Tamiya Porsche 956 Rothmans - Rare kit?

[generationx]

Found this while browsing Hannants' website (www.hannants.co.uk - very good service) so snapped it up. It seems to be original issue, no "TS" colours called out on the instructions, plus the all-important "Rothmans" cigarette decals. All seems to be there although most of the cellophane packs are gone. No broken parts etc.

Looked through my old Tamiya catalogues and this kit (plus the New Man version) appeared in the 1985 issue, then in 1989 the "Rothmans" disappeared, then from 1997 the kit was gone. I built it at the time (hidden away back at the folks house) so this is memory lane.

Enough chat, here's the pics!

[Sennake]

It has become pretty rare yes. I want to build the 1982 winning 956 (I have the 1982 decals) and what I'd like to know is : do I need this kit as a base or are all the Tamiya 956's the same? I mean are f.i. the New Man 956 and the Rothmans 956 the same (apart from the decals)?

Anyone?

[generationx]

The kits (as far as I recall) are exactly the same apart from the colours of the plastic (New Man has yellow instead of white).

You have the sam plan as me for this kit, '82 decals are on their way!

I did a search for this model and there's been surprisingly few tackled, especially compared to models such as the 917 (also on my "to do" pile).

I think there's a couple of New Man kits on the UK eBay at the moment by the way.

[p9o1r1sche]

I've built the '83 and '82 versions shown below. Starter decals were used on the '82 car. One is from a Newman kit, forgot which one, but the kits are exactly the same. This means the Newman car kit has the wrong rear wheels, 5 spoke instead of BBS. Fortunately, Arrowhead Aluminum (in the US) sells a wheel set with turned aluminum outer rims and a full set of cast resin centers which allows one to build either version. I have another Newman kit and a set of these wheels for it. One of these days, I'll get to it.

[Sennake]

And how about the Canon 956? Also the same? because that one seems to be cheaper since it's not so rare, and I suppose the plastic would be white?

[p9o1r1sche]

Havent seen one of those kits up close - cant say.

[Eric Cole]

Be careful with the new releases or re-releases of the Cannon (I think) and Shell/Dunlop (I know) 956's and 962's. When Tamiya molded these they molded the clear parts to the white parts. In other words the body, headlight lenses and windows are all one piece, not a body with separate clear pieces to be attached. I recently built the shell/dunlop car and since the clear headlight covers are molded to the white body you will always be able to see the mold line where the white and clear come together because there's no way to get paint between them unless you're willing to saw/cut the clear away then prep/paint the body as normal. If you go this route you'll have to have replacement headlight covers.

Now I have a nicely painted shell/dunlop car in the yellow/red paint scheme with an in-accurate white ring between the headlight cover and body of the car.

[Technoman]

Originally Posted by p9o1r1sche

In order to further my education, which one is which in this picture?

[935k3]

Here is the link to the one I built last year. I wished I would have had the Starter(Caliagraph)decals because you will notice the wrap around strip is to wide on the Studio 27 decals by the fuel filler.
[http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...&highlight=956[/url]

[ScaleCentral]

All Tamiya Porsche 956's are exactly the same save the plastic mold color. All of the Tamiya 962's are the same save the plastic mold color and wheel type. None of the 956's have the clear molded in. This is only on the 962's, and they all have it. None of these kits are particularly rare but they are getting harder to find. The Newman version is real easy as not many people want to deal with the yellow plastic.
Nic

[lumpulus]

How many different versions does Studio 27 for the 956? Seems like over 100.

FYI, Protar makes a 1/24 946 Short tail that is curbside, but has seperate doors.

[Sennake]

Ok, one more question : does anyone know of a decal sheet for the 1985 Rothmans 956?

[RallyRaider]

I've got one of the Rothmans 956's and would have to say that you'd be better off buying a Cannon reissue and some aftermarket decals. The decals in my kit are old, yellowed and I'd bet partly translucent. Box art is nice though.

The Tamiya 962 kit is the one that has the clear windscreen and light covers molded into the plastic body. A legacy of the mold originally being for a RC body I believe. Also leads to other problems like too shallow radiator intakes and integral rear wing. For a 962 Hasegawa's kit is a much better proposition. It is curbside like the Tamiya kit, the Tamiya 956 has a full engine.

[p9o1r1sche]

I my pic above, the #1 car is from 1982, the #3 car is from 1983. Pic of engine bay. Both cars have been detailed like this and both have opening doors.

[2.2 Straight six]

mmm........hannants, the london branch is my lhs and i always go there when there's some cash burning a hole in my pocket, i buy way more kits than i can possibly build.but yea. anyway looks like you got a nice kit, good buy.