ajd3530 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I have been a member here for some months, but this is the first build I have posted on here. I have been in a rut, a modeling purgatory so to speak. While I have many projects going along at some point of progress, I haven't actually completed a model 100% all the way to the shelf since early March. So I need something simple, something interesting, and most importantly, something FUN! This kit will fit the bill on all 3 fronts. So without further ado, here is the obligatory box shot. This is the 1983 boxing, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the decals are still usable. Back at the first of the year, I did Tamiya's Ki-84, and was thoroughly impressed with the relative ease of build and end result. Not exactly shake-and bake like their P-51 or Wildcat, but still, it was a very fun kit. (Warning, shameless plug of a prior build) This Rufe kit is of the same pedigree as the Ki-84, and I am looking forward to putting her together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Welcome aboard! Nice work on that Frank! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ajd3530 Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 Thanks! I was rather surprised how nice it turned out, considering my skillset.. Or lack thereof? Started tinkering on the Rufe tonight. Put together some sub-assemblies. Here are the outrigger floats and main wing assembly. And some fishing weights gorilla glued into the front of the main float. Accurate or not, I decided that I wanted to do the cockpit in an aotake finish. What works best for me is a light coat or two of Model master "metallic interior blue" enamel over a coat of aluminum. Here I have a light coat of Model Master Acryl aluminum down on the cockpit pieces. I've discovered it is best to let acryl cure before I put a coat of enamel paint on top of it, so it is sitting over night. Boy its a good thing I finally used up the last of my Tamiya extra thin, or I would probably be tinkering with this thing till 6AM. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Good start. I built this kit a few years ago, and it was a blast. I packed at much weight into the float as I could, in fact one of my heaviest models, and it still teeters on being a tailsitter if you tap it just enough it flips. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ajd3530 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 A little progress. I've got the main float and cowling together, and sprayed the cockpit pieces with the aotake color. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Cool! Just read about aotoke, and your approach is as I've read. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ajd3530 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 It sure is a change from the typical dull greens and grays, isn't it? Anyways, it now has a coat of semi-gloss lacqure drying on it, (the MM metalic interior blue drys to a nice, smooth gloss finish) then the pit will be ready for detail painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ajd3530 Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Got the cockpit all detailed up aside from the IP. Had a snafu on the gloss coat for the IP decal. I HATE decal panels, but that was the only option here. Hopefully pictures tomorrow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 How's it coming along? Love the aotoke effect; looking forward to more! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ajd3530 Posted December 31, 2015 Author Share Posted December 31, 2015 (edited) Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Finally go the cockpit together on the Rufe. It sat waiting around for 4 months on me to finally apply the IP decal. Edited December 31, 2015 by ajd3530 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 That's a great job on the cockpit. Have you been able to get more bench time on this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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