[1/32 BSG Viper MkII (Finished! 14/09/2014)]

4th Dimension?!!… What sort of drugs must marketing people be on to write such silly stuff? Unless it's one of those weird language translation things.

Head down and bum up to get something finished. Here is the figure finish painted just waiting for the plinth to dry before he can go in the case.

The shading is none too subtle but I'm pleased that it looks okay. Neat little figure and will look good on the shelf with my other NASA stuff.

Thanks for looking and I'll get back to the Viper now .

Dan

[1/32 BSG Viper MkII (Finished! 14/09/2014)]

Dropped in on the hobby shop today and surprise, surprise picked up a little distraction.

I mean for ten bucks how bad could it be?

Actually not bad at all once you fill all the gaps left from them cutting the miniature into parts to make it a 'Puzzle?'

Bit more to do then add the arms and he's done.

Thanks for dropping by for a look.

Dan

[1/32 BSG Viper MkII (Finished! 14/09/2014)]

Thanks Madhatter!

I couldn't help myself I had to see if I could get one of the stripes painted tonight.

Dan

[1/32 BSG Viper MkII (Finished! 14/09/2014)]

Progress; ( Thanks to some advise I managed to smooth the worst of my first rough acrylic paint job with Windex soaked cotton balls )

Rough as but starting to put some details in and trying to get some volume to the white/grey main colour. Will mask off the red stripes next.

Thanks for the encouraging comments guys. This has been a mostly fun build so far.

Matt - He sure does look a bit like the master chief. As a child of the late 60's early 70's I much prefer the original series in all it's campy glory, but this Viper sure looks neato

Thanks for dropping in for a look.

Dan

[1/32 BSG Viper MkII (Finished! 14/09/2014)]

I've been messing about with this kit for a couple of weekends now. Progress so far;

Cockpit and pilot.

Basic assembly and first primer

I have made a display stand from some bits I picked up from the local hardware store. I will need to work out some kind of nameplate for the kit to finish it off. I will next tackle the painted on stripes and decals then get to the fun part of weathering the finish.

​Thanks for dropping in for a look.

Dan

[1/24 Revell Gemini (Hatch install 27/04/14)]

Thanks Billy.

A bit of progress that cost me all day messing about

I know it's not 100 percent accurate but once I thicken and add detail to the hatches it will be all right. At the very least the hatch sits very flush closed and opens to 90 degrees as in the photos.

Lots of fiddling about with 1mm brass wire and some styrene tube. Now I just have to get the other one to work

I think it's time for a beer...

Dan

[AMT 1/200 Man in Space - Retro NASA nostalgia]

Thank you Greg, I got distracted by the larger 1/24 Revell Gemini Capsule I'm Building. But yes The Saturn is am impressive beast even in 1/200 scale. I will continue with the set presently but my hobby time has shrunk to almost nil lately due to pressure of new job Swings and roundabouts, I always say never complain when you have work!

Dan

[1/24 Revell Gemini (Hatch install 27/04/14)]

My goal with this kit is to just add some basic details and get a nice looking model from this old kit. I have bought some lovely aftermarket decals from Space Model Systems and hope with them and some bits and bobs I can make something reasonable.

So far I have put together and begun painting the crew. One of the figures I modified to add a little animation to the very static pose.

Bit better close up of the finished crewman.

Today found me working on roughing out the capsule and interior. I have removed the ejection seats from the back wall as i plan to add some details to the basic kit seats and install them separately.

The reaction motors where drilled out and the shingels re-scribed and tidied up ( still have a lot of work to do on the very nose.)

Started work on some tabs and bracing to locate the interior within the capsule shell. Most of the kit fits well enough but a lot of the details are soft.

I hope to add a few details to make the kit at least more representational of the Gemini spacecraft. Next on my list is working out how i will hinge the doors as I don't like the simple loose pivot that comes with the kit.

Thank you for dropping in for a look.

Dan

[AMT 1/200 Man in Space - Retro NASA nostalgia]

Progress;

Two kits finished in two days! What's the world coming to? Okay, so this one only has nine parts and some ordinance in 1/32 has more parts than that but that's not the point. I've doubled my out put of 2113 already!

This kit is so much fun! Did get a bit bogged down with Dremeling out around the escape tower but I think it looks better. I'm off to start the Gemini now!

Dan

[AMT 1/200 Man in Space - Retro NASA nostalgia]

My space geek rises to the surface. Bought this kit yesterday afternoon and had to jump right in. Such a rush and with much gleeI feel like I'm ten again. Build and paint just as fast as you can.

The Mercury-Redstone came out okay so I'm starting on the Mercury - Atlas. Never had this kit as a kid but so simple it hurts. Only six pieces in the Mercury-Redstone and not many more in the others. But the shapes are pretty good and the decals seem to work so fingers crossed we are good to go! All I did on this one was the Dremel out some detail into the escape tower and try and add some texture to the capsule. I like the idea that all the kits are to a contain scale and level of detail. i did also grab the new Dragon Gemini capsule to give it a go as well. Hmmm, Gemini, can't wait for the repop from Revell in 1/24!

Some pictures to start.

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Stayed up late last night well, early this morning and sprayed some more.

A little progress;

Really happy with the tail as I agonised over the placement of the second mask(black) for ages hoping and trying to get it centred. The figure eight came out better than I had hoped though that said I think I will add a thin seal of Vallejo liquid mask around the thin white masks to seal out the black over spray. I will also have to work on getting them straight! I must say that after an initial period of struggle with the Montex masks I have really enjoyed working with them. Those thin white stripe masks would have been mindbending if cut from Tamiya tape. The Montex ones are thick enough that you have a bit of an edge to lean the mask into and follow around the main mask. They are flexible but have a decent 'memory' that lets them follow the original shapes of the mask. Also of note is that the adhesive sticky but not too sticky and responds well to being handled. For me these are a boon as I hate and have very little success with waterslide decals.

I'll stop bugging you good folks and get on with the rest of the markings. I want to get on to the dry transfers and then the clear coats because that means. Weathering!!!

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

A tiny bit of Progress;

Played a bit with the Montex masks. Lots of messing about before I got a work method that seemed to give me the result I was looking for. A pretty good product and very worth the price. They stick well and conform okay. They don't conform as easily as masks you cut from Tamiya tape but they save a lot of time and aggravation not having to cut the design out by hand. I do wish that each marking had some notes on them as I spent ages making sure I used the right size for the bottom wing. ( I nearly didn't ) I still need to work on lining everything up but that's why I started with the bottom wing . I'm sure you could save them and use them again but I didn't bother. I will buy another set or two.

Will press on with the rest of the fuselage now that I have a way clear. Lots still to do but This is a part of building I really love. As each new mask comes off the plane is more and more complete.

Chris - Thanks! I'm thrilled you said subtle. I don't do subtle well but I'm working on it all the time.

keefr22- I need to keep that idea of a pink undercoat in mind next time I paint as it might come in handy for different colours. I will tell you another weird colour combination that works better than I would have thought. Use a light flesh colour to drybrush very dark greys and black. Works a treat and makes the detail pop much more than a light grey would.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Thanks Keith, I never got any Super Scale Airfix as a kid but I well remember them on the top shelf of the local hobby shop. No I was more a Monogram kid, though they did seem to suffer at the hands of my Pellet Gun.

Progress;

Yellow went on pretty well. The pink undercoat seemed to warm up the base for the yellow. I usually use Tamiya Flat yellow warmed up with some flat red. Then just the yellow as a highlight. I didn't want to add any white for fear of washing out the yellow and making it look chalky. Think this is the best large bit of yellow I've ever managed. Another thing I have been plying with is adding about 20-30 percent Tamiya Flat Clear to my mixes. Making more of a tint than an outright paint. I have saved the nose for this week end when I can spend a proper amount of time masking it. I can feel myself rushing and that's never a good sign. So I'll put her aside till the weekend to harden up.

Thanks for looking.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

I'm pleased you guys like the 109 so far. Thanks for all the encouraging support. Here she is in some more paint.

Progress;

Re-did the belly trying to be more subtle, not my strongest suit.

Then on to the main event, Camo!

I know too loud but the weathering will tone it all down and darken the 65 and 02. Tried real hard not to be too leopard skinned patchy. But it's done now and I have still to tackle the yellow(shudder).

All good thou it took much longer to do than I had planned the day just went by in a blink. I hope you guys like it. I'm surprising happy which is unusual for me

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Progress:

Now in colour

The paint job is getting there. I think there is still too much contrast but a few more passes will sort that out. Once that sets up nice and hard I will tackle the greens. Then the markings and dents and dings!

Thanks for all of the great comments.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Progress;

Gone all stripy

Three colours dark and three colours light like I always do. Need to let her set for a day to rest before starting on the camouflage. Think I'm going to do a plain jane RLM 65 blue hard edged up to the spine. I can always add some mottles if I want to go nuts. Yellow nose and tail natch

Thanks for all the kind support guys, my wife thought I'd ruined the pretty neat paint as she rather liked the all over grey. I say the more grubby the better!

Woody37- Funny you said that I was thinking much the same as I used a drop of white glue to mask off that very hole. I wonder if I can get some fine tube to direct the blast

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Progress, boring stuff but progress;

Primers on.

I'm pretty pleased as the nose panels were all over the place, well not too bad for a 70's Airfix kit if you know what I mean, but still a lot of careful fettling tio get them on straight. Sure would hate to try and make this with removable cowlings. Now it's on to the fun bit pre-shade and paint! Still have to pick a scheme out of about a zillion ones I like. Have all next week to choose as won't be able to get much done with too much work to do. Nice to have the bf-109 in the paintshop as it looks mean now. I have some masks for the markings so that should in theory make it a bit easier. I like the subtle way the rivets came out as they will all but dissappear under the camouflage.

Thanks for stopping by for a look see.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Progress;

Worked on the other wing this weekend and I'm getting close to being able to mount both wings, Yeah! I hate having to do more than one of anything so this work was a bit of a drag. Did get to mount the Aber brass FF 20mm canon, They are sweet!.

This wing have a bit of a warp so out can even more epoxy putty and a bit of aluminium tube to make a spar.

Just goes to show how much epoxy putty I use... I never use a little when a lot will do

More to show next time as the wings go on! I'm a little stuffed as I don't quite know how I'm going to mount the main gear as the weird moveable way that Airfix would have you do it is a non starter.

I'm sure more putty is in my future.

Keefr22- Thanks for the ideas, much to think about... I've sucsessfully not thought about the dust all week, hmmm Maybe I can wish it away

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Thanks for the idea Woody but unfortunately the cockpits stitched up tighter than a fishes ... I have been advised that they make anti static guns for cleaning the dust off vinyl records. Ideally that would just let the dust fall off the glass. But they run something like $70 new! I think I had one ages ago in another life, Yep, I'm old enough to remember collecting 45's I must have sold it along with all my lp's and 45's ages ago. I did a web search and found a How-to make one out of some bits and pieces. I might have to give that a try. Thank for the encouragement.

DAn

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Last for the update for the weekend.

Progress (Sort of );

The canopy is on and seated properly. That's the good part. But as you can see I have some sanding dust in the cockpit . It's not so bad in person, the camera makes it a lot worse, but it is there. I did reach for the Hammer of Destruction as the canopy and cowls have been a bear to get right. Any body have any tips on how clean it with out removing the canopy.( Its way stuck on with tons of superglue. Needed a lot of force and assistance to get it to sit down at all. In fact I have a tiny stress mark too ) I think if I could cancel out the static build up in the clear canopy then it would just drop to the floor of the cockpit which I could live with. Any ideas?

I did reinstate the rear canopy seam and I've painted in the interior colour. So It's off to masking and the a shot of primer once the wings are on. I'm admittedly a bit gutted by the dust but I'll keep pressing on and finish this one. It's not very noticeable under normal viewing and it's not like I'll be winning any contests with her.

Thanks HL-10 -- As much as I like working with these old kits there are times I long to a drop fit Tamiya build

Thanks for looking.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Progress;

Gunsight, just shards of styrene and paint.

Spikelhund -- Thanks for your comments they mean a lot to me. For better or worse I do tend towards the high saturation, high contrast paint styles. I'm still pretty ham fisted with the paint but it looks better at normal viewing distance.

Clive -- Thanks! Oh, do drag out the old girl. I love these old kits. Never could afford them as a kid and they aren't too bad even today. Sure look nice once finished and have a nice WOW factor.

John -- You're too kind I don't know how much I'd use my work as reference, I know where the bodies are buried on this build If I can get folks interested in the old Airfix kits that would be great. I'm encouraged you like some of the little details I'm putting in.

Tomorrow sees me zipping up the cockpit and starting on the other wing.

Daylight savings robs us of a whole hour tonight .

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Progress;

With a new job to learn I haven't had much time to work on the 109,but I did get to grips with the canopy.

I don't know if it was me or not but the darn thing didn't want to fit in the closed possition. The back bit was 1-1.5mm below the spine and the middle bit didn't fit at all. The front section has been milled out for the IP and sanded to wafer thinness in some spots. I've had to add some styrene shims as well. Real blacksmith work . This how it looks with the rear section glued and puttied in and the hinged and front section just sitting in place. I'm going to have to glue the hinged section to the front as it wants to 'suck in' at the joint. I have worked over the armoured head rest and painted it. I've been trying out watercolours as a wash medium and so far so good. Fast and plenty permeant for this work. The trick for avoiding tide marks is to wet the whole piece and then apply the colour. A lot faster than oils that's for sure.

Oh, and here's a shot of the seat in the office.

I'm off to mess about with the gunsight and some handles so that I can glue this all in and move forward.Thanks for dropping in for a look.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Progress;

I got the HGW seat belts the other day and rushed to put them on. I like the new material but my set didn't have any instruction. My vanity got in the way and I thought I knew how they went together. So I built, then looked at some photos. DOH! I know the belts aren't right but I'm going to close the canopy anyway. Still, no excuse for not looking at some references first. I liked how they came out. They are a bit easier to work with than Radu's but The photoetch seems thinner. Also the fabric material is thinner too. They got a couple of coats of matt medium to seal them and then some watercolour washes. Not subtle but then I'm ham fisted and they look better at usual viewing distance. I'm undecided as to if they are better than Radu's just different. Much better for me than Eduards, I can't get those pre-painted photo etched ones to work at all.

Did some more bits for the cockpit so I can get that sealed up. 'Bout it for mid week.

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Thanks Hendie and malt!

I don't know that I have the corner on patience. Need to preserver and finish the other wing now.

Dan

[1/24 bf109e-4 Airfix (11/24 Markings started)]

Thanks Woody, I could never hold out saving for one of these as a kid, the latest 1/48 Monogram always took my cash first .

Progress;

Prop and spinner;

Main landing gear;

Lots more un-photogenic work done to the radiator and under wing. Once sorted I'll tackle the other wing.

Thanks for looking in.

Dan