Tamiya Team Suzuki ECSTAR GSX-RR 20 1:12

Where to Start?

Well it’s obvious isn’t it, start at the beginning and follow the instructions! Now as I think Dave Coward recently discovered when building his TopGun Kawasaki GPZ900, vehicles (especially bikes) require a different approach to aircraft (which is my main focus) and armour. Generally there is a little assembly, followed by lots of painting. Then some more minor assembly, a few decals, more painting, more decals and then it all sort of goes together in a rush at the end, as all those sub-assemblies come together.

The instructions although very detailed would have you building and painting up one sub-assembly, and then the next. But on such a build you need to keep things going in parallel, even if to avoid multiple trips to the paint booth for the same colour on different parts.

So a good long look at the instructions and use various differing colour pens to highlight things that need to be done together etc. Also look out for things you can’t do now, and will need to go back over the instructions so as not to miss.
So that this article remains a manageable size I will focus on each key sub-assembly, and will not reference every colour paint used.

First steps…

I started out with the basic assembly of the engine / gearbox, fuel tank, air-box and frame. Once again the pleasure of the engineering in Tamiya kits made me smile, with the various components fitting perfectly together with Tamiya’s own Extra Thin Glue working well by capillary action.

Then other cycle parts were removed form the runners and prepared for primer if no initial assembly was required. The same was done with all of the bodywork parts to clean up any seam lines that may show up on the finished paintwork.
When these were all ready they were primed using Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 Black diluted 50/50 with Mr Levelling Thinner (MLT), which sprays beautifully.

Frame & Swing Arm Initial Prep…

After further priming these with Alclad Gloss Black Base ALC305, both were masked for areas that would require placement of carbon decals. They were then sprayed with Tamiya Lacquer paints Sparkling Silver LP-48. I have to say what a revelation these paints are, no need to thin them, they cover easily and leave a fantastic finish. I will be using these far more in the future.

Engine…

Following initial assembly and priming the engine required various metallic shades, with multiple pre painted items then added prior to fitting into the frame.

Read on…