Fujimi 1/24 Porsche 911 GT3R, previewed by Scott Van Aken

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high performance version of the Porsche 911 sports car primarily intended for racing. It is a line of high-performance models, which began with the 1973 911 Carrera RS. The GT3 is named after the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Group GT3 class in which it was designed to compete.

A number of variations, designed for road and track duty, have been introduced since its launch in 1999. More than 14,000 911 GT3 cars have been produced.

The GT3 has had a successful racing career in the one-make national Porsche Carrera Cup series, and the international Porsche Supercup. It has won championship and endurance races, including the GT class of the American Le Mans Series seven times, first overall in the 24 Hours of Daytona, and first overall at the 24 Hours Nürburgring six times.

THE KIT

This is a car entered by Direction Racing in the GT 300 category of Japan's Super GT series in either 2012 or 2013. This series races at the six major tracks in Japan during the year. One of the sponsors is Evangelion and the kit is licensed by them and by the racing series.

Molded in a nice white plastic, the detailing is superb as one would expect from a modern Fujimi car kit. In addition to the white plastic, there is a clear sprue for windows, a clear yellow one for headlights, a chrome sprue and one of aluminum plating for the wheels. Four rubber tires are included as well. I was particularly impressed at how nice the interior tub was detailed. This is not simply a flat plate, but has all the reinforcements and convolutions that are typical of a modern car interior with all the insulation and carpets removed.

No engine is includes as Fujimi mostly does curbsides. You are provided with a nicely done suspension system and the front wheels can be steered. Interior is quite well done with a nice racing seat, the usual electronics one finds in modern racing cars and a well designed roll cage. Unlike some Fujimi kits, this one does not include window masks so you will need to break out the tape and do your own. There is a nicely done rear spoiler/wing section and the usual under-chassic plates for downforce are also included.

Instructions are nicely done and include painting information using Gunze paints. Interestingly, not all the colors required are listed and that includes the semi-gloss black require for most the underside of the car. Markings are quite comprehensive and it appears all one has to do is paint the car red and the decals take care of the rest. The large sheet is quite colorful and while it will be a bit tricky to get some of the markings placed, is not impossible if one takes one's time.

In all, this is a very nice kit of an important racing car. Those who are not into the livery provided will have no difficulty finding something else as there are a ton of aftermarket decals out there for racing cars. The end result of this one will be a very colorful and interesting car.

KIT #:	189994
PRICE:	$38.46 (price includes shipping from Japan)
DECALS:	One option
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	2013 release