Wings unlevel Posted September 19 Posted September 19 Nice, Rob, glad to see the second coming of this build. And it certainly looks to have gone together better the second time around. Interesting to see the different colour and hardness of the plastics - from the same boxing? My two recently acquired Airfix Hurricanes (1/72 and 1/48) are both molded in the darker plastic. 9 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: presumably I'm benefitting from all the practice Err, well played. 😂 1
Zephyr91 Posted September 19 Author Posted September 19 Ok. That dihedral. I think I'm over worrying here, but I find it irksome (but I'm quite happy to overlook far more dodgy stuff that I build into my models - hypocrite! 🙄). So here's the ArmaHobby one I've just finished .... ....and here's the current one Can just about make it out. I'm not going to do anything about it, but I just find it mildly irksome. I suppose that by the time I've mucked up the paintwork I'll have fogotten about it!! 😁 What I will do something about is the pair of rather large sink-holes on the tailplane-fin leading edge area. Not noticed it on previous incarnations of this kit! Oh well. Back to filling and fooling about .......... Thanks for looking Rob 6
Wings unlevel Posted September 19 Posted September 19 8 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: Can just about make it out. I'm not going to do anything about it, but I just find it mildly irksome. I think I could live with that? 8 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: the pair of rather large sink-holes on the tailplane-fin leading edge area Definitely couldn’t live with that! Tricky spot too. Good luck! 1
Zephyr91 Posted September 22 Author Posted September 22 A little more progress. Started the priming, aiming at extreme pre-shading to help mark where the upper colours on the fabric areas have faded more than the metal ...... .......but of course the under side is the black and white split. Despite it being "primer" I'm tempted to leave this other than to dierty up both halves after applying decals. They are a bit harsh as they stand. However, I'm reasonably pleased with the masked line down the middle - just a couple of areas to fix. Onto the top side. As well as picking out the edges of fabric/metal I also did a circle for the port wing roundel which had the yellow outer ring over-painted with fresh camouflage colours; so a darker background for this as well (note no upper wing roundel on the starboard side at all, so no similar treatment there). I'm using a similar approach for the fuselage roundels which were also reduced in size by overpainting with camouflage colours. I've tried this on the mule. The effect is "subtle" shall we say, but worth a try. If it doesn't work here, I'll just see how it looks when the top coats are applied and take it from there. The primer application has shown where I need to tweak the upper nose seam and the sink marks on the inboard upper tailplane leading edge shown previously. The filler seems to have shrunk a bit there. Thought I'd got a good finish there, so don't understand Anyway, a little more filling and sanding needed before full painting begins. 🙄 It might not be obvious from this angle, but I've also had a go at the canopy height. I'm using a spare Arma canopy for the closed portion. I sanded a little off the lower edges of the canopy and also removed some plastic in front of the doghouse so that combined these make the canopy sit a little lower resulting in the top more in line with the fuselage upper line. Of course the Airfix windscreen (being too tall anyway) really does then sit much too high. Taking a deep breath, and my trusty needle in a pin-vice handle, I scored the lower edges of the windscreen and removed about a millimetre all along the lower edge. I've tried to maintain the side screen lower curved edges which are typical of the early Hurricanes. Mostly successful I think, but Ive noticed that it has a slightly recessed look; so again, some more filling ......... I do seem to make work for myself It's progressing. Thanks for looking Rob 6
Wings unlevel Posted September 23 Posted September 23 14 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: It's progressing. Definitely! That’s a fascinating update Rob, and I’m particularly fascinated to see how the roundel pre shading technique turns out. 14 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: The primer application has shown where I need to tweak the upper nose seam and the sink marks on the inboard upper tailplane leading edge shown previously. The filler seems to have shrunk a bit there. Thought I'd got a good finish there, so don't understand Anyway, a little more filling and sanding needed before full painting begins. 🙄 Primer can be a harsh mistress! 😂 Looking terrific to me, I’m looking forward to seeing paint go down. 1
Rabbit Leader Posted September 23 Posted September 23 Great progress and images showing your thinking behind how to tackle certain issues you which to portray / highlight. The canopy mods look to have succeeded as well from that photo. It’s all going nicely, well done. Cheers.. Dave 1 1
Zephyr91 Posted September 30 Author Posted September 30 Apologies for gap in updates. Been messing about with paint and masking and re-masking and re-painting - I started this project by saying I was probably being a bit ambitious, and so it's proving 🙄. Anyway, we are here .. Doesn't quite reflect how it looks here. Basically, I've achieved a range of hues but not necessarily looking faded where I wanted. However, I'm reasonably satisfied with the simplified pattern on the stbd wing, although a couple of touch-ups are needed there but nothing serious. I need to have another go at the roundels' base colours to make them look relatively newer than the adjacent paint; but also need to think on it for little. We'll see. I foresee more circle mask cutting ....... Overall, It's not come out quite how I envisaged [do they ever? I hear you say!! ] , but I think here on the bench I've got a bit of diffference between the metal and fabric covered surfaces which will have to do. Note to self: must spend a bit more time looking at effects of light, shade, paint characteristics ..........or be less ambitious Have a good day and thanks for looking. cheers Rob 8
Rabbit Leader Posted September 30 Posted September 30 7 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: It's not come out quite how I envisaged [do they ever? I hear you say!! ] So very true… those initial images we all see seem to morph into different things as the build progresses, those they get abandoned are usually way off the mark. That’s probably why WIF modellers have a lot of fun, because they are just ‘winging’ it as the build progresses. Back to your build, I do see colour / fading differentiation across the wings, so I’d say you’re on track to what you want to achieve. Once the decals and Matt coat go on, it’ll look so much different again. Cheers.. Dave 1
Wings unlevel Posted October 1 Posted October 1 22 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: Been messing about with paint and masking and re-masking and re-painting Can be a bit of a doom loop! 22 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: Overall, It's not come out quite how I envisaged [do they ever? I hear you say!! ] , but I think here on the bench I've got a bit of diffference between the metal and fabric covered surfaces which will have to do. Note to self: must spend a bit more time looking at effects of light, shade, paint characteristics ..........or be less ambitious Shoot for the stars and you’ll reach the moon? Love what you’re trying to achieve and I can definitely see it paying results. 1
Zephyr91 Posted October 6 Author Posted October 6 I seem to have done a lot but not actually progressed! 🙄 I think I re-masked and painted the fuselage 3 times since the last photos and realised I was messing up the paint in different ways each time!! Partly because I've found with these MRP lacquers that I can't do touch-ups with a thin brush or cocktail stick without it seeming to melt the same paint already applied by airbrush! So I've decided to stop, go with what I've got and varnish ready for decals,...... I was beginning to think all the effort was only marginally worth it, but the coat of varnish seems to have enhanced the differences between the more and less faded areas - but I still seem to have a dark edge between some of the earth and green which (seeing it in the photo) I can't leave Here's the underside for a bit of variation. It's a bit stark but will be toned down when I apply a bit of weathering. I made use of the u/c up pieces from an Airfix Hurricane (suitably filed to fit) temporarily pva'd in place to mask the bay along with a few small pieces of tape to help. That's worked before. I was going to say "decals next", but having seen the port wing in the harsh flash of a photo I think I have to keep on Thanks for looking Rob 7
Wings unlevel Posted October 6 Posted October 6 I feel your pain - I often get stuck in a loop of seemingly never ending paint corrections and touch-ups. That said, this is looking really good. 12 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: the coat of varnish seems to have enhanced the differences between the more and less faded areas Definitely! 1 1
Zephyr91 Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 Thought I'd better do an update before heading off to Ireland for a week. Fact is, I need a Guiness after the decal traumas I've been suffering!! Whilst my choice of paint scheme was my fault, I hoped the decals would be ok. Well, not quite. Talk about delicate ..... ....every single one has gone into at least 3 pieces despite my most delicate handling. I was so frustrated by this one that I took a photo. The only exceptions were the serial numbers which didn't break but folded back on themselves to provide a different challenge 😱 Using deep reserves of patience, a lot of Anglo-Saxon, and much deep breathing, I finally got them (mostly) together. The same side after applying advanced jigsaw skills .... I've decided that I have got them as close positionally as I can, but accepting that they might be a mil or so out here and there!! I might be able ot hide some of the chips and cracks with some delicate weathering, but for now I'll let them set before a protective coat of gloss which will harden whilst I'm away. Thanks for looking cheers Rob 5 1
Rabbit Leader Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Wow.. great recovery, but how frustrating and traumatising that’s must have been! Can I ask what decal manufacturer that are, seems one best to avoid! Cheers and enjoy the trip.. Dave 1 1
Zephyr91 Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 3 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said: Can I ask what decal manufacturer that are, seems one best to avoid! Thanks Dave for the comment about recovery. Much appreciated. Regarding the decal manufacturer, I wouldn't want to dis a small producer on the basis of a sample of one. I wouldn't want to discourage such niche suppliers of subjects by unjustified negative reviews. However, I'll try and email them and see whether they know if it's an endemic problem because I might just have been unlucky with my set (this hasn't happened much with me before so I'm sort of thinking it's not my technique - but I can't be definite of course).. That'll be after I get back from Ireland, so please don't hold your breath - I would hate to have to give evidence at the subsequent inquest! cheers Rob 1
Wings unlevel Posted October 13 Posted October 13 You’ve definitely earned a Guinness or two after that nightmare! I know that sinking feeling all too well well. But nicely recovered, and hopefully with a bit of weathering and touch-ups, no one will ever know! 1
Zephyr91 Posted October 22 Author Posted October 22 So, Guiness duly imbibed and Opera seen and back to the bench! I think most of it is together now. Matt applied after a little weathering and almost there ..... Certainly achieved a patchwork of paint - whether it quite hits the mark I'm not sure but I've enjoyed trying There are still a few tiny bits to touch up, and I've managed to apply a couple of scratches that I didn't mean to so they need fixing. The prop is placed only for the photos and needs glue, and I think the last bits will be the pitot under the port wing and the aerial post. The 2-bladed prop seems quite big but that's probably 'cos I'm not used to seeing one like that. Thanks for looking. Rob 9
Wings unlevel Posted October 23 Posted October 23 9 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: Guiness duly imbibed and Opera seen I’m assuming on different occasions? 😂 Looks terrific Rob, well worn and used! 1
Zephyr91 Posted October 23 Author Posted October 23 18 minutes ago, Wings unlevel said: I’m assuming on different occasions? 😂 Consecutively on the same evening!! My daughter joined us after the performance (she's in the orchestra and staying near Wexford for a month) but left the pub to get to her accomodation before we went to ours. We zig-zagged our way home just after midnight! Very enjoyable break. We attended a Dress Rehearsal (much cheaper but just as good as the real thing - I couldn't tell as there were no stoppages). Brought tears to my eyes - but that was only because I was trying to envisage emulating some of the notes achieved by the lead adult male soprano!! Rob 3
Wings unlevel Posted October 23 Posted October 23 2 hours ago, Zephyr91 said: We zig-zagged our way home just after midnight! Sounds like an awful lot of fun! And Wexford looks pretty spectacular too.
Zephyr91 Posted October 26 Author Posted October 26 I think I'm going to call this finished. I've been fiddling around for the past week and have come to the conclusion that I'm going to spoil what I have rather than enhance it. So here it is I'll get some better pics for the gallery when the weather improves; too windy and wet just now 🌧️ In the meantime here are some to be going on with After some traumas I'm reasonably pleased with this. It's not exhibition standard but I've learnt a bit about paint finishes that are not "factory finish". I was pleased with the lowering of the canopy and windscreen height and the use of some very fine elastic for the aerial wire (AK Hyper thin). Thanks again to @Wings unlevel and @stevehnz for instigating this GB and for all the others that have commented, encouraged and liked my efforts or just silently viewed. Many thanks stay well Rob PS : I'm now free to concentrate upon prep for Telford where I'll be with the BoB sig 85th Anniversary display (all 60ft of it!!). I think we have something like 15 or 16 models at 1/24th scale including the scratch-built Defiant that has appeared previously but is superb and worth another look. Clearly also, there will be lots of Hurricanes in all scales. Somewhere at the back will by my other effort in this GB ( link here) and a couple of others I built previously. If you are attending, pop along and say hello - I'm the tall gormless one with a beard and not much hair 4 2
Rabbit Leader Posted October 26 Posted October 26 Excellent work Rob and an amazing recovery with those decals! The paint fading and roundel work is very faithfully replaced, you’ve done an awesome job picking out that detail. Cheers and well modelled.. Dave 1 1
Wings unlevel Posted October 26 Posted October 26 You’ve been on a journey with this build Rob, and the destination sure has been worth it! Think you’ve earned yourself another Guinness there, this is a gem of a build! Thanks for taking part in the GB, and taking us along on your adventures too! 👏 1 1
stevehnz Posted October 26 Posted October 26 Brilliant job on this Rob, having been back through your thread, retrogressive moderating I call it. you've sure had some adventures along the way. All to good effect by the look of the result achieved, it is impressive. 👍 Steve. 1 1
Wings unlevel Posted Monday at 02:37 AM Posted Monday at 02:37 AM Pics look great in the gallery, Rob. I really do like this build! 1
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