1:12 Etching Parts for Yamaha TZR250 (3MA) (1989)

What the photo-etched parts are good for

Etched sheet is made in thicknesses of a few tenths of a millimeter, that is thinner than any part a casting can give. That is why grilles, clips, plates, brackets and similar small things are made from photo-etch, where every needless millimeter of material shows on a model. On a motorcycle in 1:12 scale this difference shows especially well, because the machine is exposed from every side and there is nowhere between the frame and the engine to hide a coarse shape. The extent of the parts in this set is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

The real subject

The Yamaha TZR250 was among the two-stroke quarter-liter sports machines with which the Japanese makers carried racing engineering over to the road at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. The 3MA rendition of 1989 was given a liquid-cooled twin and a full fairing in the style of the road races of the day.

Building tips

Cut the parts out of the fret with a sharp blade on a hard mat; scissors will ripple the sheet. Make the bends over a sharp edge or in a bender, and always in one go, because bending back and forth repeatedly tires the material and the part breaks. They are bonded with super glue applied in a minute amount; for larger areas a two-part glue suits well, as it gives time to position the part. Wash and degrease the sheet before painting and use a primer, otherwise the coat will not hold on the smooth surface.

Who it is for

For modelers who build motorcycles in 1:12 scale and want to take the level of detail beyond the base kit. It is an add-on set for a model of the Yamaha TZR250; paints, glue and tools are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.