1:24 Honda Civic Type (FD2) Mugen RR

The real subject

The Civic Type R of the FD2 generation is unusual in that it is not a hatchback but a four-door sedan for the Japanese market. Under the hood it has a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder that delivers its power high up in the rev range, it drives the front wheels, and on top of that it was given a stiffer chassis and a more rigid body. A civilian family car thus became a machine that can be taken straight onto a circuit without losing its rear doors and its trunk.

The Mugen RR rendition

Mugen is a Japanese tuning shop linked with Honda, and its RR variant takes the FD2 a step further still. The car was given a different front bumper, a more pronounced rear wing, lighter wheels and a reworked drivetrain. It was built in limited numbers, which made it a collector's piece and, among modelers, a rewarding subject: against an ordinary Civic it is sharper at a glance, yet it remains a sedan and not a racing special.

Building and painting tips

• Wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water before painting; that clears them of residue from manufacture.
• Spray the body in thin coats over a smooth base, as every scratch under the paint shows later.
• The shine is only drawn out by a clear coat and a fine polish once it has dried.
• Try the chassis and interior assembly dry before you start gluing; the body has to seat without pressure.
• Fit the aerodynamic parts only once the paint has dried, or the paint will pile up at their edges.
• Glue the glazing with a glue for clear parts, as super glue will fog it.

Terms of supply

The kit is supplied unassembled. Paints, glue and varnishes are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.