The GT3 category of racing has been one of the most hotly contested series in recent years. The cars are based on the production platform and modifications, reined in by limited costs. Strong manufacturer support and large fields have produced some exciting racing.
I reviewed this kit upon its initial release a couple of years ago, without the Platz/NuNu 1/24 scale Detail Up Parts Series (No. NE24004; $24.99). This build incorporates the detail set, which includes carbon-fiber decals, a sheet of photo-etched metal details, ribbon material for the seat belts, and a turned-aluminum base for the antenna. Marking options for the two works-team cars run at the 2015 Spa 24-hour race are included. My first build was the second-place silver car; this time, the ninth-place red version.
First, I applied the carbon-fiber decals from the detail set to the underside of the chassis; 13 in all. I split the decals for the diffuser strakes figuring it would be easier to apply the sides separately rather than trying to wrap them around. The fit was excellent, and the decals responded well to setting solutions and a little heat when needed. The rest of the chassis was assembled per the instructions, with the addition of the photo-etched metal (PE) rotor faces for the brakes and radiator grille.
NuNu molded the upper half of the engine and engine compartment as a single piece. Masking this would be nearly impossible, so I cut out the engine with a razor saw to make painting easier. My search for detailed shots of the engine compartment didn’t reveal much, so I added only minimal additional wiring; it won’t be visible once complete, anyway.
I added more carbon fiber decals for the interior door panels, seat backs, and dashboard next. The dash decals needed careful coaxing due to compound curves, but they settled nicely. The PE seat belt hardware supplied in the detail set is oversized. I used a set I had in my spares box that was a better fit and used some old circuit board layout tape for the belt material instead of the ribbon included with the set.
The rest of the build went smoothly, following the instructions and substituting the PE parts where appropriate. As with most PE sets, I didn’t use all of them because I felt some of the stock parts had better detail or would be substantially easier to use.
Minimal clean-up of mold lines is needed on the body in preparation for paint. I used Tamiya Pure Red (No. TS-86) for the main body. It’s close, but not quite an exact match, for the decals. The decals on all the NuNu kits I’ve built so far have been an absolute joy to work with. They cover well, their fits are spot on, and they conform beautifully to contours with little effort.
The NuNu Models 1/24 scale Audi R8 LMS GT3 Spa 24 Hours ’15 base kit is very good on its own, but the addition of the detail set really steps it up a notch. If you’re not happy with the kit-supplied decal options, or if you’ve already done the two kit versions and want to build some more, there are several aftermarket sets available. Either way, it’s an enjoyable kit, and you won’t be disappointed.