Grumman F4F-4 1/72 scale Academy... build log

That looks like a pretty straight forward build. What do you have in mind?

Nothing too fancy pacific theater traditional Grumman blue.

Similar the box art.

My main focus will be on the shading techniques. Never done it before so this was a good inexpensive subject to fool around with.

The decals were a little sparse.

Primer used.. Had fairly mixed results with this product. Mostly due to operator error.

I noticed after priming how deep and pronounced the panel lines were on the fusealage!

Once they get a little paint into them they'll be fine. When the time comes, just use a more subdued wash than stark black. Shading practice, eh? I'm looking forward to this.  :)

I've been wondering what's in this boxing. I see it all the time when I go to Hobby Lobby and was curious. I don't build 72nd scale aircraft but I was curious at the quality. Deep panel lines are a plus....just wait until later in the game and you'll find out. I'll be watchin' this one.

P.S. Welcome aboard BTW!

I picked up this kit a while back from Hobby Lobby myself. Not a bad little kit for 5.99.

I haven't built mine yet for a variety of reasons but the poor decals is close to the top.

The cockpit is a bit sparse but not much can be seen inside it anyway.

I don't find the panel lines too excessive, and as mentioned, when it's painted it shouldn't be an issue.  The molding appears to be pretty crisp.  I believe I read somewhere that this was the old FROG kit reworked.  Anyone know if that's true or not?  It's been a long time since I built a FROG kit.

The engine looks a little sparse also, I may add a little detail there when I build mine

The canopy is molded closed and I prefer them open but it's not a deal-breaker for me, especially in this scale.

I'll be checking in on this one myself.

Adrian

It's not Grumman Blue; it's Sea Gray. But the markings in the kit are for the three color scheme Sea Blue/ Intermediate Blue/ White.

Love what you're doing UM. Like the others, I've always been curious about this particular kit and it is indeed going to be fun to watch you practice on it. Taking some artistic license is all good. Especially when you're just focusing on technique as opposed accuracy. I'll be following along on this one. Also, neat idea about the metal cup.

Nice work there.

Bomb aimers windows. Usually painted over.

Not a whole lot to add today hope to have some more progress by tomorrow!

Seam filled and sanded did not come out too bad.

Reminds me of a zebra fish :D

Some pretty nasty gaps at the wing roots.

More putty work.

Good progress today

Putty on the wing roots came out good. Had to go back and touch up the pre shading.

Primary color added flat white Tam.. all but wipes out the pre shading. If nothing else I am pleased with the putty work.

First pass of the lighter primary upper paint. Still don't like the extra deep panel lines in the fuse.

After the darker paint was applied, some weathering around the gun ports.

The underside weathering on the gun ports and 'dreck' from the engine. Looks like he had a few oil leaks.

A little out of order but the hapless armless pilot finds his seat in the zebra fish.

And gets sealed in!

Nice work so far. Definitely some solid progress. I can relate to your issues with pre shading. I haven't quite mastered the "light coating" needed to maintain the pre shaded lines and effect.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Some more progress pics nearly done now.

A 'little' more wreathing on the underside. It stands out against the white, yea its a little over the top but I hope the laquer will tone it down a bit.

This is after the first coat of laquer.

As I suspected the prop shaft was way too long. I wish I had noticed this before I put the engine halves together it would have been so much easier. I ended up nipping off the prop shaft and gluing the prop to the nub, We will see how that works out.

See I do it your way too! Glue on the canopy and get it all nice and faired in before painting. There was a thread recently that went the other way, but good to know we are right!

I don't know if there is a right or wrong way. I have done it both ways. In fact the B25 I am working on has the glazing loose.

This subject with its closed canopy and lack of detail in the interior it was just easier to me.

There that's better. Unfortunately the prop doesn't turn any more.

The masking on the canopy finally removed, this is after two coats of matte varnish. Just now noticed the 4 is a little crooked... oh well too late now.

View from the other side.

Last bits of detail, pitot tube, Antenna mast, and wingtip nav lights painted.

That's it for this bird. I could have done some more with washes and stuff but the photo's kind of wash out the fine details.

Completed.

Good to see you got your Wildcat completed. Despite some of the issues you encountered you did a really nice job of over coming them and turning out a sweet build. I really like the wheels up, pilot in, display stand approach. You just don't see that much anymore. Great work UM. What you got going next?

Nice build.

You need to remove the roundel from the top of the left wing.  They weren't put there in this paint scheme.

A quick burst will cover it.

A very nice final product, I've seen one at Hobby Lobby and almost picked it up.  It was $7.99, on sale now for $4.99.  Congratulations on a job well done.

Joe Rix: I have a couple of things I am working on 1 is the 1:48 scale B25 Mitchell, Toshi and I both have build logs on the subject. I also have a super detailed 1:72 version of the hell cat just getting started. There is a build log on it here somewhere. Although I am a little intimidated by that kit lots of little tiney pieces.The snap tight kit mentioned before is complete although I haven't put the final pictures in the thread as yet.

Mike F6F: Thanks for that tip. Wish I had known before I put the sealer on. Oh well I may go back and fix it someday, but it is a good heads up for the afore mentioned 'next' hellcat.

Toshi: I think I spent like 8 bucks for the kit. Probably three times that in tape and paint!

Hey !

       That's not bad .As a matter of fact it looks nice .The fact that you left out any shading of the lines helped .Now that is something I believe we all run into from time to time .I have REVELL'S United airliner ( the old one .) and it feels like it;'s coated with sandpaper because of all those ubiquitous teensy rivets . Panel lines too .

   Well , back then who cared . It was an airliner and we built it . Who knew that certain things were definitely out of scale .Now we know better . I picked up a 1/72Heinkel 115 last month  and it's got the same " sliced hot dog " look . I guess I'll try to cover those lines with some kind of filler slush . In1/72  the lines look like fuselage and wing , kids building blocks .

I followed this whole build and it looks fantastic.

Thanks for the comment, It came out pretty good and I enjoyed playing with the techniques even if they did not show for the most part.

It did give a little confidence with the airbrush working at that scale!

Thanks again

Very well done mate .  1/72 has to be perfect to look good and realistic and you nailed it.