Tamiya 1/48 Razorback WIP - Completed 6/29!

Great start! Pit came out really nice.

So this is the Razorback you've been waiting for. Nice start, indeed!

Although it wasn't the first time i used an IP decal, the decal for my Airfix P-40 fit like a dream. The decal in my Hein also fit like a glove. They are getting so much better at making those now, its almost a shame to not use them lol.

I likey! I'll have to look for this kit.  Very nice looking pit!

Nice start on the cockpit!  Will be following.

Toshi

thanks all. Lawdog, I'm currently using your technique to wire up the ignition harness. I don't have any stock styrene to make the little tabs around the ring, so I'm going to try just connecting the wires directly with some gel CA. 

Im doing the paint scheme from the front of the box with red rudder and cowling

I've got the Tamiya Bubbletop version sitting at my bench waiting for me to finish. A joy to build. The only AM parts I'm adding are the machine gun barrels. I didn't care for the kit's version.

Pit looks awesome. I will be watching your progress. Great kit. 

The pit and wheel wells look great! I picked this kit up recently after seeing Lawdog's build. Looking forward to seeing more B.

Steve 

After assembling engine, cockpit, and fuselage halves, all I can say is that I'm in love with this kit! The detail is great the fit is so good it feels like it could go together without glue! Are all of Tamiya's 48th kits this good? WhAt else can I buy that has this amazing fit and engineering?

Engine all detailed up a la Lawdog. Still have to add the engine placard decal.

Fuselage together, firewall and engine attached:

Beautiful join

Great work on this, really nice job on that engine.

You are doing really doing this kit some justice. I'm liking what you're doing so far! :)

Tamiya's recent releases have all seem to have hit the bullseye. I've got the Ki61-Id Hien and I barely had to take a sanding stick to the seams it fits so well. Wonderfully detailed and precision parts make it a perfect ten! Add that one to your list.  :)

Check out their F-4U Corsair series. I have built two of their Corsairs and two of their Thunderbolts, and these are among the best kits I have ever had the pleasure to build.

Looks great. You can't go wrong with the 56th FG. Indeed most of Tamiya's recent releases, within the last 15 years or so, have been fantastic. This one, released around 2004, was fairly groundbreaking. I just have a particular affection for the Jug. They saved my grandfather's a@@ when he was in the belly of a B-17.

One caveat, You may want to source decals elsewhere. That's the one area where Tamiya falls short. Very thick and unforgiving. .

If you are ever in Seattle there is a Boeing museum where they have a Pratt-Whitney R2800 double radial engine and a recording of one starting up. A don't miss exhibit! 

Oddly, the Smithsonian Air and Space exhibit on the evolution of airplane engines doesn’t have one, even though I think it is the most important aircraft engine of WWII for the Pacific and Western theaters. 

updates! Got the belly painted: 

And marble coat for my black basing on top: 

Other details. Used Vallejo metal color aluminum on the props in anticipation for some chipping. Also used this color on interior flap surfaces and for landing gear and gun barrels. Sprays really nice right out of the bottle. 

Also added some cast metal textures to bombs and drop tanks with Mr surfacer 500

Soon on to weathering and detailing! This kit has been a delight to work with

Looks great!! What color is the underbelly?

Colors are model color neutral grey and model air dark olive drab. Fading on panels done with mm acryl olive drab, which is a lot lighter, mixed with a little of the Vallejo. Top and bottom both done with black basing technique for tonal variation without aggressive panel lines. Doing decals now. This kit has over 110 decals, including lots of tiny stencil markings. Then on to oil weathering. Here's a quick shot with a coat of future on for dealing.

posted this in the references section, but found this over at britmodeller. Multiple full series of reference books scanned in their entirety.

http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles

slow progress of late. I had to find out for myself, but I agree with consensus, Tamiya decals suck! 3/4 national insignias tore during application, and the squadron markings as you can see were something of a total loss. I'm going to try paint masks for markings next time around I think. Anyway, here it is with decals applied and armament loaded. Weathering left to do and applying the antenna Aerials. 

Some finished photos, including my first attempt at figure painting. After screwing up the eyes, I realized that a couple drops of dark od looks like aviator glasses from scale distance.

Thanks for tips and encouragement along the way. 

Nice work!  Looks worn and tired but ready for another bout with some 190s.

Your first attempt at a figure looks loads better than any 48th scale figure I have ever tried to paint.  I did a diorama of a Tamiya Me 262 with a bunch of American troops inspecting her, and my figures all looked like something out of Dawn of the Dead.

Your first attempt at figure painting is superb!  And you build is outstanding.  High quality craftsmanship!

Toshi

Really nice! Love the Jugs.

-BD-

You did a really nice job on the jug, can't wait to start on mine

Thanks, all.  It was a really fun kit to work with.  Beautiful engineering makes it hard to make a bad model!  

Next up, my kid wants me to put the Airfix 1/72 Battle of Britain set hanging from his ceiling.  Making a 72nd scale 109 is definitely a new sort of challenge!  Stay tuned for a WIP

Wonderful work on the Jug, for sure! The pilot is only 2/3rd complete though lol. Blocking - check. Wash - check. Details - pending. Lol

All that pilot needs at this point is for you to either dry brush some higjlights on him, or go in with a 10/0 brush and some thinned paints to bring his detail level back up. You're simply missing a step and its easier than you think.

If you take a bit of that heavy shadow out of his eyes you can give him some eyes with a sharp graphite pencil. Just put some dots in there. Done. :)

I'll post an example in a minute! :)

Okay this what im talking about. This was done with a dried up Micron artists pen dipped in paint, but its the same principle as using a graphite pencil. Just "dot" the eyes and draw some eyebrows on. Simple as can be.

Give that a try. ;)

bstarr3

Thanks, all.  It was a really fun kit to work with.  Beautiful engineering makes it hard to make a bad model!  

Next up, my kid wants me to put the Airfix 1/72 Battle of Britain set hanging from his ceiling.  Making a 72nd scale 109 is definitely a new sort of challenge!  Stay tuned for a WIP

 

I will be keeping my eye out for that! :) I've got that 109 on my bench too.