Grumman F9F-3 Panther

[Enzo the Magnificent]

My build for this Blitzbuild will be the Hobby Boss Grumman F9F-3 Panther.   I mean let's face it - you can never go wrong with something Grumman...

 

 

Although it's not of of the Easy Build kits, it's not exactly a complex one.

 

 

 

 

 

[Olmec Head]

Whereas you can always go wrong with a Blackburn!

[Enzo the Magnificent]

8 minutes ago, Olmec Head said:

Whereas you can always go wrong with a Blackburn!

 

Apart from a Buccaneer.   

[81-er]

So what are you going to build on Sunday? 

 

James

[dnl42]

3 hours ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

I mean let's face it - you can never go wrong with something Grumman...

Hear! Hear! 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Going to follow as this is on my too buy list. 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

And we're off!  Hold on tight, rider!

 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

The interior parts were sprayed with Xtracrylix XA1117.  I added an Eduard harness to the seat.

 

 

Probably went a little overboard on the ballast...  

 

 

 

Fuselage closed up.  The intake interiors were sprayed with aluminium from a rattle can.  Ready for main assembly.

 

 

Interestingly, there are deep grooves to allow the wings to be cut to model an aircraft with folding wings, but there are no wingfold parts.

[Hockeyboy76]

A nice BlitzBuild start, good luck Enzo. 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

Main assembly complete.

 

 

Windscreen fitted and masked. Cockpit and intakes also masked.

 

 

Primed with my usual technique of a coat of clear lacquer from a rattle can, followed by grey plastic primer to give a consistent surface.

 

 

The fin tip was sprayed red, using a rattle can, and then masked.  There are decals provided for the red fin tip but it's easier to paint it.  The leading edges of the flying surfaces have been sprayed aluminium, using a rattle can.  Well, I say "leading edges" but the very nature of spraying from a rattle can means that almost the whole thing got sprayed.  I suppose I could have masked the areas, but I find that spraying from a rattle can means that paint builds up against the edges of a mask, which is exactly what i didn't want to happen.

 

 

Aluminium areas masked. 

 

 

Sprayed overall with Lifecolor UA-517 which gives a slighty worn appearance to the blue.   I then lightly oversprayed with Xtracrylix XA1121 which provides a slightly mottled appearance. 

 

 

And that's where I'll leave it for the day.

[Tim Taylor]

Great progress! I have a question: Why clear lacquer followed by grey primer? Why not just use a grey lacquer primer and save a step?

[Enzo the Magnificent]

5 minutes ago, Tim Taylor said:

Great progress! I have a question: Why clear lacquer followed by grey primer? Why not just use a grey lacquer primer and save a step?

 

Good question.  One I get asked a lot.  I find that sometimes the grey primer can lift with masking tape.  The clear lacquer is a little "hotter" and holds the plastic very well thereby preventing any lifting with tape.   I suppose that the lacquer is actually the primer.  The grey just provides a consistent finish which is important if there has been any filling and sanding done.

[Tim Taylor]

Thanks that makes perfect sense

[81-er]

Great progress, Enzo

 

James

[dnl42]

7 hours ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

 

Good question.  One I get asked a lot.  I find that sometimes the grey primer can lift with masking tape.  The clear lacquer is a little "hotter" and holds the plastic very well thereby preventing any lifting with tape.   I suppose that the lacquer is actually the primer.  The grey just provides a consistent finish which is important if there has been any filling and sanding done.

Uh, so why not the transitive closure and use a rattle-can lacquer primer, like Mr.Surfacer or Tamiya?

Asking for a friend...

[Enzo the Magnificent]

Seconds out. Round 2! 

 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

7 hours ago, dnl42 said:

Uh, so why not the transitive closure and use a rattle-can lacquer primer, like Mr.Surfacer or Tamiya?

Asking for a friend...

 

To be honest, I hadn't even considered those.  The technique I use works for me so I didn't look elsewhere.  Having done a bit of research I can see that both of those primers are more expensive than the ones I use.  I would also have to get them delivered whereas I can walk to the car parts shop where I get my current primers.

[Enzo the Magnificent]

Decals applied.   Although they are good quality, they do tend to fold up at the very first opportunity.  The smaller ones tend to lack adhesion and you will notice in the shots of the finished model that I lost the badge behind the cockpit...    

 

Greeblies painted up and ready for fitment.

 

 

Finished! 

 

[dnl42]

Ah, nice work on that Panther. 

 

 

7 hours ago, Enzo the Magnificent said:

Having done a bit of research I can see that both of those primers are more expensive than the ones I use.  I would also have to get them delivered whereas I can walk to the car parts shop where I get my current primers

Two excellent reasons! 

 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

 

 

 

 

[psdavidson]

Nice

 

There's still a day to go, what's next

[stevej60]

Great build and finish Enzo,another one tomorrow😀

[modelling minion]

Another fantastic Grumman for your hangar mate, very nice work.

[JOCKNEY]

Great result Boss

Looks the business 

Cheers Pat 

[2996 Victor]

Superb!

 

Cheers,

Mark