Barneydhc82

I generally use 2000 grit wet sand paper then polish with Novus #3, then Novus #2, then the Novus #1 Plastic polish. This stuff does a beautiful job of cleaning up canopies...and a bottle of each will last a life time. It is available at any plastics shop. Barney

Using PS Airbrush Thinner has been what I've been preaching all along but some find it more expensive than the other alternatives...I'd rather spend a bit more for consistantly good finishes Barney

This was mentioned some time ago...raid your Significant Other's stocking/panty hose drawer...don't get caught wearing them...cut into 2 inch squares and use these patches to strain the paint. Even the clear finishes will on occasion lump up and cause problems. And as David said...Liquitex Acrylic Flow Aid is a must for most spraying jobs. I use 15 drops per bottle...I mix ix into the paint while it is in the bottle...and if you want a great finish using a brush, this is the way to go. The Hurricane was brush painted...except for the Dark Green, and it turned out with no brush marks. Barn

Nice looking bit of woodwork Mike. More pics please! Barney

Thanks Mike: The rigging was a bit of a bear with these old stiff hands...but using steel wire makes for a much stronger model...particularly when you pre-drill the holes. Barney...with two Camels awaiting rigging

Pic #3

Pic #2

Here are a few pics of my Eduard Nieuport 17 finished as Billy Bishop's aircraft. The finish is Alclad Aluminum and Model Master enamels. The wee beast is rigged with very fine steel wire...although a bit oversized I might add. Pics using a Nikon 8700. Barney

Again for the umpteenth time...Polly Scale clear finishes do not need thinning...straight from the bottle. If the weather is hot and low humidity, add about 15 drops of Liquitex Acrylic Flow Aid per bottle. This will reduce the drying time preventing clogging of the nozzle. Thinning the clear coats, particularly the Gloss Clear will only cause puddling of the material leaving a badly "orange-peeled" finish Barney

And another...Italeri 1/48 C-130E Hercules....about 100 hours worth of scribing.

Dymo tape...dental picks...and patience...scribe lightly. Barney

Jamie: My collection is in 1/48 scale and individual models can be seen on my website linked above. I have finished Hornell's Canso, Mynarski's Lancaster and Bishop's Nieuport 17 (not shown yet) along with the Corsair. I have Roy Brown's Camel and Wm Barker's Camel under construction but had to set them aside due to arthritis making it difficult to rig the little beasts. I hope to finish them during the summer when the hands are not so stiff. All of these models will be incorporated into a new page on the site dedicated to Canada's flying Aces. Barney http://www.barneysairforce.com

Don/Jamie: I found out about Grey while reading a couple of very old books on the Victoria Cross...while I was looking for models of aircraft flown by Canadians in both World Wars. I then came across a couple of newspaper clippings describing the action which took Grey's life. I have these clippings in one of my nostalgia files. Hopefully I'll be able to complete my Victoria Cross recipients display before these old fingers quit working altogether. Barney

Don: I built the Tamiya Corsair OOB and found it to be a very nice kit. I too finished it as "Hammy" Grey's bird and you can see it at http://www.barneysairforce.com just look under Model Aircraft/RCN Aircraft. Barney

Tracy: Liquitex is found at any art supply store. I add the stuff to a new bottle of Polly Scale then thin as necessary in the paint cup. Do not return unused paint to the bottle or it will start to clump up rather quickly. Barney

Mike: That is outstanding work. Lots of patience and steady fingers. What did you use for the rigging???? Barney

Tracy: The straight alcohol will make the paint dry faster and the stuff may clog the tip. Try adding about 15 drops of Liquitex Acrylic Flow Aid to a bottle of Polly Scale. The results that I get are great. The Liquitex will slow down the drying time and allow the paint to level out. Barney

Are you really referring to Polly S or Polly Scale????? The old Polly S should be deep sixed as it was a terrible formula that would not airbrush worth a darn. On the other hand I have had 2 bottles of Polly Scale FS 31440 go bad...very lumpy. But that has been the only Polly Scale paint that I've had trouble with in 10 years or more. Barney

The Beaver used round head rivets...because it was never intended to go very fast in the first place. And a Beaver on amphibian floats was frequently used as a position reporting point. Barney

Thanks Carbine...I'll have a look at the kit and if necessary try to get the correct wing. It certainly is a very nice kit and the only thing that I might not enjoy will be the rigging. Arthritis and old age take their toll. Barney

How do you know if you have the incorrect lower wing or not? I bought a kit a few months ago and although I've had a look inside the baggies, I have not started work on it. Barney

Mike: What else could you expect from a Grumman Owner....He's now inti 1/1 scale stuff which will really keep him on his toes...... Barney http://www.barneysairforce.com

Brian...The Camel looks very good....now what did you use for the rigging???? Barney

Carbine: OK..That's the first time that I've ever heard of using Varsol as a thinners..But...and as it is an oil based product, I really don't see how it could be used to thin lacquer..again...maybe an old dog can learn something new. I do use varsol to flush the engine parts during inspection but that's all I've ever used it for. I doubt that I'll make the drive to Calgary...it's a 10 hour drive and my old bones, to say nothing of my old car, could handle a trip like that. Regards Barney...http://www.barneysairforce.com

JohnG and Carbine...I think that we have a bit of a problem with what goes with what...as far as thinners. With lacquer based finishes, use only lacquer thinners. With enamels (oil based) use manufacturers thinners or lacquer thinners for a hotter, quicker drying time. I use Model Masters Airbrush Thinners with Model Master Paints(enamels) Varsol is not the best to use with any type of product as it is a toxic cleaning medium and not a paint thinner. White sirits can be used with oil based enamels but with caution...it can and in some cases cause the paint to curdle. With Polly Scale col