Turbo Optima Mid SP

[HKS_TRD]

I was feeling a little adventurous so decided to break out these guys



I forgot just how darn tight the bind screws are in the upper deck the first time you screw them in.

Having the covers on let me take what I consider the trademark Mid shot where you can see the belt running circling the perimeter of the buggy side on









Then it was time to break out the motor I have been saving for this build for quite some time



Along with these guys







I also managed to trim the gear cover and put that on while I was at it





I'll start trimming up the undertray next, then the wing, then the body.

Pretty soon I should be ready to start one of my next projects

[DanB4]

That is just damn sexy!

[Naushad]

This is looking to be very nice! I can't wait to see the finished product

[HKS_TRD]

Thanks guys

Anyone got any tips for the best way to mask up the blackouts?
I was thinking I would brush the black sections but then spray the entire body once the black sections are done and the masking removed

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

Thanks guys

Anyone got any tips for the best way to mask up the blackouts?
I was thinking I would brush the black sections but then spray the entire body once the black sections are done and the masking removed

Hi Buddy, Forgot to tell you what I did with the black sections.
I sprayed the black sections from the outside with black matt paint.
A spray can of mat black that you can buy in the car shop should do the job.
Box art are the black sections mat black and not shiny! looks superb!!

[HKS_TRD]

I've started cutting out the body, wing and undertray and I have a few questions maybe someone can help out with. These are the Marwan repro pieces

1. Its hard to see any cutouts on the sides of the wing, do you just cut it freehand?
2. Its hard to see any cutouts on the top of the sides of the undertray, or the bottom of the sides of the body, how do I know how tall to leave the sides
3. The stickers that go on the sides differ from the box art in they have a long line running along the bottom whereas the box art does not, has anyone modded the side stickers to work correct or has Marwan had to make a change to avoid copyright infringement?
4. Are the hole markings on the body that the four plastic pegs poke through in the correct spot?

What do you guys use besides lexan scissors and sandpaper to sand the edges of the cuts. Do you use files, scalpels, or?

Any pics of cut out pieces would be a big help

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

1. Its hard to see any cutouts on the sides of the wing, do you just cut it freehand?

I checked the internet and "copying" the shape from a photo and cut it freehand.

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

2. Its hard to see any cutouts on the top of the sides of the undertray, or the bottom of the sides of the body, how do I know how tall to leave the sides?

The best thing that you can do is, first cutting the upper bodyshell and fit it on the car. To fit the undertray is just a matter of trying and cutting till you are satisfied! (See picture of my turbo mid SP attached)

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

3. The stickers that go on the sides differ from the box art in they have a long line running along the bottom whereas the box art does not, has anyone modded the side stickers to work correct or has Marwan had to make a change to avoid copyright infringement?

NO,The decals are identical copies of the originals! I asked him already a long time ago and he showed me a picture with the original decal sheet and the repro and they are identical! Apparently it was not the first time that Kyosho changed a decal sheet etc on the last minute before they go in production!

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

4. Are the hole markings on the body that the four plastic pegs poke through in the correct spot?

Almost but they are not perfect! You need to try and adjust...

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

What do you guys use besides lexan scissors and sandpaper to sand the edges of the cuts. Do you use files, scalpels, or??

Only scissors

[HKS_TRD]

Thanks for that info, gives me something to go by so I can continue with the build!

Though I have to say, I have curved lexan scissors but some of the curves I have real trouble cutting out, it seems the shell is thick in some places and paper thin in others

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

Thanks for that info, gives me something to go by so I can continue with the build!

Though I have to say, I have curved lexan scissors but some of the curves I have real trouble cutting out, it seems the shell is thick in some places and paper thin in others

There you can use a light duty knife. One like this ==> http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDS70&P=0

[DanB4]

For the tight curves I use a hole reamer, make the hole centre a few mm out from the arc and make the OD follow the curved cut line.....then I use curved scissors to transition from the straight to the curve.

[HKS_TRD]

I managed to make some more progress.
I got most of the cutting done with scissors but used a block and sandpaper to make the long straight edges nice and straight, the undertray is ready to paint, the body and wing just need the sandpaper block treatment on some edges as well cleaning up the lower edge of the body sides, and a few little tweaks. I think the wing shape turned out OK, I marked the lines with electrical tape and cut against them.
I was more concerned with making the body fit properly first then can finish it off without needing test fits.
I found the body is not a perfect fit and it pulls the RH side of the roof down a little, Oli4KE noticed your LWB bodies do this too, I managed to solve that when test fitting just the shell without the four black pegs, but then when I put it on with the undertray and retaining pegs the problem came back but its not as bad as it was initially.

I always liked the wing in the low position with mid tilt, but never knew on the LWB model you can't get the body off with it on in that position!

Is it just me or is the body a super tight fit over the retaining pegs?







I will probably paint the wing first and apply the stickers, then the body, and then the undertray though I may leave it clear so you can see the carbon chassis from underneath

[DanB4]

Looking great Dan.

Posted your bits to you just now.

Dan

[HKS_TRD]

Originally Posted by DanB4

Looking great Dan.

Posted your bits to you just now.

Dan

Thanks! Look forward to receiving them

I'm thinking the first of my two planned SWB Mids will be my next project.
The bits you sent me are for the second SWB Mid build I have planned

[DanB4]

Originally Posted by oli4ke

Hi Buddy, Forgot to tell you what I did with the black sections.
I sprayed the black sections from the outside with black matt paint.
A spray can of mat black that you can buy in the car shop should do the job.
Box art are the black sections mat black and not shiny! looks superb!!

Hi Oli did you do the same for the Optima Mid Custom too?

Cheers,

Dan

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

I found the body is not a perfect fit and it pulls the RH side of the roof down a little, Oli4KE noticed your LWB bodies do this too, I managed to solve that when test fitting just the shell without the four black pegs, but then when I put it on with the undertray and retaining pegs the problem came back but its not as bad as it was initially.

Yes correct, thanks for the tip Buddy!
Nice work BTW

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by DanB4

Hi Oli did you do the same for the Optima Mid Custom too?

Cheers,

Dan

Yes, I did the same with the Optima Mid Custom bodyshell.
Honestly it looks better and it's much easier to do so from the outside!