Andwil Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Nice looking snake Bill, am I correct in thinking they’re harmless to humans? All our common snakes here will kill you if you don’t get treatment in time if you’re unlucky or stupid enough to get bitten. We had a Red Bellied Black Snake in our yard, beautiful creature but quite venomous. The snake catcher was called but it had moved on by time he arrived. Last summer we had an Eastern Brown (second most venomous in the world) pass through the yard. Fortunately these snakes are fairly shy and not aggressive if you leave them alone. Tanks are looking good too. Are the unpainted pylons attached? AW 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 10 minutes ago, Andwil said: Nice looking snake Bill, am I correct in thinking they’re harmless to humans? All our common snakes here will kill you if you don’t get treatment in time if you’re unlucky or stupid enough to get bitten. We had a Red Bellied Black Snake in our yard, beautiful creature but quite venomous. The snake catcher was called but it had moved on by time he arrived. Last summer we had an Eastern Brown (second most venomous in the world) pass through the yard. Fortunately these snakes are fairly shy and not aggressive if you leave them alone. Tanks are looking good too. Are the unpainted pylons attached? AW Garter snakes (like most snakes in North America) are totally harmless. The dangerous ones here are rattlesnakes (multiple species), copperheads, water moccasins (a.k.a. Cottonmouths), and coral snakes (most colorful, and venomous, of the bunch). I’m using the Hasegawa underwing tanks, which come with pylons molded-on. And yes, the pylons have been painted (very light gray, like the plane’s underside). They do need a bit of touch up, as you can see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Andwil said: am I correct in thinking they’re harmless to humans? My daughter actually rescued one last winter. Somehow it was outside and moving around in snow so she caught it and nursed it until the weather improved. She fed it goldfish and frog babies. They're territorial but not too mean. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 24, 2021 Author Share Posted June 24, 2021 Strange how the closer you are to being done, the longer your “to-do” list becomes! Here’s mine right now: Paint underside of horiz stabs Paint lower wing leading edge Paint landing gear doors, wheel bays, inlet area, exhaust areas, Paint funny green area on rear fuselage Add horiz stabs touch up paint Gloss coat Weather Paint dorsal antenna bulges Paint & add lower antenna bulge Design & print custom decals Add Decals Dull coat Add smudge below canopy Add lights under wing Decal wingtip tanks Dull coat tanks Add lights to wingtip tanks Install wingtip tanks Assemble nose gear doors Detail landing gear Paint wheels Add IP console Add seats Add control sticks Build & Add HUD Add Clipboard? Detail windscreen Paint windscreen Add windscreen Add nose probe - clear light? Remove masking from nose lights Add pitot & probe on fin Add sticky out stuff (beacons) Paint & Add thrust attenuators Add landing gear & doors Add FOD screens Paint front of pylons Add pylons & tanks Final touch-ups Detail canopy Paint canopy Add canopy Add whip antennae Guess I’d better get cranking! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bejay53 Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 On 5/31/2021 at 3:20 PM, Jackson Duvalier said: Looking forward to this build, Bill. I've one of these standing by myself and was going to suggest the SBS cockpit and Eduard etch but I see you've got that covered. The Eduard set is mostly redundant if you've got the SBS bits, but it does have nice intake screens that would be hard to replicate any other way, and it's inexpensive. My only complaint with the SBS resin is that the same master was used for both seats so the restraints are identically drooped; it's hard not to notice as they're sitting side by side. References for the A-37 aren't exactly copious, neither are decals. It's a shame because that big bubbly cockpit opening offers such potential for a little gem of a model. I've seen some mention that the underwing tanks from the Hasegawa kit are "more accurate," I guess Academy forgot to clone them properly but I haven't the references to settle the issue in my mind. How well does the SBS cockpit fit? Long ago, I picked up the squadron update set and the resin cockpit was too narrow (by quite a bit). To use it, I would have to shim the space between the kit and resin tub. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 24, 2021 Author Share Posted June 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Bejay53 said: How well does the SBS cockpit fit? Long ago, I picked up the squadron update set and the resin cockpit was too narrow (by quite a bit). To use it, I would have to shim the space between the kit and resin tub. thanks No such problems with the SBS cockpit. The only issue I had is with the piece that fits under the windscreen and holds the instrument panel (part #3 ) I've already described how I added a ledge/slot to the kit fuselage to help restrain the SBS piece. I also found that it (part #3) is a tight fit with the fuselage closed, plus I had to trim a bit off the bottom where it meets the center console on the cockpit tub. All in all, no big deal and a much better fit than many other resin cockpits I've installed (hear that, Aires?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 24, 2021 Author Share Posted June 24, 2021 This morning, I painted the underside of the horizontal stabs (somehow, I had missed this when I was painting the base camo colors). I also tackled the camo "wrap" under the wing leading edge. Armed with a fresh roll of servo tape, I gave @TheRealMrEd 's technique a try. First, I laid down some Tamiya tape to make removing the sticky servo tape easier: I then cut out my masking pieces and applied 1-mm thick servo tape to them: The masks were then put in place. I've also marked where the different camo colors will go: I sprayed the colors over the mask, taking care to keep the airbrush perpendicular to the wing. Here's the result: I'm happy with the result. I did find a couple of places needing touchup (my fault, nothing to do with the masking technique). Thanks again, Ed, for the servo tape tip! 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 25, 2021 Author Share Posted June 25, 2021 A bit more detail painting accomplished this afternoon. Exhaust areas -- AK Interactive XTreme Metal steel for the fairings, burnt metal for the area behind the nozzle. I also used burnt metal for the thrust attenuator petals (not shown), which I will install later. Black area (visible in photos) ahead of the air inlets: That non-standard green re-paint on the rear fuselage, unique to the specific aircraft I'm representing. I custom mixed the color to match what is shown in my photo of the actual aircraft. Somewhere along the way I lost the port flap's inboard actuator. Looks like I will have to fabricate a replacement 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Duvalier Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 That servo tape trick is really tricksy, I must say. Thanks to Ed for the idea and thanks to you for the illustrated tutorial! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 21 hours ago, billn53 said: Strange how the closer you are to being done, the longer your “to-do” list becomes! Here’s mine right now: Exactly! I find the same but it could be my lack of organisation! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 26, 2021 Author Share Posted June 26, 2021 Working through my to-do list: Painted the various antennae on the Dragonfly's back: and some bits & bobs on the belly (note that I've replaced the lost flap actuator): I replaced the too-thick pitot tube & vertical mast on the kit's fin with brass items (modified from a spare Model Master set... I believe it was for a FW-190): With that done, I felt it was at last safe to glue the horizontal stabs in place. I'll give the glue time to set and then touch up the seam at the join: In case you are wondering, I've not yet added the whip antennae. What you see in the photos are pieces of nylon that I've threaded through the holes, to keep them clear of paint until I'm ready to add the antennae. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 I do believe I’m ready to do the gloss coat, followed by some light weathering and decaling. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shalako Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Did you notice the decals' silvering? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 4 hours ago, Shalako said: Did you notice the decals' silvering? It looks that way in the photo. What you are seeing is come metallic chipping I did around the fuel filler caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 She is turning out beautifully, Bill :). 👍 Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 2 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said: She is turning out beautifully, Bill :). 👍 Martin Thanks Martin. I’ve now got two projects working (this, and Clear Prop’s A5M4 Clyde). There is a short deadline for the Clyde so the Dragonfly is now on the back burner. Nonetheless, progress is still being made. Yesterday I clear-coated and did a simple Flory wash for a light weathering & to bring out details. Today, I plan to add decals (except for the custom ones I still have to make). I’ll post photos when that’s complete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Just now, billn53 said: Thanks Martin. I’ve now got two projects working (this, and Clear Prop’s A5M4 Clyde). There is a short deadline for the Clyde so the Dragonfly is now on the back burner. Nonetheless, progress is still being made. Yesterday I clear-coated and did a simple Flory wash for a light weathering & to bring out details. Today, I plan to add decals (except for the custom ones I still have to make). I’ll post photos when that’s complete. Great stuff, Bill. I am about to getting the upper camo on to my Su-7, employing the same paper cutout method - like yours - that I always use. I was wondering about that Servo tape, though. Is it lightly tacky? I'm conccerned about wrenching paint off! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Just now, RidgeRunner said: I was wondering about that Servo tape, though. Is it lightly tacky? I'm conccerned about wrenching paint off! It’s pretty sticky (reminds me of how electrical tape is sticky), which is why I put a layer of low-tack Tamiya masking tape beneath it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 THanks Bill. I think I might stick to my "cut holes-stick down with Tamiya tape" idea, supplemted by appropriate use of White Tack in awkward spots Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 So much work for such a little plane. Looks good, worth the effort! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 Flory wash and decals (most of them) are on! I used Flory's black wash on the upper, camouflaged surfaces and gray on the lower surfaces. Most decals are from the kit (they went on very well)... I also made up a few custom decals for the Wisconsin ANG bird (tail numbers & ANG emblem for the fin, "The Boys From Syracuse" for the wingtip tanks). I always find that decals give a bit of "bling" to an otherwise so-so camouflage pattern: The Flory wash not only brought out surface details, but also added much needed variation to the light gray undersides. I don't have the ability to print white for decals, so I for the fin markings I used white decal paper and used my graphics program to surround the white text with green background. The result looks fine to the naked eye (even when viewed just a few inches away), but nothing hides from the macro lens! In this close-up, you can see how the green I chose doesn't exactly match the surrounding paint. Also, the white decal stock I used is thicker than I would have liked. For the wingtip tanks, I printed "The Boys From Syracuse" in gray text on clear decal film. After applying the decals, I lightly over-sprayed the text with highly-thinned olive green. I think the result is effective: That's it for the Dragonfly. Now, I must get back to work on my little A5M4 Claude. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 13 hours ago, billn53 said: I don't have the ability to print white for decals, so I for the fin markings I used white decal paper and used my graphics program to surround the white text with green background. Very creative solution 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 For the past week, I've been working on Clear Prop's 1/72 A5M4 Claude for my local club's July group build. I just put the color coat on the Claude and must wait for the paint to fully cure before continuing on with that project, so I'm now back at work in my A-37 Dragonfly. This morning, I finished up a few bits and bobs that I'll need later -- landing gear and canopy frame pieces: I also the attached the gun tube and nose refueling probe: I drilled a hole in the probe assembly where the actual aircraft has a light for nighttime refueling. Later, I'll insert a small piece of clear acrylic to represent the light: Next, I finished off decaling the nose area with various stencils: Lastly, I added the wingtip tanks: . . . and gave everything a spray of Winsor & Newton clear matte. All that's left now for the Dragonfly is to finish off the cockpit and then add the underwing tanks, landing gear, canopy pieces, & a handful of minor items. P.S. -- Here's an update on my snake situation (which I reported on just over a week ago): At that time, I stated that I had at least three Common Garter Snakes residing in my garden. In fact, a few days later I counted a total of six snakes, all two to three feet long. Here's a photo I took with three of them coiled together: Since then, most of the slithering reptiles have left (not nearly enough food in my garden for six snakes). However, a couple of them have dug burrows by my steps and look to be taking up permanent residence 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 She is looking bang on, Bill! You’ve really brought this little city to life! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Red Sox Fan Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Bill, this looks great! I really like how you got the cammo under the wing, the non-standard cammo green just before the tail, and although I went to Syracuse, I really did get over myself and was really impressed with the tank paint over--well done🙌 Best, Erwin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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