Tamiya 1/24 Calsonic Skyline GT-R (R34)

by Tony Paton

Introduction

The Calsonic Skyline is the latest edition to Tamiya's long line of Nissan Skyline kits with this being the third edition with these sponsors' markings. The kit represents the new R34 machine that raced in the 1999 All Japan GT Championships. It won two races and finished overall in sixth place. There is also an interesting home page for the team and a good source for pictures.

One interesting fact about this car is that the entire bodywork, excluding the roof, is made out of carbon fiber! Tamiya has also released the all yellow 'Pennzoil' machine that raced in the same series.

The kit

There are five sprues, each contained in its own plastic bag. Two are molded in blue that include things like rear wing, door panels, roll cage etc. A flat aluminum sprue, that has the chassis, engine, suspension etc. One in white that has the wheels used for this kit (the others on the blue sprue must be for the Pennzoil machine), wing uprights and the small fins on the front of the car. The last is of course the windows and head/rear lights.

There are also window masks to make painting the edges easier and the ever-present tire decals. Thankfully they have given an extra set in case of a mistake.

Also included is an aluminum seal used to duplicate the exhaust heat guard on the left side of the car.

There are two small sheets of decals. On for the white 'Calsonic' decals and numbers. The other deals with the more colorful and smaller sponsor decals plus the carbon fiber for the back of the seat and seatbelts.

Conclusion

This car looks like a serious racing machine. As this is a curbside kit, there is not much engine decal except for underneath. The instructions are clear and precise and I can't see any areas that could cause a less experienced modeler any trouble. Painting should be a breeze as it is only one color (bright blue) and only a small amount of sponsor decals to apply.

Errata

There are also a few after market photo-etched sets available to. I have the 'Acu.Stion' set that includes; brake discs, mesh grills, wiper blade, hood/trunk pins, foot pedals, tow rings, rear vision mirrors, fuel caps and replacements for the aluminum seal and the fins at the front of the car. This should add a little more realism to an already impressive looking, albeit unmade, car.