Cookenbacher

OK, the first metal experiment is complete - as usual, lighting can really change the appearance of a metal scheme. Neither of the pictures have had any post processing, just one is with a lot of light and the other with a little less:

High quality result on both of these Dennis, they look fantastic in the Gallery. Rest up, heal up and keep building models my friend!

Yes, but a grinch who can enjoy all the tasty Christmas treats - I expect your heart to grow several sizes that day. The P-47 is looking great.

That's some clever belly surgery Adrian, well done.

I just visited the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum for the first time this past Saturday - they have a very impressive collection.

Gee-whiz Stew, you definitely haven't lost your "belongs on the box top" abilities - hope all is well my friend!

With a cockpit that nice made from scratch, I'm wondering if you even need the kit for the rest!

Thanks everybody! Managed to get the landing gear attached Did a little bit of weathering with watercolors and Vallejo washes A little clean-up to do yet, but just about done

So sorry to hear that Terry, condolences from Seattle. I suppose we all owe her a debt of gratitude for helping get you into the hobby.

That's some smooth paint work AW

Small update, decals have begun They're a mix of Tamiya kit, Barracuda Cals, Kits-World and Techmod in order to try and match the ref pic:

Another great metal finish Patrice

Very sorry to hear about your loss AW, all the best you and your family. Nice start on your Thunderbolt, and looking forward to seeing that cool scheme.

That's a good idea - I'll have to re-read your WIP now Giorgio!

Hi Dennis, I have in the past - and I really like the method you describe. I used it on 'Cookie' the Mustang. For this P-47 build, since I'm layering metallics over one another, I was afraid I'd swirl too much True Metal over the stripes if I painted them first. Of course I may end up doing that anyway! Thanks Giorgio! Hi Stefan, yes that's the plan - I'm pretty much committed now that I've painted the cowling white! Hi Terry, I didn't seal it being afraid that it would ruin the nice metal effect that True Metal gives. It definitely is a risk though, because there was plenty of silver residue on the masking tape when I removed it! I'll have to go back over a few areas. Does anyone know if @CedB does a clear coat on his exquisite metal birds? You can see a spot on the right stabilizer and left wing where a lot of metal past pulled up I got the the anti-glare panel and the ID stripes on the stabilizers painted up. Masking removed Meanwhile, I couldn't help but start another P-47 - this time a Tamiya bubble-top The harness is from a Fine Molds set and it's plastic rather than PE, which I really appreciate (I still didn't manage to attach it properly though). I've been looking at lots of 1/72 Tamiya Bubble-top builds online and noticed that is seems to be common for there to be a requirement for a lot of filler on the leading edge corner where the separate spine attaches to the fuselage. So, I attached the spine halves first, suspecting a similar problem that plagues the Corsair turtle deck behind the cockpit Yep, there seems to be a gap Filled with plasticard - a little too thoroughly, I'll have trouble attaching the antenna post now! I'm not sure what metal technique I'll use for the bubble top, but it will be different from the razorback.

Well done for sure Jean, scribing has to be one of the most difficult things to do in this hobby.

Expert [out of focus] camera work! Masked up and painted the invasion stripes

If you want keep everything water based, Stynylrez is the way to go, it dries very smooth a can be sanded if you're patient enough to wait 24 hours or so. If you're willing to use alcohol based paints, any Tamiya matt color will do, it dries very smooth and adheres to plastic well. For varnishes, I had Windsor & Newton recommended to me here, and it works really well - make sure the matt varnish well mixed and don't apply it too thick or it can cloud (this is true of pretty much all matt varnishes).

Wonderful work so far! For that gap, I'd be tempted to use Tamiya's white or grey putty - it smells terrible, but it bonds to plastic, which I think you'd want in this case.

OK. let the experimenting begin: I want some variation among the various panels, but this wing is too much! I gave the entire model (except the top side of the right horizontal stablizer - where I was happy with the result of True Metal past over Vallejo Metal Color over Stynylrez metal primer) a light coat of VMC Aluminum: It's such easy paint to work with. And I began working in some True Metal paste with a cotton bud: That ended up more varied and somehow shinier (if not smoother) than the more pristine VMC finish. At this point, I have to admit that this thing has a bunch of imperfections (or just plain messes) due to: several bits of film from the rivets are still on the model, undetectable until under a shiny metal finish, some bits of glue from the rivets escaped my attention, several fingernail scratches caused by frantically trying scrub away the above film and glue, plus the usual bits of dust that always finds their way onto metal finishes. I finally had to give up when I realized my clean up efforts were becoming worse than the original mess. But the experiment must go on!

Good to know the 1/48th turtle deck fits - great start Giorgio (even if there was no paint)

Ah, more silent elegance - glad you're still at these Terry. Speaking of, I'm pretty sure I saw one of your earlier efforts while watching an SMW video recap on the YouTube.

Yes, this is looking excellent.

I've got some of those HGW positive rivets and so, why not? They apply similar to gigantic decals - just one for the left wing! But, I ended up very impressed with them - very subtle and they seem to be pretty durable. Still have the fuselage and tail to go.