1/12 Ducati Desmosedici

[cor]

Building this for a young lady to give to her bf for his bday.

Mr T would approve of that.

Using a Tamiya fork set, in the post.

Also using carbon decals sheet. Marlboro decals ,on order. Probably make a nice base for it too.
Not detailing the engine too much as the display is for cowling on.

I started cleaning the rear tyre, smoothing it out with sanding sticks.
The second of the tyre pics shows how the rear tyre reflects the light in a hotspot, compared to the narrow untouched one which is more diffuse, or Matt. More realistic, as shown in the last pic of the real bike.



.




















The real bike

[marcowine]

I'll be watching this build closely. I'm hoping to do a Ducati soon. I know I'll learn a lot here.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Oh ya, super cool superbike!
These Tamiya bike kits build up so nice, it’s often hard to decide if the pictures are the real bikes or not
Looking forward to your process and progress

[Stokesy44]

Oh ya, super cool superbike!
These Tamiya bike kits build up so nice, it’s often hard to decide if the pictures are the real bikes or not
Looking forward to your process and progress

I thought exactly the same thing. Without a scale reference in the background its near impossible with the quality of the builds.

[cor]

Please don't jinx me


Starting on the fairing. This bike will be displayed fairing on. So the fairing better be top notch.
These kits give you a plastic dot that your supposed to paint silver to represent a bolt head



Also to remove the fairing and display the engine the sides are screwed on. While the screws are very small, i don't want to be able to see any screws. This large hole is for the screw.


I will use screws in a different manner.















This is a fairly complex part.







CA glue, above and below pics, to fill gaps.










I hope you got all that...
You can see below where I drilled out the plastic dots. A screw with a polished end will be put through from the inside to represent the bolt. The metal screw will look more realistic than a painted dot.













All painted red. I will paint on the white Marlboro triangle after letting the red dry overnight.

[Gary30]

Lovely start! I completed this very bike at the back end of last year, the Marlboro decals really make a difference. Enjoy!

[cor]

Lovely start! I completed this very bike at the back end of last year, the Marlboro decals really make a difference. Enjoy!

Yes it's like two different bikes.


A day of painting.




Measure twice, cut once.









There were a few little gaps where the ca didn't fill the seam fully on the tank. A few coats of clear paint, then a fairly thick coat at the end, filled the gaps nicely. Mr Colour levelling thinner seems to do a great job of smoothing out paint directly from the brush.

Once the decals are on, and a few more clear coats over them, and the finish will be glass like.









It may not look like it, but that was a lot of work.

The bike needs to be done by June 1, his bday.

Marlboro decals ordered from Italy, but that country is notorious for slow mail, so I ordered a backup set from America. Hopefully one set will arrive with time to spare.

[Stokesy44]

It does look like a lot of work but its looking great. I loved the work on the fairings, especially the rear one. After all the work it looked superb under primer and then the paint.

Painting and decaling coming along really well.

[cor]

It does look like a lot of work but its looking great. I loved the work on the fairings, especially the rear one. After all the work it looked superb under primer and then the paint.

Painting and decaling coming along really well.

Thanks man. I'm making a real effort with this. Both for the guys birthday and for the Mr Tamiya tribute build.
I wanted to do an F1 big scale car for the Tribute, but I haven't been able to find the time, so this is a pretty good kit and will be more than adequate.

[marcowine]

It's looking great so far!

[cor]

It's looking great so far!

Thanks Marco. What Ducati are you going to tackle?

[cor]

Duplicate post...

[cor]

Detail up kit.

Front forks. Rear spring and shock reservoir. Fork caps, on handle bar.

They are nice. Paint can't replicate that metallic gold look.

[cor]

Hammered a lead ball into this. Put 3 of them into the engine.
Every time I pick it up I really believe it's made out of metal.











This arrived. Water filter on the gun. Cost 4 bucks. Bargain I reckon.



Carbon fibre decals are not your friend. I'll sand the edges after clear coating so it doesn't get ruined.



Tamiya used way too many screws in this kit. Here I've screwed in a longer screw. Cut off the head and sanded it smooth. The real bike has a tiny bolt visible, not an oversize Phillips head screw

[marcowine]

It's looking great so far!

Thanks Marco. What Ducati are you going to tackle?

The Tamiya 1199 Panigale S Tricolore. I've also ordered the Tamiya fork kit and a Top Studio detail-up kit.

You're making really quick progress. I love how it's coming together and I'm really intrigued by your adding the weight; great idea, I think.

[Twokidsnosleep]

This is sweet work
Love what you are doing
I have old x ray lead foil I stuff in things to make them weighted. Love that feeling of heft.

[Stokesy44]

It does look like a lot of work but its looking great. I loved the work on the fairings, especially the rear one. After all the work it looked superb under primer and then the paint.

Painting and decaling coming along really well.

Thanks man. I'm making a real effort with this. Both for the guys birthday and for the Mr Tamiya tribute build.
I wanted to do an F1 big scale car for the Tribute, but I haven't been able to find the time, so this is a pretty good kit and will be more than adequate.

I've never built racing bikes or F1 cars. If I had to choose, I think I'd do a bike.

[cor]

Feeling a bit flat so just pottered around with this








And this. Which was a carbon decal nightmare

[Portman]

Just read through the thread - absolutely superb work. Although I'm not into bikes, I really do like seeing a bike kit built up. There's something about the intricacy and how the parts fit together that's really appealing.

[cor]

Just read through the thread - absolutely superb work. Although I'm not into bikes, I really do like seeing a bike kit built up. There's something about the intricacy and how the parts fit together that's really appealing.

Thanks man. Have go at building one someday.
Welcome to the forum. I look forward to see your builds.

[Stokesy44]

Just read through the thread - absolutely superb work. Although I'm not into bikes, I really do like seeing a bike kit built up. There's something about the intricacy and how the parts fit together that's really appealing.

Thanks man. Have go at building one someday.
Welcome to the forum. I look forward to see your builds.

I'm the same, the bike and car builds recently have got me teetering on the edge of doing one myself, probably a bike but I reserve the right to change my mind.

[Portman]

Just read through the thread - absolutely superb work. Although I'm not into bikes, I really do like seeing a bike kit built up. There's something about the intricacy and how the parts fit together that's really appealing.

Thanks man. Have go at building one someday.
Welcome to the forum. I look forward to see your builds.

I think I may have to at some point - I quite fancy building one of the 80's Honda Paris-Dakar bikes.

Thanks for the welcome, I'll have to get something posted up before long. I have to ask though, where is your avatar from, the guy looks a dude?

I'm the same, the bike and car builds recently have got me teetering on the edge of doing one myself, probably a bike but I reserve the right to change my mind.

Yeah it does look like fun doesn't it. Changing your mind is 100% allowed!

[cor]

Just read through the thread - absolutely superb work. Although I'm not into bikes, I really do like seeing a bike kit built up. There's something about the intricacy and how the parts fit together that's really appealing.

Thanks man. Have go at building one someday.
Welcome to the forum. I look forward to see your builds.

I think I may have to at some point - I quite fancy building one of the 80's Honda Paris-Dakar bikes.

Thanks for the welcome, I'll have to get something posted up before long. I have to ask though, where is your avatar from, the guy looks a dude?

I'm the same, the bike and car builds recently have got me teetering on the edge of doing one myself, probably a bike but I reserve the right to change my mind.

Yeah it does look like fun doesn't it. Changing your mind is 100% allowed!

That's Avon. From Blake's Seven. 80s British sci fi.

[Portman]

Ah okay - Blakes Seven is one that passed me by, something else to put on my to watch list, along with Space 1999. I'm currently rewatching some vintage Dr Who.

[cor]

Blake's 7 was written by a dr who writer. It's worth a look.

So the Ducati has had some work done. However I'd did royally screw up the rear fender, destroying the decals. If it was for my shelf I wouldn't worry. But because it's for someone else I need new decals. Fortunately the LHS has this kit on sale, so it's been ordered.

This time I won't carbon decals the fender. Too much curvature. I'll texturise it and paint to to look like carbon.

Hese some updates on other bits.


Aluminium wire pins instead of screws




Will be using thinner tubing that the kit stuff, so have to remove the plastic pin and use wire pins.




Low set fuel tank. Carbon decals and aluminium foil given some texture to look like heat shielding

[marcowine]

That's looking so good! I love the aluminum foil as a heat shield. I may have to borrow that idea

[cor]

That's looking so good! I love the aluminum foil as a heat shield. I may have to borrow that idea

This is the type of foil I use. Great for all sorts of modelling applications when you want a bare metal finish
The 2 dollar shop usually stocks it

https://www.amazon.com.au/WELSTIK-Prof ... _source=1

[cor]

The rear fender. Stripped the decals, painted it with cement, then pressed some synthetic fabric into it to make an embossed imprint. Looks a lot better than the carbon decal

[Stokesy44]

The carbon fiber looks really good, and as you say, way better than the kit original.

[marcowine]

That's looking so good! I love the aluminum foil as a heat shield. I may have to borrow that idea

This is the type of foil I use. Great for all sorts of modelling applications when you want a bare metal finish
The 2 dollar shop usually stocks it

https://www.amazon.com.au/WELSTIK-Prof ... _source=1

Thank you! I'll snag some.

I also love your carbon fiber technique. I think I'll experiment with that as well. I'm learning so much here.

Thanks again

[cor]

Moving right along with this



Clear coat over some graphite pencil. Drilled out the moulded bolt heads and put in aluminium wire, just for effect.






The suspension had six exposed screw heads. I drilled out the holes and attached it with more aluminium wire.
The kit has around 20 exposed Phillips head screws. It's a bit much.

[cor]

It's looking great so far!

Thanks Marco. What Ducati are you going to tackle?

The Tamiya 1199 Panigale S Tricolore. I've also ordered the Tamiya fork kit and a Top Studio detail-up kit.

You're making really quick progress. I love how it's coming together and I'm really intrigued by your adding the weight; great idea, I think.

Sweet bike. Let me show you this build of mine of a panigale

https://www.globalscalemodeller.com/vi ... it=Pocher

[cor]

Bit more tinkering

On both wheels I ditched the screws and used aluminium wire. Drilled out the centre of the wire and all is well in anti screw world.

[marcowine]

Thanks Marco. What Ducati are you going to tackle?

The Tamiya 1199 Panigale S Tricolore. I've also ordered the Tamiya fork kit and a Top Studio detail-up kit.

You're making really quick progress. I love how it's coming together and I'm really intrigued by your adding the weight; great idea, I think.

Sweet bike. Let me show you this build of mine of a panigale

https://www.globalscalemodeller.com/vi ... it=Pocher

Wow!! That is one impressive model; amazingly detailed and HUGE. Thanks for the link. I'll be referencing your photos as I build mine.

[Portman]

Wow, that really is looking very good indeed - the pins for the wheels appear to have worked well.

[cor]

This bike is nearly done. Have to wait for the Marlboro decals now.

Here's how it looks.




And the base I made. The stand is wired onto the perspex, and the bike clips fairly solidly onto the stand.

[marcowine]

Wow, that is absolutely amazing! It looks as though you could hop onto it and ride away. I can't believe how quickly you were able to do all that complex work. Thanks for sharing the whole process.

[Portman]

That really is a stunning bit of work, I do like the base idea, very effective.

[digger303]

[cor]

Wow, that is absolutely amazing! It looks as though you could hop onto it and ride away. I can't believe how quickly you were able to do all that complex work. Thanks for sharing the whole process.

Thanks Marco. Its surprisingly easy to do so-called complex work when you have the idea, material, and tools readily available.

That really is a stunning bit of work, I do like the base idea, very effective.

Thanks Portman. Bases and stands are a good way to give a model an elegant finishing touch.

Thanks Digger.


The spare kit arrived at the LHS, while the marlboro decals are lurking in the dark corners of Post offices around the world.

[cor]

Replacement decals on the fender. Needs a clear coat to protect them and smooth the surface out.
I'm loving the carbon fibre effect on it. I reckon this bike is one of my best works to date.









While waiting for the Marlboro decals I'm having a break from building. Replenished my paint stock with Mr colour replenishing agent and added labels so I know what the colours are. I use the tops of the paint jars for dropping some acrylic paint, or drops of super glue, so the colour of the lid gets hidden.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Awesome build and an excellent job giving the paint bin some love
I am having a hard time getting Mr Hobby lacquer stuff in Canada due to my savior government.

[Portman]

Looks good with those decals on!

[cor]

Awesome build and an excellent job giving the paint bin some love
I am having a hard time getting Mr Hobby lacquer stuff in Canada due to my savior government.

Why's big brother restricted access to Mr colour?

Looks good with those decals on!

Yes. Marlboro decals due to arrive today too..that should spruce it up a bit

[cor]

This is really coming alive now

[marcowine]

Absolutely stunning! It's a true work of art.

[Portman]

Aww man - now that is REALLY nice - love those decals!

[digger303]

Heck of a shine you have on the red.

[cor]

Bit of an issue painting the side cowlings. The lacquer went on over acrylic, but I've never seen this happen before. It has sanded out pretty well. And I'm confident it will be ok. I hope.

The Marlboro decals were not very good. Very brittle. Didn't react well to micro sol. Very low res printing. But can't complain because no one listens...

The rest is looking very good. I won't polish the paint as it's looking great after a wet coat.

The decal on the indentation on the top of the tank nearly killed me.

[marcowine]

Ugh, sorry about the paint mishap. I hope it cleans up as easily as possible.