Keeping myself busy

[BillL]

I'm finally over a cold, which pretty much stopped production for the month of January. I can't take decongestants (they contain a stimulant), which is not recommended for someone who's had a heart attack. The paint a glue fumes were just too much to handle.

Here are a couple pics of the 1/48 Classic Airframes SBC-3 Helldiver that I'm building for a customer. The interiors of these aircraft were unpainted, and I've used a few different shades of Alcad. Having the Squadron "In Action" book helps a lot, since it has some cockpit shots.

Dryfitting shows that the cockpit floor doesn't span the fuselage width. Time for some creativity !

Next is Tamiya's 1/72 F4U-1 Corsair, which I'm building for a customer. I got the airframe together, and it was easy enough to do in my sleep. The only part that took some work was bending the Eduard PE ignition wires. Landing gear is next.

As you can see, the panel lines are absolutely HUGE for 1/72. The wash will have to be very subtle, or this will look like a jigsaw puzzle surface!

Another build for a customer is ProModeler's 1/48 Bf 110G-4 with Verlinden detail set. The AreoMaster decals went on fine. It took three days to apply them all, since the ones on the tail are multi-part. The "kill" markings are three layers, and the swastika two. There were also a lot of stencils (the Germans were verbose !).

Time to apply the washes !

[BillL]

I've been doing some work on Eduard's 1/48 Fw 190A-8. Eduard's additional PE set has lots of goodies, and the placard set is nice to have. There are items for the gunbays (I won't add the PE to the wingroot bays until after painting - masking could damage some of the parts).

Wheel wells:

Instrument panel

And engine

There are still a lot of items to be added to the engine. It may take a few more days to add them all. I won't be able to add the exhausts until the engine is mounted. This will ensure proper alignment.

I also have Eduard's Fw 190 tool set and Luftwaffe ground personnel. This will eventually be an engine maintenance scene - my most ambitious project to date. This one is for myself.

I think it's time to take a nap now.

[MA Cooke]

Hi Bill.

Glad you're over the cold, sorry to hear about your situation.

Your builds are looking great! Glad to see you back in action.

Mitch

[Paul T]

Hello Bill, good to hear from you again ,glad you`re feeling better.Some pretty nice shots there ,I`m really likeing the 110,very nice paint work,the squigles look nice and in scale with the plane.I must get mine on the bench, but need some decals.

Take care.

Paul T

[volzj]

Great work all around, particularly the camo on the -110.

[Chris Kethan]

Great looking work there Bill!

That Me-110 is phenomenal. Glad to hear you're feeling better. I'll be watching this thread with interest, as I do with ALL of your builds. Of all the builds I see on ARC, Bill, yours is the work that really motivates me to build !

Chris

[BillL]

Thank you Mitch, Paul, volzj, and Chris !

Paul - if you choose this scheme, you'll have a blast (I know I did). The "trick" is to keep the pattern random and the density uniform. It's very easy to overdo it.

Chris - inspiring others is the greatest compliment any modeler can receive. I appreciate it, and thank you very much.

Thanks again !

[David Walker]

I like them all, but boy, that Bf 110 is amazing.

[afterburner]

Lovely work Bill! Like the Corsair- that 110 is stunning!

[BillL]

Thanks David and afterburner !

I'm in the process of removing the excess wash from the 110, and I'll post pics after the Dullcote. I remove the excess wash (RLM 76 enamel mixed with black oil paint & thinned with MM airbrush thinner) with a #000 brush, cleaning around all the "rivets" and both sides of all the panel lines. As you might guess, it's pretty time-consuming. But it gives me control over the removal that I can't get by wiping it with a cloth. I can remove as much or as little as I want, wherever I want. All it takes is time.

Thanks again !