ismaelg Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) Hello, This is my contribution to this Group Build. While I've been very active building scale models for about 30 years, it's been over a decade since I did an airliner. Thanks to this GB I'm back! So I'll start with a humble and simple project. This kit was made by Pegaso Necomisa in Mexico using the original Lindberg tooling from the 60's. I bought it on eBay years ago as a bagged kit. It is very basic but it looks decent. I read elsewhere the kit was actually 1/189 scale and my measurements confirmed it. But for the sake of simplicity let's call it 1/200 First order of business is to glue the 2 fuselage halves together. The fit is good. Not perfect but better than others I remember. Addressing the seam is a key process, especially at such a small scale. After several rounds of putty, primer and sanding, it is getting there. After several rounds, the seam is gone. The primer is sanded smooth to a polished look to reveal any imperfection that may still remain. Once satisfied with the seam I carefully scribed panel lines back. At 1/200 I have to be careful as they must be really subtle. And that's where we are now. Stay tuned... Thanks, Edited February 9, 2009 by ismaelg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 I forgot to show this is what I'm after: Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Najk Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Looking good..! Looking forward to the end result, that's one cool bird! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Some color. I like to use automotive lacquers instead of hobby enamels because they are very thin. The subtle lines that I scribed are still there. White is always challenging to photograph. But trust me: It is VERY white ;) Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Team 4R Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 interesting build... what solution are you going to use for the windshield? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 interesting build... what solution are you going to use for the windshield? Thanks! Not sure yet but I think I'll use black paint for the "glass" and BMF for the frame. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 Hello again! Can you tell I had the day off today? :D The simplified wings and engines total just 4 parts. But I doubled the parts count with my lathe :) I did intakes rings and exhaust. The inside will be painted black of course. The shape of the engines is wrong and so is the location relative to the wings. But fixing that would require massive surgery and way too much work. I don't think it's worth it. Mock up for the first time: Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Very unique build. I'll definitely look forward to seeing this one progress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hello, The elevators were one piece. I cut them apart and pinned them to install later. These are the kit's landing gear doors YUCK! I replaced them with my own. I know it's too narrow but that's the best I can do with this kit. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Najk Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Nice work on the wings and gear doors, looks good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MaRiO FDZ Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Nice work, man! It looks like it will be a great lookin' build! Take Care Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hello, The white top was polished and masked. Then the first coat of aluminum was applied. This will be the base for the different shades of metal. Here it is mocked up again. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MaRiO FDZ Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Take the masks off! I want to see it :) hahah nic work! Take Care Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GCA333 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Very interesting and nice kit! Looks pretty rare too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hello, Different color panels add life to the otherwise boring monochromatic scheme. Once dry, I'll mask again and do other shades of metals. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MaRiO FDZ Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Nice metal effects Now, Stop teasing us, and peel the masks off! ;) Take Care Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hello, By popular demand (OK, Mario asked :) ) I removed the mask this morning. I'm happy with the laser sharp lines. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 That looks exceptional! Very nice paint work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 (edited) Hello, Some more progress. More masking for additional metallic shading. and before Mario asks to take the masks off It is hard to see in the picture but there are panels painted in aluminum, chrome silver, steel and a mix of steel/jet exhaust. The machined rings should finish it nicely. I'll let it dry for a few days before adding some BMF to the flaps. Same thing with the tail. The tail fin may get one more small panel shade. Still debating that one. Thanks, Edited January 16, 2009 by ismaelg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hello, The glass nose is one of the most peculiar features of these early Tupolev airliners. However, this kit has it molded with the rest of the fuselage. The shape is off as well. So I masked and painted it gloss black to simulate dark glass. I'll then add the frame braces around it. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DC10Oiller Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Wow! That is sooooooo cool. And you managed to save the rivet detial too. That's one great build you got going there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hello, Some more work on it. Keep in mind this is 1/200 scale. The glass nose braces are thin strips of painted tape since BMF this thin did not cooperate. The windshield was actually freehanded with a brush and a fine ink pen. All this was a lot of fun.... NOT That's the best I could do with this rather crude kit. I will now turn my attention to the landing gear, decals (my nemesis) and final assembly. Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MaRiO FDZ Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 You could have used aluminum tape heheh.... Still, it looks VERY good, man Take Care! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 You could have used aluminum tape Thanks Mario. I've been looking around for it but no luck so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ismaelg Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 Hello, One wing is pretty much done, the other one will be shortly. Notice the machined intake and exhaust. Top side: Bottom Thanks, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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