Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 - Completed

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (18)

Here are some of the interior pics while I am trying to fix the glass windows with AB-glues.

The bonnet is detailed with the T2M new fast locks

And on the underside, I have actually done some AFV kind of weathering to make it more like a rally car even it only runs on tarmac most of the race.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (17)

Finally I have got this ride almost completed~
I will just need some of the pins adding on the front lips to get another completed work.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (16)

Finally, the cockpit is completed with a little handy work added. And the parts around the exterior are also assembled. I will need to work a little further to get the minor details ready to cross the finish line.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (15)

This has been a really hard coating and I am losing my finger tips by now after my first round of polishing on this.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (14)

This is to put an end for the spare wheels.
I have finally applied both paints and decals over the replica and have it mounted onto between the rollcage.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (13)

Just a bit adjustment on the brake calipers, shifting the the discs even deeper into the calipers.



Some handly weathering on the undercage.


And here are the wheels that are ready with the spare wheels ready to be painted as well.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (12)

This is now going to the last lap of the progress. I have replaced the brake discs with the PE replacements which I have assembled a few years back. This is of the same size of the original front discs, so I have got the convertion without major problem.

However when it comes to the fitting to the suspension systems, the O-ring actually need to be fitted in a deeper position. I have no other ways but to extent the cups of the discs so the entire braking system will not stay too deep inside the wheels.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (11)

Here are some updates around the cockpit as I have scatchbuilt some parts here and there.
I am still surprized as the kit does not provide the pedals at all! Do Hasegawa crafts really think the thing can move on there own?! @.@"

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (10)

Keep on working on the chassis and cockpit. Today I have got the chassis masked and painted. Yet, it wasn't really finished until some further weathering is applied. So I will just get some shots at a later time. But here are some update for the cockpit, where I have the steering wheel setup and the console assmebled. Some further wiring works are yet to be done. Considering this is a 1:24 kit, I think it will be much easier to handle than the 1:12 bike anyway.

Just to get a feeling of what is going to be done... ^^

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (9)

Slowly I am making some progress on this Ford Focus.
The cockpit is slowly assembled with some CF decal work and some bit of paintings.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (8)

Just as I put up some white with the AE86, I also added some paints on this Focus as well. I have fine-tuned the color tone of the white. And the rollcage has been setup as well.

I have also give some weathering preparison on the chassis as well just like the AE86.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (8)

Now, while I am waiting for some tuned parts from arriving, I have started working on the chassis and cockpit for this Focus.
Quite recently I have read a progress from a Japanese master to have the pre-shadowing practising on the cockpit for another WRC ride. So I am going to try if it gives positive result.

I have thinned down a bit for the effect and it seems I will need to ive further finness on the effect to make it applicable for a 1:24 ride....

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (7)

Same for the Focus as well as clear coat has been applied. Will be working on chassis soon.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (6)

Today I have revised my progress plan for the coming weeks and hopefully I can manage to get rid of a couple of more kits by the end of the year.
But just now, I have only managed to have the rear wing fitted together, primed and painted and decaled.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (5)

Once again, this is another horrifying mistake! I have left several holes unfilled on the roof even after the all the decals around are inplace!
The kit originally prepared a few more holes to fix the altenna and radio on the roof of the ride. But this event's ride, it is a little different from the WRC specification. And some of these holes have to be filled. And the fool of myself hasn't even touched the instruction for the assembly even after the decal works!

And this lesson punished me for Yet-another-time! I have to fill the holes and repaint the areas without affecting the decals which are closely around.

And thank God the brilliant covering power for Gunze GX1 is actually powerful enough for fix this. I have filled the holes with the mix of powder and super clue, had the surface lined up and painted again.

To be honest, I really have no confidence on this approch even I have been thinking about all day long today. But I am so glad that it works.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (4)

Finally, I am getting back to the kits where I will need to use the air brush.
I am painting the white color today and this Focus has some progress now.

The decal work didn't look too complicated so I work it out along the way. Since Hasegawa has prepared Cartograf decals for the kit, it became another pleasure to work on the decals. The basic works were done over the body and hopefully I can give it a coat of clear some day in the next weekend so I have the decal protected as soon as I can.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (3)

There are several injection marks on the cockpit floor. I have simply covered up the entire floor with 0.1mm plastic sheets, just to save efforts doing putty work on it. The tools on the floor were also removed and recreated so they can be re-assembled on top.



The buckle seats from the kits are real mess and I have replaced both with after market parts.


Here is the tool underlyin the driver seat and recreated to be re-assembled seperately.

Ford Focus - Monza Rally 2007 (2)

Some fix on the front bumper, having the pins all removed and have holes drilled and prepared for the insertion of metal parts later on.