First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Time to pimp them rides!
Lee_k
starter kit
Posts: 9
Joined: January 26th, 2017, 9:39 pm

First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Lee_k »

Hi all,

Well, first ever build so thought i'd share how i'd done it so you can advise what might be better next time, or give me help as i reach for a hammer along the way....


The kit:

Image

And whats in the box:

Image

Thanks
Lee
kpnuts
Active Participant
Posts: 980
Joined: January 20th, 2017, 11:15 pm

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by kpnuts »

You're off to a good start with your choice tamiya are great kits.
User avatar
Clashcityrocker
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 10781
Joined: May 1st, 2011, 12:31 am
Location: Adelaide. South Australia

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Clashcityrocker »

Nice. A good toolkit, and a good first choice of model. Take your time and enjoy.

Nigel
Lee_k
starter kit
Posts: 9
Joined: January 26th, 2017, 9:39 pm

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Lee_k »

So, got a couple of hours at it last night - and got to here:

Image

Image

Image

Hopefully get some more time at it later.

First stubbling block...i seem to have (wrongly) assumed that the "decals" were stickers..... evidently, there not - so is there special things required? tips?

Many Thanks

Lee
User avatar
iggie
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 23360
Joined: July 31st, 2013, 11:04 am
Location: North Somercotes, Lincolnshire
Contact:

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by iggie »

The decals will require to be soaked in (usually warm) water to loosen them from the backing paper. Once released, they can be slid onto the required location and allowed to dry in place. It is usually best to apply them to a gloss (smooth) surface to avoid trapping tiny bubbles of air behind them which can cause 'silvering' (the trapped air becomes visible behind the decal). A softening solution can also help in that regard, but more importantly will allow decals to settle over lumps and bumps (rivets, bolt heads etc.) that may be present as part of the kit details.
Best wishes

Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
ShaunW
NOT the sheep
Posts: 26118
Joined: November 26th, 2011, 6:11 pm
Location: Pontefract West Yorkshire

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by ShaunW »

A great start Lee. Decals such as these used to be known as waterslide transfers (arguably a better term and indeed some modellers still use "transfer" but the majority have now fallen into using "decal") and give a much better scale effect than stickers, which are generally more toy-like as they are usually much thicker. You will find that the vast majority of scale model kits contain this type of decal and after a while their use will become second nature to you. Follow Iggie's instructions and you should be OK.
Doing - Tamiya 1/35th Universal Carrier.

Work is the curse of the modelling classes!
IPMS#12300
User avatar
Dazzled
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 9592
Joined: October 1st, 2011, 11:08 pm
Location: Mid Glamorgan, South Wales
Contact:

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Dazzled »

A great start indeed. I love these kits so I'll be watching with interest 8-)
COLD WAR S.I.G. LEADER

Wherever there's danger, wherever there's trouble, wherever there's important work to be done....I'll be somewhere else building a model!
Lee_k
starter kit
Posts: 9
Joined: January 26th, 2017, 9:39 pm

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Lee_k »

Hi,

Got another couple of hours in yesterday - probably struggle until the weekend now.

But how it sits atm:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Apologies for phone pics!

Thanks
Lee
User avatar
beany
Fat git, glasses, goatie - Avoid!
Posts: 4306
Joined: April 6th, 2011, 11:05 am
Location: Chellaston, Derby

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by beany »

That's coming along very nicely indeed Lee, good job! I like bikes too - I'm just about to do the 1:12 Harley 1200 FLH in the Matchbox Group Build.
2024 Acquired: 9 Built: 1
Lee_k
starter kit
Posts: 9
Joined: January 26th, 2017, 9:39 pm

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Lee_k »

Thanks Beany,

Next newbie question - for the wheels the instructions mention a wheel pen - to put chrome around the rim. Does anyone else use these or do they paint them?

Thanks
Lee
User avatar
Dazzled
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 9592
Joined: October 1st, 2011, 11:08 pm
Location: Mid Glamorgan, South Wales
Contact:

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Dazzled »

I paint mine using a fine brush. 0 or 00 should do the trick.
COLD WAR S.I.G. LEADER

Wherever there's danger, wherever there's trouble, wherever there's important work to be done....I'll be somewhere else building a model!
ShaunW
NOT the sheep
Posts: 26118
Joined: November 26th, 2011, 6:11 pm
Location: Pontefract West Yorkshire

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by ShaunW »

Great work Lee and the phone pics look fine from here. A wheel pen? never heard of one. Sounds like one of those expensive extras beloved of model company marketing departments to me :ha: Only kidding, the pen device might work very well but personally I'd be too tight to spend the extra cash and would be reaching for a fine paint brush.
Doing - Tamiya 1/35th Universal Carrier.

Work is the curse of the modelling classes!
IPMS#12300
syd-baines
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 1050
Joined: September 10th, 2013, 4:22 pm

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by syd-baines »

great work doing well for your first build likewise i use a brush i also not heard of a wheel pen you could try using one of the paint sticks that are about these days but i think you would be a lot better using a fine paint brush, i built this model a few years ago and it is a stunning model if my memory is correct Tamiya did two versions the one you are building and a tuned version good luck with the rest of the build and don`t be afraid to ask any questions as somebody in the forum will be able to answer, Tamiya used to produce something called a paint marker that was just right for painting wheel rims i dont know if that is what the instruction are reffering to but Tamiya does not produce them now i have since searched the internet and cannot find one anywhere
User avatar
Clashcityrocker
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 10781
Joined: May 1st, 2011, 12:31 am
Location: Adelaide. South Australia

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by Clashcityrocker »

You could try a silver Sharpie pen? but if it fails I didn't suggest it, ok :grin:

Nigel
celt
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 3236
Joined: July 6th, 2014, 3:19 pm

Re: First build - Tamiya, Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Post by celt »

Liking your progress.
Post Reply

Return to “Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Locos and other civvie vehicles”