Christer A Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 (edited) Hello fellow modellers I happen to run across this during this spring: I couldn't resist the temptation to start it, especially since a saw a few magnificent builds here. My intention was not to start a build thread in the vain hope that if I don't I can finish it off more quickly. See how that went... After close to 6 months or so, it's time to finish this and a bunch of Spitfires and hopefully a FJ-4 Fury before christmas. What's the rush? Well, I think I've entered in three possible group builds, and I really want to start an Academy F-4C too, but my modelling space is littered with other half stalled attempts. Time to get cracking then. This is what's done until today: I had some Eduard belts that were put to good use, and I also took a little artistic freedom in swivelling the gunners chair, and adding a few levers in the cockpit. All of a sudden, the fuselage and wings just jumped into place, and I was left with this for a few months. The lack of progress might be due to finishing a rather big Tiffy in 1/24, and also selling the house and moving to an apartment I guess... The only hard part of this kit is the engine covers. They're festooned with bumps over every cylinder and naturally Airfix wanted to show this. Their way of solving it is with three plastic parts, and together with the zero tolerance policy they have this leads to problems. At least you can choose where you want the gap! Hopefully it will be hidden under the exhaust. This week I got the mojo back to finish this bugger, and I started with Ultimate primer. Top stuff! Tried to scratch a landing light too (airfix gives nothing of the sort) Since I'm doing a rocket armed Beau, the landing light is very much covered in sheet metal, so maybe nothing will be seen anyway. I saw Ronnirex rather spiffy looking La-5FN http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235010214-wip-148-eduard-zvezda-la-5fn/ and decided that imitation is a form of flattery, right? Let's test this with my poor skills. After the primer, some dark grey was painted using Tamiya Acrylics. Step two was white preshade And finally , a thin layer of Medium sea grey: As always, I seem to stop painting a few minutes after I should since the shading is almost gone... But it works, after a fashion :-) Let's mask this up in preparation for Dark Earth. Edited January 9, 2017 by Christer A 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 You're off to a nice (re)start with this one 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Very nice Christer, I like the interior, especially the artistically swivelled seat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 Thanks Col and Ced! I have no idea if that seat could swivel or not, I just thought it looked nice... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 Painting time! I started with some black, but that was not all! Red mas sprayd randomly here and there to give a subtle tonal shift for the brown that is to come. Let's see if it's worth the effort. Gunze Dark Earth was next. What a lovely paint Gunze is! It goes on thin thin thin, and the finish is flawless. What about the preshade then? Well it's there allright, but my camera-skills can't capture that. I can see it with my naked eye (barely, just what I want) though. Now it needs to harden for a while before the nest round of masking starts. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Interesting technique Christer - flawless finish indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 Very nice resumption Christer and good explanation/demonstration of the painting technique - it looks as though it will yield a fine outcome. I also like your choice of location for the cowling 'gap management'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squibby Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 Nice work so far. Agree with the Gunze. I've been slowly gravitating towards it for a while now whenever I get new paints. Goes on so wonderfully, is super tough when dry and comes out so smooth. I like your variation on the 3 layer blend. I think it gives a very subtle modulation that doesn't always come through on photos. I tend to just use a basecoat of camo, shade with lightened camo and blend with more camo. I might mix up the colours a bit for the shading coat a bit next time. One thing I've learned though is that once all the weathering and flat coats go on that modulation will become even more subtle so knowing when to stop blending it out is key. Keep up the good work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 21, 2016 Author Share Posted October 21, 2016 Thanks guys! I'm toying with the idea to paint the fabric covered control surfaces with Xtracrylics colors, just to get a bigger separation between them and the metal panels. What do you think? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 22, 2016 Author Share Posted October 22, 2016 The idea of differently colored control surfaces will have to wait for a while longer. I continued with the nutty preshade, this time with yellow. Then, we passed the point of no return... But who cares how it looks with the tape on? OFF WITH IT! That's more like it! Some touch-ups here and there (and also installation of the navigation lights) but thre might be some white CBI-bands soon! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Very nice smooth finish Christer - she's looking very smart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Looking smart indeed. The Beau suits most colour schemes in my eye and this one particular; the quality of your paintwork certainly helps though. The back seat could indeed swivel. Forward for radio and navigation and shouting abuse at the pilot, backward for dropping flares and playing with the gun or getting in and out of the rear boarding hatch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 Thanks Ced & Col! Hopefully I can get the stripes on this week, and start the decaling soon. Should look interesting then! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 The go faster stripes was finally added: Due to bad masking, some more touch-ups required , but clearcoat and decals should follow soon! Especially since I'm attending a model show the entire weekend http://c4-open.se/ I'll compete with four models, one big Typhoon, a small Typhoon, a Do335 and off a Bearcat. Looking very much forward to the entire event. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 That is very nice - I like your preshading. Going to have to snaffle one of those Airfix Beaus. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 30, 2016 Author Share Posted October 30, 2016 (edited) Thanks Pete! Snag a lot off these little Beaus, they're terrific! Here at C4 the competition is in full swing and for some reason I've fiddled with a Valom Bristol Brigand instead of adding decals to this One... Now, should I start a new thread for the Brigand or just add it here? Decisions, decisions... Edited October 31, 2016 by Christer A 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Very nice. I am envious of your painting skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Thanks Simon! You're making me blush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Christer that looks lovely, I enjoy seeing your different paint techniques! My daugther picked this to build and I must say she has done alright considering the kits relative complexity. However the engine cowls and placing of the engines was a step to far and she asked me to do that, they are a pain! looking forward to your finish Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Thanks Rob! Lets hope your daughter is able to finish it to her own delight. The size difference between two generations of Bristols is quite telling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyTiger66 Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I have just caught up with this Christer and very much enjoyed reading it. I too have many started, but not finished kits (maybe 12 or more !). It gives me hope to see you restart one and the great progress you have made. My stalled Beau is a Frog Mk. 21; it isn't forgotten . Your painting approach is fascinating, something quite new to me, thanks for showing this. Now, don't get too distracted by that Brigand, or the poor Beau will end up stalling again ! All the best TonyT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Among the "paused kits" I have I count a Harrier, Spitfire VIII, XII, Seafang, Me109, FJ-4 Fury, F3H-2M Demon, A7D Corsair, a whif and an eggplane. I might have forgotten some (yes, a Lightning!) but I do have a plan and most of them will be finished, or so I tell myself whenever I start a new one. For now, my focus will lie on the two Bristols where I have a chance to make this one correct or close to it. I'm glad that my crazy preshading can be fascinating for anyone else. I have no clue of what I'm doing with this, nor have I any knowledge of paint from an artistic point of view, so it's all guesswork. But is seems to work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted November 3, 2016 Author Share Posted November 3, 2016 Another day, another small update. Decal work has started Only 47 little buggers left that responds very well to Micro sol / set, but that's expected of Cartograf decals.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted November 3, 2016 Share Posted November 3, 2016 The Beau is looking good with most of her decals on The Brigand is a big chunk of aeroplane though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Lovely progress Christer; the finish will be well worth your efforts (and resumption). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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