B I G _ X M A S _ S E L L I N G ! !

1569 €

WIP - Ducati 888

WIP - Ducati 888

After a long pause, I restarted to work on this model. Actually the model is completed at 70% and, like visible in the picture, I continued to the body. I painted the inside parts with the semi-gloss black, than I glued all together and sanded all the body, washed it with tooth paste and now it's ready for the white primer. The gluing  step was easy, Tamiya  did a good work, even if this is an old kit.

WIP - Ducati 888

At the end, the first step that I did after the arrive of the material from Japan, is the body. Like I wrote before, I wasn't so sure if the metal screws was good, for this I decided to try. After a visual check, I drilled the body where Tamiya simulated that screw, sanded the plastic for remove the plastic protuberance and I tested the result. It is visible in the picture; on the left there is the body part that I have modified (and also completely sanded, ready for the primer), on the right is visible the original body part. Now I will prepare also the other and the air frame.

WIP - Ducati 888

After long time I'm here again. Finally arrived the detail parts that I waited from Japan. Little details for finish the air fender and the body. By the way, the bolts that I ordered for the body, aren't so good in my opinion, don't looks of the right size. I will decide, at the moment I start to work on the air fender, I have to define where to place the screws and drill the holes... 0,3mm diameter!

WIP - Ducati 888

In this days I tried many time and mode for apply the carbon decals on the rear mudguard. The result was so horrible, it's a very difficult shape, like a circle and the idea to cut the shape in many pieces it's bad, at the end I have to put every decal's piece in the same position for respect the pattern. Now I will try to use my strategy, again womans socks. I hope the result will be great and realistic!

Still I wait the rivets for the body of the motorbike, when they will arrives I'll prepare the holes on the body and also the tank vent.

WIP - Ducati 888

I worked on the rear suspension system. Finally I found a solution for color it. Was in my mind to buy the Alclad color, but for this I have to order the colors and wait more time. The roads for the solution was two; use the chrome Model Master color form the Metalizer series or try the Tamiya TS30 a shine gray. Due to the difficult to find the Metalizer series I opted for buy a Tamiya TS30. My opinion about the cans isn´t so good; I used it one time and the result was orrible, better the airbrush, however, I haveto say that this time this color surprised me and I had the right color that I searched!

WIP - Ducati 888

I'm entered in the most important and delicate phase of the building; the body of the motorbike. I just revoved all the pieces from teh sprue and i tried to make a "dry assembly", and everything seems good, no problems! However I have to work for add some details. What I have to do is visible on the picures of this post: 

• Fairing: I want to add the "rivets" like in the original motorbike. However, I don't want to drill the fairing, just I will apply some photoetchs in the points where there are the rivets.
• Left and right hulls: also here the work will regard the rivets. Tamiya adopted an easy solution for make this detail; one is the screw that fix the hull on the frame and the other one is just a simulation on the plastic. So, I will sand this last one, I will drill in that position and I will add a rivet. This work I have to repeat for both hulls.
• Tank: In the tank I want to add the vent pipe. Just a problem: there isn't the vent junction, so, I have to build it by myslef, and after I will add a transparent hose.

Just the first voice of the list can be done when the model is complete, for the other two voices I have to do before the painting session, but there is a problem with the rivets that I have to wait them from Japan.

Ok, I have to finish also the rear and the front wheel but I'm sure that will be done before the arrive of the rivets! Another big work will be the apply the carbon decals on the front and rear mudguard. Aren't included on the kit, I have to form and cut them, then I have to apply (but this last I think will be the more fast & easy operation).

WIP - Ducati 888

Finally the front is finished! Ok, just the front wheels miss but it's the last things that have to be mounted. In the picture are visible the "aspiration"of the airbox, the injection module, the strumentation, the battery and the oil radiator's pipes. Like usually I "carbonized" the air insulation system and the instrumentation. Now I think to install the battery cables, I don't know how much will be visible at the end, however I have added thebig cable that come from inside the frame and go to instrumentation and injection module. I added also the other fork decal, I have to say thanks to Fantasyland (the Italian importer of Tamiya). Now the next step is paint the body of the motorbike, but before al I have to finish the rear suspension arm. It's almost finished but I'm not so convinced of the colour. I will see and decide.

WIP - Ducati 888

And this what is? Well, at first sight you can think it's a scanner.. but no, it was a scanner, but I transform it in a "Decals renewer". Many people around in the forums, suggest to put the old decals under a neon lamp or under the sun; in this mode the old decals lose the yelloew effect on the white colors and become more resistant to the water. I tried if this suggestion work; I did with the decals of this model because I had some problem with them and I don't want risk to ruin others!

WIP - Ducati 888

Here the front of the motorbike is connected with the rest of frame. The connection of the components wasn't difficult just I have to been carefull to don't push up the parts while I fix the front part. On the forks is visible the only one decal about the forks factory (Ohlins, is a blu decals on the bottom side), however I  found a member of the forum that have one for me.

In this picture is visible also the water radiator. I used a personal technic for paint it and give to it a realistic aspect. How I said in the poste before, I used the photoetchs for the radiator grills, so, after to have fixed them, I painted all the radiator with the same Tamiya color (flat alluminium) and after I used the smoke color just over the grills. In this mode, the alluminium color above the phototchs start to "move" and mixing with the smoke color. I like this effect.
And finally, in this step I added the steering dumper that I rebuilt many steps before. It work very well and sure it's more strong than teh original!

WIP - Ducati 888

In the picture are visible the water radiator and the photoetchs for the grills to apply on it. To fit the front grill was easy but for the back I worked much. It's normal because the radiator is a curve surface and in the first moment I thought to apply just the front but after I changed my idea.

I worked also on the front fork, I applied the decals of the forks manufacturer. And here the problem. This kit is old and the decals too, for this are so delicate! I have found one decal form another kit and it is much more new... and the result is good! But it is just one... for another one I asked to a forum if somebody have one.

WIP - Ducati 888

Today I added the cooling pipe-line. No easy work because it's easy fit the pipes in a wrong position, infact there aren't many referement points. However at the end I did. I tried also to fit the water radiator ( I used for see where the pipes was connected) and i saw one problem. A spark plug connector was used like a referement point for fit the water radiator. It was bad because I simulated the spark plugs with the cables, so, I removed and rebuilt it more little and with a 90° angle. I fitted also the little oil radiator, repainted after the adding of he photoetchs.

WIP - Ducati 888

Days of work on my bench... Today I prepared many other components and refined others for example I adjusted the colors of the exaust where they are connected.

In the picture are visible the follow components: front forks, oil radiator, the chain with the gears, the water pump with a  pipe and the under-seat panel with the electronic.

About the oil radiator,it isn't finished, the metallic particulars that are visible on it, are the photoetched. I will paint with smoke color because i want that it conserve the natural metallic reflex. At the end I decided to don't apply the photoetchs on the chain, like I wrote in a message before I obtained a good effect also just with the paint.

WIP - Ducati 888

Finally the exausts are connected and installed on the motorbike. Big work, not so easy with the decals and to paint the details. The connections of the exausts need a little work for the fitting and the pipes of the rear cilinder leave some hole. I thought to use the putty but in that case I had to repaint that part so, I decided to use the cyanoacrilate glue and just to paint with smoke color.

In the picture are also visible the hand-made s ties that fix the cables. The impact is good and now I will complete the underseat panel with electronics module.

On my own!

What mean this title and what is this picture. Nothing, just one my idea. The readers knows that in this period I'm busy with the building of the Ducati 888 and my passion for Ducati motorbikes it's big. So, during a building session, I was concentred to watch the model and immediately the idea came out from my head! Build an SPECIAL Ducati by myself and with my taste! Actually I just have the projects in my head and nothing is writing down, but sure I want to realize this my idea! At the same time I think to sell few numbers of this kit... not many, just five.

The name of this motorbike will be 889 (I will respect the usually style of the Ducati, to call their superbikes with a number) and, if the project will be interesting, maybe will follow an Ducati 919.

The picture show the mold for the tank (at the end I will take out a tank for the motorbike from the mold); I just did this mold without pay much care, it's just a test, but I have to say that it's enough right/good. Stay tuned for more info!

WIP - Ducati 888

Finally I've finished to apply the carbon decals on the exausts. For the last exaust I used the MicroSet liquid, and I've to tell that it's visible the difference! Another lesson that I learned is that I have to use the lucid colors under all the decals! Now I've applied a Tamiya Smoke color over the decals for turn off a little the shining effect, and the exausts are more realistic. Next step is to connect them with the engine and the frame!

I checked also for apply the photoetchs to the chain but aren't so good. First of all the PE have some imprecision, second, for apply them, I have to work on the original chain... but this work is irreverisble and in case the result with PE isn't good, become impossible to use the original chain. At the moment I tri to paint just the original chain and I will see the result, after I will decide what to do!

WIP - Ducati 888

Yesterday I tried to prepare the under-seat panel for the painting. I tested some new ideas for realize the carbon-fiber aspect, but after many test, I realized that the best way is the same that always I used: Tamiya Satin Black X18 and after, cover the piece with woman's collant and then spay over with Tamiya Gun Metal X10.

WIP - Ducati 888

Today I prepared the two electronic modules. I tried many projects but the best way for realize them, was use some old electric components from a mainboard! At the end this particular will be well hided! Tomorrow I will paint and "connect" them!

WIP - Ducati 888

Today I worked on the motorbike again... I try to attach the carbon fiber decals on the exaust. Like I wrote in the post before, cut the decals with the scissor is the right way. I cut a little piece for the central part on the exaust and I didn't have problems. I have learned something new!

I prepared also the under-seat panel (not present in the kit, just my idea for better detail); I prepared a cutting scheme, now I just have to cut the styrene, paint it for give carbon fiber aspect and after put over it the two electrics modules.

WIP - Ducati 888

I've finished the rear brake disk, completed with the photoetchs. The only problem was painting the photoetchs... are in metal and the paint try to slip away. However I resolved that problem.

At the same time I'm working on the exaust. I must cover the silencers with the carbon decals. I have to say that I started this work some months before. At the first moment I decided to don't use the carbon decals that Tamiya give with the kit... too much big and out of scale. For this I decide to use carbon decals foil from Studio 27. No problem when I attached the first piece of decal. After I've interrupted this work, and now, that I decide to continue, the decals are so fragile and when I put them on the water, them start to break. Maybe is because I cut them with the cutter and maybe it can damage the transparent over the decals.. so I will try to cut them with a scissor.

I started also to work on some details.. I've found the technical manual of the motorbike and I've recognize many details.. and now I'm working on some electronic modules.

WIP - Ducati 888

Today I tried to fit the front forks in the apposite triple clamps.. and here the first problem. The bottom plate's holes are a little bit close and this removed the paint from the forks. So, I enlarged the two holes with a file and now I have to repaint the plate and the forks.

WIP - Ducati 888

Finally today arrived the PE parts. Not so simple like other brands. So, this PE contains the followings parts:

• Gear & chain
• Radiator Panel
• Oil radiator panel
• Front disk rotor
• Rear disk rotor
• Gear hub
• Gear nut

Many parts at the end, but the work for fit them it's hard, many original parts have to be worked before to receive the PE.

WIP - Ducati 888

While I'm waiting the photoetchs for the model, I worked on the front forks! During this work I broked the steering dumper... It was long and very little, and during the adjustment before the painting session, it crashed in two parts!

So I toke a metal straight pin, cutted the plastic old one from the fixing collar, drilled the collar a little bit and insert the pin, finally I glued it with cyanoacrylate!
The pictures can show better the work!

WIP - Ducati 888

I have to brake a little with this model. In fact, what you can see on left, are the photoetch parts for this kit. The seller isn't so clear what the PE contains, but from the pic is easy to recognize the brakes, some radiators grills and the chain.. but there are other many parts that aren't so clear. I have ordered it, I have just wait to receive it!

However I have other things to do with this kit, so I can go on with that!

WIP - Ducati 888

Finally the engine inside the frame! Not particular difficult for assebly, this is my first 1/12 Tamiya motorbike model (and in general, my first 1/12 bike model) but I have to say that it's so great.
I think next motorbike model, I will add some weight to the motor, because I prefer an "heavy" model (like for example the Minichamps models).

WIP - Ducati 888

In this picture there is the engine complete with the air box. I decided to don't add the fuel hoses because the documentation about this motorbike is difficult to find. Like I wrote in the before post, I "carbonized" the clutch cover, but I don't know if it was really in carbon fibers. Was in my mind to give to the air box the carbon fiber aspect but there isn't documentation around where I can discover if it was or no in carbon... so I decided to paint just in black.

WIP - Ducati 888

Again the motor but in the right side. Here is possible to see the other motor carter, also this time painted in a different (but true) colour. Many painted details, also the belts are looks like the real belts.
I added other two touch of reality where the instructions don't suggest this; first the clutch. I painted it like the original and this give a really authentic aspect. The second is the clutch cover, i gave to it a carbon fibers aspect, without use of decals.

WIP - Ducati 888

Here the motor. Also the assembly of the motor was easy, this thanks to Tamiya that have good kits. It's good detailed and the colors reference are ok. Like visible in the picture, the left motor carter is painted in a different color, this for simulate the magnesium color. Other parts of the motor are also painted in different colors and all this give to it a realistic effect.
However the instruction sheet explain how to obtain this colours, but if we keep in mind that this kit is old, we can realize that maybe now exists bottles of the colours without become alchemist!

WIP - Ducati 888

Before to restart to work on the model, I want explain and show what I did previously on the model.
In the picture the frame with the rear shock absorber. Build it wasn't so difficult, just need attenctions during the masking phase before the painting. The frame was originally white but I repainted it, like I did with all the other coloured parts!

Here again!

Hy guys, after many times I'm again here for share my modeling experience! I toke my time, I chosed my way (I mean in this hobby) and now I'm ready for restart.
At the end I wont focus my attenction in one only sector of the modeling, I will move throught the 1/12 motorbikes, 1/24 racing cars, airplanes and some war diorama.
Restart mean that I have to take out what I putted on a corner... so the first thing that will be on my bench will be the 1/12 Ducati 888 Tamiya.
After I have to finish The NSX Epson Model, but before I want to do a diorama of the Hungarian tank during the 1956 revolution.
I hope this time I will focus my attenction much more in the modeling and not in the business (buy/sell model).
Stay tuned!