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Bandsaw Steve

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Posts posted by Bandsaw Steve

    More on Airfix 2017

    in The Rumourmonger

    Posted · Edited by Reconcilor

    There had better be a 1/48 scale mk XIV Spitfire or I'll just ... well, I don't know what I'll do!  But seriously, how can such an obvious gap in the market have lasted so long? This is clearly the coolest Spitfire mark 😄and the academy botch-up is the best 1/48 model currently available! Fingers and toes crossed for this one. 🙏

    • Like 2

    Mig 15 Scratchbuild

    in Work in Progress - Aircraft

    Posted

    Thanks for the comments everyone - much appreciated. 

     

    It is now New Year's eve and I've got this one last update for 2016 for you to peruse.

     

    The basic airframe shape is now essentially complete (tailplane excepted as discussed above) and so now it is time to start priming. I use a wood-primer which is supposed to sink in and seal and protect the  wood from the surrounding environment - humidity, moisture, wood-eating microbes and so forth.  I am not completely convinced that it is necessary to use wood primer as modern spray on model primers like Tamiya and Mr Hobby seem to stick to wood very well and I think they would probably suffice.  However, as I am trying to re-visit the techniques I used to use many years ago - I'm going to do what I did 'back then'.

     

    So, after a quick look around the shed I found this 'primer, sealer, undercoat - I reckon that looks like the right kinda stuff.

    IMG_3359

     

     

    Thin it down a little bit and just brush it on.

    IMG_3360

     

     

    No need to be too particular as this coat is going to have the daylights sanded out of it anyway.

    IMG_3366

     

     

    The PVA that I used to stick the paper pattern onto the bottom of the plywood before cutting out the wing has left a nasty messy residue. This will need a good primer coat and some serious sanding to fully cover and smooth out.

    IMG_3367

    If anyone has a better alternative to PVA for attaching the paper, something that doesn't leave this mess, I'm keen to hear about it.

     

    First coat done - pretty rough - but that's of no real consequence - just get good coverage - and don't be too afraid of putting it on a bit thicker than you might with a kitset.

    IMG_3371

     

     

    Underside view. Most of the PVA residue is now obscured.

    IMG_3373

     

    And sand it back to this...Nice and smooth...

    IMG_3404

     

     

    Paint it again with a somewhat thinner coat.

     

    ACrC3Ai.jpg

     

    Inspect for surface flaws that require further filling and cleaning up. This is especially necessary given that some very mean people have voted for this model to be finished in natural metal. :-). You know who you are!

     

    QdOrCp5.jpg

     

    Apply liberal amounts of filler.

    IMG_3380

     

     

    Now that I am no longer working directly onto wood and am just working on the primed surface, I am no longer using plastic wood.

     

    cDl4Z10.jpg

     

     

    This is Vallejo model filler and this stuff is awesome! Regardless of what you build or how you build it I strongly recommend you get some of this stuff. It spreads like soft butter and dries, quickly to a very hard tough finish. It's the best modelling putty I have ever used. BTW - I have no commercial interest in Vallejo...just in case you were wondering.

     

    And now - guess what - it's back to sanding...and sanding...and sanding....with finer and finer grades of paper until you get to about this point - a nice smooth shiny model.

     

    4rKMLpH.jpg

     

     

    The model is actually much shinier than it looks in these photos, I think that apple I-phones have a polarising lens that prevents me from capturing the full shine on this finish. Suffice to say the model feels and looks about as smooth and shiny as a kitset would after priming and sanding. The only limitation that I struck is that I could not use 'wet and dry' sanding. I tried a tentative experiment with wet sand paper, but the wood primer just sort of detached and little plastic globules of it 'rolled up' under the paper - so that's a no-go.

     

    Below I have attached some authentic air-combat photographs - taken by me while flying my imaginary F86 in the neighbour's back-yard.

     

    Combat started with a high-speed, head to head cross-over. As you can see, I started with a slight height advantage which I managed to hang onto in the ensuing fight.

     

    v8t5IZ1.jpg

     

     

     

    Here I have maneuverered into a position above and behind my unfortunate opponent.

     

    IGAi8KY.jpg

     

     

    Who, despite his desperate attempt to escape with a severe break to port and high-speed Yo-Yo was unable to escape the fury of my six imaginary 50 calibre machine-guns. The fact that his aircraft was not fitted with tailplanes may have contributed to his defeat.

     

    6Oib9J9.jpg

     

    I won't post the rest of the footage as it is too graphic and violent for general public consumption. We must think of the youngsters you know!

     

     

    Next time - There's something that's really bugging me about this model at the moment, and I'm going to fix it once and for all. Am hoping to have the next posting in a week or so.

     

    Happy New Year to one and all.  I hope 2017 treats you all well and that we all build plenty of good stuff and have heaps of fun doing it.

     

    Best Regards,

    Reconcilor.

     

    • Like 9
    • Haha 1
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