My Mini Wonder Bike (Tamiya Ducati Desmosedici)

Member Name: pie_master

Product:	Tamiya Ducati Desmosedici
Date:	26/06/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Quality Kit, Looks Amazing When Complete

Disadvantages: Can be a bit tricky!

Summary: I like to make models as a hobby - but I'm not mad-keen on getting every tiny detail right. This model was ideal for me as it fitted the bill perfectly! It is a quality kit with a range of transfers so you can choose between two rider styles, and it has movable steering, wheels and rear suspension.

The Kit: This is a quality kit and is aimed at the more experienced older modeller. It comes with three main sheets of plastic parts, smaller sheets with transparent parts (for the screen), and transfers. There are two instruction sheets as well for the actual model and for the transfers.

The main instruction sheet contains all of the details for assembly and also suggests the compatible colours. HOWEVER, be aware that some of the paints recommended have been withdrawn from sale. You'd probably therefore need to talk to the model shop / supplier so that they can recommend the paints you need. In terms of the paints, it recommends about 18 different kinds, but I just had five basic colours (red, black, gold, silver and bronze) and it turned out fine - it is all about how much detail you want to get into!

The parts are all very thick, which is reassuring when you are handling them as some cheaper kits can crack before assembly. A small bag of screws and other assembly parts is also included (these help to attach the fairing, wheels etc.).

Assembly: You can take as long as you want with this I guess! I like to take time to get it right, so this took me about three weeks (of half an hour per evening) to assemble. You take the model right through from the engine block to the chassis, the sub-frame and finally the completed model!

Transfers: As mentioned above, you get loads of transfers with this kit and some can be a devil to get right (just check out the brembo stickers on the brake calipers!), but when they are all on the look great. The only problems I had was with the rear number transfers (due to the shape of the tail unit) and the wheel transfers (which I gave up on in the end..!).

Tips: I'm not an expert modeller, but here are my tips for this one.

> I'd recommend getting the 'proper' tamiya colour for the red bodywork as it looks great when it is on.
> As I said above, the transfers can be a pain so I worked on one area, left them to dry, then came back a few hours later.
> I'd pay close attention to the steps two or three in front as awkward assembly can be pre-empted and planned for!

Finally - have fun with it! I really enjoyed putting mine together and did it for a bit of a hobby and I hope you enjoy yours too.

Summary: If you have the patience it will look great when it is all done!