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Ray_W

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Posts posted by Ray_W

  1. On 2/18/2024 at 6:56 AM, modelling minion said:

    Great choice Ray, Northrop's F-5/T-38 family has long been a favourite of mine so I'm very keen to see how you get with this one.

     

    Hi Craig, very attractive aircraft. One of the reasons I really like these group builds is I end up choosing subjects that are not my usual genre. Have to agree, it will become a new favourite for me.  

     

    On 2/18/2024 at 5:40 PM, CliffB said:

    A great choice Ray and I just love that scheme! 

     

    Thanks Cliff, certainly looking forward to painting this scheme.

     

    On 2/18/2024 at 5:44 PM, zebra said:

    Nice choice Ray. And I love the Meteor.

     

    Thanks, the Meteor was a fun build and this one has started the same way.

     

    With regard to the leading and trailing edge thickness, I found sanding improved them somewhat and provided a more scale appearance. They're not too bad as is, however, as always, thinning edges is the first thing for improving realism in IMHO.

     

    I am happy with the result ...

     

    BM Talon WIP18

     

    I was careful angling the sanding back so it achieved the effect without exaggerating what had been done. Also, did the same with the intakes.  Let's say a little artistic licence (or cheating), trading off thick edged kit plastic versus thin flat slab sided surfaces on the actual aircraft. Some re-scribing and rivetting to replace lost detail to come - not too much. Still deciding what to do with the fin ... 

     

    Ray

    • Like 10
  2. I have seen some builds of this kit with filler. Actually, you can get away with very little, if any. I started with my usual regime with some careful parts clean up, which was not onerous just clean and check some matching joins (wing roots), and judicious test fitting. No flash and small offset sprue gates.
     

    BM Talon WIP12

     

    Lovely kit, a little bit of finger pressure on assembly, extra thin cement and we should get out of it with a nice clean build. 

     

    BM Talon WIP13

     

    The rear fuselage benefits from adding some additional locators.

     

    BM Talon WIP15

     

    Seems like I did not achieve much over the weekend, but I did devote a fair amount of time to getting the fit right while researching the cockpit.

     

    Next job is working out a strategy for thinning leading and trailing edges. Somewhat thick ...

     

    BM Talon WIP16

     

    ... tricky, without losing the engraved detail and giving my self a lot of work. 

     

    BM Talon WIP17

     

    Then again, finer engraving and rivetting may not be a bad option. The flying surfaces are petite. Top sides only and front and rear of the fin. Not too much to do. I'll think about this one before launching into it.

     

    Ray

     

     

     

    • Like 7
  3. I was hunting for an aircraft that first flew in 1959.  A 1/48 X-15 would of been a nice choice, although the kits are now reasonably rare and going for the expected :shocked: price. Option 2 was the Talon. Also first flew in 1959. Wolfpack has the kit and it's still available, plus the bonus of an aftermarket decal set for the Talon covering the period "USAF 1960 ~ 80 Era".  Everything was promptly ordered and we're ready to start.

     

    BM Talon WIP10

     

    The kit decals are for the early 2010's period. Nicely printed by Cartograf, but not what I wanted. The kit does come with masks.

     

    BM Talon WIP7

     

    The Wolfpack aftermarket decal set has the delightful white and fluorescent orange finish - October 1961 - a boomer in a boomer finish. Good to go. 

     

    BM Talon WIP8

     

    Decals again by Cartograf

     

    BM Talon WIP9

     

    Should look nice beside my Meteor ...

     

    BM Meteor Gallery2

     

    Now this is one I should be able to finish in time. Two sprues and some nice clear parts.

     

    BM Talon WIP3

     

    BM Talon WIP4

     

    BM Talon WIP11

     

    And I did add the Wolfpack T-38 Update set. This one without the early solid wheels, so I'll need to modify these. As usual, I wonder how much of it I'll actually use ... 

     

    BM Talon WIP5

     

    ... maybe the seats. But, when I do some investigation, these may not be correct for the period. EDIT: Found the info. Seat is correct for the version just a matter of possibly need to remove the drogue chute container.

     

    BM Talon WIP6

     

    Bench is clear. Let's make a start - subject research, parts clean-up and test fitting.

     

    Ray

     

     

    • Like 18
  4. 3 minutes ago, TG28 said:

    Ray, that 190 looks great. Was he silver on top of the wings done with a pencil?  It looks great.

     

    Thank you. Yes it was. An artist's pencil does have its limitation. It likes a matt surface, although, you'll note my finish has a slight sheen which it has taken to. To my eye aircraft always look more realistic with a slight sheen. I apply the pencil as a last step. 

     

    The sort of effect where there is variable wear in the top coat is easy to achieve with chipping fluid/hairspray and less so with the hard edge liquid mask. The beauty of chipping fluid is the variation - wholesale wear to mere scratches - duplicating the actual wearing process. I like the control.

     

    StuG III Finished 9

    .

    But, there are examples where people achieve great effects with liquid masks for chipping effects.

  5. Both materials have their use depending on the subject, scale and desired effect. If you're looking for hard edge chipping effects, for example, US Olive drab aircraft leading edge and cowling wear to undercoat/metal finishes (please ICM B-26 soon :waiting:), the liquid masks with sponge application works very well.  If you seek considerable variation and density of wear such as winter whitewash finishes, chipping fluid/hairspray is my preferred. Really no hard or fast rules. 

     

    Even the humble silver pencil works where appropriate. Difficult to get this effect with liquid masks (1/48) and even more controllable than hairspray, but maybe too subtle for some and impossible to capture effectively on gloss finishes. Let's say, "horses for courses".  

     

    BM Fw190A-8 Gallery2

     

    Liquid mask paint chipping seems to have gained some traction in recent years. Vallejo promote it and it is a good way for them to sell more of their liquid masking solution. I could be a cynic and say commercialisation of techniques that we have been using for some time (I use W&N Art Masking Fluid), but I wish all companies who support our hobby success, so bring it on.

     

    Both methods are simply additional tools in the kitbag. Their usage dependent on the effect you want, comfort in your own abilities, and what the photo evidence suggests.

     

    Ray 

  6. 17 hours ago, SGS2024 said:

    So the question is do any of you excellent modellers do "commissions" - ie could you build a pint a model for me? Please advise. Thanks.

     

    That model was mine, although it's currently on the other side of the planet and I am not so much into commission work. However, your question might be better raised in the modeller's chat section where you will get a broader response and some may offer you a solution. By the way, I was 61 when I built that model and I'm still planning future projects and making kits. Just warming up.

     

    Ray  

  7. Hi Craig,

     

    Sorry I could not post the images in time for the conclusion of the GB. The model is on the opposite side of the planet. In hindsight, I should of just posted the WIP images.

     

    Sadly, not much time for modelling in the past 6 months due to work and travel commitments. My New Year's resolution is to complete the two 2024 GB's I have committed to - Boomers and Stuart - and then focus on completing the raft of models started in the past 18 months and get back to my one kit and finish dictum. 

     

    Thanks as always for your commitment and support. See you around the builds.

     

    Ray

    • Like 3
  8. I really looked forward to this and was totally disappointed with the exception of Vanessa Kirby's acting as Josephine. I saw it on IMAX and then on return home watched Sergei Bondarchuk's 1970 Waterloo as a palette cleanser. The latter was a brilliant film and I prefer its historical accuracy and, dare I say, acting. Bondarchuk without CGI and yes,  too many explosions rather than solid shot (it was 1970 effects), but the Scots Greys, Ney's charge, the British squares located at the back of the ridge, "Scotland the Brave" and so on. Small detail, I like is all the messenger's on horse back traversing the battlefield delivering messages. A must watch.

     

    I could go into detail on Ridley's Napoleon - but, too many spoilers. Still definitely one to see on the big screen. Possibly Ridley's well over 4 hour director's cut to be released on Apple may be better. 

     

    Ray

     

     

    • Like 4
  9. On 11/22/2023 at 5:20 PM, Redstaff said:

    I've tried reading it a couple of times, but struggle somehow, maybe the audiobook version might do it for me

     

    I find the heavier tomes and classics can work very well with exceptional narration and also ensuring they are the unabridged version. I recently did that with the audio version of War and Peace and loved it.  I have got into the habit of repeat reading first in print and then returning in audio some time later. Did that with Masters of the Air. Having said that, I read Moby Dick again on Kindle and also thoroughly enjoyed it. 

     

    Just finished Thomas Asbridge The Crusades. I had put it off for some time due to comments on the narration. So glad I ignored this and completed it in time for the current issues in that region. 

     

    Current audio book is The Brothers Karamazov. 

     

    Ray

     

     

  10. Subject chosen. Wanted something that first flew in my birth year. An X-15 would of been nice, but tracking down a 1/48 Special Hobby at a reasonable price was not easy. So another option was chosen and promptly ordered:

     

    BM Talon WIP1

     

    And a nice early scheme using the Caracal sheet.

     

    BM Talon WIP2

     

    Now that is a paint scheme I am really looking forward to.

     

    Ray

    • Like 5
  11. Recently, there was the ongoing discussion regarding the Hispano 20mm Mk. I and Mk. II cannons as fitted to the Hurricane, with the comments that belt-fed meant Mk. II.  On further reading, from primary sources, I found so much variation between possible parts options that it was difficult to determine the difference between a Mk. I and the Mk. II. I recently received this 1940 handbook:

     

    Hispano Mk I Mk II Handbook 1940

     

    The introduction summarises differences in the final paragraph. Also note the mention of fitting Mk. II parts to the Mk. I and the hand written reference to 'BELT FEED MECHANISM'.

     

    Hispano Mk I and II differences

     

    The handbook goes into great detail describing all the mix-and-match components for gas operation, cocking, and breech block variation, and this was only 1940. It gets further confusing as sometimes a new mark number is used for a part, and this does not necessarily mean that it was a part designed specifically for either the Mk. I or Mk. II cannon.

     

    The handbook is also not clear on the most visible part of the cannon installation: the mounting spring arrangement. 

     

    Hispano Mk I and II differences (2)

     

    Possibly, at the time of publication, the round mounting spring alternative to the square spring had not been adopted, the square spring being evident in the early Hurricane Mk IIC installations.  

     

    However, the manual is very clear about the Mk. I cannon belt feed option: 

     

    Hispano Mk I Belt Feed Mechanism

     

    So where does this leave us? A reasonable conclusion is that drum-fed or belt-fed does not necessarily indicate the cannon type.

     

    Bottom line? The usual modeller's dictum applies: try to get an image of your chosen subject and replicate what you see. I also recommend some caution when ordering aftermarket, where the nuances may not have been captured. 

     

    Ray

     

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1
  12. Hi Steve,

     

    Just catching up with this and really like the idea of letting "Shelf of Doom" builds slip into a GB with Gallery rules. I'll have to use this as an excuse for completing some other stuff in the future.  

     

    Wonderfully smooth finish. Have you brush painted already? What was your technique? 

     

    Ray

    • Like 1
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