Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet

[iamsuperdan]

So this was an experiment. I have never used an airbrush before, but thanks to Tamiya's decision to stop importing their spray paint to Canada, I decided it was time to make the switch.

I picked up a full kit from Amazon; brush, compressor, all the extras. Grabbed some supplies like airbrush cleaner and a proper spray booth, and I was off to the races.

But wait!

What kit do I sacrifice to the gods of experimentation and possible failure?

 

The answer was Italeri's Porsche 944 S Cabriolet kit. It's been languishing on the shelf for a bit, so I figured it would be the perfect candidate.

It's a simple kit. Really just a slight reworking of their 944 Turbo coupe kit from around 1986. In fact, it has all of the Turbo pieces and decals. And that got me thinking.

Porsche never made a 944 S Cabriolet. So it's odd that Italeri named their kit an 944 S. Porsche did make a 944 S2 Cabrio, which this kit could also replicate (except for the wheels) but I digress.

However, for Europe only, in 1991, Porsche made a very limited 944 Turbo Cabriolet. They only made just over 600 of these cars.

 

That decided it. 

I downloaded and 3D printed a set of Turbo Cab correct Porsche "Clubsport" wheels, and 3d printed a better set of Porsche tombstone seats, because the stock seats are terrible. The rest of the kit is box stock.

 

I prepped it as usual, filling in some sink marks with Tamiya putty, sanding everything smooth, priming, sanding, priming, sanding. I think I spent more time than usual on prep, because I wanted to really make the finish look good on this. 

I chose Porsche Yachting Blue Metallic which a PTS colour on most new Porsches. The paint itself is from SPlash Paints. Pre-mixed, ready to paint.

And I painted. 

Did a few coats, and was super happy with how smooth it laid down. And with how little paint is used when compared to spray.

I also used Splash Paints' 2k clear. Yes, I have a proper respirator mask and a spray booth with exhaust fans.

I even picked up one of those small cordless polishers off of Amazon. 1 inch polishing pads and Tamiya compunds. 

The paint finish turned out exchellent. Rest of the kit is meh, but the paint was good. 

For some reason, the mirrors were not cooperating. Even with new CA glue, and with some pins, they kept slipping off. So the driver's door is kind of a mess.

I should have adjusted ride height too. And the wheels were printed just slightly small, although the tires were scaled directly to the factory 16" tire size before being printed.

 I think if I had lowered it, it would look better. 

 

Anyway, on to the next one. 

 

[DanL]

Nice first attempt Dan...

[Mattilacken]

Came out good for a trying a new paint technique! I have felt that it took a while to feel that it was easy to start up and paint with it. 

[drodg]

Nice and I like the 964 Turbo in the background also

 

[Mike 1017]

Nice one Dan. Great to see you are expanding your horizons. I let Epoxy dry just before it cures and then attached the mirrors.

[SpikeSchumacher]

Splash paints are really good! Just make sure to let them flash off between coats as they can be quite aggressive on the plastic, even with a primer base. 

[Jim B]

Great looking Porsche.  Well done.

[Rich Chernosky]

Dan...really like this build and the background information.  And congratulations on taking that big step into the world of airbrushing.  You will not regret it. The airbrush will really make a better modeler out of you as there are so many advantages  and the results can be quite rewarding.  BTW I am a former Porsche 944 owner so this build is special to me.  

[ChrisR]

Nice.

[titino]

A rarely seen model, I like how you've done it. Congratulations Dan.

[ChrisR]

Nice.