Silver is a popular colour

Apparently, a quarter of all new cars are in silver. At least, that was the case a few years back. Wonder if it’s still true? I mention it because I’m building a few, well, 2, silver aircraft. Some people love to build silver, or Bare Metal Finish (BMF), and others hate it. It is true that BMF shows any imperfection, and so demands better building standards. Of course, this is true of any single colour finish, but BMF is the worst. I should point out that n ot all silver is BMF. Some silver aircraft were painted that colour, whilst, of course, BMF are those who were left natural, or even polished. Silver is though a strong colour, unlike black, which absorbs all colour, by remaining, in effect, soft.

Speaking of colour, I’ve been asked if I use enamel or acrylic, to which I say: yes. I suppose, for now, I use mostly enamel, but I do use acrylic, and will probably, in the future, switch to acrylic more and more. Acrylic is easier to use, washes off with water, can often be mixed with water, produces a nice finish easily, is more forgiving, and dries in minutes, unlike enamel, which takes hours. However, it’s also a weaker finish, less able to withstand knocks, and just looks thinner to me, as if something is missing. Still, it looks OK, and produces stunning model finishes. I guess I’ll switch soon! There are two main groups of acrylic. Those, such as the Games Workshop (GW) range, the Humbrol acrylic range, and some others, which are excellent for brush painting (especially the GW range, which is actually hard to spray without significant thinning). The other main group are the thinner ones, especially the Japanese ones Tamiya and Gunze Sangyo, which are both excellent for airbrushing. Between the two are the Vallejo range which are good for both. That’s not to say that the Japs can’t be used for brush painting (I have), but some are better for some jobs, than others. Still, it’s all a matter of choice.

Anyway, onto the kits. No new kits for a while, bar an original Sh’ot kit from AFV Club, which is a birthday present from mama, to match the later Sh’ot kit.

The most advanced kit is possibly the 1/48 Hobbycraft MiG-17 kit. It has some issues, but it’s been an interesting kit from a learning perspective. The fuselage didn’t join properly, in fact, it left a large lip. There was also the interesting problem of the instructions not being clear to put the forward wheelbay in before the fuselage is closed up! Also, some shaving was needed to get it to fit properly. What made it more interesting was that I had already glued the fuselage together. So, I broke the very forward part of the fuselage apart (actually, it broken open already), and squeezed the wheelbay in. Trying to sand and shave the inside of the assembled fuselage though was fun! The kit also need weights. Mine was put in the front of the fuselage, which means, even when the air splitter is put in place, they will be visible, despite also being painted black. Fun and games! So, getting the fuselage smooth meant losing detail. Anyway, the panel lines didn’t match up. The answer? To rescribe. Used some dymo tape as a guide, and gently ran a metal dental pick to scribe the line. Not a brilliant result, but reasonable, for now.

I could finish the MiG in camo finish, but I’m not happy with my skills there. Other points to consider are that the bombs have little lugs to fit into holes on the fuselage. Or, rather, would do, if there were any! Lost one of the small part, no.34, from the underside. Hobbycraft give you raised details where to place items, such as the lumps, and the bombs. One group of things not marked out are the guns. Of all the parts, it’s most crucial to get these right. I think the guns as installed, are wrong, as they rise up, not level, also, they need to be next to each other, which is difficult.

Next up is ‘The Dog’, AKA a Revell-Monogram 1/48 B-25J Mitchell Red-Bull special edition. Not much to report since last time except I popped in the top hatch. Managed, with some blu-tac on a dental tool, to get it back in place, even if slightly out of line (still looks OK though). Took it, and the MiG, to the Barnet modelling club. Amazing how many noticed the raised words saying it’s copyright 1977, under the left wing. No one noticed that some of the little rods hanging of the back of the engine nacelles are missing. Well, you try sanding, and not knocking them off!!!

Now for the rest!

Tamiya 1/72 Bell X-1, painting the canopy, which is black, whilst the fuselage is orange. Using a new technique for me: using strips of Tamiya tape, either side of the lines, then painting the line. Not bad, but some seepage.

Mach 2 1/72 B-45 Tornado, more or less given up now. The part built model I was given had errors, but, more than that, the undercarriage is weak. Truthfully, I needed to paint it better, but I’m not going to re-work it, just not worth it now. Will decal it, and give it to my Godson.

Revell (ex.Matchbox) 1/32 Sea Venom FAW.22, some small progress here. Painted the cockpit, using Humbrol enamel no.85. I must admit, I’m not happy with this colour. 85 is called Coal Black, a mid-shiny black, but I find it too shiny, almost a shiny black (Humbrol 21). Of course, maybe it needs more mixing (Humbrol 33 needs a lot of mixing, else it comes out shiny, but well mixed, is fine, in fact, more than fine, it’s a gorgeous matt black). I didn’t mean to re-paint parts of the cockpit, but then realised I missed out the rear panel! It’s not a part that effects others, which is why I didn’t put it on first time. Speaking of missing bits, there’s also making errors with the parts. Part no.87, the engine fan assembly, was put on backwards. This means, of course, closing up the fuselage, so you can’t see the engine, as it now will not fit against the intakes. To get around this, the intakes are glued as should be, but are left hanging. This means that the engine will need to be glued to the fuselage. Should be OK, but need to be careful.

Just started 2 Bilek SU-22 in 1/72, one a UM-3K, and the other an M-4. These were bagged kits, which could cause damage. The interior has been painted Xtracolor enamel X-629 Soviet Interior Blue/Green. Not sure if the colour is exactly right, but it’ll do.

PM model 1/72 DFS-194, still slowly masking the canopy! The instrument panel fits badly. Needed to dig out some of the sidewall, to get it in.

Bilek 1/72 A-6E TRAM. Apparently this kit is also released by Italeri and Revell. I can see why, it’s lovely! Very crisp, nice detailing, or so I thought… The interior was painted Humbrol enamel 140, which seems nice, with Humbrol acyrlic 33 (matt black) for the seat sides. Went on lovely! For the top of the seats, used black before, and behind, the wraps on the top. However, a couple of problems. First, the kit was bagged, which has lead to one of the fuselage parts being broken off, whilst the sides are warped. Secondly, for some daft reason, they put an injector mark on the seat cushion, and not where it can be hidden! OK, so, it took the space forced by the straps coming together, leaving a little V. However, it sill looks weird. even if it’s 1/72. Used an ancient tin of Humbrol Authentics Olive Drab for the cushion. Amazing how these old mixes lasted, but the new stuff (due to law I believe) has just isn’t as good.

The 4th bagged Bilek kit I started (or, technically, opened and put away in little takeaway boxes) is the SU-34. Again, warped fuselage sides. Fun…

Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk.22, and a Mosquito FB.VI. Both of these are being worked on side by side. Interior is Humbrol 78 Interior green, with Humbrol 33 matt black for the rest, aside from some Humbrol enamel 94 for the cushions. Interesting thing noted is that the Humbrol 78 changes tin to tin, so, repainted interior of both, to keep consistency. Another thing is that the Spitfire has decals for the instruments, as well as a detailed (and rather nice) instrument panel. Weird thing: the decal sheet is quite different from the panel! Not only it means it can be put over the top, but it begs the question: which is right? Decided to use the panel, but using the decal as a guide, picked out 2 parts in red. For the rest, did my usual, and used Humbrol enamel 21, shiny black, for the instruments. Now to dry brush, to make it all stand out.

Tamiya 1/48 Mustang P-51D, fuselage finished, wings added. Used Tipex to fill gaps around the scoop on the underside. Surprised it needed what it did, but finally made it look OK. One of the small rear facing scoops looks a tad rough, but it’s tiny, and should be OK. Was told at the club last night that Tipex is melted by paint. Need to coat in Klear first it seems. Scratched fuselage fixing the cockpit, filled in with Tipex, the sanded in. Looks good! Nice kit, good fit, but actually, it wasn’t as perfect as I had thought. The wheelbays are looking nice, with the tiny pistons (?) painted in silver, with the bands in black (as required). Tiny, but sets it off nicely!

Revell submarine – nothing to report

Tamiya 1/35 Scout Car. Progressing nicely. Wheel cover fairings in place, or at least, where, until the front ones fell off! Trying to squeeze them in, sitting on the suspensions, was too much. Going to sand, and reapply, but ignoring lugs. Forgot to add in a hatch, but made it in using blu-tac. Re-painting the panel at the front as it’s too white. To make it look better, re-painted roughly with Revell 371, which is called a light grey, but to me is a grimy white. Brilliant! Now for some more dust, dirt, and it will look great! Ancient dried out tin, but, if I poke the dried paint, there’s a layer of wet paint under it. Reminds me of oil bubbling up! Fantastic stuff! More external bits added in. Nice kit, but does need some work in places. Still, it was an early Tamiya moulding.

Right, enough for now. Happy modelling!

…and then it finally came

Strewth I can’t believe I’m 37. Thirty-Seven. It’s not 35, which is the edge of being young, or 36, which is just gone, no, 37 means you’re, no fail, on your way to being 40. Crikey! Rather frightening really. Makes one sit back, and muse a bit. At least before I’m 40 we should have a Conservative government in power in the UK, but I’d rather, if one could chose, give up that for a peace deal in the middle-east. However, both would be nice! I do wonder if we’ll see McCain win, or will it be Obama. I reckon it’s too close to call.

So, to modelling (as I assume you’re here for the modelling). Well, ‘The Bitch’ is no more. Yes, she finally tried my patience once too many times. Having assembled the fuselage, I found that the Revell 1/48 F-14D just will not fit. The final straw was the forward fuselage, which, fitted like a crack dealer at Lords doesn’t (to ape Douglas Adams).

The counterpart to The Bitch is The Dog, another Revell 1/48, this time the B-25J Mitchell, in Red Bull configuration. The interior, in ’stone grey’, from Revell’s own range, was lovely, if the fitting were a tad flat. Trying to enough weight in was a problem, but by losing the front wheelwell (which can’t be seen anyway), and the tunnel (not a huge loss), just about managed it. Also, some more weight dotted around, but it seems to be OK. Fuselage fit is a bit indifferent. However, by using Tippex, Zap-A-Gap, and Mr. Surfacer 500, finally achieved a smooth top fuselage. Now have masses to complete elsewhere! Seat sides are silver, Humbrol no.11, the seats themselves are blue, from Testors, straps are black, with the cockpit in Humbrol, no. 144 I think, but need to check.

Not a bad kit, but raised panel lines, and some indifferent fit. Still, easy to build, and cheap too.

I’ve also been working on the Tamiya scout car. Not a bad kit, although the floor seems a bit dodgy. Still, it is an early kit. Fit is fine, but then, it is Tamiya! Interior is white, with smeared ‘wood brown’ from Humbrol, and smeared black. Dry brushed some of the brown along the bottom corners, where the walls meet the floor, looks good! Exterior is being brushed some Molak black-green. Looks good, and, being a land vehicle, can be heavily weathered.

The Tamiya Bell X-1 was a lovely kit to build. Quick, easy, satisfying. Perfect! Needs now to be sprayed orange, and then, well, that’s about it. Just need to paint the canopy first, then mask off. As for when I’ll do that… Slight problem in that the instructions were for the Eduard 1/48 Bell X-1, but seemed to have worked it all out! Interior was Gunze Sangyo interior green, with details in Humbrol black.

The Tamiya Mustang continues at a glacial pace. Slow doesn’t mean good! I re-painted the instrument panel, as the original job was far too shiny. Humbrol 33 can, unless well mixed, come up shiny. Now mostly OK, with some shiny black (Humbrol 21) for the instrument faces. Using matt and gloss for instrument faces works really well, so, pleased about that.

Speaking of instruments, I dropped some Humbrol 21 onto the clocks of the little Scout car, worked a treat! Will also use it for other instrument panels in the future. Another thing that worked well was the dry brushing of the radio boxes for the Mustang. I use a light grey for this, made them look nicely worn in, but not too worn. Fantastic!

Other bits worked on include: the DFS aircraft, which had a drop more canopy masking; the submarine, which was brush painted with a mixture of Humbrol no.10, Humbrol no.01, and an Airfix which was similar to no.01 (to finish the tin); and the 1/32 Sea Venom, which had bits of the cockpit painted, and the seats re-done, yet again!

One thing I find is that Humbrol no.85, coal black, is not a mid-gloss, between 21 and 33, it is, in fact, a shiny black, more like 21. This is rather annoying, as I have masses of 21, and really need something between 21 and 33. Revell do some nice mid-way black, so I’ll use those. As for modern Humbrol no.33, well, it must must be well stirred, else the colour is far too shiny.

A few new kits around too. Swapped some for a Trumpeter 1/24 Mustang. I will build this in Israeli colours, maybe as Judy/Tink, the first Mustang, or as a later blue/brown from 1956. Either way, should be fun. Also bought the new AFV Club Sh’ot 1973, which is similar to my old tank. For my for birthday, my mother bought me the new AFC Club Sh’ot 1967, which was more like the Centurion base tank. Both of those are 1/35, but I also bought the new 1/48 AFC Club Tiger. The price, just 12 Pounds was the same as the Trumpeter, but far less than the Tamiya, even though it’s a fine product, or so it seems. Time will tell, but AFV Club have a good reputation.

Meant to start the Sh’ot for my birthday, but not quite there yet. Other than that, a few kits here and there, but the interesting one is the Academy F-89J Scorpion, from Hannant’s London second hand section. A mad looking aircraft, so, should be interesting to build!

Finally, I also commenced work on the Tamiya 1/72 Nanzan. Very simple build, but what’s RLM Grey? Decided to use RLM02 for it, from the Color of Eagles range. This range was actually produced by Vellejo for an American company, but not any longer. The theory is that the paints are ready mixed for spraying. Personally, I found them a tad too thick, but not too much so, and so sprayed direct. Not a bad result. Needs a second coat, and also to balance out a slight colour imbalance, where some items were darker than others.

Oh, and really finally, did a tiny bit of work on a 1/48 Airfix Mosquito, but just some painting of the interior (Humbrol 78) and some black for detail work.

OK, that’s it for now, for modelling.

Otherwise, well, been using some dowsing rods, with some interesting results.  Been chatting with this lovely girl I met online, from a dating website, and, hmmm, excited to see what happens there.  My contract is up for renewal at work, as it’s supposed to finish Monday 30th.  They asked me to stay on a fortnight, but, no, I need a break, so, decided to say sayonara on Friday 27th.  Then, have a break in July, whilst hunting an appropriate new contract.  September’s a good month for new contracts, as is May.  June is less so, and July worse.  This means I could be up a gum tree, but I hope not!  Today, had my first Gaapweb email which had no new jobs in it.  Has the market dried up that much?  I hope not!  Still, I just need the one right job, not 30 jobs!

Car’s still running, running well actually, but decided not to replace until get a good new contract.  Likewise computer, which needs replacing, but can do for now, until I get a contract.  Actually, I have a virus, or had a virus, rather, but it’s damaged my Explorer.  As I need to partially clean my machine, I’ll wait until my break, as it could take a few hours.  Hopefully all will be OK.

Ideal?  A nice contract, to start end of July.  Perfect!  Then I can have a break, and start refreshed.  Still, let’s see what life brings.  Need a break though, and need to spend time walking, getting fit, losing weight, and, of course, writing my blog!  Modelling just goes without saying.

Anyway, enough for now.  TTFN!

Moving on?

Been quite a while since the last update, so, here goes! Firstly, I noticed I made an error in an earlier post, which I’ve now corrected. The F-14 seats are Humbrol 67, not 62 (probably slipped up as the cushions are 72). Anyway, been quite a few developments.

As I’ve mentioned the F-14, I should say that I’ve worked on the underside. It’s a pig! For that reason, this build was nicknamed ‘The Bitch’, and that still holds true. Basically, the intakes do not match up well with the fuselage. A lot of filling and sanding later, and it’s much better, but still not quite right, and there are gaps (and poor adhesion) which I’ll Zap-A-Gap, then sand, later. Dry fitting the cushions to the seat sides showed some bits of white, where I’d thought the plastic was hidden, so, re-painted the seats, again, in Humbrol 72. Next up, well, tomorrow, I’ll paint the seat sides in 67, and leave for a while. As I’ve sanded out parts of the cockpit, out with the Revell paint to re-do, and to also paint the canvas instrument binnacle covers. Not sure yet what colour to use, but that can be easily sorte.

Away from kits, was very pleased that Boris Johnson won the election to be London mayor. Ken Livingstone is one of those politicals who I dislike, possibly on a par with George Galloway. As I’m living in St.Albans, was weird that the Tories gained 3 sears, and the Liberals 1, but it gave them control of the council. Oh well, guess that means more anti-car policies here. Still, for now, fairly sane, except in St.Peter’s St. where they seem to be, oh never mind, but it is crazy to stop all parking there, for no reason. The old system of no parking during market times worked well. Banning at all times, and installing cameras to monitor cars, issue remote fines, etc, just feels so wrong. No wonder Tesco want to abandon the town centre! I wonder, can’t councils grasp the simple concept that if you stop people going to smaller town centre shops by car, they will drive out to the larger places. Sadly, this means that the town centre loses supermarkets, resulting in people living there being forced to drive out… Oh well!

Other than that, meeting some lovely girls online, one in particular, but enough on that. Sadly, had to dump someone the other day. Nice girl, but, a culture clash, and I knew it would bring grief. Also, going to be starting the gym next week with an old work colleague. At least, that’s the theory!

The B-45 Tornado is now more or less done, except some touching up, where some of the original paint job came off. Hand painted the engine cowling covers in olive, using my ancient tin of Humbrol Authentic. It looks good! At least, I think that’s what I used. I’d better work it out before I finish it off! Once touching up is finished, decals, and then, that’s it. Cool!

Working on a SMER Fokker S.11 Instructor. That’s proving a bit of a pig as well, but it’s my own fault. The left wing was shoved in, glued in, and then I realised, wasn’t quite right. Wondering if the fix, or trash it. Might go to my godson for experimentation. Another along those lines is the Short Sunderland. Just can’t be bothered to finish it. Also there will be some other bits I’ve lost interest in, such as an Airfix 1/72 Spitfire, an Airfix 1/72 Drakken, and who knows what else!

Was feeling fed up with modelling the other day, decided to jack it all in, but, for now, have stayed my hand. Instead, will dispose of 100 or so kits. Ignoring the 1/144 kits, that around a quarter of my stash. Obviously, there’s a financial implication, in that I’ve spent money, and now not using it, but, on the other hand, these are all kits I’m unlikely to build in the near future, or indeed, not so near future. Some could be sold on ebay I guess, maybe raise £500 ? It’s just a hassle with finding boxes, packing, etc. Still, would raise my ebay profile! The Airfix TSR.2 kits alone are worth £100, plus decals, resin aftermarket bits, etc.

Well, that’s it for now! Osher

The glacier moves forward

My modelling seems rather glacial at times!  Nothing much has happened with the Mustang, except some touching up here and there on the seat.  For some reason I never painted the back of the seat, so, need to do that.  Used Gunze Sangyo acrylic, but didn’t thin it.  Result was, hmm, not tostandard.  So, quick flick with the sanding stick, and off I go again!

The Sunderland is moving forward.  The porthole that had the glass pushed in was filled with Krystal Klear, and it seems to have dried OK.  Put Maskol on all the port side, and one starboard side, portholes.  Now need to Maskol the rest, mask the canopy & turrets, put on fin, rear planes, oh, the list goes on!  Still, moving on.

The real progress has been with the Mach 2 B-45 Tornado.  I removed all the masking from the canopies, and began painting (or re-painting) the olive drab of the engines covers, using Humbrol 86.  So far so good.  Wheels are in place too.  The chap who originally worked on it must have stopped when he was on the wheels as they’re partially painted.  Excellent job too!  In other words, it’s approaching completion point.

Other than that, things much the same as ever!  Bought The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy on tape for £2 in St.Albans market, so listening to that whilst working.  Also bought a futon for £10.50.  The people I bought it from seemed most unhappy to have sold it for so little.  Of course, the fuel costs to transport it, plus buying my friend lunch, and cleaning the car, made it almost the same price as a new one.  Ah well, it’s fine, and had a nice day out too.  At least it means that friends, if they want to stay over, can do so now.

Torn assunder?

Finally decided to finish the fuselage of the Sunderland.  Easy task, you might think, except, no, not this time.  Before one can assemble the fuselage, the 3 turrets need to be attached, and the cockpit too.  The upper turret is easy, it sits on a shelf which you attach to one side.  The front turret sits on a slider, a little more work, but OK, whilst the rear sits on, well, the rear!  The cockpit, as with so many cockpits, was a pain.  Still, it all came together.  However, this is not true of the fuselage, which left massive gaps!  Out with the Plastic Weld, out with the clamps, and, eventually, out with the Zap-a-gap.  During the fight, one porthole became partially pushed in.  If it goes fully in, I’ll have a dead model, so, need to rescue it.  Also, the gun from the front turret became dislodged, so, using a cocktail stick, need to re-attach.

The turrets themselves are very simple affairs, with no lines for painting.  Still, they’ll do.  Speaking , it’ll do, the fuselage is now looking much better, and begining to resemble a Sunderland.  With the top sanded down, and the bottom now looking better too, it’s all go!  Next up will be the rearplanes and the fin.  After this, mask the canopy and turrets, then spray on some Mr.Surfacer.  Normally I don’t use this, as a bit rough, but need it this time I think.

Not much else this week, except the re-painting of the Mustang floor.  Now resembles a plywood floor, to which black paint has been roughly applied, and thence worn away in places.  Pretty pleased with that!

Need to sort out a ‘works programme’ to complete all kits sitting on my workbench.  Most of them are near the end, so, I should be able to clear a lot, quickly.  The current kits are (and next stage) – all 1/72 unless otherwise indicated-:

Short Sunderland – Attach rears elements; B-45 Tornado – need to repaint engine covers; Horton – repaint swirls; Draaken – mask canopy; Spitfire – mask canopy; 1/144 Lancaster – fix gap, repaint; Submarine – get the energy to attach bits!; Sea Fury – mask for final paint; 1/48 Mustang – cockpit; 1/48 F-14 – cockpit; 1/48 Spitfire – next layer of brown

Whilst I know what I’m going to build next, nothing is release to the workbench until these are completed or binned!

Has it really been that long

The other day I received an email from someone mentioned in the blog, asking me to remove the references to this person, which I duly did. However, it then struck me that it’s been way too long since I last updated my blog!

Anyway, it’s the last Friday of March 2008. My project for the holiday company I’m working for, is proceding nicely, if frustratingly. Still, I aim to have this major part of the project finished before long. My boss, the FD, doesn’t think it will be that, but I know I’m fairly far advanced in the project. Oh well, time will tell!

Now for the more important things in life than money, relationships, etc, yes, models!

Today I worked, for the first time in ages, on my Revell 1/48 F-14D Tomcat. It is really is a large, but crap, kit! For some daft reason there is a mould line down the middle of the fuselage. Unfortunately, I only noticed this after I’d painted (airbrushed) the cockpit. The colour used was a Revell enamel, SM (Silky-Matt) 374, a slightly blueish mid to light grey. Actually, it sprayed on fantastically. I know many don’t like the Revell series, but I think they’re fine, quite nice actually. Now, this isn’t the colour that Revell recommend. However, I had it to hand, it seems to be approximately correct, based on pictures I’ve seen on the internet. Actually, my original choice (I had to overpaint the original) was much darker, although with more blue. Oh yes, I should say, I started this model several years back!

Back to the kit. As I said, I’ve kit has a mould line down the middle, right down the middle of the nose, the cockpit, etc. Well, when I noticed, I tried to sand it, which was a slight error as the paint wasn’t yet dry. Now I just need to wait for the paint to dry, then sand, sand, and sand! Actually, this whole kit is one of those that requires loads of sanding, and, of course, filler. Those air intakes caused me nightmares, and require yet more hours of sanding…

Still, the seat seems to be OK. I used Humbrol enamel 72 for the cushions. Possibly a greener khaki was more accurate, but what I used wasn’t too bad. As for the sides of the seat, Humbrol enamel 67, a very dark grey. I originally painted it a matt black, but it just seemed too black. Looking at a picture of the seat, it seems that maybe a matt black is correct. Hmm, another paint job is due? Be slightly funny to go back to the original colour I used!

The other model I worked on today was an Airfix 1/72 Short Sunderland. Another large, but crap, kit! This time it’s not a kit I started ages, but a more recent one. On the other hand, the kit itself is stamped 1960. One nice touch is that the kit has starboard and port inscriped inside the wings. I guess boys born in the 40’s and 50’s were expected to know such things! Today was just touching up some paint for some internals. For some daft reason, the Humbrol enamel 33 matt black isn’t always matt. I have no idea why, but I’ve gone back to over paint shiny with fresh, hoping it comes out matt this time.

Like the Revell, the Airfix kit has major issues with fit. This time it’s the mainplanes, who’s relationship to the wingroots needed a lot of coaxing, plus filler and sanding. The problem was especially pronounced around the leading edge, where I had to build up, and sand down, to gain consistency. As it is, if looked head on, a slight gull shape has developed. Unfortunately, a lot of detail was lost on the wings, in a half an inch line. Oh well, comes with the kit, losing detail.

Well, getting late, so time for bed. Off to Hannants tomorrow, to swap a whole gaggle of kits (plus, probably, some dosh) for 2 new Airfix 1/48 Canberra B(I)8. Might also get a new Revell F-22 whilst there too! However, the Airfix will not be around long, as just 10,000 are being made… On the other hand, some of the new Nimrods are still floating around, a month after launch. However, the Canberra should be a more popular choice.

Before you can win, you must finish

It’s amazing how few kits I’ve actually completed.  Very few!  They tend to either: get abandoned, put aside (usual), or finished roughly and given away.  Well, I’ve actually finished a few this week, 4 actually.  None of them are any good, but all of them are like the Curate’s Egg – good in places.

My Chematic, ex-Novo, ex-FROG, Gloster Pioneer/Whittle is done.  Taken long enough!  However, there was a 5 month modelling hiatus, due to moving (ironic that).  It’s been interesting, and I’ve learned a lot.  Basically, my basic modelling skills are really coming along, and I’m assembling, and sanding a decent model.  Even my spraying is coming along.  However, my masking of camo schemes, that are wavy and hard-edged, leaves a lot to be desired.  Desire it I do!  The basic problems are: not pressing down hard enough, so paint seepage under panel lines, etc.; not getting nice curves on a wavy camo; not being accurate enough in design.  The last one is easy to solve, and maybe the first one.  Guess the middle one will come with practise.  I also bothed one coat.  Made the classic error of spraying too thick, leading to shoulders where it met the masking tape.

The Airfix MiG-15, one of their earliest kits, was another challenge.  It was Bare Metal Finish (BMF), and had terrible mishappen side.  BMF is the hardest finish to get right, and, as I learnt the hard way, touching up BMF almost always make it worse!  Again, masking was off beam, but getting better.  I also learnt to always Future/Klear decals before masking over them…  What pleased me is that, using copious amounts of filler, and different grades of sanding sticks, I finally had a decent model, one that hides the joints, even in BMF, and even where one part of the fuselage can fit in the other, so bad was the fit!

A Morris tractor unit, for a Bofors gun kit (sans Bofors gun), was an exercise in a quick, but slightly challenging build.  Again Airfix, this time 1/76 (HO) scale.  Nicely done, but, ouch, how were those parts supposed to fit, for the lorry base?  Anyway, zipped it off, enjoyed the build, with complex (or fiddly anyway) suspension parts, and wacked it off in dark green.  Not quite prototype, but, it’s missing bits, so, like the other models here, off to a friend’s son.  I should point out, this kit was given to just muck around with.

Finally, another experimental kit for me, an armorfast M-10.  Used for fun, and no decals with kit, it’s very simple, just a few parts to make a kit.  Interesting experiment in weathering for me.  It’s not as simple as it looks!

So, gradually getting better, but, whilst away, no modelling for me.

At the moment, working on the fake Russian Italeri stealth fighter.  Going nicely, but those instruments.  Yikes!In 1/72 scale painting them is a nightmare.  Otherwise, a nice kit.  Easy to build, this MiG 37B Ferret E kit.  Just remember it’s a fake, so, no need to be too accurate.  I’m using Revell SM374 for the interior.  It’s a sort of blue-grey (more grey than blue), just because I have an open tin, and it’s a likely candidate for an aircraft interior colour.  The real Russian aircraft are far more blue, but, as it’s a fake, who’s to say that it wasn’t this colour?

Another old 1/72 kit, in fact, Airfix’s 13th kit, the DH88 Comet racer.  Nice so far, but the moulds are worn.  The canopy lines, referred to in older reviews as being faint, are now completely gone.  The air inlets are poorly moulded too.  Time for this old soldier to put out to pasture.  Huge wing root gaps.  Used filler, then Mr.Surfacer 500.  Botched it a bit, and will now need to sand back, and re-apply (touched Mr.Surfacerwhilst still wet.  Not a nice sight!)

Another aircraft on my desk is an Academy 1/200 XB-70 Valkyrie.  Poor fit, gaps, and some dodgy moulding.  Also, decided to do it with stand, and guess what, stand doesn’t fit!  Managed to get it to fit, in the end.  This just being sprayed Mr.Surfacer 500, but ran out part way!  How frustrating!

Also, a couple of Sweet Macchi’s that I started a couple of years back.  Kept the parts, so will now fit what’s broken (one machine gun missing), and attach what’s fallen off (a prop here, a leg there).  Just remember, this is 1/144 scale!

So, as I now seem to be completing models, let’s see what’s happens!  Toodle poop for now!

Pinch punch the first of the month

OK, well it’s the 8th, but hey, what’s a week between friends? Not much modelling since the last post, except yesterday (or rather, this morning). The MiG-15 was touched up…and looks, well, worse maybe! However, it’s been covered in Klear now, so at least protected. The problem is that the touching up used too much silver, and a silver which was slightly different from the original. Oh well, can’t be helped. I’ve reached a point where the model is dragging, and now I just want to finish it, and move on. Funny, the carrier film for the red stars has almost totally disappeared, but the carrier film for the numbers can still be seen. Not silvered, just faintly visable. I wonder why…

On the Gloster Whittle, good news! The missing wheel has been found. I’ve also masked the canopy, glued in the seat, and repainted the cockpit, glued in the canopy, and am now just fixing a large gap between the canopy and the fuselage. I tried using Tippex, but it just sank into the gap eventually, so, now for some normal filler.

As for some thoughts on other kits: well, the Esci Ertl Tornado seems like a lovely kit, with nice engraved lines, and decals for the interior. For their time they were excellent kits, pity they’ve gone (although their moulds turn up here and there). Also looked at the Smer Breguet 693. Interesting kit, or rather kit subject. The kit itself is ex-Heller, and shows it with large amounts of flash. What surprised me is that there is no interior. Not even the standard seat’n’stick interior as used to be the case. No, nothing at all! Still, nice of Smer to put the clear bits in a seperate bag with the decals (which, incidently, seem to be really nice!). Might just attempt this kit as a quickie. Saying that, the nicer decals are for a 3+1 camo scheme, so that could take a while… Ah happy days!

Colours is a film with Sean Penn

Colour is also a major debate for me in modelling. I have the Trumpeter kit of the USS England. What colour to paint it? Not the hull, I mean the small bits, like the depth charges, the guns, etc?

Speaking of colours, I decided to recommence work on the Encore (ex.Heller) 1/72 Natter BA 349A and Fieseler Fi 103 (the manned version of the Doodlebug). Nice kit, basic interior, but amazingly, the instruments are there, and there are decals for the seats. Actually, always surprises me that more kit manufacturers don’t include decals for seats. It’s basically free (they are printing a decal sheet anyway), and adds to the kit, as well as saving us punters money! Oh yes, colours, so, the kit says to paint the interiors RLM 02. I’m sure it should be RLM 66, being late war Luftwaffe, but OK, RLM 02 it is. They then say to paint the supports RLM 71, a dark green. Hmm, OK, but it’s not quite right. I mean, would they use identical supports for both aircraft? No, I don’t think so either. Not sure what colour I will use, but maybe a Black Green, Humbrol no.91 (actually, a Perkins, because I want to minimise my use of Humbrol, until they come back into business). The RLM 02 is the Xtracolor paint. Good for spraying, crap for brushing! Final paint fight is over the rockets for the Natter. Just what colour were they? I’ve looked at others models online, and no one seems to know! Still, were they painted at all? The Luftwaffe was running out of paint, and the rockets were expendable. I guess they might have been left as metal? Anyway, that’s my theory!

So, repainted the black areas (Perkins no.33) , which for some daft reason were shiny black and not complete, and re-did the interiors in RLM 02

As for the kits themselves? So far, so easy. Not bad for an old kit. Obviously not in the same league as the Dragon (reissued by Revell), but still the only 1/72 kit I know of, of either model. Just the rockets have seam lines to sand off.
The MiG, the infamous MiG! Well, the 5th coat went on today. After finishing here last night, did a light coat on the MiG, and whilst translucent, seemed to stay, so, on went a full coat today. A few more of those, and the kit will be done! Still some drops forming, but not too bad, and I was able to airbrush them out (I use an Iwata double action HP-C, so set the brush to air only), by spreading the paint around.

Made a first start on the Academy P-40B Tomahawk. Right in the middle of the seat was an ejector tower. Of all the idiotic (and hard to reach) places to have one!

As for the Armourfast M-10, well, I found the main machine gun, and put the other aside for safe keeping. So safe I can’t find it now…

A new coat, hello and goodbyes

In the ongoing battle of my MiG-15, a 4th coat was applied, this time Humbrol 27002, a MetalCote. Well…the earlier sanding wasn’t quite good enough. Little scratch marks from the sanding came through in the MetalCote. Bare Metal Finish (BMF) as it’s known is the worst for showing up errors. However, this last Wednesday, and today it’sSunday…

Friday night spent sanding. I am quite sure that no one has ever sanded one of those MiG kits to such a degree! It’s now glass smooth, and I’m sure that if I can spray right, the final finish will look good. However, I need to apply the coat, and yes, I’m nervous! After all, it has been 4 coats already.

I sold to Hannants a whole load of kits. Mostly stuff that I would never build, for various reasons. Guess what, me, the man who likes lists, forgot to write them down! However, the big stuff included a 1/12 scale Revell Ferrari F2002 and a 1/32 Trumpeter F4U Corsair. The Corsair could have been a nice kit, but way too complex! As for the Ferrari, well, hmm, I just know that as much as I would like to, I would never get around to it. The Ferrari cost me £60, £10 down from normal price. The Trumpeter was £40, so, just these two alone was £100. Other than that, an Airfix DC-9, a SMER (ex-Aurora) Camel, some Airfix figures, some old Hasagawa stuff from the 70’s (with raised panel lines), and, er, some more bits! Anyway, in exchange for those kits, and some money, I purchased the Tamiya 1/350 Enterprise, a huge kit!

Slowly slowly

Well, a third attempt to paint the 1/72 Airfig MiG-15.  This time, using the same mix as a couple of days ago, I first sprayed an unbuilt Matchbox JU-188 (no canopy, pity, nice model, very sharp moulding), and it was fine.  Then the Airfix, and, hmmm, I think I sprayed too much.  There are drop built up at the bottom of wings, etc.  Hopefully I can sand it nice.  There’s also a bit of mess around the base of the fences.  I think I should have cleaned it up more first.

Next, the Italeri fake MiG-37.  I used some Revell 374, which is a grey-blue colour.  I looked at some pictures of Mig-29, and it seems fairly close.  I’m sure there are colours closer, but it’s darn near!  Anyway, it’s a fake aircraft.  I think I could have done with thinning it slightly, but for the next layer I will.  Also did some black work on the engines, and seat, and silver work on the undercarriage.  Glued in the munitions bays, as will have them closed.  Interesting, the two bay covers look the same, but are different, so, if buildng, dry fit first.  Used a minimum of glue, just on the lip.  Very neat, and just a tad to remove!  Finally, assembled the two split wheels.

Finally, and aside from silver fingers, I used some of the black from earlier to paint the two machine guns from the M-10.  The smaller one was fine,  the larger one is now in the room somewhere…!  I have a wooden floor, and still can’t find it!  Ah well, that’s all for today!

Adventures in spraying

There’s a first for everything.  Today I managed to get airbrush cleaner in my eye.  It’s been a bit of a crappy day in some regards, so, to be expected I almost guess!  Anyway, here’s the latest:

Yesterday I zipped off in 30 mins an Armourfast 1/72 M10.  Very simplified kit,  but, it’s 90% of the way to a fully detailed kit, so, not bad!  Trouble is, the kit illustration, and the assembly diagram on the box are, seemingly for another kit!  The assembly and illustration show one MG, not two, they ignore the Jerry cans, the lights are different, and the storage holder (?) in the illustration doesn’t exist!  Still, for 30 mins of fun, can’t be bad!  I’m not going to detail the interior, just have quick kit to experiment with.

My MiG 15, for the Airfix build in Finescale is, hmmm, not as good as it could be.  What makes it much worse is that the paint finish was awful. I use cellulose thinner, maybe that was the problem?  The paint was Humbrol no.11.  So, out with the sanding sticks, and a long time later…it looked nicely weathered!  Seriously, ready for another blast.  This time the paint spluttered out, and orange peeled onto the aircraft.  Am I never going to get this one right (the Armourfast was airbrushed OK).  I also didn’t some splatter hitting my Italeri ‘MiG-37B Ferret E’, including canopy…

Actually, didn’t see much because whilst cleaning my Iwata, the cleaner hit me in the eye…  Later, managed to get most splatter off the canopy of the MiG-37.  I know its not a real aircraft, but will give it a shot next I think.