TallBlondJohn
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Posts posted by TallBlondJohn
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Snapping struts? Welcome to the world of merry biplane building. They are usually the wrong length too, and best replaced.
Since your model is built, I'd go with the elastic thread. The polyamide requires drilling fine holes so that you can pull it through and taught (bit late now) or shrinking with heat - which can go very wrong. But you do get more consistent thickness. Elastic thread as you say gets thinner as it stretches and often isnt round in profile.
Just a tip - with biplanes, the usual build order goes out the window. Usually the top wing is left off until painting is done - which makes strut management even more fun. The real strength will come from the rigging, not the struts.
Nice job so far though - I have two in the stash, and expect issues. I shall study Bristols carefully before starting. 😉
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First place I looked TBH, but nothing on Norfolk - I'm pretty sure she wasn't just Home Fleet grey. Due to her involvement in the hunt for the Bismark I thought there would be more research on her than there seems to be - but I guess if the sources aren't there it is what it is.
A shelf of 1941 ships will be rather dull though, especially compared to 1943. At least my 1941 Suffolk is resplendent in her Airfix specified 1930s China station scheme!
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Vague plans to partner my widely inaccurate Airfix Suffolk with a correct Norfolk for the Denmark Straits- but what were the colours? The only decent Admiralty pattern photos are 1943 and just the starboard. But I don't think she was just Home Fleet Grey - an image on WW2 cruisers seems to show a splinter pattern on the superstructure and funnels (maybe to make her look like a C, D or E class). Are there any sources?
Thanks
John
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Some what-if decals would be nice...
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They are superb decals. I've applied their naval hex over matt very light grey (Humbrol 147), they come out slightly darker but no silvering and a nice fabric 'look'. My plan is to finally apply a Future varnish with a drop or two of light grey to mute down the contrast and create scale effect. I haven't tried anything more complex than that though, and I might ruin it.
I have found such decals very difficult to trim around the edges of wings, especially complex curves. For me, a scalpel blade run along the edge slips too easily - any tips appreciated.
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41 minutes ago, ArnoldAmbrose said:
Gidday, and thanks. I can add some flash, sink holes and an over-thickness gun barrel if you like. 😁 But seriously, thank you both for your comments. Regards, Jeff.
Yeah, its a shame Airfix never did some sort of 1/600 convoy set with a Liberty ship, a Flower and a U-Boat. I'd have bought it! But yours is much better.
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Well done, that's a wee beauty and scratch building your own is so satisfying. If anything it looks a little too 'crisp' as all the parts are freshly cut and not rounded slightly by the molding process. So probably more accurate, but not so traditional for 1/600!
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Great project, one that I've contemplated in 1:72 but don't fancy that much resin. These racers deserve decent kits!
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31 minutes ago, Dean Whiston said:
I think it is a common theme with MAC Distribution kits - when I build the next one of theirs I will definitely be using decal fix
Thanks for the warning (glances nervously at stash which about half a dozen of the damn things)
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Superb. Are all Phonix decals that bad?
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2015? Huh - I have builds from the last century still on the go!
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I've to a half-finished JSC Viribus Unitis that I might one day get back to, I wish I had your skill set as I found it all fiendishly hard work to look right. Is a kit like a 1/400 Heller Hood any use for complex parts?
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Probably a bit late know but I've done very fine weld lines with carefully masked paint or Mr Surfacer. I found very thin plastic strip tends to fall apart when sanding.
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On 28/01/2023 at 09:49, Paul Thompson said:
More generally, they are excellent decals backed by meticulous research- may look pricey but IMO worth every penny.
Paul.
I agree, working with them on an Albatros W4 right now and very impressed. Follow the instructions carefully - note there are clear decals (the surface must be painted white, dont try to get clever! - or sheets with a white base.
They are looking superb so far, with a varnished fabric appearance rather than the usual decal sheen. Of course I will find a way of ruining it all.
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Glorious. Just thought - why did/does/will Discovery have three pod bay doors? Seems like more weight and weakness. One or two doors and a rail system to move the three pods internally would be better. But not the same.
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9 hours ago, Steve D said:
I expect the dog boat to follow that, so check back mid-year. I've not seen that book, will get myself a copy, always nice to feature an actual vessel rather than just a type
Cheers
Steve
Gunboat 658 is a classic - IIRC correctly Reynolds was only 19 when he joined her, he was CO in two years.
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Great job - loved this kit so much as a kid. Easy to paint!
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Splendid stuff and oh to see a Dog! 658 preferably:
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Sweet wee ships. A matt varnish will cure your shininess issue and keep the decals on 🙂
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Looks good! Loved these little 1200 kits was I was small scale myself. Shame there aren't many more (that aren't terrible or resin/metal at silly prices).
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32 minutes ago, Dunny said:
The ugly duckling becomes... a slightly less ugly duck?!
Yeah - "Starting to look like a Roc" isn't necessarily a good thing. But nothing can look bad in TSS!
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53 minutes ago, Noel Smith said:
I wish that they would re tool the Vasa in 1/100th scale in light of how well researched the ship is now compared to when Airfix first issued their Vasa (Wasa) kit back in the 70's I think.
It would make for a beautiful colourful bigger display model where Airfix could really take advantage of simulating the large number of intricate figure carvings on the ship.
What would I like to see as a new model? Perhaps a Mary Rose in a bigger scale , HMS Warrior or perhaps an accurate CSS Alabama.
All these would be wonderful to see, but we wont get any new tool ships from Airfix apart from the occasional 1/350 modern RN, the sales aren't there. Maybe, just maybe, the far east might do some classic sailing ships.
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Mauve one please. Not a blue one. Don't need a blue one. Or silver, got lots of silver jets that I haven't built yet. Just one, in mauve. Yes I know the silver is classic and the blue is irresistable. Just one, in mauve. Definitely. One.
...do I have space for three?
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No Vintage Classic ships??
(Apart from Great Western, which is in a weird scale and nobody asked for
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Airfix Fairey Swordfish 1/72 - My first plane!
in Work in Progress - Aircraft
Posted
Sneaky trick - go to Scalemates and look up the instructions of other kits. I bet the big Tamiya Swordfish has a rigging guide.
Imploding rigging - been there done that. Its amazing how much tension you can feed in and not know until its too late. I use a joss stick and hold the model above my head with a well-lit white ceiling. You can guide the stream of warm smoke just where you need it and not accidentally melt the entire nose (done that too. There is something about Sopwith camels...)