Did anyone ever built anyone of those? I built 2 of their 1/12 series and I’m not very fond of the gauges, they just give you a decal for it. Is the 1/6 any different?
How do you guys model the seats? Do you just paint it ? What if you want to give it a leathery look?
I have only built one (so far) of the 1/6 stuff, and it was a typical Tamiya build, which means that it went together quite nice. I am afraid to say that the gauges are a decal as well though.
As for seats, what I do is paint it the color that I want and then spray over it with either a dull coat clear or a semi gloss cear.
I’ve built probably 3/4 of the 1/12 Tamiya motorcycle range - and they’re all pretty similar - extremely good fit and very well detailed. A little extra detail added can make all the difference in the world.
I’ve also built a couple of the 1/6 scale bikes - they’re a real knockout - especially the Suzuki Katana. What a monster. A massive model of a wicked bike (well, it was, for it’s time anyway) and it looked spectacular.
I sold it long ago, and I think the gauge was a decal, from memory, but I painted out the white needle with black, made a scratchbuilt needle and placed the clear cover over the top. Looked fantastic.
Really, no matter what you do, a large scale Tamiya kit will always be good value and should build (with care) into a spectacular display piece.
I use several different methods to replicate seat material - whether it’s supposed to be vinyl or fabric - using flat paints can replicate fabric, and using semi-gloss Tamiya X-18 is a good paint to use for vinyl. I also modify the way I apply the paint for different finishes - spraying thicker paint at lower pressures can produce a “spatter” effect which can be good for things like vinyl seats or vinyl tops on cars. A thinner paint with higher pressure gives a smoother finish.
Experiment a little to find the best settings for your system.
Good luck.
Cheers
LeeTree
I just ordered a Tamiya 1/6 Honda police motorcycle. Is there any aftermarket parts for it? Is there any thing that I should know which can enhance the model? For example, I heard somewhere that the electric cord Tamiya supplies with their motorcycle kits are way too thick if you calculate by scale. What are some extra tips/techniques can enhance a motorcycle build. Thanks.