Hey all, it's been an age since I last posted and the last year ish has been a tumultuous time for me, lots of life related changes and such but I shan't go into that.
As a result however, my model making has been very definitely on the back burner and the odd times I've done bits on a kit it's been half hearted and I've not really felt into it.
However, a recent new entry by Tamiya in their motorbike range had me excited, as per the title they have released a 1:12 scale Panigale, the latest sports bike from Ducati which is currently unigue in that it's the first road bike ever to not have a conventional frame of either steel or alloy, it does, in fact, not have a frame at all, the engine is used as the main stressed member of the bike with a large cast alloy airbox which the headstock / front fork assy pivot through, the subframe and swinging arm fasten to the rear of the engine and the fuel tank sits atop the airbox.
It's bristling with innovations and boasts electronics that would make Japan's big four weep.
It is, as you'd expect very beautiful too.
The kit was received the other day and inspected and is well up to Tamiya's high quality standards with stunning detail, no flash, only a couple of minor sink marks on one of the sprues but in places that are hidden once built.
The only dissapointment, (which I suspect is due to legal problems), are the tyres, they are exceptionally realistic in design and tread pattern, faithful to the Pirelli diablo supercorsa SP tyres, (the roadgoing version of the tyre used in bristish superstock racing for those who like to know these things), but they don't carry any sidewall lettering, only the direction of rotation arrows, typically as well as accurate tread, tamiya bike tyres in the kits will be accurately lettered.
There are three large sprues, mainly bodywork, (white), mainly engine, (grey), and mainly Chassis, inasmuch as there is one (black). One clear sprue for the lighting and screen, a seperate top fairing in a small bag and of course the bag with tyre, vinyl tubing and fastening parts.
Also the decal sheet and instructions which are thorough and clear as always.
I've done an overview video and unboxing and having cleaned the sprues and dried them, started assembling some components,
petrol tank, front mudguard, paddock stand, engine, swingarm, airbox, exhaust, the next step will be priming, many of the parts will remain on the sprue for priming which is how I normally approach bike builds, the only difference so far is that I haven't assembled a frame as there is none.
Below are some box and sprue shots and the video of the review / unboxing.
I've never been the fastest builder so please bear with me on this one, I like to take my time and do the best I can with a model, (see my Honda NR thread), I will update with posts here and on youtube as I progress with it.
As a result however, my model making has been very definitely on the back burner and the odd times I've done bits on a kit it's been half hearted and I've not really felt into it.
However, a recent new entry by Tamiya in their motorbike range had me excited, as per the title they have released a 1:12 scale Panigale, the latest sports bike from Ducati which is currently unigue in that it's the first road bike ever to not have a conventional frame of either steel or alloy, it does, in fact, not have a frame at all, the engine is used as the main stressed member of the bike with a large cast alloy airbox which the headstock / front fork assy pivot through, the subframe and swinging arm fasten to the rear of the engine and the fuel tank sits atop the airbox.
It's bristling with innovations and boasts electronics that would make Japan's big four weep.
It is, as you'd expect very beautiful too.
The kit was received the other day and inspected and is well up to Tamiya's high quality standards with stunning detail, no flash, only a couple of minor sink marks on one of the sprues but in places that are hidden once built.
The only dissapointment, (which I suspect is due to legal problems), are the tyres, they are exceptionally realistic in design and tread pattern, faithful to the Pirelli diablo supercorsa SP tyres, (the roadgoing version of the tyre used in bristish superstock racing for those who like to know these things), but they don't carry any sidewall lettering, only the direction of rotation arrows, typically as well as accurate tread, tamiya bike tyres in the kits will be accurately lettered.
There are three large sprues, mainly bodywork, (white), mainly engine, (grey), and mainly Chassis, inasmuch as there is one (black). One clear sprue for the lighting and screen, a seperate top fairing in a small bag and of course the bag with tyre, vinyl tubing and fastening parts.
Also the decal sheet and instructions which are thorough and clear as always.
I've done an overview video and unboxing and having cleaned the sprues and dried them, started assembling some components,
petrol tank, front mudguard, paddock stand, engine, swingarm, airbox, exhaust, the next step will be priming, many of the parts will remain on the sprue for priming which is how I normally approach bike builds, the only difference so far is that I haven't assembled a frame as there is none.
Below are some box and sprue shots and the video of the review / unboxing.
I've never been the fastest builder so please bear with me on this one, I like to take my time and do the best I can with a model, (see my Honda NR thread), I will update with posts here and on youtube as I progress with it.
looking magnificent!
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