57717: RTR Subaru Impreza WRC 2002 from Truck Norris showroom, TT-02S based, built from a 2001 clear body with 2002 graphics

Model: (Click to see more) 57717: RTR Subaru Impreza WRC 2002
Status: New built
Date: 1-Oct-2016
Comments: 12

Support the site and get your own showroom and more!

Subscribe for just just £1.25/mth!

I always liked this version of the Impreza WRC. The “Bug Eye” road version isn’t much of a looker but the twin lights on the rally car look great. I wasn't sure what to list this under, as there was no kit version of the 2002 Impreza WRC, just the electric and Nitro XB models. This isn't an XB shell - the project started out as a 2001 - it’s the clear 2001 body and I located the accompanying sticker sheet too. I created masks for all the windows and lights (the kit has stickers for both) then painted the body with my usual methods to ensure zero translucency even when held up to a strong light - a full can of PS metallic blue, half a can of PS silver then half a can of PS blue so the visible parts of the interior are the correct colour.

After researching some photos I decided the 2002 was better looking with the deeper sunstrip, less awkward aerial placement, two door mirrors, and additional graphics. The 2002 Impreza was only produced by Tamiya as an XB model, but the stickers are available as spares, so I was able to get a set of those.

I made several improvements over my last Impreza, and tried a few things I’d not done before - the headlights and front bumper lip are painted on the outside with TS-29 (over a base layer of PS flat clear) rather than regular PS black as before. The mesh is now the correct square pattern as opposed to the hex I fitted on the 2007.

As tempting as it was to save a heap of time and re-use the interior from my 2007 Impreza I decided to make a new one, for a couple of reasons - the driver sponsors are different, and I noted room for improvement - last time I used semi-gloss black rather than matt black, and also gloss blue with a matt clearcoat for the suits, which didn’t quite work (still looks too glossy). This version uses proper matt blue.

I added the rear window heater elements but this time in black rather than silver and I also reduced the width from 0.5mm to 0.3mm which I think looks more realistic. The exposed radiator is another intercooler from the Tamiya accessory set, flipped upside down. I also made the scoop that channels air from the radiator and exits it through the large bonnet vent.

This body was originally intended to use stickers for the lights but I had a feeling that the later 2007 rear buckets would fit. They did. What I wasn't expecting was the 2007 fronts to line up exactly with the 2002 headlights but t they do nicely. The red section of the rear lights isn't the same as the later car so I painted the chrome transparent red like I did on my BMW M3 GT2, only this time I also painted the LED bulbs.

One thing I always do with rally cars, which I don't think I've mentioned is to mount the cockpit about 10mm lower than the tops of the doors. If the cockpit is fitted so the dashboard is the correct height then the drivers sit too tall. On the older cars like the Lancia Delta and Escort Cosworth this isn't so noticeable, but in more modern rally cars the driver and co-driver sit much lower down in the car (the co-driver usually lower than the driver but it's not really possible to do this with the cockpit sets without major work)

Unfortunately this body doesn't seem to be available without holes. I did debate trying to fill them, but that would only have worked for the front - the rears go though the window. So I just stuck with the posts. It pains me to put holes in my cockpit but I guess it doesn't look too bad.

Details

• Grille cut out and mesh fitted

• Matte vinyl window frames, roof trims

• Semi-gloss painted headlights and front bumper lip

• Rear window heater elements

• MST RS II wheels painted TS Gold

• Black wheel nuts (MST)

• TT-02D Type-S wider track

• Front and rear light buckets (Impreza 2007 'Hawkeye')

• Cockpit set

• Styrene roll cage

• Exhaust (ABC hobby)

• Brembo brake discs and calipers

• Windscreen wipers

• Roof aerials

• 3D bonnet catches (Wrap-Up Next)

• Camber adjustment

• Tyre lettering

• Intercooler and radiator with STI logo

• Rear toe-in removed

• TLU-01 LED lights

• Body lines (Kyosho 0.4mm tape)

• All driver sponsor logos and helmet stickers cut from vinyl