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1/48 Hasegawa P-400 Airacobra


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Here some pictures of a project I started some time ago. Again, I decided to do it strictly OOB to hone my skills and to reduce my stash :crying2:

It's the second Hasegawa P-400 I bulid, so I should have known what was in front of me ;) But the goblins in my modelling room decided to test me... :whistle:

Here a picture of my first P-400, just for comparison with things to come :whistle: It was built for a friend who needed it for his company as an exibition model... so strictly OOB.

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Let's start then... After painting the Cockpit, the fit check loocked promising...

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I know, I know...no seatbelts, but I didn't care. OOB, remember? :P

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And now...TIME WHARP...

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A word of advice: the canopy is about 1mm too narrow. This will be clearly noticeable and is worth the effort to be corrected. I did it by dipping the part in boiling water and spreading it to shape.

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Underside after pre- and postshading...

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...the same procedure on the upper side...

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After some masking...

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WARNING! if you mix the blue for the spinner and the tip of the rudder according to the instruction sheet, THAT'S what you get... not exactly my taste!

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Now, let's proceed with the decals... after a coat of Future, of course.

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Edited by nesher
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One of my favorite steps: washing!

CD457AD0CD9811DFA35033D8E0746E4A.jpg

D0895B30CD9811DFBCF5B9BF24CF4254.jpg

DA768E10CD9811DF9E16003DA8EBB0C0.jpg

...the results:

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Do you know that: after a long modelling session, you put everything aside and go to bed... just to get up again to check something on the model. Well... at exact that time, the goblins decided to send my P-400 on it's maiden flight... to the floor.

The result:

- Canopy came off

- bonding seam at fuselage broken at 4 spots

- only 3 hours of sleep that night because of high level af adrenaline and being steamed up about my stupidity :whistle:

So after a long break and some surgery on a already painted and decaled model...

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Here, I did weathering wit a sponge. If you haven't tried this already, do it. Its surprisingly easy...

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very nice job, I like the cockpit, just a pity that you have not put the seat belt.very nice paint scheme and wash.can you just briefly explain the way you use the MIG wash :monkeydance:

Sure, it's easy:

After a protectice coat of Future, apply it with a brush along the selected areas and details. After a couple of minutes (I wait around 30 minutes), wipe off the excess with a Q-Tip or cloth... volià :wave:

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Nesher,

Other than the canopy and your model taking flight, are there any other problems with the kit? I'm looking to start mine in the not-so-distant future and built it as BX144, flown by 2Lt. Bernard Oliver.

Jon

Jon,

It's a well engineered kit. There are only two areas who need some patience:

In order to get rid of a nasty step between windshield and fuselage, I did use Miliput. Sanding was a bit delicate and time-consuming :thumbsup:

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When attaching part B1 to B10, do some proper fit check with the upper side of the wing taped in place.

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Beside ot that, I had some trouble with the national insignia decals... whrinkles after treatment with Microsol didn't dissapear until some extra (and risky) effort was made.

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I've set the bird on it's own feet...just provisional. Paint chipping is next, using a silver pencil and a 00-brush. Thats how it looks so far:

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I also did experiment with MIG pigments on the wings but wasn't too happy wit the results. So I washed it off...

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The light area close to the star on the wing will be corrected next (leftover from my MIG experiment)

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Looking good, love the finish. I always thought the Aircobra to be a bit gangly when on it's legs...

Al

Thank you, Al

Another crucial moment... removing the masking from the canopy! I feared the worst... :worship:

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Yipeeeeeeeeee...! Well, so far, so good :D

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Exhaust strains are next... and the paint job still doesn't look right to me. It lacks depth... I'm thinking about some more post-shading... :woot.gif:

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Okay, exhaust strains are done... and since I had the airbrush loaded with Tamiya smoke, some post-shading on the complete airplane as well. The difference is subtle, but I think it was worth the risk...

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...the unterside. I think I'll leave it at it is...

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I agree, the smoke did a great job, certainly was worth the risk. She's looking really good!

I am curious though - not that I'm doubting anything, but you mentioned the first one was built for your friend as his company needed a display model... that must be one awesome company!

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I agree, the smoke did a great job, certainly was worth the risk. She's looking really good!

I am curious though - not that I'm doubting anything, but you mentioned the first one was built for your friend as his company needed a display model... that must be one awesome company!

Kostucha,

He is importing model kits and needs the models for advertising and for display in model shops. Guess wherefrom I get my supply of new kits? :D

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One of my favorite steps: washing!

CD457AD0CD9811DFA35033D8E0746E4A.jpg

D0895B30CD9811DFBCF5B9BF24CF4254.jpg

DA768E10CD9811DF9E16003DA8EBB0C0.jpg

...the results:

D5A6B680CD9811DF997596362301601B.jpg

Do you know that: after a long modelling session, you put everything aside and go to bed... just to get up again to check something on the model. Well... at exact that time, the goblins decided to send my P-400 on it's maiden flight... to the floor.

The result:

- Canopy came off

- bonding seam at fuselage broken at 4 spots

- only 3 hours of sleep that night because of high level af adrenaline and being steamed up about my stupidity :cheers:

So after a long break and some surgery on a already painted and decaled model...

0D526D100EB511E0B7E27757AAE115CF.jpg

Here, I did weathering wit a sponge. If you haven't tried this already, do it. Its surprisingly easy...

07D3DEF00EB511E0BE5A8B7F61B51029.jpg

0B0521B00EB511E08C22BA4765E5CD4B.jpg

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Wow!!! What a great job! I have a several of P-39/P-400's awaiting my attention. Hope they turn out half as well.

Cheers,

Tony

Thank you, Tony :thumbsup:

Okay, a new year but an old project :cheers: Time to bomb up the thing...

Another bit of painting, shading etc.....

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The result (btw, the yellow stripes are provided as a decal):

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Antenna cables, pitot tube etc. are next...

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