy figure. I am planning on adjusting his arm positions so one is one the wheel and the other is on the gear selector.



Once the remaining PE parts arrive I can begin building the front and rear suspension points which will allow me to make the final modifications to the chassis pan. I want to finish the rear chassis cut-outs before painting the body. As soon as our weather is clear I can put a final primer coat then top coat on the white body. After that the real fun will begin (smile)