Detail on an 1/72 scale airplane

I'm glad to see that there are others who don't dismiss 1/72. Take a look at some of Osprey's books and you'll see amazing work in 1/72. As for detail? I always sand and scribe but I skimp on cockpits because they're difficult to see. I'll go all out for certain planes and I'll always at least get a resin ejection seat and heads-up display. Once in a while I'll do a 1/48 or 1/32 and go crazy but I mostly stick with 1/72 as I like to have all versions of a plane and some with alternate markings.

Ron as long as you like the way something turned out then thats what matters! Period...you have to remember who you are building for and why, You build for yourself because you enjoy it. I understand some of this too as I am a perfectionist if its not perfect than Im not happy! I am learning day by day a few simple words...."Thats good enough for me!" On another point...Ive seen several of your finished works and they dont look like a "kid built them"! At all!

1/72nd scale is hard to do...if you think the planes are hard you should try some figures lol I tried one a looong while ago! NEVER AGAIN lol. But 1/72nd scale also has a lot more offerings than other scales if you cant find it in 1/72nd then you cant find it. Maybe this kit isnt the best one to try detailing on....maybe it is thats for you to decide...but whichever route you go just enjoy yourself and have fun! Build for yourself...

Right now Im doing a quicky 1/72 build just for some motivation....no detailing really just an OOB straight up build! Im not even painting the thing the right color....Why? Because I dont want to! I'm also doing something I havent done in a loooooong time Im brushpainting the whole thing like I did when I was a kid LOL! So far no brush strokes showing through! Some might look at it and think its crap...oh well you know what they say about opinions!LOL It's taking me back in time....and Im actually having fun!

Detailling small scale stuff is a challenge... It's a very popular scale here in Europe and you'd be amazed at the level of detailing some manage to pack into such small cockpits..! I know many people who are quite keen on opening up yet more access hatches to show yet more details!

Littlemoe,

I picked up a 1/72 scale spitfire a few years back and had the same reaction - this thing is tiny !

From what I've read on this site - I'll assume that I'm more representative of the bottom edge of the "most modellers" bell curve. I build most everything from the box, never purchased a detail set of any type, usually buy stuff of the less expensive (raised panel lines) variety. The only "aftermarket" thing I've purchased was a decal set for an ancient P-47 kit whose decals looked like they had been printed on papyrus.

I tried re-scribing a 1/72 Tempest once and I had to call it quits after I finished the bottom of the wings. It was allotta work - probably because I didn't have the right tool for the job. I've heard of scribing knives/tools out there, but I haven't bought one. I'm content to live with raised lines when I get them - even with the 1/48 scale stuff that I do.

I think there are other things that can be done to make the model much better looking/more realistic than simply re-scribing lines. Carving/drilling out duct holes & drilling out exhaust pipes (and gun barrels on 1/48 scale) are things that I have done just in the last couple years. Pin drills are a beautiful thing.

An eye dropper and white paint is a great combination tool too. I read about "scaling" the paint colors a while back and I think that it has made my models look much more realistic. The smaller the scale you build in, the more white you add to the paint mix - so for 1/72 and smaller it is more significant. It just looks more realistic that way. I usually use three drops of white for every 10 drops of other color.

I've seen paint washes on a raised panel line model that made it look incredibly real. In fact - I think it was in FSM ! I'm still working on being able to do it myself - It needs more work - but it's getting better.

Like others have said - have fun !

I find that just about every 1/72 kit is a potential "total rebuild" and my stack of half-builts is testimony to how tempting this is for me. When I do show some self-discipline, I try out a particular technique i've seen or read about and try not to worry about the rest.

Stan C

i seem to be locked into making ww1 air craft in 1/72,and simply rigging them makes a hell of a difference. one small thing though, in this scale the pilot figure hides a big chunk of the cockpit,but im saying this after clearing my workbench to start an amodels avro 504K with full etched brass inside and out! ive just given the two pilots their P45,s cos they,ll hide too much of that internal work

I also enjoy building in 1/72 scale. I do as little as possible in the extra detailing dept. because too much is too much in this scale. My favorite part of doing these kits is the painting and decals; a little bit of weathering and I am happy! I guess that's why I enjoy this scale; you can knock out kits without getting bogged down with all that extra stuff in larger scale kits.

Regards, Dan

I'm another one who does 1/72 exclusively. My philosophy is that accuracy outweighs detail. I care more about scale and shape before I consider anything else. In that scale I believe you shouldn't see much in the way of panel lines or cockpit detail anyway. However, if working on something older, I will do something if all you get is a seat like the old time (Airfix comes to mind) kits. Most recent-issue 1/72 scale a/c models are sufficiently detailed right out of the box - no problem.

You also want to remember that you'll see every mistake you made, but no one else will. There is a saying, "A good carpenter makes mistakes. A great one covers them up."

I only work in 1/72 (you get the big bombers and cargo planes, but still have the fighters). For me the key is gather all your supplies and any detail kits first. Go at a slow, deliberate pace. Painting tires, scribing lines, and masking canopies can shoot your nerves. Take a lot of breaks. Just my 2 cents.

I build 1/72 almost all the time and to me 1/48 has too much done for you. I like to add as much detail as possible, maybe that's why I enjoy vacs so much. The more on a finished model you scratche built the prouder you be with it. Build what you want the way you want.

It's been said before, it'll be said again... Build for yourself! I also cannot build something without adding some extras. Whether it be scratchbuilt or commercially-available fixin's fer-yer plastic model, there's always sumthin' that I have to change or add, but that's just me.

72nd kits are tough to detail well sometimes, they are so small. I know many a builder that can work in 72nd, however. And there is no shortage of stuff available. (I'm not sure what's available for your Gina, though) But you have to decide for yourself. Even though I still add things, I don't go ballistic anymore 'cuz I never got anything done when I did.

As far as the seams, that's all basic stuff and most serious builders will do that. Replacing panel lines, easy to do in most cases and a good number of builders do that as well.

It's your call!

Fade to Black...

Personally, I try to clean up seams and other obvious items as much as possible, no matter what the scale. I always seem to find something that I rebuild or put extra detail into, but I don't go overboard in 1/72 scale. The results aren't 'great' yet, but I'm learning every project builds on the last.

M.

I have never built a straight out of the box (SOB) model in the last 15 years. There is always some modification or detail I add. I started out making small modifications and then more and more with each model. Now I can't build SOB. To me adding detail and going the extra mile is more fun. To each his own. Don't try to tackle too much at one time. Work your way into it. But, as was mentioned earlier, have fun doing it.

Littlemoe, the only person you really have to please is yourself. Build what makes YOU happy. If that's putting in everything, including the relief tube, go for it. If you just want to build the thing and paint it, that's fine. I have a friend who builds 'em, but has only painted a small fraction of them-he hates to paint. Has a couple dozen great looking assembled planes, but he's content to just build them. Do what you like to do. just enjoy the hobby!- Ed

For some silly reason i'm always worried what other people will think.......that my models looklike a child did them.......... o well......

Itdepends on what you want to do! You can build box stock, or go to town putting in every nut and bolt there is. Do whatever makes you happy! Just have fun!
Lee