neron-fx Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Hi all, I decided to start a second project this weekend in addition to the nearly complete TIE Fighter. I was getting tunnel vision and my creativity was suffering a bit and I thought this would help vary my day to day modelling and help keep me motivated. I started the Fine Molds 1/72 X-Wing The detail on this kit is pretty incredible considering the size. I have only done the first couple of steps, but this is going to be a dream to build after the nightmarish MPC TIE Fighter. I already get the first few bits off the tree, cleaned up and primed. I then thought I would practice my tiny, mini figure painting skills on the provided figures. These things are probably no bigger than a 10 pence piece so it was very fiddly and I needed a steady hand! I am planning some kind of diorama for this kit, but not entirely sure what yet. Anyway, below are some shots of what I have achieved so far. Starting the X-Wing Starting the X-Wing Starting the X-Wing Starting the X-Wing Starting the X-Wing Starting the X-Wing Thoughts and tips so far very much appreciated. Cheers, Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanM Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Great job on those figures. I know how tiny they are..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Thanks Sean, I had to use a combination of fishing line, blue tack and duck tape to hold them in various positions so that I could actually paint them! Really tricky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Great start Rob, It's a peach of a kit and fairly straight forward to light up if you are so inclined!. All the FM Star Wars kits are nice, the DV TIE Fighter is due out soon. Cheers, Warren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 Great start Rob, It's a peach of a kit and fairly straight forward to light up if you are so inclined!. All the FM Star Wars kits are nice, the DV TIE Fighter is due out soon. Cheers, Warren Hi Warren, I was considering some kind of lighting job. Red LED's for the engines and then a white LED with fiber optics for the cockpit and R2-D2's eye. I am a little concerned about the size though and wiring it could be fiddly, for example where/how do you run the cables from the engines to the fuselage? Any hints or tips for a young padewan? Also it's still a mystery to me (I need to know for the TIE Fighter) as to how I go about mounting kits onto a custom made base and brass pole so that I can run the wires down to the battery pack and switch. Do you know any good resources that would teach/show a newbie like me how to do this? I do have the new FM DV TIE Fighter on pre-order with Hobby Link Japan. Thanks Warren, I think this is going to be a really fun build! Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Hi Rob, 3mm LEDs and some very thin wire!! I made a lighting kit up for the X-Wing, I took a couple to Smallspace, I know I sold at least one so may have one left and it has a set of instructions showing you how to fit them. Consists of 4 red ( engines), one green (cockpit) and one white with fibres for cockpit/R2. I'm on holiday at moment so can't check till Sunday. As for the bases, I also have some sets for these, box, switch, battery clip, brass tube and for the SW kits I have a Death Star type tile. Will pm you some pics when I get back. This post shows both the lighting and the base, also the start of the TIE lighting set. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234937127-172-fine-mold-x-wing-red-5/ Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted August 28, 2013 Author Share Posted August 28, 2013 Wow! That would be amazing! Thanks so much Warren! I look forward to your PM. Have a nice holiday! Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 No problem Rob, will get something to you on Sunday. Cheers, Warren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpie Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 A kit I've always wanted to get my mitts on. Great work painting the pilot figures it's bad enough doing them in green for modern jets two colour what and orange takes some skill to do so cleanly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted August 29, 2013 Author Share Posted August 29, 2013 A kit I've always wanted to get my mitts on. Great work painting the pilot figures it's bad enough doing them in green for modern jets two colour what and orange takes some skill to do so cleanly. Thanks very much Arpie, I appreciate the kind comments. It was really fiddly, both figures took me a total of about 3 and half hours to paint completely. I really took my time as I wanted to make sure that they looked the mutts nuts before I moved on to the next steps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi guys, So, I finally got a bit more time to work on the X-Wing! I finished drilling all the holes for the fiber optics and lighting, primed everything on the sprues and constructed R2D2 with paint and decals applied. I have attached some update pics below. This was my first ever attempt at applying decals and so I'm not massively happy with it. However, I think considering the small scale of R2D2 I did ok for my first go. Lesson learned and I have some decal softener and fixer in the mail! As always, your thoughts, comments and feedback are greatly appreciated. Cheers, Rob Priming and R2D2 construction Priming and R2D2 construction Priming and R2D2 construction Priming and R2D2 construction Priming and R2D2 construction by robcharlwood, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi Rob, Was wondering how you were getting on with the X-Wing, great looking R2 unit. A word of advice on the decals, they are very delicate and do break up very easily. The best solution I have come up with is to give the sheet a couple of light coats of gloss varnish before cutting it up and soaking them, obviously let it dry before soaking them! The only time I tried the decals without the varnish was like trying to do a jigsaw puzzle!! Cheers, Warren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Well, I don't think the little guy looks too bad, myself. Don't mean to sound like I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but did you give him a gloss coat before applying the decals?. The decals will settle down better over a glossy finish and it will also help to avoid the dreaded silvering. Keep up the good work. I take it you're doing Red 5, yes?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 (edited) Hi guys, Thanks for your kind comments. Warren, yes I did have issues with torn decals there so thanks for the tip. I shall give them a coat of clear gloss before I try and apply any more. I'm not sure how many more I will be applying. I want to paint the markings myself with acrylics and some oils, plus some liquid mask for the chipping/weathering. I think the provided decals whilst good, look a touch thick and the weathering on them is a bit harsh and looks printed (if you see what I mean) By the way, your lighting kit is working out a treat and I'm soon to begin soldering the bits together. Do you have a small diagram of the circuit that you made for yours? Only I am a total novice with electronics (The TIE Fighter was REAL simple setup) and so this young padewan wants to make sure he solders stuff in the right order with no fouls ups. Smiffy, thanks very much. I had no idea you should give the parts a gloss coat before trying to apply decals. I wonder if that's part of the reason I struggled so much trying to work with them. Thanks for the excellent tip, I shall be sure to clear gloss coat the kit before I apply anything else. You can teach me to suck eggs all day long when you are giving me tidbits like that! Cheers guys, hopefully some more updates for you both soon! Rob Edited November 26, 2013 by neron-fx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 PS. Smiffy, I am planning to do Red 3. I like the extra weathering and slightly darker base colour of Red 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi Rob, I'll knock something together for you and fire it over to you. Cheers, Warren 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi Rob, I'll knock something together for you and fire it over to you. Cheers, Warren Ah thanks Warren, you are a gentleman and a scholar sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 PS. Smiffy, I am planning to do Red 3. I like the extra weathering and slightly darker base colour of Red 3. Ahh, good choice. Red 3 does feature a nice amount of weathering. My computer is down at the moment, but I do have some good shots of the Red 3 filming miniature. If you like, I can send them your way, once I've got the old 'puter up and running again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Ahh, good choice. Red 3 does feature a nice amount of weathering. My computer is down at the moment, but I do have some good shots of the Red 3 filming miniature. If you like, I can send them your way, once I've got the old 'puter up and running again. Cheers Smiffy, that would be amazing! Thank you! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hi Rob, Wiring diagram e-mailed over. Cheers, Warren 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Hi Rob, Wiring diagram e-mailed over. Cheers, Warren Cheers Warren. Hopefully have some more lovely updates for you soon! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Your R2D2 looks amazing. Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 Thanks Nigel, much appreciated sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Hi guys, Got some more time on the X-Wing last night. I test fit the cockpit and applied a Tamiya "German grey" pre-shade base coat to the upper and lower fuselage. As always, thoughts, feedback and advice welcome. Cockpit fit test & pre shade base coat Cockpit fit test & pre shade base coat Hopefully get some more time on this at the weekend. Cheers fellas. Rob Edited October 24, 2013 by neron-fx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neron-fx Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 Hi Chaps, Just as an added question. Any thoughts on base coat colour? I am building Red 3 which is a little darker than the others, however I don't want to make the base coat to dark as the weathering and washes will darken this puppy up quite a bit. The instructions say 50:50 mixture of Tamiya Flat White and Tamiya Gloss white. However this colour still looks a little to light to me. I thought about adding in some natural earth and neutral grey to try and tone it down a bit. I am still a newbie at all the paint mixing malarky so any tips or pointers you guys could give me would much very much appreciated. Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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