John Masters Posted January 17 Posted January 17 Here's my first entry. I have four to enter (three Dewoitine D500/501), but I am doing them one at a time. I discovered that to have 3-4 threads going on the same GB is a real headache photographically, so one at a time is best for me. Anyway... A venerable set of moulds, dating back to 1965, the year of my birth. 😃 Although the French decals are fine I will be using the Swiss set from the RS Model kit (perhaps not a good set of moulds, knowing RS...) This is their profile for the Swiss D-3800... decals... sprue... a bit of a closeup...😉 See you all tomorrow! --John 12
Wez Posted January 17 Posted January 17 This was kit number L098 back in 1968 when it was first released, true classic Heller! Thanks for bringing this one to the party. The Swiss option will be a colourful addition to the parade. Welcome and good luck! 2 1
JOCKNEY Posted January 17 Posted January 17 Great stuff John Those decals looks much better than the early Heller versions, looks like it even comes with a Croatian version Best of luck Cheers Pat 1
John Masters Posted January 17 Author Posted January 17 49 minutes ago, JOCKNEY said: Those decals looks much better Thanks Pat. They’re actually from the RSModels 406 kit. Someday I might try building that kit but it’s RSModels and I’ve not had great luck with them. But the decals look good. 2
John Masters Posted January 19 Author Posted January 19 And so I begin...This is not a complex kit. It's a neat kit, though. The radiator is fitted in such a way that one can extend it, or not, depending...Not much in terms of cockpit detail and I am not going to elaborate. I gave it some black primer. The custom Swiss paint job will be enough! --John 7
2996 Victor Posted January 21 Posted January 21 Welcome to the GB, John, with what must be the archetypal WW2 French fighter! The Swiss neutrality markings will certainly set it apart. You're making great progress - looking forward to seeing it in the Gallery! Cheers, Mark
John Masters Posted January 21 Author Posted January 21 9 hours ago, 2996 Victor said: Welcome to the GB, John, with what must be the archetypal WW2 French fighter! The Swiss neutrality markings will certainly set it apart. You're making great progress - looking forward to seeing it in the Gallery! Thank you Mark. It's coming together quickly. I masked and attached the canopy pieces. I have also assemble the rest of the fuselage/wings. There was some issues with fit at the wing roots. Some CA and some weight fixed that. I think I'm ready for primer...after I sand down the underhang of those gun pods due to poor fit of the wing halves...In fact, I'll take a fine grit all around those leading edges. --John 12
John Masters Posted January 24 Author Posted January 24 Primed and the newly revealed gaps are, for the most part, filled. Masked for the white... And airbrushed white. It's easiest to paint these sections first, then mask them and paint the camo. --John 12
John Masters Posted January 25 Author Posted January 25 9 hours ago, stevehnz said: Excellent progress John, 'tis looking good. Thank you Steve. 1
John Masters Posted January 26 Author Posted January 26 I masked the whole areas and added the red. The white undercoat was an issue as it rendered the red too pink on the first round. I ended up using. hairy brush and standard Vallejo Model paint for the second coat. It worked out! I think I will have to find a better red for Swiss aircraft in the future. Next: mask the painted areas and begin the camouflage and underside. It'll be a Dark Green/RLM71, Black Green/RLM70 and Light Blue/RLM65 respectively...I'll have to look into it. And of course some touch-ups will tale care of the red bleeding through. 😉 --John 13
John Masters Posted January 27 Author Posted January 27 17 hours ago, Milan Mynar said: Excellent work. Thank you. That is all masked now for the rest of the paint. First is the RLM65... --John 8
John Masters Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 Ok. The paint is all on and, for the most part, been touched up. The RLM 71 is darker than I imagined, more brown...but it looks good. I like the combination with the RLM 70 and all the red and white. And the final reveal... --John 11
alex Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Always nice to see a Swiss plane! To avoid getting the red too pinkish, use a yellow primer. It makes the red really look red! Alex 1
2996 Victor Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Looking very special, John, the contrast between the camo colours and the neutrality markings really makes it! Mark
John Masters Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 9 hours ago, alex said: To avoid getting the red too pinkish, use a yellow primer. It makes the red really look red! Yes...I knew that but neglected to do it. It's really red. 5 hours ago, 2996 Victor said: Looking very special, John, the contrast between the camo colours and the neutrality markings really makes it! Thank you Victor. 8 hours ago, Wez said: Great progress John, coming together nicely. Thanks Wes. I think I'll add the undercarriage this evening. 1
John Masters Posted February 2 Author Posted February 2 The decals are on and I am pleased with them. They are opaque enough to not let the red bleed through. They are, in these photos, also still slightly damp. They'll dry and settle down in a bit. There isn't much left to do on this. Some fine brush painting here and there, wheels, prop...some little bits. I am off-island again from tomorrow until Wednesday so I I hope to have this in the gallery and off the bench by Thursday evening, Friday morning at the latest. I think we should have a 'Neutrality' GB...I have quite a few Swiss ideas... --John 7 1
2996 Victor Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Looking superb, John, this is really special! 46 minutes ago, John Masters said: I think we should have a 'Neutrality' GB...I have quite a few Swiss ideas... Excellent idea, lots of options. I'd be up for it! Cheers, Mark
John Masters Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 I am committed to finishing this tonight. It's been given some varnish. The smaller bits are all painted and ready to attach. I've been resting on my laurels. Forgive me! I need to clear the bench! --John 9
John Masters Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 4 hours ago, ModelingEdmontonian said: this is looking great! Thanks ME! And I'm calling this one 'Finished'... I'll get some better images later for the gallery. --John 8
John Masters Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 On 2/10/2025 at 11:17 AM, 2996 Victor said: Excellent! This is a beauty, John! Thanks Victor. The Swiss shelf... A better look... I have some other Swiss kits in the stash...I need a Hunter in there. The rest are in the gallery! --John 6
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