Giannini 650NP: Complete (#2 for 2025)

Behold the mighty, er, Giannini 650NP? Right then, fat little tires and fat little fenders all in the service of a rip-roaring air-cooled twin, 650 cc, about 40 horsepower, apparently driven by one M. Leonardelli to a number of European hillclimb wins in Group 2. KMP transkit for the Tamiya Fiat 500F. Loads of fun and a quick build for my second build of 2025. 

 

 

 

  

Porsche 917/30: Complete (first one for 2025!)

Yes, I have completed only one kit in 2025. Life got in the way. 

Posed here with my selection of 908 and 917 kits. The first 908, on the far left, was really a 906 with the new 3 litre flat 8 engine, but the 908/03 shared a chassis with the 917. 

The Can-Am versions of the 917 were unbeatable, especially the 917/30, here in the Sonoco colours as driven by Mark Donohue to the championship in 1973. The classic Can-Am cars, with their 7-litre pushrod motors, were no match for the 5.4 litre flat 12 with the twin turbochargers. 

This kit was provided to me by a colleague who had painted it but didn't feel up to the engine and chassis. I've now boxed it up and shipped it back to him. 

As always with these Model Factory Hiro kits, a lot of stuff doesn't fit or is excessively flimsy. The fit of the engine cowl and its ridiculously weak hinges are just one of the stories. I did get the doors to open and shut, however. 

Porsche 917/30: Body

The body having been painted by my friend who asked me to finish the kit, I had to get it all to fit before putting on decals. But first I tackled the interior.

This involved some typical MFH fooling around which later required some filing and grinding to get the front clip to fit over it. 

Speaking of filing and grinding, the rear cover sits way too high. A lot of grinding inside the cover, plus some filing of various tubes and pipes, improved things but only partially. 

In the end I gave up, especially as the hinge is extremely flimsy and is likely to rip out after one or two cycles of opening and closing. So it will get posed next to the car, allowing the engine bay to be seen.

Decals went on OK for old ones and only one or two screwups arose, mainly when I put on the clear a little too heavy at first. The front clip fits OK and the doors open and close, with moderate fit issues when closed. With the hinges set in 5-minute epoxy, I hope they will last. 

Upcoming final assembly includes a few details such as mirrors, some rear structure that didn't survive the manhandling and needs to be reinstalled, and the wheels and tires. Sadly this will be one of those "good enough" builds by the time I am done. Stay tuned!