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Showing content with the highest reputation on 22/12/14 in all areas

  1. Something British at last! Not-so-famous-but-very-interesting-anyway long-range FAA fighter Fairey Fulmar. Fought epic battles with Regia Aeronautica S-79s in the Mediterranean skies. 1/48 Special Hobby if I am not mistaken. Always loved FAA liveries.
    17 points
  2. 2014 started well, but then I messed up my modelling time by going back to work.
    12 points
  3. Retrokit Judge Banana! Completed the master for this earlier in the year, combining two of my favourites....Despicable Me and Judge Dredd! Will be working on a few more yellow helpers next year
    10 points
  4. Hi chaps, well I decided my new bedroom needed models - so the acrylic display stand was dusted, and the Tornadoes had new nose probes built ( originals had broken off, and was never happy with the GR4 one anyway!) and the GR4 canopy was re-stuck. So these 2 plus the Phantom now sit on my bedroom chest of drawers- so i can appreciate some "all jet action" each morning as I scramble for my socks & bocks!! LOL Sometimes a break from what you are building to do some simple repairs is a great thing - freshens up an old model, and gives you some time off from a project. Cheers Jonners
    10 points
  5. Hi all, Here's my latest creation to roll off the workbench: Revell's 1/48 Rafale M. This is the original issue, so I've used Wolfpack's M Production resin update set and a host of minor scratch building to get it to represent an M from 2007. The decals are Model Alliance and poorly researched. A full build article, including all the updates I made (and those I didn't!) is at jonbryon.com/RafaleM.html. Comments welcome; thanks for looking. Jon
    10 points
  6. Why, twice as many props, old boy!
    10 points
  7. Lovely little kit this Eduard Weekend edition of the Albatross D.111 in 1:48 scale. Normally this kit includes some photo etched parts but my kit was given to me years ago and the etched parts are missing!....which doesn't bother me in the slightest as I am not a big fan of all this after market stuff!! The only problem I found with this kit was the decals....they just wouldn't sit down when they were told to!! ...even with gallons of Micro Set and Sol!!....but a very enjoyable kit to build. So this offering was built OOB and painted with a hairy brush (old school)!!...the rigging was done with fine grade fishing line...and it depicts Fritz Jacobsen aircraft ..Jasta 31 May 1917 Hope you like the photos............................... Thanks for taking a look Fozzy
    9 points
  8. Hi chaps, Airfix have done a cracking job on this. As holders of the design rights we at the Shackleton Preservation Trust supplied the original manufacturers drawings for the project. Its the first time ANYONE has had full access to the data since the 1970's. Regards, Rich W
    8 points
  9. Thanks, mates! I appreciate your nice comments. So, you remember these guys I presume, all these crazy little ASV aerials on the fuselage sides: Well, I have to face this sooner or later, so it might as well be now. Let's put 'em on! First, though, I have a choice of photoetch - the fret that came with the Special Hobby kit, or the fret that came with an aftermarket set from HPM (which I bought primarily to get the underwing YAGI aerials which did not come with the S-H kit). Here is a comparison: The S-H version, on the bottom, are a much better rendition of the actual antenna (clear distinction between the standoff and the dipoles) but as you can see they are much more fiddly. They have an advantage over the HPM parts, as when removed from the fret one can leave on a little extra "nub" that might find its way into a hole that one might drill in the fuselage, should one be so looney as to attempt that. Did someone say looney? Here I is! Here we have the antennae, a 0.015" wood drill in a pin vise, and a Euro buck. The drill bit is somewhat oversize (the nub is only about 0.008"), but that will give me an area where the superglue can pool, hopefully making a stronger bond. I started by making some rough measurements in order to figure out where I should be drilling the holes, then I made a template from card stock. I should have done this before the fuselage was painted and all that, but that would have required planning. Oops. After drilling the holes, all I could do was cringe when I saw these insanely magnified photos! Well, what's done is done. If this doesn't work out, memsahib emptied the trash bin in my studio yesterday so there is plenty of room for a new arrival! But let's hope it doesn't come to that. I used a 20/0 brush to paint the standoffs with Gunze H302. Once that was dry, I removed all the antennae from the fret, hoping that Special Hobby might have provided an extra one or two. No such luck, there is just the exact number required (16) so methinks I better be on my best behaviour. One thing I noticed from studying photos of these crazy things is that the standoff is always perpendicular to the surface where it attaches. This is true of most things like this that stick out of airplane fuselages, and it's what I meant by my earlier comment that some of them (the rear row on the top) look to have "dihedral" to them. I have to be careful when gluing these on to make sure that this kind of alignment is preserved. Attaching the antennae was quite a bit simpler than I thought it would be. I held them by the standoff with some sharp, pointy tweezers, dabbed a bit of superglue on the nub, and placed the nub in the corresponding hole. Each antenna is so light that I had no problems having to hold it while it set, and it naturally seemed to assume the perpendicular alignment without any help from me. It took about half an hour to put them all on. Once the superglue had set, I sprayed some Alcald Clear Flat over the dipole jungle to tone down any reflections from the superglue. And here they are! Needless to say, I can never, repeat never, pick this model up by the rear fuselage again. In fact, once the model is completely finished I'm not so sure I can pick it up at all! Maybe by the wingtips... OK, now I'm going to do the bomb racks. Cheers, Bill PS. Ah, I almost forgot. I also attached the remaining two portholes into the sides of the cabin. They were a pretty snug fit, so I did not have the opportunity to test my porthole retention device. You buy an insurance policy, and ye never needs it...
    8 points
  10. Airfix is to release in 2015 a new tool 1/72nd Armstrong Whitworth & Whitley - ref. A08016 Expected August 2015. Source: http://www.airfix.com/catalog/product/view/id/8408/ V.P.
    7 points
  11. Deciding to put Tamiya's Corsair on the bench was a no-brainer. Having built the Mustang and Spitfire, I expected top notch engineering etc, but this one somehow...unexplainably...was even better than expected. I'll say it every time I talk about one of Tamiya's super kits, but every modeler deserves to treat themselves to one of these kits at least once. Kit: Tamiya 1/32 Birdcage Corsair AM: Barracuda cockpit stencils and decals, Barracuda resin tires (If Barracuda makes items for a kit I'm building I buy it...stuff is that good. Paint: Tamiya custom mixes, airbrush and oil weathering
    7 points
  12. Greek Air Force PZL-24. 1/48 kit by Mirage. The roundels' blue should have been darker. These ones look like more Argentine than Greek. I always have found the PZL really ugly. But, you know, I have a maternal instinct...
    7 points
  13. Latest finish for me and probably my last for 2014, Tamiya 1/24 Mini Cooper S converted to MkII spec (apart from larger rear window) Britax campaigned 2 (Class cars driven by Gordon Spice and Steve Neal and finished 5th overall in the championship. This has long been one of my favourite racing Mini's and, thanks to Rich Middleton who made the decals for me, I've finally been able to add it to my collection. To convert the car to MkII spec I used the rear lights from a diecast model, front grille from the Fujimi kit, the badges were scratch made from plasticard and wire. Paint is Halfords Fiat Broom Yellow and general gloss Black. Side windows were replaced with clear sheet as the kit parts are very thick and my kit had mould marks in one side. The model is not highly detailed as I decided to glue the bonnet shut, this made it easier to use the Fujimi grille. Anyway, my goal has been achieved and I am more than happy to have this little racer in my display cabinet. Thanks for looking. Steve.
    6 points
  14. Hi all, After a little gentle persuasion from Claudius here is one of my earlier builds which has not been shown on here before. It seems Claudius and I (and I am sure a few more of you) share an interest in the war surrounding the Mediterranean during WWII. Claudius has asked me to inflict some of my builds on the theme on you, so here we go with the first one... This is Revell's boxing of Hasegawa's excellent Henschel Hs-129 finished in the markings of the aircraft flown by Staffelkapitan Oblt. Bruno Meyer of 4.(Pz)/Sch.G2. This aircraft was later captured at Castel Benito. I hope that you all like it, all criticisms and points of view are welcome.
    6 points
  15. For a member who claims to prefer ships, you sure do pull a lot of G's.
    6 points
  16. Hi, A short break with my secodliners - a model of a fighter... Italian Macchi MC 202 Folgore. Kit from Hasegawa, 1/72. I made just some minor modification (like drilling inlets etc.). Decals basicly from drawer, except the emblems of squadron (a centaur) on tail, which were handpainted on decal. Markings presents machine from 386 Squadron, 21 Gruppo Ant. CT CSRI, Reggia Aeronautica, Voloshylograd (occupied part of Soviet Union), 1942. Regrads and comments welcome Jerzy -Wojtek
    6 points
  17. Hi again Folks Here's my latest offering, this is, without doubt, a unique model. Story is I bought an Academy 109G on ebay. when I opened the box I found: 1) A Hasegawa 109F with instructions and some critical wing parts missing and no decals 2)A partially made Fujimi 109 fuselage with cockpit detailing and decals but no instructions 3)An Academy 109 minus the fuslage no decals So, I used the hasegawa fuselage(with the details from the Fujimi cockpit) and fitted the academy wings. Still with me !!! I have a Revell 109F in the stash with two sets of decals, so robbed one of those with the stencils from the Fujimi sheet was able to produce Hans 'Assi' Hahn's machine from JG2. Hope you like it....I'm quite pleased with the result....but feel free....
    6 points
  18. Represent a Heller 1/72 Gloster Gladiator Mk.II convert it to Finland Verzion. I choose a decal AML option of GL-273 and 6 colour camouflage. im used Aeroclub engine and prop.. GLOSTER GLADIATOR II GL-273 of Lentolaivue 14 ,Avgust 1941 Uti,Finland/ Even a few years ago built kid NEED HIS OWN SHOW!! P.k
    6 points
  19. Airfix is to release in 2015 a new tool 1/72nd Bristol Beaufighter Mk.X kit - ref.A04019 Expected July 2015. Source: http://www.airfix.com/catalog/product/view/id/8398/category/15/ V.P.
    5 points
  20. This is the Airfix Gladiator, finished in Land Tropical (LT) 3 colours (dark sand/red sand on the lower wings and fuselage, dark earth/dark red sand on the upper parts) with markings from the Xtradecal set 72182. This aircraft was flown by P/O Percy Oliver Valentine Green, and the whole of 112 Squadron was involved in fairly intense flying and fighting against Italian aicraft during the East African campaign. P/O Green claimed a Caproni Ca.133 shot down on 1st August 1940 whilst flying this aircraft. She was finally written off on 22nd December 1940 in a take-off accident (pilot at the time not known). Green later flew Hurricanes, was shot down and captured in North Africa and survived the war. She's built pretty out of the box except for added details in the cockpit and the rigging, which is 1.1lb BS fishing line. The base is my standard scrap of airfield, with a bit of soft sand scrubbed into the grass. I have no idea what the exact conditions at Summit in the Sudan were, but I would imagine they were arid at best. Here's a view of the underside. I can't think of a good way of doing this. It shows the tyre grot and gunsmoke though. Other side, with gunsmoke again, and a view of the upper wing colours. All the paints were mixed using Tamiya acrylics. Atmospheric shot of the plane ready to go after Italian intruders.
    5 points
  21. My entry into the Lesser Built Air Forces Group Build is the 1/32 T-6 Texan by Kittyhawk. When this kit came out Zotz decals did “North American T-6 ‘Texan in the African Wars’”. I zapped that puppy up as soon as it was available. After looking at the choices on the sheet (there are 12!) I was drawn to the aircraft serving in Biafra due to its very different camo scheme. Of course astute observers will notice, nice camo scheme, but where are the national markings? It seems I am using a very fancy decal sheet that has many and various colorful options solely as a painting guide! It does not appear to have any markings on the craft and all of the stencils were painted over when the camo scheme was applied. Looks like I will have to be forced to buy a few more of these kits to justify the purchase of the decal sheet. (Hey any reason, no matter how small or illogical, will work when it comes to feeding the stash monster.) My next task is to do a bit more research to see how these were used, the weapons load and if there were any markings on them. I am looking forward to this build as this will be my first Kittyhawk kit.
    5 points
  22. Hi all Another little bargain picked up at SMW and what a little beauty it is too. Not much to it in terms of numbers of parts and a quirky little subject, she is finished as a Polish Army machine No. 5332 "Mucha". Painted with Humbrol and Tamiya acrylics and finished with Matt Kote. The last picture is her with her bigger (and later sister). All comments welcomed and thanks for looking
    5 points
  23. An average - 5 builds for me in 2014. But with all these new kits coming out I really need to up the build rate to eat into the stash. First off - Steggy - A Tamiya Stegosaurus, which my first go at vegetation. Next was the 1/48 Airfix Lightning F1A Then, after a 6 month odyssey - A 1/48 Hasegawa F/A-18A Hornet. A couple of quick builds followed to make up the numbers - First was 1/48 Eduard/Airfix Spitfire Mk 22 And to close out the year a 1/48 Tamiya 190A8, built in 2 weeks.
    5 points
  24. Oh-ho! I can already see some problems: 1) The cowlings have a much greater diameter than the FROG's, 2) The tailplanes are much longer than the Matchbox's, 3) There appears to be interior detail, unlike Airfix's earlier version, 4) It retails for much less than Hasegawa's. Unbuildable rubbish, I say . . . regards, Martin
    5 points
  25. Now I've got my Beaufighter, I need to find something else to obsess over...
    5 points
  26. Okay, after some discussion, here's the list of allowable subjects for this GB: UK/Empire/Commonwealth/Free European forces Any aircraft from a Battle of Britain squadron during the Battle; eligible squadrons are so named in AMO N850, and can be found here or here. Figure or vehicle kits modelling a vehicle or person that can be proven to have been at a Royal Air Force Battle of Britain airfield during the battle; the burden of proof to rest upon the builder. RAF air-sea rescue launches that can be proven to have been in service during the battle; the burden of proof to rest upon the builder. Axis Powers Any Luftwaffe aircraft from a unit participating in the Battle of Britain, within the timeframe of the Battle as accepted by the RAF. As the Germans lost the war (spoiler alert, sorry), they did not provide a convenient battle honor list of squadrons or whatever heathen unit organization they used for our delectation; this Order of Battle from August should serve as a useful starting point, and in general, it should be fairly obvious. As always, when in doubt, the burden of proof rests upon the builder. Any aircraft from the dread Corpo Aero Italiano during the timeframe of the Battle as accepted by the RAF, an order of battle for which may be found here. Obviously there are a lot of potential subjects that had to be left out, because for a time, the entirety of the war was the Battle of Britain, in one form or another. The omission or exclusion of anyone or thing from the build is in no way intended as a slight against their contribution to the final victory, and, if I may be so bold, to the preservation of a world worth living in. All played their part; but to keep the build manageable and thematically unified, we were forced to make some difficult choices.
    5 points
  27. Hi guys If I might throw our hat into things? We are not "Save our Shackleton" or affiliated with them. They are a group headed by a local enthusiast who intend to put the aircraft on a pole outside the Aerohub. We are the Shackleton Preservation Trust (registered charity 1020951). We're an organisation dedicated to supporting the preservation of all surviving Shackleton aircraft. Formed in 1993, the SPT own Avro Shackleton WR963 based at Coventry Airport which is hoped will fly in the near future. Over the years we have been fortunate to acquire a sizeable amount of spares for the aircraft, tooling, equipment, the original manufacturers drawing archive, and the design rights. The SPT have had a long standing association with the Cornish Aviation Society and through them WL795, organising loans of parts and vital spares to replace damaged or corroded items. Parts were offered to the RAF as late as 2012 to prevent WL795's demise. As such we have put in a tender for WL795, with no other motive other than to preserve her intact and with the intention that she stay in Cornwall. We don't require donations to take things forward, or to crowdfund, nor will we ask. Bidding is already over. They had to be in to the MOD in hard copy, with a firm price offer by no later than Wed 17th December. We expect to hear back in about a month's time if we are successful or not. We won't strip WL795 for parts. We have enough spares to keep WR963 going, and have sent new parts down to Rosalie. We have more waiting to go on to make her safe should we be the winning bidder. A local home is already secured. She won't leave the area. we're committed to keeping her on duty in Cornwall - an important task she's done patiently for 25 years. The local link to the spiritual home of Coastal Command at St Eval is one we are proud of. If we are successful WL795 will not die at the hands of the scrappers. Kind regards, Rich Woods Shackleton Preservation Trust
    5 points
  28. Just looked at the Airfix 2015 programme & was utterly delighted to see that they will be re-issuing the 1/32 Maserati Indy . One of my favourites from their range , so I'll DEFINITELY be buying one when it comes out .
    4 points
  29. The Mr Color "Grayish Blue" on the seats had dried to a nice glossy finish. With luck this will provide a good base for the liquid masking I applied to the seat padding: Liquid masking can be a bit hit or miss in my experience, hopefully it will come off OK here. I also added some 1 and 2mm wide pieces of Micro Masking tape to aid in removal. Now they were painted I was even more pleased with my seat cushions. I now wanted to add some yellow stripes to the side door floor. I could have cut up some decals from the spares box but I liked the colour of this Microscale decal film: This has been sitting in my Modelling Materials Storage Facility since the mid 1980's, still sealed. This is its day in the Sun. Stripes this narrow have a habit of breaking so I effectively doubled their widths by including some carrier film: Here they are installed: I then wanted to add some white and yellow stenciling, I found these white ones on a sheet left over from you know what: Here they are installed: In full scale reality they are illegible but hopefully convey the right impression. While I was in decalling mode a popped a label on the fire extinguisher: I need to do a bit of detail painting on that but first dinner. Bye for now, Nigel
    4 points
  30. Cos the Shackleton used up all the rivets Shackletons on the Christmas 2015 wish list for me
    4 points
  31. And so ends one of the most emotive eras in 1:72 scale !…….I am old enough to remember the fights that (literally) broke out at the IPMS Kit Swap in the early 1980s between those trying to get their hands on one of the Frog kits that had been unearthed in some old shop stock……they could have given lessons to recent 'participants' in Tesco's Black Friday battles….and then the plethora of Russian/East European re-boxings throughout the 80/90s before Revell bit the bullet and did their own re-issue. Now, all being well, we will have a kit that WILL be worth all of the waiting without any of the fighting !. WELL DONE Airfix !…..Another inspiring choice that just demonstrates how narrow minded other manufacturers have become with their so-called 'new' subject matter…….AND a Whitley too !.
    4 points
  32. After a few nights off for pre-christmas socialising (hic) I managed to get some time in today and pretty much finish off the last major sub assembly - the JP5 canopy. Masked: Airbrushed: Unmasked + rivet decals to simulate the prominant screws + handles. You can't see it very well in this photo but the front hoop is cream coloured as is a thin strip next to the clear sections: And test fitted. Needs a little light weathering to match the rest of the airframe: I'm pretty pleased with the slightly 'flared' effect that sticking streched sprue around the bottom of the canopy has given it. Only thing left to do is stick on various PE and plastic aerials and lamps - oh and the bang seat top handles: Nearly there...
    4 points
  33. I will be doing a radial-engine 'Persian Fury". Twenty-four of these were delivered, and comprised the total fighter strength of the IIAF from 1935. This will be a conversion from a Revell/Matchbox Hawker Fury kit in 1/72.
    3 points
  34. It seems like many others, I've completed more than I first thought, even with a lull, over 6 or 7 weeks, after the Mustang G.B. Altogether it has been a good year on the modelling front, other than the fact of not getting my Sabres finished for the G.B., though they are both near completion, and maybe before the end of the year. All models are 1/72, brush painted with Humbrol Enamels, (with the exception being the Italeri P-51, that was Revell paint), using Daler Rowney brushes. So, for your perusal..........here's what I done for 2014: Airfix's old mould Typhoon, with Aires wheels, and an assortment of bits and pieces from the Academy and new Airfix kits. Revell's re-box of the Matchbox He-70. Hasegawa Mig-29, (which never got a RFI, due to the fact I don't like it, it seems to small),with Italeri decals, with the truck from the Military Wheels kit. Heller's gorgeous Javelin T3, I loved this kit. Revell old (like really old) mould Bf-109 with decals from E.D.decals. Used as a test bed for Humbrol's new Luftwaffe paints. Heller A-7E Corsair with Microscale decals. Amodel Yak-18 M-12, which was somewhat.......interesting shall we say. Italeri UH-1B Huey. Revell F-14D Tomcat, for the GB. Heller Caudron Renault 714. Italeri P-51 with Almark decals, for the Mustang GB. Academy P-51B/C with Eagle Strike decals, for the Mustang GB. Airfix Harrier GR.1, a lovely kit. Airfix P-51D, with AIMS decals, for the Mustang GB. Academy P-51B/C, with Eagle Strike decals, for the Mustang GB. Academy P-51B/C, for the Mustang GB. The Jeep that comes with the above kit. Airfix F-51 with HQD decals, for the Mustang GB, (with weathering!!) Airfix B-26 Marauder, for the D-Day GB. Revell Macchi C 200 Saetta. ICM Nakajima Ki-17b, (a simply terrible kit), with Blue Rider decals. As you may have noticed, I like old kits. Thanks to those who took the time to answer my questions, and took the time to look at my Rfi's, and to Mike and the gang for giving me somewhere to post . Regards Sean
    3 points
  35. Already been commenting here - http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234972970-new-tool-148-airfix-hurricane-and-spitfire-mk-is/ Funny thing is SD-X /V6799 has been an option for the original 1/48th Airfix Hurricane for many years! I didn't know the history of this plane though, wonder what the other options would be? I'd pick VY-R P2923, as this is very well documented plane, or VY-K from the same era which I believe was Sammy Allard's plane. Ideally, add some 5 spoke wheels and both types of De Havilland props and the blunt rotol, and alternate windscreens would allow pretty much any metal winged Mk I to be done, though you'd to fill the rectangular access panel for the N**** series planes. two points from the CAD. The camera gun on the wing is unusual for a Mk I, and the (please forgive me for commenting on CAD shots) but the wheel hubs look to small. I'd be surprised if a fabric wing one came along soon, i'd think a mk II would be the next logical step, probably a IIC, as if Airfix have had the sense with the Spitfire VB to plan sprues for alternate variants, so careful planning would allow separate fuselage and wing sprues. So add the 8 gun wing to Mk II fuselage and you have a IIA, and a IIB just needs the outer gun panels .. this is pretty much what Hasegawa did, except they settled on the B and C wings as the basic types. and one fuselage with alternate noses. Got to say this really does look good, but will await further information.... PS - the Hurricane wingtip is an integral part of the structure, not detachable, so the neat 'break' in the box art is unlikely... I'll get my anorak apparently man vegetables as the swear checker would say.... http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234972972-airfix-148-hurricane-mk1/page-3#entry1912691 I stand corrected, thanks Dave.
    3 points
  36. Would love an MR1/T4 down the l;ine (and to think what to do with the 8 Revell MR3s....) but the presence of a top turret means my plans for a Suez MR2 can come to fruition!
    3 points
  37. Thanks guys! On the subject if the Airfix Shack, as holders of the design rights we supplied the original manufacturers drawings for the project. Its the first time ANYONE has had full access to the data since the 1970's. I'll keep you all posted with progres on our bid for the St Mawgan Shackleton. Regards, Rich
    3 points
  38. ... And then Airfix can move on to some WW1 stuff. I can but hope. Hands up, how many of you intend to get one or more of the new kits not because they are in your normal line of interest, but because they look so good? For instance, my interest in the IJN is minimal at best, but the new Kate looks really tasty.
    3 points
  39. I already have some Aizu tape, and also some Jammydog stuff (Jammydog go even narrower than Aizu, and some of the lines on the lift are tiny). Within reason, it shouldn't be too horrible, because by a stroke of great good fortune Ark's deck markings in this era were relatively simple; all straight lines, almost all the same colour (the only exception being some danger marks around the top of the weapons lift at the front of the island, and Airfix provide a decal for those). So no need to dig out the Olfa cutter for circles, for a start. I am going to at least try to paint all the markings other than the distance to run numbers on the runway centre stripe - those will be decals (and thanks to Andrew for pointing me at a decent source of numbers of the right size). I have Airfix's decals to fall back on for the larger spot numbers if necessary, but will try painting first. Ditto the enormous R on the stern (to enable muppets like me to identify which carrier it was...) - I have some aftermarket decals (the maker of which escapes me, so forgive me please), so there is a fall-back position, but Plan A is to trace the R and then cut it out of masking tape. Paint the whole deck white (almost done, though the primer coat has shown up a few little areas that need some filling work). Then mask the lines, spot numbers and R. Then another coat of white primer (in an attempt to seal any areas where there might be paint creep). Then a couple of coats of deck grey. Then the (scale) black runway stripe. Then a stiff gin. Then count to 20, peel off the masking, hold my breath and hope it has all worked. Then seal it. Then add the decals for the distance to run numbers. Then seal it again. And again. Then mask the entire deck and start work on finishing the rest of the hull - catwalks, for'd CIWS deck, and the like. Weathering won't take place until much later - and this deck is going to be very weathered. Still plenty to do - and that doesn't even touch the island, which an entirely separate project; there's an entire scratch built mizzen mast to do yet. I must remember to paint the back of the island white and mask a line while I am at it; there was a vertical white line, aligned with the bum line, to enable you to judge lateral positioning when landing on 5 spot, and trying to paint it after the flight deck lighting is in position will be utterly impossible.
    3 points
  40. Hi everybody; quite a big update this time (I warned you ... ) First: a little touch-up on the seats, as per Gene's suggestion OT: Gene, look, I'm almost ready to test this END OT. Then I airbrushed white the wheel wells. Masking first, using an idea I borrowed from BerndM here (although used in a different way - it worked ok but I need to improve, some of the paper stripes weren't wet enough, so they lift when airbrushing) Here's how they came out: Pre-shading: Then it was time for the Light Gull Grey coat (actually mixed with some gloss white): this was done using Lifecolor acrylics. I had already used Lifecolors with an airbrush before, not on such an extensive job as a whole AC, but they did work fine. Now, for some reason I had a bit of trouble this time; while spraying it, there were some sort of "greasy" stains forming on the model surface right after the color reached it. In the next pic you can see them close to the left wing-to-fuselage join as well as on the left side of the fuselage itself I don't know what happened, but I'm guessing this has to do with my home brewed thinner and the cold temperature in my spraying booth (read: garage). Anyway, once dried a bit, I went over it whit another coat of thoroughly stirred paint (maybe just a little thicker) and here's the result Bottom (you can still see the pre-shading through) Top Finally, I airbrushed gloss white the central tank That's it for now Ciao
    3 points
  41. Stay tuned, as Fritag's next trick will be to climb in the JP5 and fly a circuit.
    3 points
  42. So did Sunday dinner at the Old Toad today! Cheers, Bill PS. My kids tell me that I'm supposed to take pictures of my food with my phone. I don't know why, but they all do it!
    3 points
  43. Update time, The update is that im going to be hard pushed to get this finished by 4th Jan! Anyhoo, Having completed the bodywork thus far I have given her a coat of black, one to provide an undercoat and two to attempt to pick out any imperfections. The main one is around the cut and shut dunno if ill have time to completely blend this in without weakening the actual kit plastic and risking it falling apart. A bit of work has been going on in the meantime, Ladder is primed, the undercarriage has been painted and washed, the nose come was painted firstly in a very light green then later lightly airbrushed with a dark green in an effort to make the nose cone appear weathered. The nose ring has been chromed, I have built and primed black the refueling probe, formed and soldered the supplementary intake shields, (the little square items) the airbrakes painted and the red tops are in progress. (phew) The lighting doesnt do the nose cone justice. It looks more subtle in the flesh. Now I know that usually the air brakes on a lightning are retracted when on the ground but, I will be displaying her with the brakes open as there is so much yummy photo etch in the Eduard set that it would be a shame to waste it all. That and the aircraft is undergoing maintenance after all.
    3 points
  44. Here comes the last update for the weekend folks..... I couldn't stand the pain any longer..... I had to change the seat layout. I knew there were 5 seats, so room had to be made for 5 bums to park themselves. That meant cutting out the middle support bar, and replacing it with the requisite two bars. Contrary to my previous fears.... I seem to be getting the hang of this soldering business (... cue disaster!) and the new bars went in without a fuss. A quick dress with the file and here's the stbd seat base. I managed to get down to Lowes this morning and picked up some sticky backed aluminuminuminumnumnum tape (meant for ducting). A few deft slices with a sharp knife, and we have something beginning to resemble a seat. Well, that went remarkably well.... but how to do the seat backs ??? It seemed like the aluminum foil was my best bet but I had to figure out how to incorporate it in order to make the seat backs. I had an idea how to do the seat backs with the foil and a quick test confirmed that it could be done. (See top of next photo) The full seat worked out at exactly 40mm in length which meant each seat had a max 8mm for spacing. - I allowed 7mm for each seat back which would allow a small gap between each seat. Starting with a 35mm length of tape, I marked it out in 7mm divisions, then a 1.5mm fold at the bottom (explained later), and plenty length left at top to make the straps. After some serious eye strain, I got all 5 seat backs cut out, with straps! The reason I wanted a small fold at the bottom was because the tape was having difficulty in sticking to itself - the 1.5mm fold at the bottom allowed me to add a smidgin of super glue to help hold things in place. Two seats down, three more to go - this really hurt the eyes........ Finally got everything together - serious eye strain - I am not looking forward to doing the port side, that's for sure! Now I just have to figure out where the support bar lies in relation to the seat backs. Using the kit parts as a guide I ended up with this arrangement. Then it was a case of folding over the remaining length of strap on itself while trying to align it with the front piece so it all stayed relatively neat. One advantage of doing it this way (which to be honest, I never planned) was that the seat back joins the seat in front of the rear support bar - as it does in the 1:1 In situ, a quick dry fit looks reasonable The seats will need a little bit of distressing, but not too much - I think they already look better than the kit parts, though looking at this photo, I may have to remove a tad more of the seat back - to make the straps look a little longer. Wow, my eyes were really hurting after that - I think the other seat will be done over a few sessions, or my eyes will just explode. With the first seat out of the way, it was back to the old gearbox again. The last two support struts were fitted. They are actually supposed to connect much closer to the top of the gearbox, but the mesh will interfere so I had to position them slightly lower. Then a few more wires and valves, sorry valve... singular. Then made a start on the gubbins on the stbd side - valve and piping on the bulkhead.... and a reservoir thingy that wasn't good enough for the port side. Sheesh..... those close up photo's don't do you any favors do they ? I thought I was doing pretty good until I saw these and realize just how messy my work is at times.... and this is 1/48 - how does that Fritag man manage such immaculateness in 1/72 ?? He must spend days photo-shopping his work before he uploads it for us mere mortals to peruse and gaze in awe Well, that's all for now folks - I need to go and rest my eyes (seriously!)
    3 points
  45. The base kit I used is indeed more of a toy, a toy in simple kit form. I was actually surprised there was nothing more sophisticated available in kit form for such an iconic vessel. You're not the only one thinking so. A friend I discuss a lot of these issues with was very clear yesterday that a small base is right, but perhaps it should be heavier. The models he showed me to support his opinion made me unsure as they made sence. I will have to consider this further. All opinions and ideas are most welcome. I wasn't doing my research properly in the beginning, and today I could no longer avoid paying the price. There is something fundamentally wrong here. There should of course be two propellers... That's not a very clever thing to start messing with at this point, but there was nothing I could do. This morning I promptly cut the single stub off and went to work as carefully as possible. After a while I had come up with this. It now makes much more sense to me from all angles. The propellers are now sourced from the extra kit I cannibalised for my 1/350 Titanic build years ago. Here's the result after repairing the paint. I was also never satisfied with the pale brass colour on the single propeller, it needed a more red tone without being red, so I tried copper this time.
    3 points
  46. Thanks for the positive feed back mate..... this time I altered the angle of the lamp! Progress so far this evening, primer, base coat (with slight modulation), accessory base coat, highlight lining and a filter done ATB Sean
    3 points
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