Hey everybody, been lurking for about 7 months now. First time posting, and my first build. I started on this build shortly after Christmas. Also gotten a Tamiya F-16CJ Block 50 constructed during that time period, but I haven't primed and painted it yet as I wanted to finish this build first.
I've learned a ton of things throughout the course of this build, made a few errors, and changed my plans for it multiple times as I learn new techniques and figure out the styles I am interested in recreating. I started out doing only handbrushing, and then went and bought an airbrush halfway through after struggling to not get brushmarks on the underside of the aricraft.
I've studied a lot about different weathering techniques, and would have done some things differently on this build to accomadte them better had I known then what I know now. I've learned that canopies can be a fickle mistress as well. lol. The canopy on my F-16 went so much more smoothly than it did on this B-25. Had some pretty bad fit issues on the B-25 as well.
The fit issues I ran into taught me a lot about fixing these issues, as well as order of construction, painting, etc. I learned I should have attached my engine cowls, filled and sanded, and then painted them. Painting them before attachment seemed like such a good idea until I realized the fit was so poor that it woud result in some pretty major gaps that would need sanded and filled. Live and learn I guess..
I learned about some of the finer points of airbrsuhing, like how easily it can be to overspray untaped areas, proper paint to thinner ratios, spraying at correct pressures, cleaning and maintaining an airbrush, and that airbrushes are simply AWESOME! So glad I went out and picked one up, even if it is an entry level brush for the time being(Neo for Iwata).
Anyways, I think at this point in this build, I'm going to pull the masks from the canopies and just call it a day. There's a lot of stiff that could be done better, so many more details I could add to the build knowing what I know now, so much more weathering techniques to put to use, etc., but I think at this point I would be better off putting these skills to use on my next couple of builds, rather than making a further mess of this build.
I think it turned out alright for a first build, but there are still a few missing parts, a few incorrectly placed pieces, a few forgotten decals(bombs) and sides of fuselage), but I think these are all things I can live with on my first build, and just chalk them up to a learning experience.
Got plenty more kits in the stash awaiting construction already! going to use most of them to practice and build skills, but a couple nicer kits that I've always wanted to build in there as well! First issue of Finescale Magazine should be arriving before too long as well! Can't wait to check it out!
So, now that I've rambled for 5 minutes, here's what I've got so far! Masks are still on, but if I decide to pull them now, I will post a few pics with the canopies unmaksed as well! Thanks for looking, and be gentle, please!
