The Modeller's Workshop » Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Build Log

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Build Log!

Building your first Pocher model is a daunting undertaking. The K88 model can be used as a great first model. There is, of course, very little body work but the chains are quite a challenge to build. I would say they’re as difficult as any of those wire wheels in some of the other kits. On the whole, it’s a pretty straightforward model with only one or two spots where the instructions are a bit murky. Here are a few notes you might find useful in your construction of one of these fine models.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 1

This is the best first Classic kit by Pocher you could ever built and, wow, will you be impressed when you open the box for the first time. All those wonderful pieces in brass, copper, plastic. All those little bags with zillions of parts. You will quickly see that you even have to build the two drive chains link by link. Away we go.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 2

I mixed about ten different colors and used varying distances with my spray gun to achieve the results you see here. Note the use of Lego for the engine stand. Lego works very well for all kinds of supports for Pocher models.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 3

Preparation and painting makes the final product so much better.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 4

You have to be just a little bit careful in the final assembly of the engine because it is very easy to assemble it in reverse, with the handle where the fly-wheel should be!
.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 5

The next time I build this model, I will make sure the roccker arms are set in correct positions. The instructions and the kit parts set them all at exactly the same spot. This engine could not run.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 6

The wiring is simple and great fun. I used Testor’s chrome. Nice but it took days to dry. I am now using Alclad for engine chroming. The paint is very delicate and should be used on parts that will not be handled.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 7

Imagine, these four cylinders were more than fours litres each!

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 8

There are two areas that need to be assembled with some care. First, parts 88209-322-O may need to be fitted carefully in order not to bend. In the first picture, when the front assembly is not attached to the chassis, things look OK but, even so, there is no space between those uprights and the leaf springs. When the suspension is attached things get quite tight and I think it would be better to move the holes in the axles before assembling.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 9

There was a screw missing in the box and in the instructions! Gee, what a surprise. This is only the second page of instructions so I wondered what other surprises the kit would have in store. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed, especially after seeing the way the box is packed and taped shut. You’d think it had been checked and double-checked. Thanks to Marvin and David, I was able to track down this screw pretty quickly at modelmotorcars.com.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 10

Here is a view of the steering attached with the missing screw in place.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 11

Here is 88209 fitted tightly against the leaf spring. I don’t think a real car would have such a tight fit between these two parts.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 12

I also had some trouble with the rear suspension where the rear wheels showed some toe-in with the parts from the kit. I added a couple of bushings on the inside of the brakes to adjust this. You can see the little bushings right against the axle in the third picture.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 13

The instructions call for you to install a metal plate under the jig used to construct the chain. I invented a simple system using a cake knife taped to the underside of the plastic jig. It worked like a charm.

Pocher K88 1907 Fiat F-2 Racer Note 14