Matra MS650 Le Mans 24h build

[JonMW]

So as the great race starts tomorrow, and as I always do I will try to build a Le Mans car during the race. This year the car is a Matra MS650 that where driven by Beltoise and Courage at the '69 race. The model is a resin kit from Profil 24, the kit is not the best, so I have cheated a bit by prepping the body and getting some primer on. Everything is set ad just waiting for the start.

[JonMW]

So just over one hour in to the race and the build I have gotten some color on the body. The plan was to use Zero Paints French blue, but as I couldn't find my bottle I went with Tamiya X-14 Sky blue.





Will need to get the decals on ASAP and then clear and start on the interior and chassis.

[JonMW]

Four hours done, just 20 to go and what a race it has been so far. The decals are on, wasn't the best I have used, where a bit hard to get to conform to the surface. But a lot of Micro Sol helped. Now need to get some dinner and let the decals dry before the clear coat.

[JonMW]

Clear coat is on! Now time to get started on the chassis and interior.

[LudvigN]

Very cool idea, maybe a 24h SiG next year?

P.S. Also looking at the race as we speak

[JonMW]

Thanks, it would be fun with a sig. This is something I try to do every year, it's not always it gets done but it's fun to do something where you don't have to worry about getting a perfect finish or 100% correct.

To add a bit of wear to the interior it was first painted in Alclad aluminium followed by some chipping fluid then green zinc chromate, more chipping fluid and finally flat black. After letting everything dry the paint was removed from some areas that the driver would come in contact with.

[rodrant]

Interesting to follow ! The idea to make some Endurance car during that great race is fantastic ! But a group build of the 24H Le MAns race should be an interesting one outside all this planes and AFV builds , I have several kits to do on this , and this seems an interesting it , even for the subject , I didn't knew this kit .It is going very nice , I will come here tomorrow after the morning highlights of the race...

[JonMW]

Thanks!

The progress has slowed down a bit, partly because I've been awake for about 24 hours (and there is still seven to go) and I've seem to have gotten a light case of food poisoning, so not feeling too good but I will continue and try to get to the end. The interior is pretty much done, I might add a few wires to the back of the instrument panel just to add some interest. The seats was painted in flat black and then given a coat with Ultimate concrete wash, it's not as noticeable in real as it is in the picture. Not too much left to do really, just add some PE to the body,the clear parts and finish the wheels.

[JonMW]

Getting close now, it's on wheels! Was a bit of a problem to get the wheels to fit as the axles where too long so I made new ones from styrene rod. I need to redo the intake funnels and still a lot of PE missing.

[JonMW]

So with just under one and a half hour to go I'm calling this done! What a race it has been and a rather fun build as well. It is a pretty simple kit but it goes together well and looks pretty good. With a bit more time it could be made into a really nice one.

[rodrant]

It is very nice , seems a winner to me !

Very nice build and in less of the 24 Hours Well done !