Friday 8th January 2016

How Porsche ruined Christmas: PH Blog

Double 911-shaped distraction runs the risk of domestic disaster for Dan

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It's going to be hard to explain why I had two Porsches delivered to my door over the Christmas period without sounding like a spectacularly self-satisfied prat. But here goes. The full size one I knew about and will be discussed in more detail shortly. Suffice to say, I was keener than usual to find excuses to go out on little errands. 

The one that was expected...

If the extra car outside the house didn't do wonders for neighbourly parking relations the unexpected arrival of another 911 caused bigger issues. Sure, it was only 1/10th the size of the one outside. But it caused 10 times the domestic bother. 

Story goes Porsche is running a launch event for the rest of the 991.II range - turbo C4s, turbo Targas and, er, Turbo - in a couple of weeks. And as a bit of fun sent all attendees a Tamiya 911 2.8 RSR to build over the break and bring along to race against our fellow journos at the launch. 

I had a stack of domestic duties over the Christmas period, curiously none of which originally featured 'building a radio-controlled Porsche'. Yet there I was the night it arrived, masking out the shell at the dinner table before Tweeting out the results. "How are you on the shell already?!" squeaked Evo's Dan Prosser, work-in-progress Porsches then becoming a social media staple over the Christmas break. 

... and the one that wasn't. More coming soon!

My policy of starting with the paint job wasn't intended as psychological warfare - cutting out the shell and painting it got me properly stressed and I wanted it done before relaxing into building the chassis. I literally lost sleep pondering the livery options too. And I'm not massively chuffed with my efforts. Yes, I did investigate buying another shell to start afresh too. 

Come the last day of the holidays the PH RSR was complete and almost ready for shakedown. I'd promised myself an early night but couldn't resist a quick systems check to make sure servos and speed controllers were all correctly wired before final assembly. Cue further rolled eyes. 

And I'm an idiot because I'm not even going on the launch. No pressure Matt... There may - just possibly - be a few custom tweaks to help (or possibly hinder) him but he's not got long to get his eye in. Best get those tenth scale Fuchs painted and in place. Rude not to at least scrub the tyres in for him too. 

Dan 

[Ryvita]

I started building one over Christmas three years ago... am going to have to start selling them to make space.

When are you going to be holding the first Remote Control Sunday Service?

[Dafuq]

Dan, your life is clearly hell.

Enough about the toy already, get out there and spank that full sized version and post piccies please.

[Dan Trent]

Felt like it was last night when I got locked in a late night battle with a truculent electronic speed controller - damned thing worked perfectly with my 'dry' assembly, now not so much. Next instalment in this blog may involve a hammer and scattered pieces of tiny Porsche...

We're currently in an uneasy stand-off at opposite corners of the room.

More on the 'real' one shortly too.

Cheers!

Dan

[Dafuq]

Now I know you don't really mean that Dan, far too much time invested in it to give up now.

Judging by your first thread I reckon the 'domestic boss' could well be wealding the hammer well before you decide to act on your urge.

Creates thoughts of a interesting thread idea though, not sure if one existts? A post 'watch this' subject showing results of over zealous corner taking, four wheel drifting and opposite lock moments.

I have had plenty of brown trouser moments in the past, thankfully none caught on camera.

[Turbobanana]

Was the "Alan Partridge Gold" colour scheme your choice?

[Dan Trent]

Turbobanana said:

Was the "Alan Partridge Gold" colour scheme your choice?

What, you don't like it? Cos, yes, it was. I thought it appropriately 70s but maybe I'd had one too many seasonal drinks before committing! I think it works from a colour point of view, less so the shoddy masking and overspray!

I may yet buy another shell and have another crack at it. But I think it'll stand out on the grid....

Dan

[jeremyc]

Have you included the GoPro mounted behind the windscreen?

We want to see full race footage so we can critique Matt's racing credentials.

[Dale487]

I made an Escort Cossie may may moons ago - the chassis & motor side are relatively easy and pleasurable, but I with you on the body work front Dan - it awful!

Sound to me more like "how Porsche made my Christmas" - what you describe is just about my perfect Christmas (perfect any day of the year).

[Zombie]

Damn you! Having sold the Tamiya Nitro Buggy I had recently because I wasn't using it (nitro fuel is hateful) but I've recently found myself perusing the electic options. And now I seen you efforts....

Have you considered the hard plastic 934 shell you can get? It's not quiet as pretty but the detail is much better, being based on the full detail model kit.

Nice job with the paint and colour choice, the PH logo is a nice touch.

[unsprung]

On the 1/10 version... Black "pipes" protruding front and rear. Are those exhaust stacks? Front- and rear-mounted flat sixes! Dueling boxers on a single chassis!

[C.A.R.]

This is the area above my home office workstation... These represent about a quarter of my collection - I don't think any in the picture are what I'd consider 'finished' though! Tinkering is where all the fun is.

[dc2rr07]

I have a question, are these controlled by you phone or a separate remote as the box only looked big enough for the model !

[Avus Blue]

I had a similar problem over Xmas. Anybody remember the Lego F40 that was featured on here a few months ago? Well I jokingly said to my girlfriend that I wouldn't mind it as an Xmas or birthday present. Well, she actually got it for me!

One night over the holidays she decided she wanted an early night and as I was enjoying my peroni i decided to stay up and just take it out of the box for a look. It didn't look too bad so I thought I'd just do the first few steps before bed so I found the bag marked 1, ripped it open and got thrashed into it. Unfortunately it turned out that there are several bags marked 1, and the parts you need are spread amongst them which meant ripping them all open. This was a mistake as after an hour I realised I was faced with two options. Number 1, knock it on the head and put all the parts back in the box, or number 2 which was cracking yet another peroni and carrying on until all the bag 1 parts were used and I had a safe place to stop. Obviously option 2 was the one I picked. I finally made it to bed around 2am, tired, aching from hours kneeling on the floor and slightly worse for wear from the small mountain of peroni bottles I had knocked back but with a big sense of satisfaction!

[Dan Trent]

Well done that man!

(You owe us a picture)

Dan

[Avus Blue]

[Avus Blue]

[Ducatikid]

Get another one built Dan, it needs a brother!!

[Anton555]

What did you cut-out the wheel arches with Dan, a chickens beak? Ha!

[UltimaCH]

I received a Ferrari 250 GTO for Christmas around 5 years ago (Revell) and still haven't got round to starting the kit

[Ducatikid]

Tonker, the wife whittled that one!