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The Kyosho Optima was my first 1/10th scale racer back in the 80's. For me this car ticked all the boxes back then and still does for me today. I have owned this new built Optima for many years now and is one of my most prized models.
I've had a go at painting up box art designs with little success in the past and while this one is far from the example I was hoping for it is my best attempt yet. Sadly I was plagued with masking issues and paint getting around sections during different coates without me realising till the paint had cured. Please keep in mind this was all done with Tamiya rattle cans and Tamiya yellow masking tapes. It's far from perfect but will have to do for now. I hope it makes a worthy addition to the Kyosho section.
Cheers-Jason

That looks awesome!

I want to have one of the Optima series in my collection, along with an Maxxum and one Ultima and seeing pics like yours makes me thing the first Optima is the one I want to go for, though would that be the hardest one to get all the parts for?

So far I have new wishbones, front bumper, skid plate and gearbox cases but thats it.

The box art looks quite challenging to achieve

Which Tamiya colors did you use, thinking more on the blue and yellow here, the white is pretty obvious I guess

Dan the paint scheme was extremely challenging for my abilities. Seriously I don't know how people get these things perfect as it's a very hard scheme to do right. All the black lines were painted on the outside of the shell first. This allowed me to create the border between the colours a little easier.
As for the colours I used Tamiya PS-6 for the yellow and PS-30 Brilliant blue.

I would gladly pay top dollars for a professional painter to replicate the true box art scheme plus someone to recreate the proper decals.

That looks amazing! You did a really great job on it!

Thanks Jeff. It was heart braking when over spray got into a few areas though...

Marvellous effort there Jason. Chris.

Wow! That looks fantastic Jason. Which brand of radio gear did you use? I'm having a Marwan repro body done in box art by Jon Miller, I'll post up some pics when it returns home.

Also, which marker pens are best for the tyre lettering?


Keith

Hi Keith.
I have fitted an old "pulsar" set. Though to stay with Kyosho radio gear. As for the tyre lettering they are done white white Tamiya polycarbonate rattle can paint. Sprayed into a lid then a sharp pointed screw driver painstakingly filled in. I prefer the PC paint as it's flexible.

The chassis on these is a very intelligent design. I am amazed it was not copied more.

I once had a Mid but always had a soft spot for the original Optima Turbo. Very cool cars.

Ok, I thought the Pulsar radios were a couple years later, around the time the Mid came out, not that it matters at all. Are the black "boomerang" shape sections (bottom corners of the side windows) and roof scoop opening both painted or did you make stickers for them? They'd be very fiddly to paint.


Keith

All paint.

Yea? That's impressive! I don't suppose you took any pics of the painting process? I reckon someone should do a how to of an Optima box art paint job so others might be more willing to try it. Just a thought.

It'd be great if the guys looking into it could get all the correct box art stickers organised, the nicer number 5, the larger front bumper "KYOSHO RACING TEAM" in white etc.


Keith

Looks brilliant Jason, for PS spray cans it's a lot better than I could do.....a LOT better!

Hmmm...looks ok.

That looks great! I've always loved the look of the Optima. Wish I would have bought a bunch BITD when they were clearancing them out.

That's a real good looker!