It's the year of the Porsche – Tamiya 1/24 Porsche 935/78 Moby Dick Martini
Having recently watched, and enjoyed, Jeremy Clarkson's test of the latest Porsche 911, I decided that in 2017 I would concentrate on models of Porsche cars, in 1/24 scale there are dozens on offer, both old and more recent examples, and race and road machines.
To start with this is the 935/78 Moby Dick. In 1978 Porsche left the World Championship for Makes to the many 935 Turbos raced by private teams and created the 935/78 Turbo with the goal of claiming the Le Mans 24 Hours. The long, ground-hugging body of the car had distinctive features such as a slanted front nose and an extended tail section for extra stability on the long high speed straights. In addition to a displacement increase from 2.8 to 3.2 litres, the air and liquid cooled twin-turbo engine featured four valves per cyclinder and Porsche's first liquid cooled cylinder heads, enabling it to produce a massive 850 bhp. The team first entered the car at the World Championships for Makes Round 4, the 6 Hours of Silverstone, only intending to test the car for the upcoming Le Mans 24 Hours, but Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass drove it to an impressive debut win. At the Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti, it qualified in 3rd place, but frequent pit stops to refuel and other mechanical problems resulted in an 8th place finish overall. The unique body design led to it being known as "Moby Dick".
The Tamiya kit is a true classic, being originally released in 1978 in the then motorised series. This version appears to be have been re-released in 2010, sans the motor components, but with the update of Cartograf decals and a length of stainless steel wire for the aerial. There's not too much in the way of interior detail, and virtually nothing in the way of suspension, steering or brake gear, but, I think, it makes up not too badly, and the Martini livery is a classic. Happy new year! George
The classic livery George.
And yet another beauty mate.
Cheers, Simon, don't you have one of these kits in 1/12 scale?
Yes George , I do mate...
But I think it is the short tailed version.
Ah, I'm trying to get hold of the 1/24 version of that, another ancient Tamiya kit!
Looks fast just sitting there. Nice job George.
Thanks, Tom, the real thing was fast, too!
A really smart looking build, George. Great details.
Thank you very much, Rob, we seem to be doing well for cars so far this year!
I knew it...didn't even have to see your name. Another stunning piece of modeling. One of these days you must show us your display.
Thanks, Craig, the display, one day, one day...
Another beauty George...very nice.
Thank you, Jack, like said to Rob above, we seem to be doing well with cars so far this year, let's hope it continues.
Another stunning racer, Geoge !
Guess the livery and the flawless paint work compensate the lack of details.
Your racer "garage" must be an incredible sight !
Happy new year, Bernd, I think iModeler shows it off to its best.
Nice Porsche and great graphics! Claire got me the Revell 918 spyder kit for Xmas, looking forward to dong that one. The Tamiya Carrera GT looks like a very impressive kit as well.
Thanks, Richard, although I'm more interested in the racers there will be some road cars built this year as well, at least, that's the plan!
Real nice!
Thanks, Robert, here's to 2017!
Another sharp build George!
Thank you, Greg, those old Tamiya kits still come up OK.
Yes, another good looking race car George.
Cheers, Allan, thanks for looking.
Jeremy Clarkson and Porsche - not a relation free of tensions. The more pleasing that this time he did appreciate the Porsche's performance against his beloved M3/M4. If this is the test you're referring to.
The Moby Dick is just amazing. Hoping for a Baby or 917 to come ...
Yes, that test on Grand Tour was interesting, I was expecting Clarkson to rubbish the car, but he didn't, and even admitted that the 911 range as a whole are fine sportscars, which, of course, everyone already knows. I have my sights set on a 917 soon, classic Martini livery or Gulf blue?
That's an easy decision, George: the Steve McQueen fan's vote is the Gulf scheme. I think there is an old Fujimi kit btw.
Beautiful work, George. One of my favorite liveries.
Thank you, Joe, good to hear from you.
Very smart. I once had a Tamiya 911 in martini colours late or mid seventies kit I think it had a great set of alloys deep dished . I made a poor job of it and scince then I leave cars to people with more skill than I . Great looking model.
Thank you, Anthony, I guess we all develop our skills according to the models we like to make. I often look at some the models here on iModeler and can't believe how good they are, and, know that I couldn't achieve anything as nearly as good.