Thursday, July 17, 2014

Tamiya Model Magazine International 08/2014

Tamiya launched the newly-tooled 1:24 Porsche 934 Turbo RSR 'Jägermeister' last year to much acclaim and enthusiasm; it was great to see a newly-tooled 1:24 kit of this amazing machine. Already we have a second edition of the model, using the same moulded parts, depicting the 1976 Group 4 GT car of the Vaillant team. The main sponsor (a German boiler/heating system manufacturer) used a very eye-catching livery on its competition cars, with a turquoise background and purple, red and orange stripes which contrasted beautifully with the blue-green overall shade. In Tamiya's new kit, the bodyshell and chassis plate (plus some other smaller parts) are moulded in a good replica of this colour, and while most modellers will wish to paint their Porsche kit, for those who prefer to leave the bodyshell in its bare plastic (youngsters and beginners) the colour makes a useful starting point. The kit is what could be described as 'curbside' which means no full engine, just the lower portions. The doors, bonnet and boot are moulded shut which preserves the scale-like lines of the body and greatly eases assembly. This rationalisation doesn't mean the kit is simplified in detail; the chassis is very well rendered with rear swing arms, anti-roll bar, shock absorbers, steerable front wheels and nicely moulded disc brakes and callipers.

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