discussion Tamiya Stratos

[Andy T]

A true rally legend, I was lucky enough to see one close up (and hear it in action ) whilst working on the Roger Albert Clark rally earlier this year, so figured I should build one.

This Tamiya kit hails from 1977, so there are very few parts. It even has the remnants of a battery compartment! Thankfully the decals are a 2023 print, so should be fine.









The first job was to clean up the mould parting lines



Then it was on with some Mr Primer Surfacer



Before a few coats of Mr Color GX1





The few parts that remain were sprayed in semi gloss black, with the wheels being finished in gloss red. The driver was primed at this stage too.

 

[Ian M]

Oh! A Stratos. One of the few cars that look fast even standing still. (And one of the even fewer cars that float my boat).

 

[Andy T]

It is a great looking car Ian. I know this isn't a rally version but I'm sure I'll be making one in the near future. Hopefully in safari trim.

 

[Andy T]

I've finished the driver. He has rather strange proportions, but I'm not going to body shame him





Umpty seven thousand decals next, now that the bodywork has cured sufficiently.

 

[Steven000]

Nice paintwork on the driver Andy goodluck with those decals! Cheers

 

[flyjoe180]

Driver looks good Andy. The car parts and body are looking fantastic

 

[Andy T]

Thanks Steven & Joe.

I've got the 3 largest decals on so far. They have a couple of small tears but I should be able to touch those up. I also decided to spray the black band around the bottom of the car before I got too many more decals on. The one for the front especially looked prime for splitting, so I saved myself the headache.





I've also sprayed the upper dash. Black flock is common in race & rally cars to reduce reflections so I mixed some flat black with Mr Color rough base additive and it seems to have replicated it fairly well.
It's a dust magnet though!

 

[Jim R]

Certainly a geriatric kit. Looking good. Driver looks the part.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Very nice Andy.