Tamiya 12056 - 1:12 Porsche 934 Vaillant

Porsche 934 Vaillant racing car plastic model kit in 1:12 scale

The green Vaillant colours on the racing Porsche 934 of Kremer Racing were a familiar sight in the German DRM series of the mid-1970s. Tamiya 12056 reproduces the car in 1:12 scale — a 2020 release based on the 1976 mould, supplied with a Cartograf decal sheet and its own painting scheme.

The model depicts race number #5, driven by Bob Wollek in the colours of sponsor Vaillant during the 1976 DRM season.

The kit features opening doors and front and rear lids, a reproduced roll cage and interior, and a turbocharged flat-six engine. The suspension on metal springs remains movable and the steering wheel turns the front wheels.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Photo-etched parts: brake discs, lid catches, side radiator, seatbelts
• Slick tyres
• Metal suspension springs
• Cartograf decal sheet for option #5 (Bob Wollek, Kremer Racing)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:12
• Item number: 12056
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: 360 × 168 mm
• Skill level: intermediate (a large kit with a high number of details — turbocharged engine, roll cage, opening body panels, photo-etched parts)

Please note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The caged interior and the turbocharged flat-six stay visible once the doors and lids are opened, so it is worth painting and finishing these sub-assemblies before the bodywork is closed up. Cyanoacrylate glue and precision tweezers are recommended for the photo-etched parts, especially the tiny lid catches and belt fittings.

The Vaillant scheme is based on green; an even, smooth finish is best achieved by spraying thin coats over a carefully prepared surface. Applying the Cartograf decals over a gloss coat limits decal silvering, after which a further clear coat protects them. The instructions provide Tamiya paint codes for the marking scheme.

Tools required:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched parts
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel), including metallic shades
• Gloss clear coat for the bodywork and as a base for the decals
• Decal setting solution
• Modelling wash to emphasise the detail

About the car – Porsche 934:

The Porsche 934 was a Group 4 racing car derived from the road-going 930 Turbo. It was powered by a turbocharged 2993 cc flat-six producing 485 hp. Its wide body, extensive cooling system and roll cage set it apart from the road version.

Kremer Racing of Cologne, run by brothers Erwin and Manfred Kremer, was one of the best-known Porsche customer teams. In 1976 it fielded the Porsche 934 in the colours of sponsor Vaillant, with Bob Wollek at the wheel of car number #5.

Original car specifications (Porsche 934):

• Class: Group 4
• Base car: Porsche 930 Turbo
• Engine: turbocharged flat-six, 2993 cc
• Power: 485 hp
• Team: Kremer Racing (Erwin and Manfred Kremer), Vaillant colours
• Driver of the depicted car: Bob Wollek, 1976 DRM series

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in the timber trade and wooden model production, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand became known for its precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The large 1:12 car kits are among the most elaborate items in the company's catalogue, combining finely reproduced engines, working suspension on metal springs and photo-etched parts. Many of them were developed from studies of the original racing cars, carried out in cooperation with teams and manufacturers. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.