The Madhatter

I keep looking at this aircraft and the more I do, the more beautiful it gets. Awesome build

Hey there You're quite right, I add details to my own tastes, with no references to plans or even the filming model. I just add what I think looks good.

This build is really making me want to get one of these kits (and that is not something that happens much for me these days) but I just did an eBay search and they're over $280 shipped! I'd like one but I don't want one THAT much. I shall enjoy watching you build yours instead

Very cool subject, and one you dont see many of. Are you going to make a reduction gear box for the main blades? I've not really had much luck motorizing models in the past so im interested in seeing how you go about it for my own references

That's looking smashing ! I keep looking at those side bits on the wings and my OCD is screaming it should have more detail. The sensible side of me just says to shut up and enjoy looking at this awesome build.

Thanks Brett It's not as scary as you think 🙂 So, here I am with another update. The roof is finished - or finished enough for now. It's looking pretty good to me. It's hard trying to keep it all in scale but I think I am doing alright. A test fit of the bridge and neck was okay but I had to remove some stuff off the back left sidewall to allow the neck to slide all the way in. The fit is not the best - I'll be honest, I'm not sure if it's all me, or part me and part kit or just the kit itself. Either way, I'll have to think carefully about how the final construction is go

Hi again everyone I had been asked on another forum for some lighting help and so I did up a very quick photo tutorial on how I use and install SMD's and fiber optics, so I thought I might as well post it here too for anybody to reference if they have never used them before. The pictures aren't the best as I took them quickly and had crap light today but they will convey the message adequately enough. First up are the Fibers. These are "Hobby Spools" which are available from here. They're cheap and there's more than enough there to light several models. You can mak

4 Years?? Man, I thought I had patience but that trumps anything I've done by a long shot 😁 My Venator took me just over a year but then I also didn't have a child until over half way through and had much more time on my hands

thanks guys. It also may to help explain why it takes me forever to produce a decent update as well as having to take breaks form it every now and then

I got asked on another site if I could take a picture of some of the detailing with a recognisable item to help grasp the size I'm working with. I know no one here has asked on this build but many times in the past I have been, so hopefully this will help: I've made a start on the roof and will aim to have it done by next week - fingers crossed. That picture is the start of it

That looks incredibly complex but yet very compelling - in other words, I keep coming back to look at it and saying to myself - I'm glad that's not me doing it. Nice fix up BTW. I also keep thinking it almost needs a filter over the top to tone down the contrasting colours without ruining the whole paint job. Maybe once the final flat coat goes on and some weathering, it'll help with the contrast. Dunno. I shall leave such decisions to you ;D

great masking work! Shame about the paint lift off - I have shared the same experience many times in the past, but it's repairable and that's all that matters. Luckily the angles make for easy masking. The paint scheme overall looks awesome! I really like that splinter style Looking forward to the finished result

Excellent! Its a great kit. It doesn't really need all the stuff I'm doing as its already nicely detailed. Have a look through the other threads about the AM parts available as there's quite a lot. Can't wait to see your build eventually

Yeah nice one Ray! What kit did you get? Revell /Zvezda or other?

Thanks Brett Yeah the red dots are fibers connected to a red LED. There are about 6 of them there. Just not all of them are that visible

Hi again Thought I'd share some pics of the successful lighting test of the hangar bay. I'm very happy with how it's come out. The light's aren't too strong which is good. Not far from finishing the top section. The windows have all been drilled out and is now ready for the fun task of installing the fiber. Joy Thanks for looking

Thanks guys I'm hoping to install the hangar bay lighting this weekend so will have some pics of that soon. I'm also almost finished detailing the sides, then it's the roof, so once it's all done, I'll take some more pics then.

Got more work done with the top layer 3/4 finished. I still have more surfacing to do but I'm hoping to knock out a fair bit tonight (if World of Warships doesn't interrupt me) I won't go to crazy on the roof though but you can see a clear difference between the kit surface and mine. Some might say that's not a good thing but I like it. Besides, once the paint goes on the busyness will disappear. I've glued on the sidewalls and then will drill out the remaining windows. The roof is just sitting on there until I have threaded through the fibers - a task I am not looking forward to.

That looks awesome mate! Love the subtle lighting. I know they're pre-wired but I don't suppose you know what sized resistors the LEDs use do you?

Thanks mate Yes, the neck is painted but not weathered. Its had a small wash but nothing serious. I won't add much weathering, a bit, but not a lot.

Continuing along now with the painting and installation of the main hangar bay. It's been drilled out in places for lights and I'm waiting on delivery of my LED tape I've also started on the top layer of the superstructure - or wedding cake as it has been referred to by others. Test fitting of the neck shows there could be some issues ahead, but nothing insurmountable Anyway, that's the end of this update but I will post more pics soon e

Thanks for the encouragement Brett! I'm hoping it all comes out according to plan and so far it is but its early days..... he says a year later 😄

Hey guys It's been a while since I last touched this but after numerous side projects (some successful some....not so much) I figure it was about time to get this going again and maybe even finish it this year - although being over half way through I doubt it. I'd just like to finish it all together really.. So, I have finished detailing the hangar bay and it is currently drying off the black base coat ready for the light strips to be attached. I am waiting on 2 new ones as I screwed up the first set by cutting it in the wrong place. I had the right number of LEDs for the amount of hole

I love this even more now after seeing the effort you went to with the masking. Beautiful work!

No, I had no issues with it at all. I actually quite enjoyed making this one. I've found that previously Revell's car kits were not always the best but these ones seem to be of much higher standards than the usual kits they make