AM02-0010 1/24 Scale Full Detail Kit Ferrari 488 Pista

AM02-0010 1/24 Scale Full Detail Kit Ferrari 488 Pista

I researched the Ferrari 488 Pista and chose the model I wanted. I also checked my paint inventory and ordered the primary paints I would need. With my Alpha model kit packed very securely, the build project began.

These are the contents of the box. Very good quality. Everything here to build a fantastic scale model.

The first thing to consider when working with resin materials is health and safety. Wear a suitable mask when sanding, using files or drilling resin parts, as fine resin particles can be dangerous if inhaled. Also, wash all resin parts with soapy water or use an anti-silicone degreaser before priming and painting.

Preparation for the resin involved sanding away some imperfections in the body shell and using a scriber to open up the panel lines (making them a bit deeper).

The first job on the body was to prime it (I used a white lacquer basecoat) and then give it an overall white primer. This provided the perfect base for the Rosso Fluorescent F1 red paint I used as the main body colour, and the bright white I needed for the tri-colour stripes.

I then used the measurements from the silver and black tri-colour stripe decal supplied by Alpha Model with the Pista kit to help mask for painting my specific tri-colour stripe. The 3mm masking line front to back on the car (including the front spoiler) gave me the centre line to work to. I then used the measurements from the silver and black tri-colour stripe decal supplied by Alpha Model with the Pista kit to help mask for painting my specific tri-colour stripe. The 3mm masking line front to back on the car (including the front spoiler) gave me the centre line to work to. 

Using the sizing from the tri-stripe decal, I then masked up and painted the blue centre stripe.

More careful masking and painting gave me the perfect finish I was looking for. This is the main body colour and tri-colour stripe prior to 2K clearcoat. Additionally, before clearcoat, I needed to add all of the carbon work depicted in the reference photographs.

Before priming or painting I used my reference photographs and created masks of all the carbon areas on the bodywork. These masks would be used later in the build project to create the high definition carbon decal shapes that I required to represent the carbon areas. These pictures show half of the masks needed.

This set of photographs shows the work involved in creating carbon templates and decaling the rear lower air diffuser.

This set of photographs will remind you of the look I was after and shows the bodywork with all painting and carbon decal complete. Next up, the bodywork will be treated to a 2K clearcoat treatment followed by wet sanding and polishing.

The Alpha Model kit gives you a couple of really nice etch sheets to build up realistic brake discs. I’ve added further realism by airbrushing the brake surfaces with Carbon Ceramic Grey paint.

The resin pieces provided for the brake disc pad mechanism is really nice too. I painted these Brembo Yellow and added clearcoat. Here you can see the pad and disc assembly together. They really do look good

I decided to add a bit extra detail by drilling and adding turned metal tyre air valves and wheel hex nuts. The wheel rims were painted black and given a couple of coats of clear lacquer. The resin printing, using flexible resin, of the tyres and tyre tread is fantastic

Finally you can see my wheels against the inset photograph from my reference Pista. Let’s say I was delighted with the outcome.

I wanted to add racing harnesses rather than normal seat belts. Having found suitable reference within a Ferrari 488 Pista on a www search I set about achieving the finish I was after. The resin seats are the ones that come with the kit. I used aftermarket harness material and decals. I didn’t take WIP pictures however the picture below shows the steps I took on another build to achieve the finish on the seat fronts. The back of the seats have been finished with Carbon decal and clear lacquered. Overall this finish represents the 1:1 reference perfectly.

Per above, the seat finish was achieved using a product called Glass Bubbles (or Microspheres). I brush painted black enamel and then sprinkled on the glass bubbles. I recommend that you wear a mask when doing this as the product is basically a very fine dust. Thereafter you just need to airbrush the colour that you wish to use for your subject

For the engine compartment, initially I painted all of the are that may been seen from above in a metallic aluminium. I then detailed the individual engine block components, including using carbon decal on various parts per reference material. You can see the final results below. I was real happy with the end result

Moving back to the interior of the car, I used my reference pictures of the actual car I am representing in this project and carbon decalled, masked and painted through many stages to get to this… perfect to the reference.

The steering wheel got a lot of attention too, with carbon decal and lots of masking at various stages in order to represent the various finishes on the wheel itself. This included using 0.4mm masking tape to airbrush the colours of the Italian flag!

Here is the result, the steering wheel set into the main dashboard.

Couple of pictures with the dashboard assembly in place. Note however that the dashboard was placed on the interior assembly for the purposes of this photograph. The dashboard assembly is actually glued in place on the main bodyshell.

Once the bodywork paint had cured I clear coated the body work assemblies with GX100 to protect the paintwork and give a real nice smooth finish for applying the many custom shaped carbon fibre decals. I then left the bodywork for a week to give sufficient time from the carbon decals to fully dry. After that I used a 2K clearcoat across all the bodywork assemblies to give that perfect finish and shine. I then set this aside for, I reckon, three weeks to fully cure before spending a good part of two days wet sanding and polishing to achieve the showroom finish that I wanted.

Here you can see the side view with the carbon finishing. I have also used black panel line fluid to enhance the panel lines. The dashboard assembly is also in place here. Hopefully you will also have noticed those prancing horse Ferrari badges

Thought that I would take a final picture of the bodywork and interior before assembling. Note that, in the areas of the interior of the bodyshell that might be seen once the interior was in, I painted them the interior colour before fixing in the interior and engine assembly.

With the interior in place, I progressed with the brake and wheel assemblies. These had been left safely in my work in progress cabinet for quite some time and I had forgotten how good they looked

The brake assemblies together.

Brake assemblies positioned on the car body

Finally, we’re on all four wheels and looking absolutely superb.

Okay, this is definitely the worst view of the model, however I thought I should show you the underside with the underside panel mounted and the five securing screws added. To enhance the look, I painted the screws with an acrylic black. Bonus with this photo is that you can see the underside of the carbon fibre rear floor diffuser

Next I added the black mesh covers. The etch parts included in the kit are very nice. You get blanking plates too on the etch sheet. I opted not to use these as I had carbon decalled the various areas and I wanted this to be seen under the mesh covers.

I had never used acetate windows or vacuum formed clear parts. This was all going to be new to me. I have to say though that, having now completed the car, I am very impressed with both. Just take your time. Note that both types of clear glass have protective covering on both sides which helps ensure no scratches and reduces the chance of finger prints on your glass

A view of the vac formed headlight covers. I found it best to create a template using masking tape, applying the template to the vacuum formed parts and carefully cutting with Tamiya Decal scissors before a final sand.

This picture has the windows all in place… just the headlight covers and wipers missing here

Patience is definitely required when working with the wiper etch pieces. Just take your time and be prepared to walk away from your desk for a while. The end result is good… it’s worth a bit of modelling stress.

The end result with the etch wipers, ready for assembly on the car

Finally, the headlight covers and windscreen wiper are attached. The model is complete and I am real happy. I hope this builders guide has helped you. I look forward to working with Alpha Model and building more of their delightful models. I really have enjoyed this build project. I’ll leave you with a selection on final complete photos from the photo booth

 Completed Photos Gallery… Ferrari 488 Pista built by Robin Witt