Airfix Model World – September 2019

ADVANCED BUILD

MERCEDES-AMG GT3

ADVANCED BUILD

MERCEDES-AMG GT3

54 Airfi x Model World

straight from the box, I acquired
Hobby Design’s companion
upgrade (HD02-0364). This set
contained eight photo-etched
(PE) metal frets (see panel), with
detail for the grilles, windscreen
wipers, brake disk faces and
callipers. Internal enhancements
included pedal and electrical

boxes, a safety net for the driver

seat, plus belt hardware. A

complete multi-part radiator and

cooling fan was an unexpected,

but very welcome addition,

along with an airbrush template

for the tyre logos. There were

also rear wing supports and

endplates, plus micro pins to hold

everything together.

I also procured Studio 27’s

templated carbon decal set

(ST27-CD24027), which was

designed specifically for the

Tamiya kit, and Slotfabrik’s

‘Battlefield 1’ decals (SF-D24-

001) to change the livery. The

former was an all-inclusive

offering and comprised two A5

and one A6-sized sheets, with

markings for the interior, rear

decking, console, dashboard,

door cards, exterior wings and

aerodynamics. Such was the

quality and number of decals;

these would take two evenings

to apply.

“A seven nation army...”

Assembly was relatively

straightforward and the only

deviations from Tamiya’s

recommended sequence were

to incorporate the various

aftermarket items (see panel)

and jump straight to the stages

associated with the main body

components. This would allow

the body shell paint to dry while

other assembly took place.

Before any work started, 1.5mm

and 1mm diameter holes were

drilled in the roof to accept

various aerials in the final stages.

The front and rear bumpers,

bonnet outlet plus side and

rear inlets were then secured.

Generally, the fit was sublime,

but the bonnet outlet (Part

A25), below which the radiator

would be viewed, required very

upgrade (HD02-0364). This set
contained eight photo-etched
(PE) metal frets (see panel), with
detail for the grilles, windscreen
wipers, brake disk faces and
callipers. Internal enhancements
included pedal and electrical

complete multi-part radiator and

cooling fan was an unexpected,

but very welcome addition,

along with an airbrush template

for the tyre logos. There were

also rear wing supports and

endplates, plus micro pins to hold

templated carbon decal set

(ST27-CD24027), which was

designed specifically for the

Tamiya kit, and Slotfabrik’s

‘Battlefield 1’ decals (SF-D24-

001) to change the livery. The

former was an all-inclusive

markings for the interior, rear

decking, console, dashboard,

door cards, exterior wings and

aerodynamics. Such was the

quality and number of decals;

these would take two evenings

to apply.

“A seven nation army...”

Assembly was relatively

straightforward and the only

deviations from Tamiya’s

recommended sequence were

to incorporate the various

aftermarket items (see panel)

and jump straight to the stages

associated with the main body

components. This would allow

the body shell paint to dry while

other assembly took place.

Before any work started, 1.5mm

and 1mm diameter holes were

drilled in the roof to accept

various aerials in the final stages.

The front and rear bumpers,

bonnet outlet plus side and

rear inlets were then secured.

Generally, the fit was sublime,

but the bonnet outlet (Part

A25), below which the radiator

would be viewed, required very

Composite companion

Studio 27’s stunning bespoke carbon fibre decals (www.hiroboy.com) were time-

consuming to add, but definitely worth the extra effort, as they improved the

overall appearance of the model considerably.overall appearance of the model considerably.

 Studio 27’s carbon fibre template decals were employed to add further realism to several

areas of the cockpit.

 Similarly, the dashboard received carbon fibre decals plus several kit items, which

improved its appearance notably.