Greg Law Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Thanks Ray. I've just mixed my Nightfigher Beaufighter black colour. I used Tamiya Rubber black with a dash of flat blue. The blue reduces the brown effect of Rubber black. I'm sure in certain light it will give the paint a hint of blue hue. This is the last of my four Beaufighters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted September 19, 2021 Author Share Posted September 19, 2021 (edited) What a satisfying stage to reach without any disasters . I'm always nervous when removing masks and doubly so with a new paint line. The Hataka performed faultlessly. Pleasingly, there was no bleed, no paint lift, those fine tips were achieved, and best of all, no pesky decal stripes to apply. The port side tip end finished a little wonky (difficult to see) but good enough to leave alone. This will also be less noticeable when the roundels and number decals are applied. I have no complaints on the starboard side. Underside in the Hataka Polish Blue-Grey. The Hataka paints were very good thinned with Mr Color Leveling Thinner. Dried very quickly, smooth and semi-gloss. You could decal immediately. However, I will let it rest for some hours and then put a thin GX-100 gloss coat over the top. I am also very pleased with the Polish Khaki colour achieved by darkening the Light Khaki slightly with the Dark Khaki in the Hataka set. Ray Edit: Apologies I meant to include this photo of the stripes and rudder masked before the underside was painted. Edited September 19, 2021 by Ray_W Added Photo 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 That has turned out really nicely Ray. Painting the red portions was definitely the right way to go as you have ended up with a very neat and very durable result that is all in the same colour, much better than trying to touch up decals and get the correct shade of paint. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 That looks excellent. Your masking is very clean. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneheadff Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Really fantastic result!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 Decals are done. I used the Tamiya decal solutions with their decal adhesive underneath and Mark Fit Strong over the top. No adverse reaction with either the GX-100 or the decals. With so much ribbing it did take some effort. A stronger decal solution may of been even better as the decals are quite stiff. Some Mark Fit Strong under the decal may of also assisted. I also supplemented the decal solution with a hot moist towel to pat them down. However, I can't complain with the results. I tidied up a split with a little white paint on a couple of the ribs. Should largely disappear with some weathering and a satin coat. There were no issues when applying the decals to a smooth surface. They look painted on and this is before a finish clear coat. Nice if the first aid cross was in register; now I am being pedantic. I think there are a couple of errors in the decal sheet. Most references show the PZL logo and model number in red. Also the model number is slightly oversize so I had to crib a bit, lowering the number set and cutting the "P" and repositioning closer to the "24". The other issue is that the fin numbers are incorrectly supplied at the same height as the fuselage numbers. I decided on "1" for the fin number so I could easily trim that supplied to a more correct size. Ray 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 What a dramatic set of markings . Rarely seen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 58 minutes ago, CliffB said: What a dramatic set of markings . Rarely seen. Sure are Cliff, one reason why I was treating them with kid gloves. Replacement would be a pain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 Nice work on the decals Ray, they have settled down very nicely. These Bulgarian markings are very different to the usual roundels that we see and help make for a very interesting model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 Lovely paint work ,the markings are smart too ,its looking good ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 Don't you love it when you can paint a model and its struts separately and then glue them on later without issue. This kit has been one of those builds. Spending some time at the start of the build checking positions and fit and adjusting as need be now pays off. I have not glued the top of the brass tensioner straps in case I need to do a little adjustment when the wheels spat go on. It measures pretty good so no headaches are expected. This is a good kit. Definitely not Tamiya and yet a very satisfying somewhat challenging build. I think it is time for a little weathering without overdoing the panel lines. I can see the finish line. Ray 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Most excellent work, particularly the masking. 46 minutes ago, Ray_W said: Don't you love it when you can paint a model and its struts separately and then glue them on later without issue. This kit has been one of those builds. 'tis a thing of joy. I nearly lost a Lysander due to horrible strut alignment. I was lucky to escape with wonky wing alignment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 5 minutes ago, dnl42 said: I nearly lost a Lysander due to horrible strut alignment. Always the fear with these types of assembly. I am looking forward to building my Tamiya Storch to enjoy just how they address this issue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Ray_W said: Don't you love it when you can paint a model and its struts separately and then glue them on later without issue. This kit has been one of those builds I do ray , its something that i find myself doing more and more lately,test fitting and thinking a couple of steps in front ,i reckon like garry kasparov, but mrs hewy says " absolutely not"🙄.... whatever 1 hour ago, dnl42 said: nearly lost a Lysander due to horrible strut alignment. I was lucky to escape with wonky wing alignment. I hope it isn't the dora wings lysander 😳, I've destroyed the resin exaust collector on my kit in another gb , I'm not enjoying my build so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 44 minutes ago, Hewy said: I hope it isn't the dora wings lysander 😳, I've destroyed the resin exaust collector on my kit in another gb , I'm not enjoying my build so far It was the Gavia/Eduard 1/48 kit. Apparently Eduard address this in their latest release by moving the locating holes in the wing. If I had attached the struts after attaching wing to fuselage, I might have been able to avoid catastrophe by drilling new locating holes. Of course, with the model in such a fragile state, the end result may well have been indistinguishable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Looking really good Ray, your work earlier in the build has meant for a stress free strut alignment, always a potentially "interesting" part of the builds of such aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Looking good Ray. I foundout why my kit hasn't been delivered. It was sent to Australia. This means it is lost, so I have ordered another one. This kit has got rather expensive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted September 25, 2021 Author Share Posted September 25, 2021 On 9/24/2021 at 6:32 AM, modelling minion said: Looking really good Ray, Thanks Craig. All complete now with the exception of the gun sights to be fitted tomorrow in daylight. On 9/24/2021 at 6:54 AM, Greg Law said: This means it is lost, so I have ordered another one. Goodness me Greg, that's unfortunate. Well I am calling this one done other than the gunsights as mentioned to Craig. Failing light tonight so I will wait for tomorrow to do those and then some gallery shots. Here it is all-but-finished. A very attractive aircraft. I decided to leave off the rear canopy section. I was not happy with the modified canopy and besides the set-up as portrayed was common with Bulgarian P.24b's. As you can see in the following image of the aircraft I modelled; I did decide to fit the MG's. It is also interesting that these early Bulgarian aircraft did not show the aerial wires or their top wing fitments. Just a small post on the fin. I suspect no radio so this made matters easy. No wires. Also, leaving off the canopy does give a better view of the "pit" An attractive aircraft and an enjoyable build. Well done Mirage Hobby. That was a great little project. Thanks to everyone for their support and the hosts for such an interesting GB subject. It should not be my last "high-wing" in this GB; I have a Storch and Bird Dog ready to start. However, next up is Tamiya's new F-4B and time to meet my commitment to the Phantom STGB. Back soon. Ray 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 That looks outstanding! Excellent finish and an unusual subject. What could be better? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted September 25, 2021 Author Share Posted September 25, 2021 7 minutes ago, dnl42 said: That looks outstanding! Thank you so much and thanks for the support through the project. It is a subject and scheme that is a stand out in the collection. One of the many reasons why I like the GB's is that it makes you think about subjects you may not normally build. Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 What a fantastic result on a great looking aircraft Ray. Your usual very high standards and attention to detail have shown what is possible from this kit and that people should give different manufacturers a chance, I will certainly look at Mirage kits in the future. A brilliant addition to your Bulgarian aircraft collection. Very well done mate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Delta Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 Been following this. Nicely done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneheadff Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 Браво!!! 😁 Fantastic looking model. Will definitely look great next to your Bulgarian fleet 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 Well done Ray, hoping mine turn out 1/2 as good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted September 26, 2021 Share Posted September 26, 2021 Excellent build Ray. Really up to your usual standard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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