Aston Martin DB3S 24 hours of Le Mans 1953

[jj66]

I continue with my mid-term project of building the old Merit kits in 1 24th scale. Now it's time for this Aston Martin DB3, glue bomb found on ebay,



which I'm going to try to convert to a 1953 DB3S.



I'm also going to build this 1/43 scale Provence Moulage kit that I'm going to use as a model for the conversion.



I start by cutting out the headrest and part of the cockpit.






then adding grille and headlights drawn and printed in 3D, integrated with Apoxie sculpt. Volume added to fenders with Tamiya epoxy putty.











louvers also printed in 3D



panel lines scribed assisted with Tamiya masking tape.



wired wheels were build from 3D printed tires, rims, hubs and a jig, wired with 0,25 mm diameter steel wire.





comparing to kit wheel and tire



comparing to full 3D printed wired wheel, I like it better with steel wire.



rest of parts drawn and printed in 3D, seats, exhaust, dashboard, steering wheel, fuel cap



and final fitting test





also for the 1/43rd kit, with 3D printed tires and additional headlights

[Gary Davis]

Dang....I mean DANG!!! Both of those really look FANTASTIC Juanjo. Love the wire wheels....

[kyledehart5]

Very cool. These are both looking fantastic!!

[raceparke]

Merit kits continue to thrive. Those wheels are very well done and look quite fussy. Doing one would challenge me, but then do again three more times! Daunting.
Reshaping of fenders looks good. 3d printing seems to have become an important modeling tool. At my stage of my modeling career, I’ll probably continue to watch from a distance admiringly.
Have you shown any other Merits?

[alterrenner]

Looks to me like you didn"t build the kit, you re-created the kit!!

--Frank

[lance]

These are the kind of builds I love most.

[jj66]

Mar 16, 2023 12:10:06 GMT -5 raceparke said:

Have you shown any other Merits?

These are the ones I have at the moment: Alfa Romeo 158/159, Mercedes W196 and Ferrari D50 (converted to F801)

[raceparke]

Thanks for sharing. That 801 is so RED!

[jj66]

I finally finish this job. Painted with acrylics, own decals, kilt upholstery printed on normal paper and glued to the seats. Lamps printed in clear resin.







Final pics 1/24th







1/43rd





Both models





With the MERIT family

[craig]

Lovely job!!

[kyledehart5]

Super cool. Really great stuff

[alwaysindy]

Juanjo:
As usual:WOW! I’ve seen this built a few times and your’s just blows them away.The wire wheels are fantastic and the body mods are beautifully done. Peter Collins had no luck that year at LeMans, but would be in the same DB3S and would finish second at LeMans in 1955 and ‘56.
Keep up the good work!
Tim

[1961redlegs]

Absolutely beautiful work, a true inspiration!