Marsh Models MM357K Porsche 908/2 Flunder LH Long Tail Kit

Marsh Models MM356K Porsche 908/02 “Flounder” — 1:43 Resin/Metal Kit 

Release Date: November 2025
Scale: 1:43
Manufacturer: Marsh Models
Catalogue Number: MM357K
Product Type: Resin/Metal Kit

Description

MODEL OVERVIEW

The Porsche 908/2 Flunder LH (Langheck/Long Tail) represents one of the most successful and iconic racing prototypes of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The "Flunder" (flounder in English) nickname came from its distinctive flat, fish-like aerodynamic profile designed to reduce drag on high-speed circuits.

Technical Specifications:

• Engine: 3.0-liter (2,997cc) Type 771 air-cooled flat-eight
• Power: 350 HP @ 8,400 RPM
• Weight: 648 kg (1,428 lbs) - lightest of the 3-liter prototypes
• Transmission: 5-speed manual transaxle
• Fuel System: Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
• Construction: Ultra-thin fiberglass body on tubular steel frame

The Flunder body featured re-profiled paneling with a cleaner nose, smaller oil-cooler intake, waisted sills, flattened wheel-arch humps, and a more tightly-enclosing cockpit. For Le Mans, the Long Tail variant added significant rear bodywork for high-speed stability on the Mulsanne Straight.

MM357K - KIT VERSION

Base: Porsche 908/2 Flunder LH

This kit version allows modelers to build any of the famous 908/2 Flunder configurations from 1969-1970. The Flunder body was introduced at the 1969 Nürburgring 1000km and became Porsche's weapon of choice for fast circuits.

Historical Context:

The 908/2 secured Porsche's first-ever World Championship for Makes in 1969, with victories at Brands Hatch, Monza, Targa Florio, Spa, and an overwhelming 1-2-3-4-5 at the Nürburgring. The car proved faster and more reliable than the troubled early 917s.

MM357B5 - #5 ELFORD/HERRMANN

500km of Imola, September 28, 1969 - DNF (Retired)

Race Details:

• Race: 500 Chilometri di Imola
• Date: September 28, 1969
• Circuit: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy
• Team: Porsche Salzburg
• Drivers: Vic Elford (GBR) / Hans Herrmann (GER)
• Car Number: #5
• Result: 13th Overall - Retired (Did Not Finish)
• Livery: White with Porsche Salzburg colors

Race Summary

The 500km of Imola was a non-championship sports car race held on the challenging Italian circuit. Vic "Quick Vic" Elford and Hans Herrmann were paired in the #5 Porsche 908/2 Flunder LH entered by Porsche Salzburg, the Austrian-based semi-works team that functioned as Porsche's factory extension.

Elford was one of Porsche's most versatile drivers, having won four endurance races with the 908 between 1968 and 1971. Herrmann, a veteran German driver, would go on to score Porsche's historic first Le Mans victory the following year in a 917.

The #5 car unfortunately retired from the race, classified 13th overall. Despite this disappointment, both drivers continued their successful partnership throughout the 1969-1970 seasons.

Driver Biographies

Vic Elford: British all-rounder who excelled in rallying and circuit racing. Known for his smooth driving style and versatility across different disciplines.

Hans Herrmann: Veteran German racer who came agonizingly close to Le Mans victory in 1969 (2nd place by seconds) before finally winning in 1970.

Photo Sources

• Porsche Corporate Archives has period photos of Porsche Salzburg 908s
• Racing Sports Cars database for Imola 1969 entries
• Stuttcars.com for technical documentation

MM357B7 - #7 AHRENS/LINS

500km of Imola, September 28, 1969 - DNF (Retired)

Race Details:

• Race: 500 Chilometri di Imola
• Date: September 28, 1969
• Circuit: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy
• Team: Porsche Salzburg
• Drivers: Kurt Ahrens Jr. (GER) / Rudi Lins (AUT)
• Car Number: #7
• Result: Retired (Did Not Finish)
• Livery: White with Porsche Salzburg colors

Race Summary

Running alongside the #5 Elford/Herrmann car, the #7 Porsche 908/2 Flunder LH was driven by Kurt Ahrens Jr. and Rudi Lins for Porsche Salzburg. Both drivers were regular members of Porsche's extended works team during this period.

Kurt Ahrens Jr. was a German factory driver who competed extensively in the 908/02 Flunder for Porsche Salzburg in 1969 and 1970. He was the first track record holder at the Salzburgring with a lap of 1:14.21 (205.615 km/h) in a 908 LH Flunder Spyder.

Rudi Lins, an Austrian driver, was particularly associated with Porsche Salzburg and became one of the most frequent 908 pilots, competing in 20 races with the car. The Ahrens/Lins pairing showed promise but retired from the Imola race.

Notable Partnership History

• Ahrens and Lins would partner again successfully in 1970
• Ahrens finished 3rd at the 1969 Nürburgring 1000km with Elford in a 908
• Lins would achieve his greatest success at Le Mans 1970 (see MM357B27)

Driver Biographies

Kurt Ahrens Jr.: German works driver for Porsche, specialist on the 908 and 917 models. First record holder at the Salzburgring.

Rudi Lins: Austrian driver closely associated with Porsche Salzburg, achieving podium finishes at Le Mans and other major events.

MM357B20 - #20 REDMAN/SIFFERT

24 Hours of Le Mans, June 14-15, 1969 - DNF (Retired)

Race Details:

• Race: 37th Grand Prix d'Endurance - 24 Heures du Mans
• Date: June 14-15, 1969
• Circuit: Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France
• Team: Porsche System Engineering (Works Team)
• Drivers: Brian Redman (GBR) / Jo Siffert (SUI)
• Car Number: #20
• Result: Retired - Oil Leak
• Qualifying: 3rd Position (promising grid spot)
• Livery: White/Silver Porsche System Engineering colors

Race Summary

This was the first competitive appearance of the 908/2 Flunder in Long Tail configuration at Le Mans. The LH (Langheck) body was specifically developed for ultra-high speeds on the legendary Mulsanne Straight, featuring extended rear bodywork with prominent tail fins for stability at over 200 mph.

The driver pairing of Brian Redman and Jo Siffert represented Porsche's strongest lineup. Siffert was one of Porsche's fastest and most successful drivers, while Redman was equally accomplished. Together they had won races at Spa, Brands Hatch, Monza, and the Nürburgring 1000km earlier in 1969.

Despite qualifying in the promising third position, the #20 car suffered an oil leak and was forced to retire. This was particularly disappointing as the sister 908 LH Coupe driven by Hans Herrmann and Gérard Larrousse finished just 120 meters behind the winning Ford GT40 of Jacky Ickx in one of Le Mans' closest-ever finishes.

Historical Significance

• First LH Flunder variant at Le Mans
• Part of Porsche's massive 1969 Le Mans assault
• Would have been a strong contender given the driver pairing's previous success
• The 908 LH proved nearly as fast as the Coupe versions in practice

Championship Context

By the time of Le Mans, Porsche had already secured the 1969 World Championship for Makes thanks to the 908's dominance earlier in the season. However, Le Mans victory remained elusive, with Ford's GT40 taking the win.

Driver Biographies

Jo Siffert: Swiss driver known as "Seppi," one of Porsche's most successful and fastest pilots. Won multiple championship races in 1969.

Brian Redman: British driver with exceptional consistency and speed. Formed one of the era's most successful pairings with Siffert.

Photo Sources

• Porsche Corporate Archives - Official factory photography
• LAT Photographic - Extensive Le Mans 1969 coverage
• Getty Images - Bernard Cahier period photography

MM357B27 - #27 MARKO/LINS ⭐

24 Hours of Le Mans, June 13-14, 1970 - 3rd Overall

Race Details:

• Race: 38th Grand Prix d'Endurance - 24 Heures du Mans
• Date: June 13-14, 1970
• Circuit: Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France
• Team: Martini International Racing Team
• Drivers: Helmut Marko (AUT) / Rudi Lins (AUT)
• Car Number: #27
• Result: 3rd Overall / 1st in Class (3.0L Prototype) / Winner - Index of Performance
• Chassis: 908/02-005
• Livery: White with red and blue Martini Racing stripes

Race Summary

This represents the finest achievement for the Porsche 908/2 Flunder LH at Le Mans. Helmut Marko and Rudi Lins piloted the Martini-liveried #27 car to a remarkable third-place finish overall, behind two Porsche 917s. This was an extraordinary result considering they were competing against 5-liter prototypes with nearly 600 HP.

The car was the lightest 3-liter prototype in the race, weighing only 648 kg at the official weigh-in. Porsche System Engineering assisted Martini International Racing Team in fitting chassis 005 with new Long Tail Flunder rear bodywork and a special transmission oil cooler for enhanced reliability.

By midnight, Marko and Lins had moved up to sixth place and were leading their class. They drove the spyder quickly and consistently throughout the 24 hours, showcasing the 908's legendary reliability. Their victory in the Index of Performance award demonstrated the car's exceptional efficiency - covering maximum distance relative to engine capacity.

Race Statistics

• Finishing Position: 3rd Overall (of 16 classified finishers)
• Class Winner: P3.0 (3-Liter Prototype)
• Special Award: Index of Performance (Efficiency Trophy)
• Distance Behind Winners: 8 laps behind the winning #23 Porsche 917K
• Notable Achievement: Beat all Ferrari 512S entries

Historical Context

The 1970 Le Mans marked Porsche's first-ever victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe, with the #23 917K of Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood taking the overall win. The #27 908 provided crucial support, ensuring Porsche dominated the podium. This race also served as the filming location for Steve McQueen's "Le Mans" movie.

Of the 51 competitors, Porsche was the most represented manufacturer with 24 cars. The race saw intense battles between Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512S prototypes, with the smaller 908 proving its worth through consistency and reliability.

Driver Biographies

Helmut Marko: Austrian driver who would go on to win Le Mans overall in 1971 (in a 917K). Later became a successful team manager and current advisor to Red Bull Racing F1.

Rudi Lins: Austrian driver and Porsche Salzburg regular. Among the most frequent 908 pilots with 20 race starts. Known for steady, consistent driving.

Technical Details

The special Long Tail bodywork featured:

• Extended rear deck for high-speed stability on Mulsanne Straight
• Twin vertical fins for directional control
• Special transmission oil cooler for 24-hour reliability
• Ultra-lightweight fiberglass construction
• Modified cockpit enclosure for aerodynamic efficiency

Photo Sources

• Porsche Corporate Archives - Extensive official photography
• LAT Photographic - Professional race coverage (Reference: 70MFLM, 70LM40)
• Motorsport Images - High-resolution archive photography
• Getty Images - Bernard Cahier Le Mans 1970 collection
• Available from racing art print specialists

MM357B50 - #50 LARROUSSE/LINS

1000km of Monza, April 25, 1970 - 14th Overall

Race Details:

• Race: 1000 Chilometri di Monza
• Date: April 25, 1970
• Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy (Road Course Only)
• Team: Martini International Racing Team
• Drivers: Gérard Larrousse (FRA) / Rudi Lins (AUT)
• Car Number: #50
• Result: 14th Overall / P3.0 Class
• Distance: 157 laps completed
• Livery: Martini Racing - White with red and blue stripes

Race Summary

The 1970 1000km of Monza was the fourth round of the International Championship for Makes. This was the first official 1000km race at Monza that used only the road course configuration, abandoning the combined road/banking circuit used in previous years. This made the circuit more technical and less about pure speed.

Gérard Larrousse and Rudi Lins drove the #50 Martini Racing 908/2 LH Flunder to a solid 14th overall finish in a highly competitive field. The race was dominated by the larger 5-liter prototypes, with Pedro Rodriguez and Jackie Oliver winning in a JW Automotive Gulf Porsche 917.

While 14th might seem modest, it represented a respectable finish in a brutal race where many faster cars failed. The 908 completed 157 laps, demonstrating the car's fundamental reliability even when not in contention for overall victory. This consistency would pay dividends at Le Mans two months later when the same driver pairing (with roles reversed - Marko/Lins) would score a podium finish.

Race Context

The 1970 Monza 1000km featured intense competition:

• Winner: #25 Porsche 917K (Rodriguez/Oliver)
• 2nd Place: #26 Porsche 917K (Siffert/Redman)
• Multiple Ferrari 512S and Alfa Romeo T33/3 entries
• Matra MS660 prototypes
• Various 3-liter prototypes including multiple 908s

The #50 car finished ahead of several other competitors including:

• Position 13: #41 Alfa Romeo T33/3 (158 laps)
• Position 15: #53 Porsche 907 (144 laps)
• Position 16: #16 Lola T70 Mk.3B (143 laps)

Driver Biographies

Gérard Larrousse: Legendary French driver who was a Porsche factory pilot during 1969-1971. He would later win Le Mans twice (1973-1974) driving for Matra. Nearly won Le Mans in 1969, finishing 2nd by just 120 meters in a 908 LH Coupe. One of the most successful endurance drivers of his era.

Rudi Lins: Austrian Porsche Salzburg regular who proved his consistency and reliability. Competed in 20 races with the 908, making him one of the most experienced pilots of the car.

Championship Significance

The 1970 season saw Porsche continuing to combine the brutal power of the 917 with the nimble precision of the 908 on technical circuits. While the 917s dominated fast tracks like Monza, the 908s provided valuable championship points and class wins.

Larrousse was one of the most frequent 908 drivers with 20 race starts, placing him among the most experienced pilots of this legendary prototype. His partnership with various teammates showcased the 908's versatility across different circuit types.

Photo Sources

• Racing Sports Cars database for Monza 1970
• Porsche Corporate Archives
• Period Italian motorsport photography
• Martini Racing historical archive

CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESS & LEGACY

1969 World Championship for Makes

The Porsche 908/02 secured Porsche's first-ever World Championship for Makes with victories at:

• BOAC 500, Brands Hatch (1-2-3 finish)
• 1000km Monza
• Targa Florio (1-2-3-4 finish)
• 1000km Spa
• 1000km Nürburgring (legendary 1-2-3-4-5 finish)
• Watkins Glen 6 Hours

Technical Innovation

The Flunder body represented cutting-edge aerodynamics:

• Nearly flat upper surface between axles
• Minimized frontal area while maintaining downforce
• Ultra-thin fiberglass construction for weight savings
• Covered passenger side of cockpit
• Reduced air intake sizes

Racing Statistics

• Total Major Victories: Over 50
• Podium Finishes: Over 100
• Weight Advantage: 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter than Coupe versions
• Power-to-Weight: Superior to most competitors in the 3-liter class