Messages

4381

Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75

« on: July 02, 2011, 08:49:42 PM »

Yup, I know the feeling--I've got several on the desk right now also......hopefully I'll be able to get the final paint color on my 75 yet this weekend and then start final assembly.

I did some surfing and found a review of your kit that mentioned having to trim the cylinder heads to fit into the Hobbycraft cowling. I ended up thinning my cowl somewhat to clear the cylinders, but that was after I'd reshaped it to the rounder configuration. Other than that it has been a fairly easy process.

4382

Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75

« on: July 02, 2011, 07:37:05 PM »

Yes, the resin parts really add a lot to the kit. Keep up the good work and updates!

4383

Forums Works / Re: Maintenance

« on: July 02, 2011, 06:07:30 PM »

Changed mine also, logout-login fine.

4384

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Zvezda MiG-21Bis 1/72 + BalkanModels

« on: July 02, 2011, 04:18:35 PM »

 

4385

Aircraft Modeling / Re: July Group Build - Fighters of the 4th-4th+ generation

« on: July 02, 2011, 03:26:33 PM »

I'm in the same situation as Profa (only six projects unfinished, though)--and I haven't finished my June G.B. project yet.........

This looks like a very nice kit!

4386

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 02, 2011, 07:28:13 AM »

The toothpaste works FANTASTIC! Here's the Raiden after spraying the green and removing the paste.

The hardest part of doing this is trying to exactly match the chipping pattern on the real airplane with the paste. A bit of practice should help.

4387

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Some modeling techniques

« on: July 01, 2011, 11:56:35 PM »

A bit of a change-of-pace, making your own letters or numerals.

Often I find that the markings I need for a particular model are just not available. In such a case I find a photo or drawing of the marking and copy it into the scale I'm building on my printer. Here is an example of this, using a Luftwaffe code letter. This one is easy since it's all straight lines, but I've had good results with other shapes as well.

First, trim the character you need with enough surrounding paper to tape it to the appropriately colored decal material. Tape the perimeter of the copy to the sheet so that it cannot move during the cutting process. I cut the decal paper in small segments just a little larger than the printed subject so as to save decal paper. Use a very sharp hobby knife blade to then cut around the entirety of the character, making sure to cut deeply enough to scribe the decal.

The next step is to soak the decal and then very carefully remove the excess from around the figure. Notice in this instance that one triangle of material was stubborn-I hadn't quite cut through all the way. A careful pass with the X-Acto blade corrected this.

If the figure is one color only, simply apply to the model. In my case the letter has a white outline. To accomplish this I simply dab almost all of the moisture off of the red character and then slide it onto the white decal material. Make sure not to transfer too much moisture from the first decal film onto the second sheet. Now make sure that everything is dry before proceeding. The next step is to simply cut the correct width outer border color.

The final step is to wet the second sheet and repeat the removal of the excess decal film you cut free. Then transfer the two-piece decal to the model. In some cases I spray a light coat of clear over the two decals before this step to bond the top film to the lower.

4388

Combat Warplanes / Re: Boeing B-47 Stratojet

« on: July 01, 2011, 10:47:07 PM »

If you buy it,will you build it for next magazin or ... ?

Sall,
I purchased one of the Hasegawa kits today but it'll be some time before it sees time on a workbench. Keep watching LLL around November or so and we will see what happens!

4389

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 01, 2011, 01:02:32 AM »

Yes, I'm very excited and I am just now starting to dapple the paste on the upper and side surfaces. This will be the real test of my skill with this process The green camouflage was quite rough in a few spots on the airplane I'm modeling. Hopefully I will have a further report to add later tonight!

4390

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Converting a Fouga Magister into a Tzoukit in 1/48

« on: July 01, 2011, 12:56:19 AM »

Beautiful scratchbuilding, my friend!!!

My ears almost hurt just looking at the engine--probably the loudest and most annoying sound I ever experienced on the flight line......but a good little engine nonetheless.

4391

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Zvezda MiG-21Bis 1/72 + BalkanModels

« on: June 30, 2011, 11:17:04 PM »

Aha! Good progress from Sall!!!!!!

Time off from "normal" pursuits is always good for modeling. 

4392

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: June 30, 2011, 07:18:40 PM »

Here is the "after" photo of the wing section I tried the toothpaste paint-chipping on. It really, really works well now that I've learned to use the paste very sparingly.

The other wing:

4393

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: June 30, 2011, 05:18:21 PM »

Yes, I confess that the fuselage banding drew my eye to this airplane--not to mention that the position of the band was in just the same place as the original yellow marking I'd started with. In addition, it was operating from Takao, Formosa rather than being part of the Hawaii action, so I'm modeling something just a little different. You know me, nothing "popular" from my desk!

4394

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: June 30, 2011, 04:33:53 PM »

There were many examples of the A6M2 in markings from the Pearl Harbor operation but I wanted to do something different. So.......this is the scheme I decided on. Next to spray it with some clear gloss and apply the decals.

The Raiden looks like this this morning, after applying a bit of aluminum Metalizer in the areas that will have paint chips:

I'm going to use the toothpaste paint-chipping method that Letipapa and Profa have used. I've tried to use very small amounts of toothpaste applied with an old paintbrush and other instruments.

I'll spray the underside grey and we'll see how successful my efforts are.

4395

Combat Warplanes / Re: Arado Ar 196 A-3

« on: June 30, 2011, 04:27:47 PM »

Here in the U.S. there is a surviving Ar 196 that served on the Prinz Eugen. When the airplane was being moved by truck from Willow Grove Naval Air Station to Pensacola it was damaged. See photos here: http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41256&hilit=arado

I don't know which is worse, neglect or being damaged while moving an airplane...... Thanks for those photos of the Bulgarian example, zetman, and welcome to LLL! 

Scott