Jump to content

Williams Brothers Gee Bee Z


Recommended Posts

As the Laird was heading toward completion I cracked open the Z kit. It builds just as well as the Laird but it does have some minor fill issues around the wing root trailing edge fillet.  I didn't spend any time on the cockpit as it won't be seen when the canopy goes on. The biggest challenge to this is the pin stripes. In 30+ years I never tackled the Gee Bee kits because of this. I found some 1/64 pin striping tape and decided to have a go at it. More on that soon. 

 

Jim

 

33110897798_bc1c5c3a50_n.jpgIMG_1119 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46072597645_03c89e0f06_n.jpgIMG_1120 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

33110897188_9a0ddc10b0_n.jpgIMG_1121 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

First priming with flat white enamel...the fillets needed some work but easy enough.

32045048077_fc1b0806b6_n.jpgIMG_1241 (1) - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

33110895988_f3ac45de7f_n.jpgIMG_1242 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Once the fuselage was filled, sanded, and re-primed, I sprayed on the gloss red as a base for the pinstripes. I shot it wide to make it easier to feather. 

 

33110895508_9cd4b8c680_n.jpgIMG_1244 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

33110894978_2e9b3c80e0_n.jpgIMG_1264 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

Pinstripe tape in hand the tedious job of masking was started. At first I sketched the pattern on the airframe, but ultimately I eyeballed the striping and did it by hand.

32045046347_e33cb248b5_n.jpgIMG_1340 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46072593335_521dda98ac_n.jpgIMG_1344 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

The yellow base coat, used Testors Chrome Yellow with a bit of brown mixed in.

32045046077_9d59c4f2cd_n.jpgIMG_1566 (1) - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

Once the yellow was on I taped off the large areas and then used liquid mask for the scallops

46072592815_1a5825e070_n.jpgIMG_1567 - Copy by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

More soon!

 

Jim

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

while I'm at it...here are a few more, adding the black and removing the masks.

 

46934791972_c0057917b2_n.jpgIMG_1576 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

The pin striping tape worked great...although I laid the yellow on a bit heavy it was easy to lightly sand and polish out. There were a few places I had to touch up with a brush but overall it came out better than I thought it would. After some clean up it was time for the decals. 

 

46934791972_c0057917b2_n.jpgIMG_1576 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46934791422_0aeae51794_n.jpgIMG_1592 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46262436074_32573f24b9_n.jpgIMG_1594 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46934790972_0f65ce8bfe_n.jpgIMG_3101 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46934790562_5298b58fda_n.jpgIMG_3107 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46262435314_3da1d14d1b_n.jpgIMG_3578 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46262435094_0098105f52_n.jpgIMG_3579 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks dnl...it sure is fun build, the R-1 and R-2 won't be too far behind!  This post brings it up to where it sits now. A couple more sessions and it will be done. I'm waiting on some Tamiya gloss clear. I used Vallejo gloss varnish for the airframe, and while it is nice, it seems to soften even with mild handling.  The flying wires are .015 wire, which looks like the thick wires used on the original. Hopefully it is a good illusion. 

 

46987970331_9800c6b9d1_n.jpgIMG_3638 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46987969991_1a6e2be922_n.jpgIMG_3643 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

33112286448_e21ab5f997_n.jpgIMG_3658 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

33112286248_b7caa093b4_n.jpgIMG_3695 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

46987969451_8de4c9ef13_n.jpgIMG_3697 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

 

40023046083_20a89b1b71_n.jpgIMG_3709 by Jim Harley, on Flickr

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...