Godzilla Returns!

Towards the end of January I posted a blog on a new hobby I was embarking on i.e. model car building

Initial blog on building the Skyline GT-R

Tonight, on the 27th of February 2011, I present my Godzilla. It took me just over a month to complete and it was an immensely satisfying experience. For once, I don't have to write a lot because I believe that the pictures tell the story better.

 I was going to go with Pearl White but like red is to a Ferrari (the actual colour is Rosso Corsa or Racing Red), Mica Blue is the obvious colour choice for this car

 The GT-R badge in the middle of the rim was one of the most difficult tasks of the entire project. The colour of the rim (anthracite with a chrome lip) was the first thing I took creative liberty with. It is also the part of the car that I am most proud of. For perspective, the entire wheel (inclusive of tyre) is smaller than a 50c coin.

 A second picture was required, due to above mentioned pride!

 Not sure how well the red interior goes with the rest of the car, but the minute my daughter saw the red paint (that I bought for the rear lights and the brembo brake pads), I knew that no further correspondence would be entered into regarding that decision.

 P.S. I did not paint the speedometer, it's a sticker

The most important tip I would give any model builder is that, like with sin taxes, when using plastic cement, Less is Better!  Be cautious when using plastic cement after the body had been painted, because it would cause the paint to smudge.  There is also no compulsion for you to follow every instruction (regarding painting) provided in the manual. Try something new and individualise. It is a lot more fun.

I had got the model as something for me to indulge in, but as most parents would know, that is often impossible with young kids. However, this did not turn out so badly. Siddiqa (my soon to be 5 year old daughter) sometimes got involved and it was by no means an intrusion but rather a chance to share a great experience together. I still think that she only did it cos I gave her a chance to use spraypaint!

I know many of you are looking at the picture above and thinking, "That's a different interpretation of the Purdah laws", but all I could think about while watching her was "Future Grafitti Artist in the Making!"

On building model cars

In my last blog, I briefly discussed how limited time is for the modern father and tried to use that as an excuse for not finding more time to write. Naturally, the very next day, I am writing about yet another hobby that I have taken up. Model car building.

The first model I built was not even my own. I was in Standard 5 (Grade 7) and my best friend had received a model Apache helicopter for his birthday. I would love to say that it was the greatest thing we had ever done but I had an amazing childhood and unfortunately making a model helicopter did not rank high in our Top 100 experiences. The next model was a solo effort many years later. It was a Ford Estcourt RS Cosworth Rally Car. I used that experience to learn how cars worked. Using plastic cement to glue together the suspension made me understand the mechanics of the modern day car, and that incidentally could explain my two left feet when it comes to anything related to automotive repairs.

Destiny has re-united me with this old hobby (really long story involving a mosque, an old train set and a Honda NSX) and I purchased the Tamiya model kit for a Nissan Skyline R34 GTR V-spec or as it is often referred to 'Godzilla'. The GTR got it's nickname from it's complete dominance in the Japanese racing circuit and this was the last GT-R that was supposed to be built. Nissan thankfully went back on their word and the GT-R (sans the skyline badge) was reborn. I have had the pleasure of being driven in one and the experience was mind blowing but I digress.

Rear suspension of Skyline R34 GTR

I intend building this car slowly, patiently, enjoying the experience and hopefully one day including it in the display cabinet in my office where it can park alongside the Escourt that is presently there. Tonight I made the rear suspension and assembled and painted the exhaust. tomorrow I intend to attach the suspension and the exhaust to the chasis. I'll keep you updated on the progress form time to time. On one hand I am hoping for this hobby to instill in me a sense of patience and the appreciation of taking the time to do something slowly and precisely. On the other, I am clinging to my childhood and want a new toy. Methinks, either way I win!