ProfSparks Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Hi All Wanted to try that pre shading thang I've seen done to great affect by grown ups, so these duly arrived via a well known auction site. Didn't clock on the listing that they were both toothy, but hey! Must admit to being impressed with the detail after my previous builds Bit of paint on the insides Mustang (That gun sight is clear and invisible when dropped, until painted, then it becomes camouflaged and invisible...) Tomahawk Overall, the parts are well thought out, crisply moulded, and join along panel lines. However... Top of nose of Tomahawk. Bit of an unnecessary collection of sprue gates? Anyhoo, they both go together with minimal fuss and filler, a touch along the wing roots, but that's mostly it. So, on to the crux of the builds, the pre shading. Did a thin mix of the supplied Black 33, reduced the pressure to only one light lit on my cheap airbrush, and had at it with the Mustang. Getting right up close, and being careful to apply a fine line along the engravings, I got this Hmm, that's what I thought too ! Undeterred, I concentrated more on the delivery to the Tomahawk, and got this Hey ho, it's all about the experience! First thin coat of Light Grey 64 (thinned 50/50 with water) on the Mustang, and it wasn't looking all lost Apart from the usual texture finish, I'm quite happy. Bit of a chew on to apply, but there again that's because it's Starter Set Plastic Pot Paints. Next up is the Tomahawk. Light Blue 157, thinned 50/50 water again, and on it goes. I don't know what the difference is between these two paints, but the 157 just glided on as if drawn by angels. A steady mist of colour that didn't run or pool, covering in one pass! It has the same texture finish as the 64, but was a pleasure to spray with. I need to find a kit that is all 157 . Going to let these dry before masking (), then see how the other colours behave Thoughts, comments and suggestions welcome as always Cheers Steve 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 The only thing better than a sharkmouth is off course two of them! Still using those starter paints? Any brand is better than that, and you'll get rid of the pebbly finish in no time. In fact, the whole airbrush world opens up even more, since you'll have greater control of the the spray pattern and can get much closer to the model, which then will lead to finer lines - perfect for preshading! (and then you'll discover black basing with marble coat, the new hotness! ) But it looks good anyway! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Good job Steve and you certainly deserve kudos for persevering... Paul Budzik explains all about airbrushes and paints in his great video here - it's all about pigments and particle sizes apparently I think I've mentioned this before but when I switched to Vallejo Model Air my life changed completely - just watch the sets; some of the colours are, er, not quite right. The search for a brand you like is part of the fun (so they say). Well done coping with the sprue gates and other assembly - neat! That Tomahawk finish looks nice - you'll have these done in no time Watch the shark mouth decals, they're a pain and IIRC don't quite fit on the Tomahawk - most people get a gap at the front and end up painting it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 Hi All On 02/06/2017 at 6:42 AM, Christer A said: The only thing better than a sharkmouth is off course two of them! On 02/06/2017 at 6:42 AM, Christer A said: Still using those starter paints? Any brand is better than that, and you'll get rid of the pebbly finish in no time. I'm getting used to how they go on. I'm more in the "ooh, look at the finish I can get with an airbrush as compared to what I got with a hairy stick" phase, than the "Hmm, it's a bit lumpy..."phase. It's also quite liberating, as I don't have to order a dozen shades of dark green from six manufacturers just to find the right one. The paints are in the packet, churlish not to put them to use in the Lab On 02/06/2017 at 6:42 AM, Christer A said: (and then you'll discover black basing with marble coat, the new hotness! ) ...so you couldn't tell this was my attempt at quasi-black-based-preshading...? No? On 02/06/2017 at 7:16 AM, CedB said: just watch the sets; some of the colours are, er, not quite right. That being said Hmmm... I bought a set of Vallejo RAF COLORS SPECIAL "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" for the final stage of my last build, but bottled out at the last minute. Now, they just sit there, staring at me accusingly Any suggestions for a kit I could use them on? (not a Spitfire, or Hurricane, or other traditional fare. Something left-field, unusual?) Anyhoo, first thin coats on these puppies Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Ok, I won't badger you about "proper" paints anymore then :-) Kits to try that set on should include Airfix new tool Defiant (the correct 1/72 version has a nightfighter option with a sharkmouth, hint hint) or maybe a wellington, or two... The preshaded Tomahawk looks a little too shaded for my taste, but as first try goes, it does look fine! Good luck with the next layer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Nice work again Steve, great stuff BoB aircraft that's NOT a Spitfire or Hurricane? Um, er... Blenheim? The Defiant's nice as well, of course. Both Airfix new tools. Left field / unusual? Beaufighter? This list might help? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted June 10, 2017 Author Share Posted June 10, 2017 Hi All On 07/06/2017 at 8:28 AM, Christer A said: Ok, I won't badger you about "proper" paints anymore then :-) No, please do! It's always useful to hear others recommendations of products! I will get round to using them, honest. On 07/06/2017 at 8:28 AM, Christer A said: The preshaded Tomahawk looks a little too shaded for my taste Yeah I know, mine to, but hopefully the next pass should sort that out... On 07/06/2017 at 11:20 PM, CedB said: BoB aircraft that's NOT a Spitfire or Hurricane? Um, er... Blenheim? The Defiant's nice as well, of course. Both Airfix new tools. Left field / unusual? Beaufighter? This list might help? Doesn't have to be BoB as such, just I've those colours for a future experiment That's a good starting list though. Anyhoo, more paint on these two bit of graphite shading on the Tomahawk masking on and on with the last colour. First pass Second pass Must admit, this is going better than I had ever hoped, no lumps! One thing with the Tomahawk, as you might have noticed, is that the guns and aerial are moulded onto the main structure. This makes it real easy to knock them off during the build. Nuff said. Thso, letting them dry before removing the masks What will the next instalment bring, joy or heartache? Meh, they're only starter sets . Comments and that missing gun barrel welcome Cheers Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 More nice progress Steve You're teasing us with those masks... I'm in the 'dry in 10 minutes and rip it off' school. For the missing barrel I would be reaching for my box of spare parts that grows with each kit finished but I guess you don't have much of this yet. It'll be worth getting hold of some plastic strip / sheet / tube / rod for later scratch building and, eventually, some Albion slide fit tube for this and pitot tubes etc. I have the aluminium set. Your LMS or favourite online shop should have some but let us know if you need a link. You could always try stretching some sprue but I've avoided this so far... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 The starter paints are fine. I use them all the time Invest in some artists paint Flow Enhancer. It makes a real difference to any water-based acrylic paint. I add some as a regular matter every time I open a pot of acrylic paint It retards the drying of the paint and allows it to flow for a smoother finish For a starter paint pot you only need a couple of mils For the missing gun barrel; heat stretch some of the kit's plastic sprue ~~ to heat stretch sprue : select a long piece of sprue with a clean straight about 20mm long. Hold the 20mm part of the sprue over the flame of a tea candle - not too close*, maybe 20mm above it. Rotate the sprue as you hold it over the flame. It will soon go glossy, then floppy, when its really floppy, take it away from the flame, hold for a couple of seconds then pull the two ends of the sprue slowly and carefully. The 20mm part of the sprue will stretch out thin. With practice** you can make it as thin, or thinner than hair for aerials thru to as thick as a 1/72 tank gun barrel * too close and the plastic will scorch and might even start burning ** practice - sprue comes free with every kit, you just need add a tea candle and time. HSS as its sometimes called is most useful in modelling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Now we're talking! Can't wait to ser how it looks with the masks off! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 Hi All Here we go! A couple of small patches on the Tomahawk, and a couple of pinhead spots on the Mustang, but overall solid. Good news and bad news:- All that dodgy pre-shading has gone, and all that dodgy pre-shading has gone Obviously the trick is to get the dark into the panel lines nice and neat without it covering the panel, then the top coat can be sprayed on thin enough for it to show through. Still a bit heavy handed, but getting there. The Dark Green on the mustang has some good places I might try running a thin wash over them once the decals are on, see how that turns out. Thanks for the tips on stretching sprue, I've quite a bit of it now! Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomerJ_757 Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Might have to start stalking you, Prof! You're about 6 months ahead of me, followed the VC airbrush experiments and when the diy season calms down and the gardening stuff is under control then I shall endeavour to get my VC and BoB sets done! Thanks for sharing your learnings and good luck on the next one! Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 This looks nice! The best way to get the preshade to show through is off course with thinner paint. But you knew that already Don't forget to clearcoat before decaling and washing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Hi All On 14/06/2017 at 7:07 AM, Christer A said: Don't forget to clearcoat before decaling and washing! Sorted! Managed some time to get the pretty bits on. The Mustang had a couple of "Right, that's it! If you don't just go on where you're meant to, you're going in the BIN!" moments, but I got there eventually and the Tomahawk was a close second but in the end with a bit of patience, a sharp blade, and with the liberal application of Micro Sol, they came out quite acceptable to me. The disturbance along the nose cowling is the result of a 'decreased digital friction' incident Anyhoo, I'm hoping this will blend in with the lashings of grime I'm about to subject it to. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Nice one two Steve, they're looking good. Most people have problems with those Sharkmouth decals... welcome to the club! The transfers have all settled really well though - good job Sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 Hi All Just checking these photo links work So far, so good! In other news, check the paint number before you put it on. It might be dark blue/grey on the lid, but gunmetal is not the shade I was looking for Cheers Steve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 Hi All Having negated the pre shading by over applying paint (again, but getting used to the coverage), and botched the panel wash by applying the wrong paint (it must be thirty years since I opened that tin, how was I supposed to remember what colour it was?) it's time to finally varnish them up and move on. I suppose if you don't look too closely, the Mustang could seem to be just a bit dirty? and the Tomahawk could have been left out in a sandstorm overnight...? I suspect that dark blob in the rear window is a pool of grimy wash that has found its way inside. Anyhoo, on the bright side, the canopy is hand painted without all that masking carry on, and isn't the worst part of the finish Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallBlondJohn Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Don't worry about the pre-shading, I've never seen it on a real plane that hasn't been left in a field for years. Shame about the blob, otherwise both models look great. Any way to prise off the canopy and try to polish it out? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 2 hours ago, TallBlondJohn said: Shame about the blob, otherwise both models look great. Any way to prise off the canopy and try to polish it out? Aha, now that it's dried off, the blob has disappeared! Must have leaked away Cheers Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Very nice Steve, they're looking really smart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 (edited) Hi All Got the last bits'n'bobs on these Posting over in RFI here http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235023752-sharkmouths/ Here's some Not quite what I set out for, but there again, what is? Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve Edited July 7, 2017 by ProfSparks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 They look good to me Steve - off to the RFI! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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