Magnum, P.I. Ferrari 308 GTS

       

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Original Kit:
Ferrari 308 GTB
Made By:
Revell (kit #07316)
Scale:
1/24
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Ferrari 308 GTS used in the TV series Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I. 308 GTS WHEEL detail Magnum, P.I. 308 GTS interior Magnum, P.I. 308 GTS rear

 
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Many years ago I had picked up the official Revell Magnum, P.I. 308 GTS kit, and even started working on it before deciding there had to be a better alternative. It was an ambitious kit, with opening hood and trunk panels, pop-up headlights, and a fully detailed engine, but the execution just wasn't there. Wide and uneven gaps around the panels, way too much flash, and a weirdly proportioned body that gave the Ferrari a "chop top" appearance. Fortunately Revell of Germany had a far superior 308 GTB kit in their stable. It was a basic curbside, but the body was just about perfect and the quality of its casting was light years beyond the Magnum kit.

To convert it from the GTB to the GTS, I carefully removed the roof panel and rear side window frames. The side windows were replaced with some 0.040" clapboard siding from Evergreen, which looked to be a pretty close approximation of the Ferrari's louvered window covers.

The rest of the car was a pretty straightforward buildup: Tamiya TS-46 Light Sand for the seats and door panels, TS-29 for the rest of the interior and chassis, and Testors Silver for the wheels. Details were picked out in various paints, and the kit-supplied decals were used for the instrument cluster and wheel hubs.

Along with converting it to the targa top, I also cleaned up a few parting seams around the body, removed the cast-in badges, and cut new groves at the base of the engine hatch. I then accented the panel lines and fender vents with some Tamiya panel liner, then shot the body TS-8 Italian Red over pink primer. The wheels were two-piece affairs that had full discs as their backers, ruining the nice open spokes on the outer halves. I left those out, and used a set of disc brakes from AMT's Viper to give it a better and more realistic appearance.

Final details included a set of chrome printed badges to replace the ones I removed (including a correct "308 GTS" emblem), Hasegawa Flat Black Finish for the side strip, parts box side markers, metal exhaust tips, and a custom front badge and rear license plate. Although "Robin-1" is the better known plate, I wanted to use the pilot/opening credits "56E-478" since this kit best represents the earliest model used in the show.

 

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