Antb

Thanks chaps

As has been said already, we are all critical of our own work, I'm terrible for it. But to say this is your first one for a very long time and to start with this kit you've done a great job. Its a tough kit but you've built it, painted it and it looks great. Building this has probably done you more good than you think, you've got straight back in and picked up some new skills in the process. Particularly with filling and sanding 🤣

Looking splendid. Why are you disappointed with it Martin, out of interest?

To say you haven't done any modelling for 50 years, and to pick up this dog of a kit, I think you've done a sterling job so far. I know its frustrating but honestly you're doing a great job

Oh man, that is a rough day. Re posting images I use Postimages: upload your photo and when done select direct link. Copy the link in there and insert into the forum. It would be good to see some work so we can give you more of a cheer from the sidelines 😀

Hey Martin, Got your message and have replied but have just seen your post here so thought i would say Hi formally and wish you a warm welcome to the forum! It seems youve had some great advice form the chaps above already, so i cant really add anything else. The kit is a right old pig, so cutting your teeth with this will give you confidence to tackle something a little easier when the time comes (either that or will put you off for life). But seriously though, the kit is horrible and is a very tough build, so dont be too hard on yourself. When i built mine i didnt realise how rubbish it was, i got it done, didnt worry too much and was relatively happy with the outcome. However, looking back at it during lockdown there was loads i could have done differently with the skills i have picked up since then, that i just didnt have at the time. Also, dont be afraid to show your work and share this with others; dont worry about other peoples standards and being as good as them- ask yourself why do you do this hobby (or why did you come back to it?); bear that in mind and have fun along the way. Sharing work allows you to learn from others, improve your skills so you can get better and finds things easier as you progress. Its also a lonely hobby so engage with others and you never know where things can go. If you need any help or advice, just drop me another line, ill help where i can. Ant

A great post iain. I've been using my wife's cricut for a while now and it is great. I've got plans to use it for other builds which will save on buying the aftermarket masks. It also opens you up to subjects for which there are no decals etc so you can go for subjects not often modelled. Tamiya masking sheet is really good I've found but a must is getting some transfer tape so the masks for stretch or tear when being lifted.

Thats a lovely looking phantom 🙌

Thanks @Hook I am undecided on the colour scheme so will have to give it some thought before i make a start

Gents, Just want to, again, say thank you for the help you have all given. I have now ordered some LAU-32's and am looking forward to cracking on with the build. Thanks again

This is a fantastic resource, just spent ages having a look through. There are some seriously great images there and loads of inspiration for what im after! massive thanks for sharing. Thanks Andre Thanks Chris.

I came across it briefly but didn't have a proper look until you posted the link. There's certainly some serious stuff there. But 25 euros for the 2 sprues I want and then postage to the UK, not to mention probable customs charges, makes it very expensive. Does look nice though. I see the sprues have LAU3's on them, were they widely used?

Andre Youre a star! Thank you again.

Thats great, thank you again! I might have changed my mind with that fantastic photo you posted up and go for the Marine version instead; or the other grey/ Alu version. 🙂 Not sure if you do, but do you know whether the rocket launcher in the picture you posted, is the LAU32 or LAU 68? I do also like the idea of the BL755 load but would need to source the carrier, or scratch one

@exdraken and @Hook Thank you! that info is great! massive thanks

Hi folks My next build is going to be Kinetics 48th scale Luftwaffe F-104g. I like the tri colour Camo of a fighter bomber unit and so have decided to go with this option. The kit contains 2 x Aim 9 sidewinders and fuel tanks only with no provision for air to ground. I've done some digging and have seen that F104's were able to carry some air to ground munitions, including rocket pods, but haven't been able to find any images online showing these load outs. I can find loads of images with the 2 aim 9s under the belly and 4 fuel tanks. I'd like to model the kit with rocket pods, (i believe they carried LAU 3's?) But would like to see if there are any images showing them being carried. Sadly, I don't have any reference books so if anyone can help with any images or information it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

No idea whats best to thin the alclad with, is it an acrylic? You can use any gloss varnish as long as you give it time to completely dry before applying the clay wash. If the gloss is dry then the wash will come off no problem at all.

Not up on my alclads but have just had a quick look at it. Decant some and add some thinner and you should be good to go with a brush. A 50/50 mix i would think would be good. Use a large size flat brush and apply thin layers at a time. You should be good to go. I would apply another layer over the decals before adding the flat coat to make sure everything is well and truly sealed in. The w and n should be OK over the top, just make sure its thinned with the same thinner otherwise you might end up with a reaction between the 2 products that would make a right old mess. Again, thin coats are the way forward. Edit. Just thinking any reason why you wouldn't use alclads matt? Re cleaning, i don't think soapy water would clean the brush properly. If you have thinners use some of that to clean up with. Do please post up some photos when you have had a bash.

Its entirely up to you whether you want to use that stuff. Personally I'm a big fan of tamiya clears so only ever use that. With regards to the white residue thats because the varnish wasn't mixed properly. Give it a good stir and when you think you've stirres it enough keep going. Give it a good mix for around a minute or so. A bit if advice id give you is don't listen to what others say is good or bad. Try things yourself and find something that works for you. The problem is people have their own preferences and what works for them wont necessarily work for you. If you can afford to do so, get a few varnishes paint something that you can use as a test bed, and try them all. See what works and go from there. At the end of the day Windsor and Newton might not work for you. But honestly, don't get bogged down with what others think. If you do it will drive you mad.

You haven't said how long you left the gloss to dry before applying the clay wash, so am only guessing that you didn't leave it long enough to fully dry and thats why the wash wouldn't come off. Any gloss, matt or satin clear coat needs around 12 hours to fully cure (i wait atleat 24 hours) to make sure everything has cured and is perfectly dry. When the clear coat is fully dry a wash will come straight off, particularly with gloss as there's nothing for the wash to bite into. Not sure whether this helps but it would be interesting to know how long you did leave the gloss to dry before applying the wash.

Gents thank you all very much, this is massively helpful. Really appreciate you all taking the time to post up the info!!

@Buz thats great info, thanks very much. If you wouldn't mind, and have the time, any info on markings etc would be greatly appreciated

Thanks for the clarification on that point Chris.

I had to give you a like as there is no "holy cow thats awesome" option. This is going to be something special iain.

Thanks chaps. @dogsbody i did read your earlier reply, thanks for posting. The pitot antenna is an interesting point. Both cranked and straight are in the box, which is great for me. Interestingly, the version for the flying tigers has the cranked version according to the instructions. Did airfix get this wrong? Re the armoured glass, this is also straight in the kit. I do appreciate the time to reply gents, so thank you.