How To Build A DRAGON: By Karl B.

As of tomorrow, it will be a whole month since I have been on here. I am here today to bring you another bad ass skyline build. This time around it's an R33 Skyline built by Karl Briffak. Karl has out done himself this time with this beast of a Skyline. Here, I'll formally introduce you to "The RED Dragon"

Karl took the Tamiya skyline and released it's inner beast by cutting open the hood and slapping an RB26 engine from the Tamiya R32 kit. Why Tamiya didn't do this to the R33 and R34 is quit odd, but when you see somone take the time to scratchbuild an engine bay for one of these all you can do is appreciate the beauty. There are plenty of scratchbuilt and modified parts along with a small list of aftermarket support to bring it to life. The side skirts and front lip are all cusom made and wrapped in carbon decal along with the B-pilar and OEM wing. Tucked under the wheel arches are a set of NISMO LM-GT wheels wrapped in Bridgestone tires. Behind those wheels lye some slotted rotors with OEM Nissan 4 piston front calipers and 2 piston rear calipers, enough to bring this beast to a stop. Pop open the hood and you'll see a very clean RB26 with a single turbo chillin on it's side. Just about everything you see under the hood is scratchbuilt. Although you can see it, the interior recieved the same treatment. It is nicely detaild with harness bars, race harness and a pair of Bride seats. As for the paint job, DO I really need to say anything??? simply beautiful.

A few details of the Dragon.

"Kit: Tamiya
Colour: Nissan AH3 Red Pearl Metallic with 2K clear
Modifications:
- Hobby Design HD02-0146 photo-etched set
- Modified lower part of front bumper
- Custom front splitter and new side-skirt lips
- Custom built rear bumper
- Exhaust modified to a single turbo with a new stainless-steel tip
- Tamiya Nissan Skyline RB26 engine from an R32 GT-R kit
- Scratch-built engine bay
- Scratch-built intercooler pipes, turbo, strut brace and air cleaner
- Model Scientists Bride Vorga seats and Tamiya Nismo Steering wheel
- Scratch-built harness bar behind front seats
- Aber photo-etched seat belt accessories with Tuner Model green harness
- Detailed Tamiya Nismo LMGT-4 rims with Tuner Model air valves
- Tamiya Bridgestone tires from a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
- Scale Motorsport carbon fibre decal applied to spoilers and window pillars
- Japanese tax disc and parking sticker from an Aoshima decal sheet

After 8 months in the making, it was about time to take it out of the garage!"

ALL PICTURES BELONG TO KARL B.

So I hope you enjoyed this beauty/beast as much as I did. I know several judges at a show/competition local to Karl enjoyed it, they enjoyed it so much that they awarded Karl for it.

Thanks for stopping by.

"RED SKIES" The O.G. Godzilla By: Chris L.

Today I bring what I like to call "RED SKIES" It's the original GODZILLA of the skyline world. The R32 for many of us here in CALI can only wish to own a Skyline(legal maters and money get in the way), no less an R32. It just screams kick ass! Chris Lomenda is not only the builder of this masterpiece, but also owns a real as in life size R32 Skyline which he hopes one day to look as good as it's scaled counterpart. This R32 is based of Tamiya's take on this beast. It comes with an engine that is tastefully done in stock trim. The drive train and suspension set up is one of the best detailed out there. The interior is a bit on the bland side and there might be some other bits that some might not like out of the box.

But thank god Chris likes to think out of the box when it comes to his builds. Not only did he go the extra mile, he went a few dozen extra miles to get this beauty where it's at today. He modified the engine to hold a single turbo big enough to swallow baby birds, fuel rail, fuel pressure regulator, oil filter relocation kit and some braided lines. The intake filter is scratch built along with a plethora of goodies like the brake lines that run along the firewall, the aluminum radiator exhaust system, charge pipes, and the monstrous intercooler chillin behind the front bumper. For wheels, Chris went with a set of Work Meister S1's from Model scientists which he modified to be able to paint the centers the gold color and added chrome lip that you see. The interior itself is a piece of art alone, with original seats being left in, he also added some racing harness belts, roll cage, flocking for carpet and some floor mats which he made himself. Opening doors on any scaled size kit is a skill that can be added to a resume. It takes time and patience to get it right. If the doors do not align or open up smoothly, then your F&%K3D. Not so in this case, hell it even has the door hooks for them to close properly. The door jambs are properly done and the "stock" Tamiya door cars were modded to add some detail and depth to the interior. It's a detail that should not be forgotten if you were to do that to this kit or any kit for that matter.

I can go on and on about this R32, but I would much rather just show you instead.
Enjoy.

I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have.

Thanks for stopping by.

Projects, Projects, Projects!!

PROJECTS! Everyone has them, not many want to finish them. I for one have several projects that I wish to finish. Will I ever? Do I really want to?? Well at some point yes and of course I do.....I think.

For me, the WIP is what I like most. Making parts, customizing parts from other cars to fit, painting, adding that extra detail is what makes me want to build. If I told you how many projects I have going, you would probably think Im either lazy or crazy...

Here are a couple of projects and future features of a few fellow builders currently have going.

Karl has a Tamiya Skyline R33. He is has decided to toss an engine into it and has added some sweet details

Victor has been working on a Tamiya Honda S200. He too decided to toss an engine into it and some great progress as well.

Last one, not really...Jorge. He has a Revell Datsun 510. He is slapping a Honda F20c engine into his. Talk about a go-kart with balls...

You can find all of these guys along with many other great builders on the Model Scientists forum.
http://modelscientistsforums.ipbhost.com/

Stay tuned for my current projects.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Dato/Nissan Madness update

A few of the guys and myself on the SPC forum have a thread going. it's called "Dato/nissan madness, it just keep spreading" what its all about is in the title, only catch is that it can only be pre 1989 vehicles. just about anyone can join the fun. there is no time limit, it's not a build off nor is it a contest. just a few guys that like old school j-tin. in the coming year Im going to start another one dedicated to Toyotas. same rules apply and the Dato/Nissan thread.
Here is a bit of an update on what Raees and Hanzel has coming.

Raees did a bit of work on the hood. some weathering on that blue paint look great.

Pictures were taken by Raees Amein.

And it seems that Hanzel has an R30 Nissan Skyline coming out. the mock up pic looks pretty wicked.

Picture was taken by Hanzel Conchas

Stay tuned for more updates as these are just a couple of them on that thread.

Thanks for stopping by.

Raees' HAKOSUKA!

Well the man that has several builds going on his workbench has started a new build..haha, don't we all. this time around it's the legendary Nissan Skyline KPCG10, yup a Hakosuka. although he just started, Im loving the way it's looking.

Here is what he has so far.

Fujimi Takahashi kit

Aoshima SSR MKII

Paint: Tamiya gloss aluminum polsihed with Kosutte Ginsan

All pics are taken by Raees Amien


Thanks for looking

Inspiration Photo's

As I browse the interwebs, I bump into some pics of bad ass looking J-tin. shakotan style or clean and subtle lowering with some sweet sakura wheels. here are some that I saved, it's just the tip of the iceberg. this is what influences me to build my models the way I do. I will be posting more of the pics I have saved.

These are not my pictures, I found these online. if they belong to you, hit me up and i will credit your name to them.


                                    

Thanks for reading.

OLDSKILL_86!

Every now and then there is a builder that gets your attention be it using 5 pounds worth of PhotoEtch parts or high shine paint jobs that only show cars have in the real world.
well Adrian aka OLDSKILL_86 on the SPC forum has caught my attention with his builds. they have old school flavor and are nicely detailed. the details are not over done and the out comes are not disappointing.

With have just a few builds under his belt, they all look great so far.

Being a Toyota nut, this Corolla GT is one of my favorites.

Toyota Corolla GT
some specification:
TS 42 Gun Metal by Tamiya
rims: JDM Impul DEEP DISH HOSHINO racing 14 inch
others: old racing seat, front spoiler, flocking carpet, OMP Monza classic sterring wheels

Nissan Skyline
spec:
paint w/ TS-50 mica blue
custom front spoiler
custom muffler
techno trv 14 inch rims

All photos were taken by Adrian

Thanks for reading.