Two recent completions: 1/72 Airfix Harrier Gr. 1 and Academy P-40E

Bossman

Member since
December 2002

Two recent completions: 1/72 Airfix Harrier Gr. 1 and Academy P-40E

Posted by Bossman on Sunday, June 26, 2016 1:44 PM

Hello all,

Here are two recent completions that were lingering on my shelf for a while . . .

First, the 1/72 Airfix Harrier Gr. 1 that was completed as a part of the OTS Group build - If you like - you can see all the gory details and more photos there . . . I heartily recommend this kit to those who are up for a nicely detailed kit that is very small, has a high parts count, and is an absolute decal monster ! The decals are very nice - there's just ALOT of them !

Yesterday I completed this 1/72 Academy P-40E. It was made with a few aftermarket decals. I thought this was a simple, but attractive scheme from an Aleutian unit on Adak Island. It's not the Aleutian Tiger scheme or the more traditional Shark Mouth that I often see. With such a simple scheme - I thought I would work on the weathering a little more - trying to develop some techniques for making a simple Olive Drab bird more Olive-ish and less drab. It's painted with MM Acrylics in various "adjusted" shades of OD and greys. Washes and pencil were used to highlight panel lines, dry brushing and silver pencil highlights in spots, pastel chalks for exhaust staining, and what has become my go-to easiest trick for aluminum painted items and wingtip lights . . . Sharpie markers in silver, red, and green (SO EASY !)

I really like this kit. I've built 5 or 6 of Academy's P40 E, M, & N variations over the last 10 years or so. Its getting to feel like an old friend. It's a very nicely detailed kit that has a few easy to fix issues. I prefer it over the Hasegawa kit.

{edit} Yikes ! when I edited these photos, I guess I made them darker than I thought. This bird is actually quite a bit lighter OD than what you see here . . . live and learn !

Please feel free to offer any critiques. I welcome them !

Model on friends !

Chris

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checkmateking02

Member since
September 2003
From: AandF in the Badger State

Posted by checkmateking02 on Sunday, June 26, 2016 1:52 PM

Both very sharp-looking! Nice work!

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mississippivol

Member since
November 2003
From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)

Posted by mississippivol on Sunday, June 26, 2016 2:12 PM

Nice builds!

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Toshi

Member since
March 2015
From: Streetsboro, Ohio

Posted by Toshi on Sunday, June 26, 2016 4:45 PM

Incredible builds, what a great job!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world. Mrs. Toshi

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richs26

Member since
September 2005
From: North Pole, Alaska

Posted by richs26 on Sunday, June 26, 2016 5:41 PM

Great job on the E. The color on the photos is about right as these were new aircraft having just arrived in Alaska in January 1942. These replaced the 20 P-36's of the 11th PS/FS. Your example is one of the 18th FS as denoted by the vertical and horizontal white stripe. And there are documented photos of aircraft that were not winterized as denoted by the sheet metal covers around the exhaust stacks. One thing though for your next P-40, the paint under the rear glass was OD-41, not interior green.

WIP: Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo

Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea

Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group

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Bossman

Member since
December 2002

Posted by Bossman on Sunday, June 26, 2016 6:16 PM

Thanks for the input Rich. A correction of the color wouldnt be too hard. I use a not-so-strong white glue for the clear parts. So I think I can pry the "glass" off fairly easily, re-paint the color underneath, and reattach the glass.

I saw some black and white ref photos and videos of this unit on Adak Island. The white stripes on my model are actually too crisp compared to the real thing. They were actually really rough stripes with irregular edges. Probably just slapped on with a "house-painting" brush.

But I think I will leave the stripes as-is.

Thanks again.

Chris

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richs26

Member since
September 2005
From: North Pole, Alaska

Posted by richs26 on Sunday, June 26, 2016 8:50 PM

Chris, your stripes are fine. Consider the scale effect. A one or two inch ragged out-of-line stripe on the real thing at 20 feet would not be disernable in 1/72.

Edit: Actually when you look at them on PB, they do look like they were brushpainted so they are in scale. Perfect

WIP: Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo

Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea

Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group

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BrandonK

Member since
June 2014

Posted by BrandonK on Monday, June 27, 2016 9:03 AM

Super nice work on both kits. I'm always amazed at the level of quality you 1/72 guys can pull off. Fantastic.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed

14 / 5 / 2

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Jay Jay

Member since
August 2013

Posted by Jay Jay on Monday, June 27, 2016 9:13 AM

Very nice job on both those Arfix models and in 1/72 yet .

I really like the Aluetian color scheme on the P-40 and the weathering and exhaust staining look so good. You've inspired me as I normaly build in 1/48 and I would like to try my hand on this kit for sure.

I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

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Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Monday, June 27, 2016 9:50 AM

Nice work! You don't have to add a bunch of stuff to get a good-looking model and this is proof. Yes

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

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Bossman

Member since
December 2002

Posted by Bossman on Monday, June 27, 2016 5:52 PM

Thanks all - you are most gracious.

Brandon and Jay Jay-

Some of the detail that you 48th scale guys pull off is even more intricate than this rather simple 1/72 kit . . . There's just more of it . . . spread out over a bigger model !

Chris