Shelliecool Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 My next build is Airfix's 1:72 Curtiss Tomahawk IIB. This kit was one of my Christmas presents and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the build. I plan to build it straight from the box, with the exception of a homemade stand so the aircraft can be displayed in flight. So here goes, first up is the obligatory photos of the box art and sprues........ The box contains 2 grey sprues, with little to no flash and nicely detailed panel lines. There is also a small clear sprue, instruction booklet and small decal sheet. I am pondering whether to try and paint the mouth on the front of the aircraft or not. I plan to use Vallejo acrylics, purely because I find them easier to airbrush. So here goes, I hope I can do the aircraft the justice it deserves. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Following with interest, I have a new found fondness for hawks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Michelle, whatever you do, do not paint the shark mouth!!! Especially in this scale! Decals may be a pain to position, especially shark bloody mouths, but they will always look neater than a paint job! But you are the boss, so... As long as you are having fun, all is well! Cheers JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzio Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Will be following this one. I built this model 4 years ago (wow time flies huh?!) and throuoghly enjoyed it. If I remember correctly, the sharkmouth didn't join up correctly and I had to paint some of it. But it wasn't much. Don;t think I had any other major issues apart from that. See my attempt below - ignore the thick ez-line first time I was using it. Kind Regards, Dazz 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share Posted January 17, 2019 After giving the kit a wash in warm soapy water, I set to work airbrushing the cockpit, seat and interior fuselage walls. While these were left to dry I then started painting my pilot, Pilot Officer Neville Duke. So far, so good. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share Posted January 17, 2019 Tonight I have airbrushed a little dark earth detailing into the cockpit, really to dirty it up a little, before the build starts. once this was dry, I secured the fuselage halves together (these fitted perfectly, I did dry fit first though), and placed the cockpit floor and interior onto the wings. These are now pegged together and drying, so far the kit has gone together well........so far!! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 (edited) I've only finished one of these last week, in Russian markings, there's an rfi thread in the forum. I didn't read the instructions and had a bit of trouble around the nose with the fit of the top decking, fixed with filler, but could have been avoided, also got the wheels the wrong way around and had to repair that, they're molded with a flat spot... Otherwise a lovely kit and a nice build. My Tomahawk Edited January 18, 2019 by Marklo 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/p-40-warhawk/ Some great refs here, if you haven't seen. Yeah, a lot of these new moulds have flatted tyres, and rectangular stubs to line them up. The wheels are not interchange-able. I think I like it, but it's the instructions that are at fault. It really needs bringing to attention. You'll be alright on the next one!. " You catch me once, shame on you. You catch me twice, shame on Me" 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 (edited) Quote Yeah, a lot of these new moulds have flatted tyres, and rectangular stubs to line them up. I'm afraid I fall into the trap of only reading the instructions when I get stuck. So I ended up literally jamming the wheels on then cutting them off drilling the oleos and putting .0.5mm brass rod through them and reattaching hte wheels, OH well.... Edited January 18, 2019 by Marklo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Interesting topic I'll follow along and watch you work your magic! Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Good work so far 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted January 20, 2019 Author Share Posted January 20, 2019 Since my last post I have fitted the fuselage onto the wings, this went well, the fit is nice with little to no gap and not too much filler needed. I have also fitted the engine cover and tail plane, as with the fuselage this came together nicely. A spot of Sanding to do along the seams, and then I can fit the pilot in place and finally the canopy. I'm quite happy with the kit so far......let's hope it lasts! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share Posted January 21, 2019 This bottle arrived today and I was excited to put it to the test. I'm used to using cheap car primers so this was my first foray into model primer. I began by testing it on some smaller pieces (the props for my Lancaster), then moved on to priming the Tomahawk. I was really happy with the way the Vallejo primer sprayed, I thinned it slightly and gave the build light coats, but all went well and I'm pretty happy with my purchase. Now I'm getting excited about adding some colour! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdave22014 Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 I have found in the past that trying to sand Vallejo paint causes it to "shred" into strips, rather than sand away. Others have also found this - I think you really have to leave it a couple of days to let it cure. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazontipede Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Niiice. Watch the wing guns, they are very easy to dislodge. Ask me how I know! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Quote Niiice. Watch the wing guns, they are very easy to dislodge. Definitely second that, by the time I'd finish the build most of mine had been replaced by .5mm brass rod ..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 7 hours ago, Bigdave22014 said: I have found in the past that trying to sand Vallejo paint causes it to "shred" into strips, rather than sand away. Others have also found this - I think you really have to leave it a couple of days to let it cure. I agree wholeheartedly with this! Vallejo primer sprays very nice, but I haven't had any luck sanding it. Sometimes even when masking the top colors with Tamiya tape, the tape lifts the primer leaving bare plastic in its wake 😣 Today I use only UMP/Stynylrez primer but also casting a few glances at that bottle of Mission Models primer that I got. It's a nice little Tomahawk you have there though! Good luck with the top painting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted January 24, 2019 Author Share Posted January 24, 2019 After the Vallejo primer was dry, I mixed up so early black and began preshading the panel lines. As fiddly as this is, I am beginning to enjoy the the technique. Yesterday I matched up my grey acrylic as close as I could to the tiny 127 pot of Humbrol and set to work. This evening I have given the underside another light coat of Vallejo medium grey and am very happy with the effect. The preshading is just visible underneath, and the paint has levelled nicely. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Hi Michelle, really good progress. Keep at it! No idea how Vallejo primer handles, but listen to others who have had troubles before! Not all of them smoke funny cigarettes!!! I keep it simple and I use the Tamiya fine primer from a rattle can, in white or grey. Very fine grained indeed and damn strong, damn fast! Your funeral, really. Keep experimenting. This will be brilliant! Have fun. JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 (edited) Today I have carefully unmasked the build (luckily the primer stayed in place), remasked covering the grey underside and carefully brushed some gloss varnish along the edge with the hope of eliminating and paint bleeds. Then I mixed up a little Vallejo equivalent to Humbrol 93, using 6 drops acrylic to 1 drop of thinner, and began airbrushing. The paint sprayed evenly and settled smoothly on the aircraft. So after a light coat she is now drying in preparation for another coat tomorrow. Edited January 26, 2019 by Shelliecool 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted January 30, 2019 Author Share Posted January 30, 2019 Since my last post I have carefully masked up the camo pattern on the aircraft, brushing a little gloss varnish along the edges of the making to hopefully eliminate any bleeding. I then mixed up some Vallejo dark earth (my usual 5drops paint to 1 drop thinner) and began airbrushing. The paint behaved itself and sprayed evenly, and after another light coat yesterday I have now unmasked the aircraft. The varnish seems to have done the trick as there are no bleeds, and I am really happy with the results. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Could you explain your use of the gloss varnish for masking in a bit more detail? I will soon be attempting my first airbrush use in about 25 years and would like to know more. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelliecool Posted February 1, 2019 Author Share Posted February 1, 2019 On 31/01/2019 at 03:01, dogsbody said: Could you explain your use of the gloss varnish for masking in a bit more detail? I will soon be attempting my first airbrush use in about 25 years and would like to know more. Chris Hi Chris, I read somewhere (probably on this site) that if you run a little gloss varnish over the top edge of the tape you are masking with, it stops the paint from seeping under that edge. I hope I've explained that better than I think I have? Thanks, Michelle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 28 minutes ago, Shelliecool said: Hi Chris, I read somewhere (probably on this site) that if you run a little gloss varnish over the top edge of the tape you are masking with, it stops the paint from seeping under that edge. I hope I've explained that better than I think I have? Thanks, Michelle. Yep! Got it. Thanks. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Smart thing doing that clear varnish firstly to avoid bleeding...it probably will work on my windows too... Nice build though !! cheers, Jan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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