Suddensky Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 So I bit the bullet and got down to painting the national insignia... I was feeling a bit conflicted at this point; on one hand there was a a pretty high probability that I would make an entire dog's breakfast of the whole affair and end up ruining the whole build, it was not too late and I could still use the transfers. On the other hand, the whole idea behind making the masks was that I preferred the painted on look... and I had invested too much time in making the things not to use them now... so on I went. After a few dabs of Maskol, first on was on ever-so-slightly dirty white over the whole area of the insignia which was allowed to dry, then the whole mask went back on with the backing paper still in place, and was taped down once in the right position. One side was then peeled back and the portions of the mask which would be remaining, ie the white areas of the job had the backing paper removed. This side was then lowered back in to place, taped down, and the other side was lifted and had the appropriate bits of backing removed before being stuck down again. This should in theory have got the sticky bits of the mask in exactly the right places, I then just had to remove all of the surrounding bits and I was ready to go with the insignia blue... How happy am I with the result? Well it's not perfect by any manner of means, but for a late war aircraft after dozens of missions I kind of hoping to get away with thinking that there would have been damage to repaint in the field and that the end result might not have been exactly factory accurate... One thing which I've discovered is that any over-spray of the acrylics can be cleaned up even when dry with a cotton bud and some airbrush cleaner without affecting t he Alclad. This is a good thing as I'll definitely have to take a cocktail stick soaked in the stuff to the edge of that port side marking. Also got the serial number and the final aircraft code on to the tail: A little bit wonky I'm afraid, and particularly don't look at the 4... You just did, didn't you... One upshot of all of this messing about is that I still have the pristine, almost in tact Kitsworld transfer sheet number KW132083, from which I'll only be using the nose art and airframe information stencil. The serial numbers, squadron codes and group markings have not been used. Similarly with the stencilling and national insignia sheet number 132069, I will use all of the little bits but the actual national insignia will be untouched.If anyone would like either or both of these then let me know and they can go gratis to a good home, I'll even pay the postage. Next up... on with the transfers... Thanks for looking, Regards, Peter 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suddensky Posted May 27, 2015 Author Share Posted May 27, 2015 I really am getting pretty close to the end now... just got to remind myself to take my time and not rush things just to get it finished. I do tend to suffer from buck fever towards the end of a build... Got the exhausts done and fitted: Likewise the wheels: And the other one: Sorry about the iPhone pics, the flash really makes things look harsh. I did the distinctive exhaust staining with Tamiya Rubber Black, I was going to add some smoke or light grey to the edges but thought I'd stick with what I'd done seeing as I was pretty happy with it. So here she is in all her - admittedly upside down - glory... There are just a couple more sticky out bits for underneath then I can turn the whole thing over, after that it's just a case of adding the mid-upper turret, one more transfer on the nose, some aerials, guns and props, and we are good to go... with any luck this should be finished tomorrow night and in RFI with proper pictures by the weekend... Amazing what can be accomplished when one's wife is in Malaysia for a few days. Thanks for looking, and thanks for sticking with it... Now what should I build next? An adversary; Hasegawa Dora or Trumpeter 109G; a protector, Tamiya Mustang; or something completely different? Regards, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 You can paint my exhausts any day! Love how you've painted the rusted effect on them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suddensky Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 Many thanks Woody, although in the name of transparency I should confess that I used a technique I found on LSP... But that's OK right? That's 'learning'... Here's the link. (Sorry, I can't seem to find a hyperlink button) http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=47431&page=4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Ditto on the exhausts Peter, they're amongst the best I have seen. Nearly there. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suddensky Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 Thanks John, two work deadlines today and then I'm going to get it finished... as the man said: 'tonight's the night...' Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHAR67 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Wow now thats looking real sweet you have a nice finish there bud. Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suddensky Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 (edited) Well it is done... I'm calling it finished for now. May do a spot more weathering but will leave well enough alone for the time being. Couple of disasters; some fogging on the nose glass, might be from the Alclad fumes, and I've managed to pop a seam too. Not too much I can do about any of that now, so I'll just enjoy the feeling of having finished it. Just some iPhone pics for now, Susan's back tomorrow so she can take some decent ones over the weekend: I started this kit in the middle of October... so it's given me over seven months of modelling, I've probably dropped about £100 on extras and Alclad, so let's say the whole thing cost £350, that sounds al lot, but for seven months hobby... I think it's a bargain at just over £1.55 per day. It's been great fun, not overly demanding (except for the sheer size of it) and I still managed to make my usually high number of foul- ups, but overall I'm happy with it... or is that just happy that it's done? Now on to one of my favourite bits: clearing down the bench and selecting another victim from the stash, maybe something a little smaller this time. Thanks to everyone for their comments along the way, and thanks for sticking with it, I know it's been a long haul. And now... it's time for wine. Regards, Peter Edited May 28, 2015 by Suddensky 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I have got to say this but that is b****y big kit there Peter. And it looks great. One thing though, where are you going to put it ? Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suddensky Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 Thanks!!! I'll be honest with you... I have no idea. Once I wanted to put it on it's wheels I actually had to take it downstairs to the kitchen table where I stuck the topside fiddly bits on. There was just no room for it on my bench. I've now moved it to an imposing position on the dining room table, but from there... I just don't know. Oh well... for me the fun's in the building, although it would be nice to have this on view somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 I have got to say this but that is b****y big kit there Peter.And it looks great. One thing though, where are you going to put it ? Exactly! Well done John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logical Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 I'd love one of these. Now while swmbo is happy for me to spend a couple of hundred squid on a cycling coat. She wouldn't allow me to spend it on a plane. I have the ideal place for it too. On the wall behind the telly. It'd have to be a Belle although I have seen Mother and Country decals too for these... Gorgeous kit and really interesting watching it develop. Stunning work Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Awesome work. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Big WOW! from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 (edited) WOW!!!! What a good build. I so dearly want one of these, but the South African Rand has tanked and it is horrifically expensive to buy. Good work. As to where to put it, I saw a kit review where they said it comes with a wall mount. Did you net get that? Edited September 12, 2015 by Drift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 looks stunning, very nice work... great job on the scheme and finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 That is lovely!! Great work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suddensky Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 WOW!!!! What a good build. I so dearly want one of these, but the South African Rand has tanked and it is horrifically expensive to buy. Good work. As to where to put it, I saw a kit review where they said it comes with a wall mount. Did you net get that? Many Thanks, yes I did use the wall mount in the end, it just takes up too much flat surface space otherwise. It's on the wall in my study and TBH it's lost a bit of its impact now it's not standing flat. Thanks to all for the kind comments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Alan Bardell Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Wow! That's a great looking B17. well done sir, stunning work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now