Wood5tock's Novafox build

[wood5tock]

Have started to re-kindle my Tamiya affair again I decided to treat myself to new kit as well as some restoration work on my Super Hornet. Besides which I has been a little over 20 years since I last lifted the lid off of a new model and that was the SH…

With the stunning amount of Re-Res available I decided to go with the Nova Fox as the image in the Tamiya catalogue of the Fox’s gold rims accompanied with blue and silver body back in the 80s were truly evocative for a young boy. Mind you lets face it most if not all the images in those catalogues had the same effect o us…

So the order was done and this arrive in late November, I though I would start build thread on my experiences with this kit

[wood5tock]

First the lid comes off to reveal the goodness within

All the kit components

New and old tools arranged, let the game begin…

First off going through the manual to check all the parts were present then it was on to mating the two parts of the tub

Then sorting the steering servo out

Nice shinny metal-geared ‘high speed’ steering servo

In goes the electrics, a mixture of new ESC technology with a bit of old school cool with the Acoms receiver with a blue band 6 crystal for a bit of colour coding

Tub together with other fastenings. As with all my projects I try to swap out as many standard fasteners as possible in favor of stainless ones.

[wood5tock]

On to the damper units

I then started on the on the front end

Assembled front arms

Front end complete with damper unit and bumper

[mongoose1983]

Looking good there already!

Are you going boxart with the body?

[wood5tock]

Assembling the gearbox halves with proper bearings

In go the gears with a nice dobb of ceramic grease

Rear suspension components fitted to the gearbox case

I decided to swap out the standard motor for a ‘Sport Tuned’ one

Dampers and motor fitted

Rear end fitted and battery tray fitted

Rear end completed

The last of the bearings and tyres fitted to the wheels

There you have it one rolling chassis

Next bit the driver and body, back soon... When I have done it

[SteveU30]

The more I see these being built, the more I want one, will deffo be my next kit I buy. Looking forward to following this build matey.

[sidewaysdave69]

I am going to regret looking at this!!

the novafox was on my short list when I bought my trf and I am going cold turkey for a few months

[wood5tock]

Looking good there already!

Are you going boxart with the body?

Thanks for the comment It's going to be box art with a subtle twist. I have actually started the painting today so you question will be answered (hopefully) in the next day or so

[wood5tock]

The more I see these being built, the more I want one, will deffo be my next kit I buy. Looking forward to following this build matey.

I know what you mean, that's why I decided I had to have one as my 'new kit getting back into the hobby' type thing

I am going to regret looking at this!!

the novafox was on my short list when I bought my trf and I am going cold turkey for a few months

Sorry Dave I noticed your 'New Years Resolution' thread... Just buy one now and ask someone to hide it for two months... that'll work.. won't it...

[sidewaysdave69]

if I buy it tonight then technically it still 2013, and my resolution will stand

[wood5tock]

if I buy it tonight then technically it still 2013, and my resolution will stand

Oh sneakiness... I like your style

[Quandry]

Wow! looks great! I havent seen a Fox going together before looks like a cross between a Hotshot and Wild One. I like it!

[neverfollow]

Good stuff right here. I haven't seen a fox build before either, so much like the Hot Shot I just built. Enjoy!

[wood5tock]

I decided to not go conventional on the driver’s helmet instead opting for a totally smooth finish rather than the screw in the back of the head and the uneven join lines.

I just used the screw to hold the two halves together whilst the liquid poly set I then removed the screw ready for filling. It’s vital you do this if you decide to do the same as the application of filler makes an air bubble which, depending on the amount of filler in the hole can cause grief by pushing the filler back out similar to when you fill screw holes in a piece of wood. Take the screw out before and the air can escape back into the driver’s head cavity… As it were…

Whilst that was setting off I got on with the Body. It’s been I while since I have done this, but the proper body reamer and a set of lexan scissors both curved and straight made it dead easy.

A quick sand of the edges and the rear wing on a quick trial fit was done

Note the colour coded aerial tube

Also the Sport Tuned motor comes with standard length of wire so I shall have to make up some new, longer ones and solder them on. Japanese male and female bullet terminals ordered

Now the painting, well the preparation anyway

Looking at the manual and the decal sheet it seams that the black paint is only applied to the back section of the body surrounding the switch hole. With the black of the roll cage made with black decals.

I didn’t like this way of doing it as I felt the decals could have a good chance of lifting after time. I decided therefor to go all out and mask the roll cage etc and do the lot with paint.

Time to apply some colour

I also started to paint the rear wing whilst I was at it

Really pleased with the outcome of the roll cage. I particularly like the way the curved ends came out. I know it’s sad but there you go

Rear wing done

And finally all painted up a mixture of PS16 metallic blue backed with PS4 box art blue. This gives the PS16 a deeper luster I found.

Now for the decals, first off the rear wing

I have modified the roof decal removing the PS4 blue strip from the front as it would look odd against the PS16. I also removed the black strips down the edges and back because of the black paint

Decals on and rear wing fitted with nice stainless set screws

Almost there now very happy with the way it’s coming out so far

Next up I’ll be finishing off the driver and paint him.

[BangkokBulldog]

Lovely job! Looks great.

[Quandry]

Looking good and nice job on the masking!!

[chriss76]

This really makes me want a fox, love the colour.

Chris

[sidewaysdave69]

nice paint job. the ps16 needs something behind it to make it pop.

[wood5tock]

Lovely job! Looks great.

Thanks for that

Looking good and nice job on the masking!!

Cheers, yeah really happy with how it turned out

This really makes me want a fox, love the colour.

Chris

Trouble is I found reading other peoples build/resto threads does the same to me

nice paint job. the ps16 needs something behind it to make it pop.

Yes it does, was a little worried about the blue blue combo would do what I wanted but it did. In the flesh its awesome, and that's not even in sunlight... As we haven't got any here

[mongoose1983]

Paint job is spot on! Good job, mate.

[Madmat]

Wow that paint looks so good. Excellent job on building it up.

[wood5tock]

Paint job is spot on! Good job, mate.

Thanks for the comment, cheers

[wood5tock]

Wow that paint looks so good. Excellent job on building it up.

Thanks mate

[lentner3]

Very nice paintwork. The effort on the prep and extra masking really paid off. I'll be keeping that in mind for my next shell.

[wood5tock]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah I just couldn't do it the way Tamiya intended this time, and it will make this part of the shell a little more aesthetically durable, when/if it flips this will be the area that gets it and the stickers would just look pants after a while IMO