dai phan Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Hello all, My latest project will be the 1/48 Claude kit from an Ukraine company. Not a popular modelling subject for this particular release but I have heard very positive reviews from the few that were built. I thought this aircraft would be a nice addition to the Eduard I-16 I just completed. Dai Edited January 27, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Ohhh, looking forward to this one. I am very interested in this aircraft that led to the birth of the Zero. Who's markings will you be using, Saburo Sakai? Cheers AFM Edited January 27, 2021 by AlienFrogModeller Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) On 1/27/2021 at 9:07 AM, AlienFrogModeller said: Ohhh, looking forward to this one. I am very interested in this aircraft that led to the birth of the Zero. Who's markings will you be using, Saburo Sakai? Cheers AFM I have bought few additional sets of the markings. I have yet to decide but likely silver body and red tail. Dai Edited January 31, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Howdy modelers ... The good stuff is finally here so the building will start tomorrow ... Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 Following this one. Interesting subject! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 (edited) Hello modelers... Started on my latest project. So far the fit is perfect and the enginnering is well thought out. Not bad for a first kit from a relatively unknown Ukraine model company. Dai Edited January 31, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) Impressive chipping effect! Glad things are moving along well on this project. Edited February 4, 2021 by ST0RM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) Hello all... I got the cockpit tub installed and fitted into the fuselage. I was worried about the fit but so far everything fits very well. Everything has a key way so there is no guessing on where the parts should go. Tonight will be engine installation into the cowl. For first time release from a new company, the engineering and fit is Tamiya level so far. Dai PS: I wish I have a camera that can take close up photos. I was trying to get an up close photo of the tub was so damn blurry ! Edited February 1, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 Hello all... The main airframe is assembled. One fit issue (mine only?) that is when I installed the wing assembly to the fuselage, the forward section of the fuselage does not allow me to properly place the cowl in the correct position. It is placed too far out resulting a big gap. It should be noted the cowl has a small seperation from the fuselage like the Zeros. Wingsy's engineering could be better in this area. May be something I did not do right as there is no report of such problem on the Net. As such I have to trim about .25 mm to allow the cowling to be in the percieved correct postion. The photos found on the Net is grainy and hard to see the exact position of the cowl relative to the fuselage. Models built on the Net also show some variations. Some appear to be like mine while some the cowl is placed way too far forward. Since the rest of the airframe does not involve major building, I do not expect any suprises. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Dai, maybe this will help. Note the "gap" from the trailing edge to the apex of the front of the fuselage. Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 4 hours ago, AlienFrogModeller said: Dai, maybe this will help. Note the "gap" from the trailing edge to the apex of the front of the fuselage. Cheers AFM Thank you very much! I wished I have seen your photo before I glued in the cowl but I think I get the position pretty close? Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 Dai, I think that is so very close, not sure if it can be any better! Keep up the good work. If you need any more tech info let me know I have a couple books I reference. Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 7, 2021 Author Share Posted February 7, 2021 (edited) Greetings ... Primer on. Not much correction to do. Tomorrow will complete the airframe color. Dai Edited February 7, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 Looking great! Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 (edited) Hello modelers... The red tail will be next. Will wait 48 hours for the silver paint to completely dry before masking. The propeller is primed but not yet painted. The surface detail is extremely fine so you must be ultra careful in sanding and using amount of paint. I use Mr Color so the layers are very thin. Dai Edited February 9, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BuNo02100 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 I have been thinking of getting this kit, would compliment my Fine Molds one. But I think the surface detail on the Wingsy kit is so much better I will have to replace the FineMolds kit. it looks like it is going together well, any had parts? BW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 3 hours ago, BuNo02100 said: I have been thinking of getting this kit, would compliment my Fine Molds one. But I think the surface detail on the Wingsy kit is so much better I will have to replace the FineMolds kit. it looks like it is going together well, any had parts? BW Hi there, I have looked at the Fine Molds Claude and yes, the Wingsy surface detail is superior. The recessed details are so fine that you must be careful in sanding and minimize coats of paint. Had I used enamel or acrylic I am sure the rivets would not have pop up like they did in the photos. The FM version does not have the rivets and the panel lines are too deep. I would say this kit is the best Claude in 1/48 scale. As with my last project this one goes togther rather quickly. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 Hi all ... The painting is complete. I will have to use the Berna decals as well as Lifelike's. The red color on the Lifelike is too orange and would not match the red color on the tail. A Claude without the red tail ain't a Claude in my book ! Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Looking like a real beauty!! Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 8 hours ago, AlienFrogModeller said: Looking like a real beauty!! Cheers AFM Thank you so much ! I just ordered the Quickboost exhausts for better scale appearance. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) Hello all , Started to decal the plane today. The Lifelife decals are excellent, thin but strong for repeated positionings. The clear film that carries the large "307" virtually disppeared with an application of Micro Sol. The big problem is the red insignias. The color is too light and should be a bit darker. I do not think it is accurate and perhaps some IJN experts can chime in. They look off as the color does not match with the red tail ( should it? ). Also the red insisignias are thicker than the black wing text making it comform over the wing lights impossible. I just ordered the Dead Design insignias masks to overcome the problem. Any advise to get the wings decals to conform over the wing lights will be appreciated. Dai Edited February 14, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 Dai I have at multiple Decal Softeners in my arsenal for such situations, Microset/sol, Mr Mark Softener, Markfit, and Walther's Solvaset. Bit for the simple markings of the Hinomaru, I just mask, paint a white base coat then red. As for the comparison of the two reds, I would only guess they would be close in color. I'll do some research and see what I can find. Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 Dai, Just my very humble opinion... If these are indeed the same color...as per the artist impression. The black and white photo would support this theory. It would appear the colors are the same and show no significant grey shade difference. Further evidence, in my humble opinion, shows two colors here, red and black. The Hinomaru and tail in red, the engine cowling fuselage bands and top of wing appear to be black. As per the another reference appears to support this theory. BUT I could be waaay off as well. Hope that helped. Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) Hi all ... Set back time ! I finally found a photo of the actual plane I am modeling ( been trying without luck then it shows up !) and the illustration on the Lifelike decal sheet is wrong. I have to repaint the red tail to the correct position and remove the tail codes to place in more accurate position. Lifellike decals are good with excellent documentations but inaccurate art work ! It is plane #4 that I am modeling. Dai Edited February 14, 2021 by dai phan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BuNo02100 Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 I used that same decal sheet and found the reds too light and almost orange. Not a problem for the hinormarus but the stencils on the wings and fuselage is an issue. Good luck and keep at it. BW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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