propforward Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 (edited) Old boxing: Latest Lightning build - (I always have a Lightning on the go) is an F6. Keeping it pretty simple - an out of the box build, although I will likely replace some of the decals. As a result, not much in the way of cockpit pictures. I really didn't do anything much with the cockpit, as I intended to close it anyway- so I added some seat belts made out of masking tape, painted everything up, added the kit instrument panel decals and called it good. Here I am part way through blending in the nose ring. The nose ring on these kits just doesn't quite fit right. Got the canopy masked up, and seams blended in, and we're on to the fun stuff. On this build, I am attempting for the first time to use lacquer based paints. In this case I am priming with Gunze Mr surface finisher 1500 black. I had to stop there though, when I realised that I hadn't masked the spine light. Still, got that taken care of, finished priming, and then moved on to the lower wing grey. I am trying the technique known as "black basing", which has been subject of many internet debates. I don't care about that stuff, but I am interested in the effects I have seen reproduced. So here it is after initial marble coat and a partial blend coat. I did suffer a little bit of paint spitting on one wing, so I let the paint cure, and then sanded back and reapplied some black. I may well give the wings just a very light additional blend coat. This is where I am at now. I am very pleased with a couple of things. First - this is the first time I have used spray booths - and they work great, not just to get rid of fumes (essential for the lacquer paints - I always used a spray mask before, but acrylics don't stink up my model room like lacquers do), but theyalso provide a cleaner work area and the amount of dust and hairs in my paint finishes is all but eliminated. Second - I am finding much greater control of the paint pattern is possible, and don't get nearly as much tip drying as with acrylics, so this is a positive. It may be a case of covering up my inabilities with a product, rather than figuring out technique - but since this works I don't care too much. Third - the lacquers are nice and tough, and I can sand back the finish with very fine grade wet and dry to undo any unfortunate spits and so on - but I had a lot less runs and faults anyway. All in all - happy how this is going, looking forward to doing some more. Edited November 26, 2017 by propforward rong pitcher 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Great looking lightning👍 I have my F.3 but still want the F.6 in my collection. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Looking good. Makes me feel bad that I have yet to start any of the big Airfix Lightnings in my stash (including an Eduard reboxing...) One day... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 When the mood takes you to start one, that's the right time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 I got to the bench a bit today, and had some airbrushing fun. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Nice paint job coming on there. Ive been trying black basing myself recently and personally I quite like the effects that can be created. Are you using Mr Colour paints on this? Thanks James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Looks really good, lovely painting so far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 5 hours ago, franky boy said: Nice paint job coming on there. Ive been trying black basing myself recently and personally I quite like the effects that can be created. Are you using Mr Colour paints on this? Thanks James I am indeed - it's switching to lacquer based paints that has allowed me to get a fine enough spray pattern. The paint needs to be thinned a lot, and I find acrylics just "spider" too easily and have poor coverage when thinned enough for the finer marbling. I might have poor technique, but these paints make it easy, and they are very forgiving. I'm liking this technique - you can still leave panel lines dark if you want, but the overall black undercoat means you can mix it up across the aircraft. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Who can resist watching a 1/48 Lightning com together? The paint job appears to be coming on extremely well, looking forwards to seeing the next instalment 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 Couple more piccies. I got the tail done as well, so now it will be clear coat and decals, and also start with undercarriage and other fiddly bits. Gah! Mould seams. The most tiresome part of scale modelling. Still, just stuff to be dealt with. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Great paint work. Looking forward to more of this. I’ll follow along if you don’t mind. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Absolutely! I'm pretty happy with how this one is coming along at the moment. First model that doesn't have hairs and dust in the paint for a start - a side effect of implementing clean spray booths. I needed them for the lacquer base paint, but the cleanliness aspect is very welcome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 Progress has been a bit slow of late. Partly because of the inevitable holiday stuff, partly because it's been colder than a cold thing, and my attic workshop has been difficult to get warm. Also, because I suffered some discouragement. I made a right cods of the the nose ring. I did a nice job of making a metal looking ring, but when I masked it to complete the grey anti glare panel, I cut the panel the wrong shape, and cut too deeply and cut into the plastic. Suffice to say, it looked terrible. Well, rather than just live with it, I bit the bullet, sanded back the paintwork and polished out the scribe marks, then re masked the front fuselage and repainted it all. This time, I cut a mask OFF the model, masked the grey panel and THEN painted the nose ring (went the other way round first time which was a disaster), and now I think it looks alright. I took the opportunity to blend the grey layers a bit as well, which I think has improved the demarcation between upper and lower grey finishes, while still keeping some shading. I also painted the main wheels - using MRP "tyre black". It may seem a bit excessive to buy a paint just for tyre rubber, but I like the shade a lot better than any of my home made attempts. So that's all jolly, the undercarriage legs have had their mould seams polished out, and have been painted aluminum, now a bit more in the way of washing and detailing, get some clear coat onto the model and get some decals on. Feeling good about all that! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 And so you should. She’s looking great. Jont. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 On 04/12/2017 at 10:54 AM, propforward said: Perhaps you must try these bits out; they're a blast to work with. Cheers, Unc2 P.S: Hi there, Johnny New Year! 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 I am liking the look of that - a LOT. It's making sure that flash is removed from every single part that drives a model closer to competition finish - you just can't let any piece go without giving it some attention, or once painted the flaws just jump out. Thanks for the heads up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Yeh, my mate (loose head or tight head prop? I'm an openside flanker). They're just awesome! Vincent Po has released some incredible specialised tools for modellers. Here's his e-mail address, in case that you're interested: [email protected] I've gotten his 2mm-wide flat micro files, the .5mm round ones, the detail removers and these molding flash sanders. They took modelling into a whole new level for me. Hope it helps, bru! Cheers, Unc2 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 Thank you! Definitely interested, I shall follow up with Vincent. And - I used to play mostly loose head. Those days are behind me though. Too old, fat and slow to play rugby any more. So now I just dream about it while scale modelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 I ordered a set of those mold flash removers, and their full line up of detail removers too. I think that will help me on future Lightning mainwheel doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Uncool Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 On 03/01/2018 at 11:53 PM, propforward said: I ordered a set of those mold flash removers, and their full line up of detail removers too. I think that will help me on future Lightning mainwheel doors. So good to know! Not only are you going to speed up your build, but also your parts will look as tho a pro modeller had given you a hand. The detail removers are great to reduce the scale thickness on places such as the interior of cockpits and wheel bays - all places where the common tools won't fit. I just received the 10-cm long Section Tracer by Hobby Elements - an impressive an accurate tool for scratchbuilding and copy parts On 02/01/2018 at 11:28 AM, propforward said: And - I used to play mostly loose head. Those days are behind me though. Too old, fat and slow to play rugby any more. So now I just dream about it while scale modelling. Well, I'm nearing the elderly age of 35 myself, so with luck perhaps I'm three to four years away from retirement. It's only that I plan to stay connected with that sport by training the minor leagues, especially the newcomers in the age of 9 and up, to teach them the true spirit of rugby. So glad to have been of help, my mate! Cheers, Unc2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 I've been quite tied up lately, not much time at the bench at all. Some of that because of work, some because I'm getting ready to move house. Looking forward to the new home - just not the actual move. Anyway, got a little time in today, got a couple of panels painted, which means I can move on to decaling. Still got U/C doors and fiddly bits to paint, as well as refuelling probe, tail planes, front undercarriage and missiles - but getting there. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 Superb! How did you get the nose ring so realistic? It looks like shiny metal! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted February 5, 2018 Share Posted February 5, 2018 I can't resist a Lightning build either and I've only just found this one. I like your pre shading with the ' splatter ' effect, I think it's more realistic than uniform panel line shading. The nose ring does look very realistic, I thought you had used the Aeroclub white metal piece until I looked back and saw that it was the kit part. Very impressive. Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propforward Posted February 5, 2018 Author Share Posted February 5, 2018 Thank you sirs! It took a bit of time to blend the nose ring to the fuselage using filler putty, but it's worth the time. The fit of that piece is especially disappointing though. For the metal effect, I used alclad gloss black primer, and then alclad chrome lacquer for the shiniest metal appearance. This is the first time I got the alclad appliction right. The gloss black was very gloss - this is critical - and then the chrome goes down with a brilliant shine. I must admit to being very happy with it - and the overall paint - if I can replicate this finish on wider areas in the future I shall be very pleased. I'm hopeful that when dirtied up appropriately, the more random paint fading here, coupled with some good weathering and streaking, that this model should look decent. Long way to go, but getting there! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Looking spot on already. Bravo sir. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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