Tamiya 1/24 Porsche 911 GT2

The Porsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance sports car built by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1993 to 2012, and then since 2018 (as the GT2 RS). It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine upgrades, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration. The GT2 is significantly lighter than the Turbo due to its use of rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel-drive system and the reduction or removal of interior components. As a result, the GT2 (now GT2 RS) is the most expensive and fastest model among the 911 lineup.

Team Taisan (チーム・タイサン, stylized as Team TAISAN) is a Japanese auto racing team founded in 1983 by Yasutsune "Ricky" Chibaand owned by the Taisan Industrial Company. Most active in the Super GT Series, formerly known as the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), Taisan has been involved in all but one season from 1994 to 2018, taking a sabbatical in 2015. During that time they have won eight team championships and four drivers championships, representing manufacturers Ferrari, Porsche, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, and Audi. Team Taisan has also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning their class on their debut in 2000. For nearly their entire career, Taisan has been sponsored by tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber Company, often carrying the name of Yokohama's Advan brand.

This particular kit is from 1996 and is molded in black plastic with a clear sprue and an aluminum sprue for the wheels. Four rubber/vinyl tires are included. There are no window masks as you'll find in more modern car kits from Japan. The kit is a curbside so there is no full engine. However, the lower part of the engine is cast into the lower pan so that you have something on which to attach the rear suspension parts and the exhaust. There is a full suspension and you are provided polycaps into which you can mount the wheels when that time comes.

Once the underside of the lower pan is completed, construction moves to the upper portion; specifically the interior. This is rather barren as there is just a driver's racing seat, instrument panel, steering wheel, some racing cooler bits and a considerable roll cage. Tamiya provides decals for the seat harness which is a nice touch. The rear bulkhead also has the radiator for the turbo intercooler as that can be seen through the rear window. Once the roll cage is fully assembled and installed, the body interior panels are attached.

All of the glass for this one fits from the inside so one should have the body assembled and painted prior to that unless one wants to do a lot of masking. Once the body is in place, a large, two part, flat plate fits under the car. The last things to do are assemble the wing and install the lights and other bits. Again, the builder needs to decide on painting sequences for this as some would prefer to paint everything once the bits are attached to the body and others may want to do subassemblies.  

The large and well printed decal sheets offer two livery options, both of them nearly identical. The box art car, #35 has a number of STP logos on it that are not present on the #33 offering. All the red markings are provided as decals so no worries about any masking for these items. My experience with Tamiya kit decals has generally been positive. They are fairly tough and do require hot water for the best performance.  

If you have never built a Tamiya racing car model before, you are in for a treat. They are well engineered and not encumbered by a zillion parts. Thoughtful construction will result in a superb looking model.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911_GT2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Taisan

April 2019

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved.