Aoshima 1/12 V-Twin Custom Ultra Classic Kit First Look

By Jeff Conrad, Front Range Auto Modelers (FRAM)

First Look

• Scale: 1:12
• Skill Level: None given, though likely a 2
• Assembly:   Glue
• Paint: Required
• Molded in:  Tan, black, gray, chrome and clear styrene and black vinyl
• Decals: Waterslide

This kit consists of 187 parts and, as one would expect of a model of an American made motorcycle, it is loaded with chrome parts – three trees in fact, encompassing 81 parts!  The body tins, seats and hard side luggage are all molded in a mustard-tan color, while the wheels, engine and drive train pieces are all molded in gray.  Frame, controls and other small parts are molded in black, with the tires and some small tubing (for cables) is rendered in vinyl.

The twenty three step instructions are neatly drawn and show clearly where parts go and what order to assemble them in.  Paint colors are called out for each piece as well, and reference only the Mr. Color and Aqueous Hobby Color ranges of paint, but since there aren't any unusual colors called for you'll be able to cross reference to your favorite brand with no trouble.

Parts are all molded cleanly and show very few seam lines to be cleaned up.  Detail is great on all the parts and look in scale – especially nice is the folds and button texture shown on the seats.  The chrome trees are very nice – and unlike other Japanese model companies the parts are very shiny on both sides of the trees.  You'll want to arm yourself with your favorite "chrome part repair solution" for those few flaws that will occur as you remove the parts from the trees, but at least Aoshima has engineered the trees to create the smallest possible connection between the part and the tree, minimizing the repair work.

The decal sheet is nice, in register, and gives you decals for the instrument panel, air cleaner housing and crankcase markings.  Also present are all the Ultra Classic script decals needed to badge up your model – a very nice touch.  There are also gold colored decals to allow you to create a two toned paint scheme – unfortunately they only cover the tank sides, fairing and front fender – it's up to the builder to paint the gold panels on the saddle bag sides and truck sides – which means you'll have to match the gold on the decals, which could be very difficult.  The only other issue I found was in the name badges, which don't have a Harley Davidson among them.  In fact, what Aoshima did was give us a "Hardway Dady&Son" script decal for the manufacturer plate!  No doubt this is a result of licensing issues, so to avoid the inevitable "cease and desist" letter Aoshima is giving us a work-around.  If you are building a factory replica you'll want to get some type of badging decal for your model, but for most this won't be an issue – once built there will be no doubt what motorcycle manufacturer this model represents.

Aoshima has really captured the distinctive look of the HD Ultra Classic Electra Glide - from the shape and look of the subject to the nicely detailed tires and beautiful chrome parts, this is a really nice looking model.   Undoubtedly will make a great addition to anyone's motorcycle model collection - highly recommended!

My sincere thanks to DragonModels USA for this review sample!