Jump to content

xmh53wrench

Members
  • Content Count

    399
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by xmh53wrench

  1. Thank you for the very kind comments!

    I do like the idea of using undercoats to create varying shades and sheens of the aluminum skin. I am not having real good luck masking the Alclad. No matter how much I detack the tape I seem to have problems with minor blemishes left on the Alclad....minor so far, but they are there.

    So creating different looks with the undercoats really keeps the masking to a minimum.

    That said I did mask and paint the ETO wing bands.

    IMAG2783_zpsa7c84ec5.jpg

    IMAG2787_zps2de4cc07.jpg

    IMAG2778_zpsfb49e6b4.jpg

  2. Not CO2, but I pulled out of retirement from my racing days, one of these.

    IMAG2758_zps3e4c03a6.jpg

    I have been using it for the past few weeks, and I love it. Plumbed a regulator in it, and if need be I can put an inline water trap....so far havent needed it at all.

    I can spray several colors on one filling, and when it gets low, just head to the garage and refill. My garage/shop compressor has a big tank and will fill this probably 6 times before ever having to flip the compressor on.

    I was contemplating doing something along CO2, when I remembered about my old racing tank.

  3. HOLMES!!!!!! Thank you for the great comment.

    & Joel, thank you as well for the look and the compliment. I am more and more impressed with this little old kit. Its no Tamiya, but for a quick build that looks the part, it surely fits the bill. Its biggest downfall for the type of build I am doing is the fitment of the landing gear doors. Both the main and tail gear doors are made to swing open and close with the action of the landing gear when built OOB. To facilitate that they are made with quite substantial gaps and large hinges that protrude from the fuselage. For this build I did my best to fill the gaps and remove the offending hinges. I have one more of these in the stash and two of the Phantom Mustangs. My plan for those is one Phantom Mustang to be built OOB, but the other I would like to eventually build with a lot of scratch built framework and details. I have seen one with the framework from the new ZM kit shoehorned in, it was quite impressive....dont know that I would go quite that far, but that would be the idea.

    Photographing this NMF has been quite a struggle as it is hard to give a good all around representation of what is shiny and what is dull and what is in between for the panel shades. My thought process was that the panels that may have been annealed and formed in my opinion would have been duller in sheen. And the flat cladding that would have been just sheared to shape and then riveted in place (ie: sides of the fuselage, sides of the tail ect.) would probably be the shiniest. Other more easier formed panels would probably fall somewhere in between....at least this is my take. So its that theory that prompted my map of undercoats. I like the results, but may in fact change up a few things on future builds. I have been having a hard time photographing exactly what my eyes see when I look at the model and see that the sides in fact have the most reflectivity.

    Here is another quick shot, I have been chipping away at small details and hope to have the ETO black stripes painted within the next few days.

    IMAG2757_zps132b52a9.jpg

    The goal is an early yellow nose Mustang.

    P-51D-5-NA, 44-13708, B7-I, 8th Air Force, 361st Fighter Group, 374th Fighter Squadron, Bottisham.

    "Duchess of Manhattan"

    Capt. Henry B Lederer, Bridgeport CT, 92 Missions, 305 Combat Hours

    B7-I.jpg

    Thanks again for looking in....its greatly appreciated

  4. And after some drying time, Ive applied the wing roundels, and OD glare shield paint. The area around the exhausts it coated with 115 Stainless Steel.

    IMAG2748_zps5ac586fe.jpg

    IMAG2747_zps2c3ebfed.jpg

    IMAG2746_zps7b1402db.jpg

    And this is where things stand right now. I have a couple of stalled out 1/24 Mustangs, and this is to get the old modeling mojo back, and also in preparation for doing natural metal finishes on those builds. With any luck, the bigger scale will allow this to look even better. So far pretty happy with the outcome.

    Thanks for looking in, and hope for a few more updates over the next few days.

  5. More photos and progress...

    Nearly ready to start buttoning up the wings and fuselage.

    IMAG2610_zpscabf6c57.jpg

    All closed up and nearly ready to start figuring out the paint work. Also I have made a stand that will put the plane in flight and in a left bank.

    IMAG2623_zps3e30663e.jpg

    Also thought I would try a technique of masking off some stripes to simulate the fabric on the rudder and elevators.

    IMAG2636_zps3fec7237.jpg

    So, to progress with my getting familiar with Alclad, I thought I would paint a test panel using different types of basecoats and some of the different shades of Alclad.

    I used some black and grey sandable primer, some gloss black and gloss white spray lacquer and some satin champagne as under coats. In a 90 degree pattern I sprayed from left to right, Alclad Chrome, Polished Aluminum, Airframe Aluminum, Aluminum, Duraluminum, Semi Matte Aluminum, and Stainless. I then, on a few select tints, sprayed some gloss clear to see what kind of effect that would have on the color and sheen.

    Here is the outcome.

    IMAG2646_zpsf6b4d20b.jpg

    I then, drew up a map of the Mustang, and went about choosing the base coats and tints and where they would go to simulate different panels.

    IMAG2660_zps74665924.jpg

    Wings painted to represent the Aluminized Varnish (using a gloss white undercoat, 116 Semi Matte Aluminum Alclad, and a gloss clear) and the rest of the airframe base coats in place.

    IMAG2678_zps0f462417.jpg

    And now Alclad 119 Airframe Aluminum sprayed over the balance of the airframe. I am relying on the basecoats to create different sheens and tints.

    IMAG2730_zps86d80956.jpg

    IMAG2739_zps218a2e69.jpg

    IMAG2737_zps674b22a6.jpg

    Bit more to come in a few...

  6. ...Seems I posted this in the wrong spot previously...

    Well its been a long time since I have posted here, but I have been trudging away on a build that I thought I would share here.

    The kit is the ancient Monogram F-51D. Its the same kit as the clear Phantom Mustang minus the stand and all its innerworkings. The kit still retains its movable landing gear, and releasing bombs. The kit is also fitted with the Hamilton Standard cuffless propeller.

    For my build I thought I would back date the aircraft to a WW2 P-51D-5NA, and build it as a very early D with no dorsal fin fillet. Also put it in flight on a stand with gear up.

    I pulled from the stash a cuffed Hamilton Standard prop, and figured I would do some work in the cockpit.

    But, my primary goal for this kit is a test bed for and natural metal finished Mustang using Alclad paints. So that actually is my primary focus, though building this old kit should be fun.

    So without further to do, here are a few quick pics of the progress on the kit.

    Here is the old and tattered boxing for the kit.

    IMAG2546_zps47c90bf7.jpg

    The basic big chunks of the kit. The shape is not bad. Wing profile may be a bit off, and the guns are molded a bit outboard. Also the H-stab is mounted in a bit of an odd way, but all in all I really like the kit. Raised panel lines and rivets are molded in the kit.

    IMAG2549_zps18296894.jpg

    First order of business was to give the wings a good smoothing treatment, one of the perks of raised detail....no putty required. Also started on adding some detail to the cockpit. Also fabricated a wing spar to give everything some strength and shape. Also opened up the shell extraction chutes in a more accurate fashion.

    IMAG2566_zpsb628a1ad.jpg

    IMAG2571_zpseadcdcb9.jpg

    IMAG2582_zpsca320db2.jpg

    IMAG2581_zps23051e98.jpg

    Painted and detailed cockpit, used the kit instrument panel and started assembling the new prop.

    IMAG2599_zps4853d183.jpg

    IMAG2598_zps532abe06.jpg

    IMAG2603_zpsca69da70.jpg

    More to come...thanks for looking in...

  7. Update as this is done. Thanks for looking in. I really like these Airfix kits, even with all of their problems, and they look great on the shelf.

    First time using a gloss coat prior to decaling.

    CAM02362_zps29304078.jpg

    Decals done and cleared with Testors Dull-coat.

    CAM02368_zps3d803e32.jpg

    Finalizing up the cockpit.

    CAM02403_zps4ce9d369.jpg

    Landing gear done, next up is gun bays and a few more detail.

    CAM02401_zpse5e74697.jpg

  8. Alot has gone on the past week or so. I have decided to replace the kit's Merlin with an Airfix one. I reworked the elevators to more resemble fabric covered elevators. Closed up the fuselage and wing and removed the dorsal fillet to more resemble the -5 series Mustang. I have primed and sanded the wings and put a few coats of Ace Hardware Chrome Aluminum. After some drying I will clear coat the wings to kill the reflectivity and hopefully have the appearance of the aluminum paint used by NAA.

    CAM02225_zps8aeec3bb.jpg

    CAM02174_zps5f0e0876.jpg

    CAM02197_zps8f01c6d0.jpg

    CAM02221_zps829b3299.jpg

  9. Here is a dry fit of the fuselage sides, wings, engine cradle, and cockpit. Things seem to fit pretty good.

    CAM02121_zps5ec2e72f.jpg

    I have also painted up the paper tanks in prep for a bit of detailing.

    CAM02125_zpse2e9344d.jpg

    Painted up the wheel well.

    CAM02127_zpsed6c54e1.jpg

    I am also in the process of painting some of the components in NMF. And some of the flight surfaces in my interpretation of the aluminum paste paint used by NAA.

    CAM02137_zps82d64b66.jpg

    CAM02147_zps554c8281.jpg

    CAM02145_zps0ad1cb1d.jpg

    Thanks for looking in...stay tuned

  10. I have to fill the rocket mount holes that are pre punched in the wings.

    IMAG1930.jpg

    I pre puttied the wings so I could get some sanding done on them prior to assembly. And I assembled all the flight controls and paper tanks (man they fit nice and look even better).

    IMAG1966.jpg

    And I am going to leave the gear wells as is since I plan on positioning the gear in transit and that ugly back wall will not show too much,I hope...

    IMAG1968.jpg

    I have also pre assembled the main and tail gear. Very nice stuff in my opinion, though I did scratch out the brake lines as the ones that are in the kit are entirely of rubber and very very unstable.

    IMAG2222.jpg

  11. Oh, here is another quick look at the kit, prior to unpacking....still a very nice kit all in all....

    Engine and Props (both Hamilton Standard cuffed and un-cuffed) and misc.

    IMAG1889.jpg

    Engine cowlings (which are better than the Airfix, but they still missed the mark on the slight valve cover buldges), mounts, seat (which IMHO leaves much to be disired, so I will be scratching a better Warren McArthur one up)

    IMAG1893.jpg

    Tanks (woohooooo 1/24 paper tanks), tires, canopy(yuk, must be for that ever elusive P-51XXL"fat boy" version for plump pilots), gear legs, and some niffty rubber engine details

    IMAG1896.jpg

    H-stabs, elevators, rudder, gear doors, wheel and gun bays (its such a shame that these companies just cant seem to get that wingspar deal figured out) guns and bullet belts

    IMAG1897.jpg

    YUP, I said bullets

    IMAG1898.jpg

    Wings and fuselage

    IMAG1900.jpg

    IMAG1902.jpg

  12. I had assembled the engine and threw a coat of satin black on it.

    IMAG1903.jpg

    And I had taken the kit seat, and revamped it with the help of some Evergreen, a coat of 34092 Green, a few scuffs and masking tape seat belts...all only to change my mind as I will be adding the pilot, so I will set this Warren McArthur seat aside, and steal the Schick-Johnson seat from an Airfix kit. Also added a few details to the cockpit.

    IMAG1911.jpg

    IMAG1915.jpg

    Finished the landing gear, prop, and a bunch of work on the office.

    IMAG2254.jpg

    IMAG2253.jpg

    My first real attempt at painting a pilot in this scale...pretty tough, I cant imagine the smaller scales. He does look a bit grey though, may have to do something about that. More to follow...

  13. Well if this manages to ring a bell....My original intent for this aircraft was a 1/24 Airfix kit, that is currently in the "in-progress" section. But then I managed to score one of these Hobby Craft kits. It is a reboxing of the Trumpeter from what I understand. I had originally started this kit during the Size Does Matter Group Build, but have been on a break on another 1:1 project. It is a fabulous kit in my opinion, much nicer and more detailed than the Airfix. Two major problems that I am going to have to live with though, as I have not been able to come up with an easy solution for. The canopy is just horrible (of all things), and it has the perverbial slanting back wall in the wheel wells. I have decided to display this Mustang as if it is taking of with the gear about 3/4 up, so that should somewhat sheild that ugly wheel well....kind of a shame as there is some pretty decent detail already molded into the kit's wheel wells.

    So on to the aircraft history lesson....

    Well my subject is the initial mount of Lt. Robert Dickmeyer 44-13956, QP-D, a -5NA flown in the last half of 1944 out of Debden, UK. The aircraft featured Red Nose markings, as well as nose art by the squadron's famous artist, Donald Allen. I will be painting some remnants of D-Day stripes on the aircraft and doing (for the first time) a natural metal finish on the fuselage. This aircraft was Lt. Dickmeyer's first of two Mustangs, as this one was reported as shot down by flak, and he bellied the craft into a 9th Air Force air field landing strip in France. But I have yet to pin point that exact date. Also Lt Dickmeyer was credited with 2.5 kills during his 6 months with the 334th.

    I plan on using an Airfix pilot and stand. I had started this kit, but its been pretty slow going as I have been concentrating on my 1/24 build of "Precious Metal" the Reno Air Racer.

    Here is a few reference pics, and the kit.

    dickmeyerpclr.gif

    Although, I am of the opinion this pic is incorrect. I believe in the timeframe I am trying to replicate the 334th did not have that much red on the engine cowling, and had no red rudder yet, only a black band on the vert stab and rudder. So thats what I am planning. I am also hoping to ommiting the fin....another hunch based on the timeframe.

    Lieutenant_Robert_Dickmeyer_Nose_Art.jpg

    IMAG1887.jpg

    IMAG1888.jpg

    More quick updates to follow as I am back working on this kit.

×
×
  • Create New...