Zoukei-Mura F4J Phantom II 1:48 (WIP)....a couple of WIP boo-boos

gregbale

Can't say as to the modeling world, but in the "rat rod" world of DIY car customization going back to the '40s and '50s, flat black was common from the get-go. Probably partly for the 'outlaw' look...and probably because a lot of them never progressed paint-wise past the black primer stage.

Didn't know that, and find it really interesting. More evidence that maybe it's true that there aren't any (many) truly 'new' ideas anymore.

Greg

Last time I was visiting Orange County one of my young relative-in-laws was painting his car flat black. He builds Gundam models. You just got me wondering, maybe black-basing is where the newish trend of painting cars in flat black came from?!?! Surprise Smile

Can't say as to the modeling world, but in the "rat rod" world of DIY car customization going back to the '40s and '50s, flat black was common from the get-go. Probably partly for the 'outlaw' look...and probably because a lot of them never progressed paint-wise past the black primer stage.

wpwar11

The Doogs Models site says an advantage of black basing is your project looks bad ass under black primer.  That plane looks really cool under the black.  Good luck with the technique.  Looking forward to the seeing the result.

 

Thanks for your encouragement. I'm procrasitinating out of fear my paint work might not be perfect, (and being the first time) which I always do. Need to go dive into it!

I recall Doog saying that in one of his videos, now that you mention it.

Last time I was visiting Orange County one of my young relative-in-laws was painting his car flat black. He builds Gundam models. You just got me wondering, maybe black-basing is where the newish trend of painting cars in flat black came from?!?!

The Doogs Models site says an advantage of black basing is your project looks bad ass under black primer.  That plane looks really cool under the black.  Good luck with the technique.  Looking forward to the seeing the result.

Greg

gregbale Great idea on the putty 'jig'. I've tried the same thing with those peel-off glue-dots...but your way looks better! I hesitated to post those repair shots, you just made it worth it.

Never hesitate to post hints, tips or technique my friend.

It's up to us wiley veterans to show the young whippersnappers how it's done....

gregbale

Usually the only time I get the "Gregory" is when I'm in trouble....

Oh boy does that hit home. The only people I recall calling me "Gregory" were Mom and Dad and my dear freind, pilot mentor, and former occasional FAA designated check pilot who are all gone now. Now that you mention it, I miss it so enjoy it. Even if it is your domestic superior and you are in trouble.

gregbale

 

 

Greg

Well Gregory, as you follow along if you end up buying one then that will have been an accomplishment for me.

 

 

Had me going for a minute there.

Usually the only time I get the "Gregory" is when I'm in trouble....

Great build, really enjoying it!

BTW, you're not alone in occasionally snipping off important bits that look like sprues! If I had the proverbial nickel.... (It's particularly easy to do with 1/700 ships...and any Eastern-European manufactured kit!)

Great idea on the putty 'jig'. I've tried the same thing with those peel-off glue-dots...but your way looks better!

 

That makes me feel better, thank you.

gregbale

Great idea on the putty 'jig'. I've tried the same thing with those peel-off glue-dots...but your way looks better!

I hesitated to post those repair shots, you just made it worth it.

Greg

Well Gregory, as you follow along if you end up buying one then that will have been an accomplishment for me.

Had me going for a minute there.

Usually the only time I get the "Gregory" is when I'm in trouble....

Great build, really enjoying it!

BTW, you're not alone in occasionally snipping off important bits that look like sprues! If I had the proverbial nickel.... (It's particularly easy to do with 1/700 ships...and any Eastern-European manufactured kit!)

Great idea on the putty 'jig'. I've tried the same thing with those peel-off glue-dots...but your way looks better!

The ailerons and flaps are two pieces each, and all 8 parts have at least one locating nub. I was happily cutting them from the sprues a few weeks back when I realized I had mistaken the locating nubs for injection points and cut them off.

Evidenced below; part 12 is where I nipped off the locating nubs. Part 11 is how it should have been

I came close to doing this a few times on this kit, so if you are new to ZM as I am, use caution as there are other instances of this.

I used the same idea to repair.

Amazingly, it worked. Everything lined up.

Again, for anyone interested in building one of the ZM Phantom series, if posing the controls surfaces other than neutral, these nubs are supposed to be cut off anyway. I wanted to pose the surfaces down, and wish I would have now, but that's another story.

Now, I should get off my rump and go paint something or other.

While I drink coffee and wake up, thought I'd share a couple of poster tac jig repairs from the past couple of weeks.

I've discovered poster tac (or BluTac depending on where we live) used with a sub-surface like a self-healing cutting board to be more useful than just masking camo. This is probably old news to most of you, but it was a big deal to me so I thought I'd share.

First one: This is a little bulkhead inside the nose gear bay that supports the actuator arm that opens and closes the side-facing nose gear door.

I was not paying attention and even the miniature side cutting Tamiya sprue nippers were too aggresive and broke the part.

This is the Rube-Goldberg jig I made to glue the fiddly parts together.

The break was just below the larger diameter of the arm. After everything was in position and Tamiya Extra Thin was brushed on the join, I applied a little 'press together' pressure on the poster tac until I saw the join bulge slightly with molten styrene. You can see my thumbnail impressions from that part of it.

The join was surprisingly strong. I proceeded to break it again not long after gluing in the part, though. Unbelievably was able to find it and it will now be a finishing touch/repair when I add the gear door down the road.

Looking great greg!  Seem work looks solid.  Can't wait for the color coats.  Btw,  what markings are you doing?

Tojo72

Very nice Greg,I had not checked in since you finished the cockpit

 

That's understandable, Tojo, becuase I'm so doggone SLOW.

Thanks for not giving up on me.

DRUMS01

Greg, that looks like a really nice kit, and your modeling skills make it look even better. 

I really like that primers satin and smooth finish. 

Keep bringin it!

 

Ben

 

Thanks, Ben! It's nice to have you along and I appreciate your encouragment.

mustang1989

Wow!!! That stuff does lay down smoothly.

 

Joe found the thread yet again! Yeh!!!

gregbale

It's been a long and adventurous slog...but she's looking magnificent. You have single-handedly made me hungry for one of these kits...the moreso, since I've got the old Monogram version 'stalled' under my desk with not even the cockpit finished up yet!

 

Well Gregory, as you follow along if you end up buying one then that will have been an accomplishment for me.

Thanks for your kind words, encouragement, and your patience.

mrmike

Great to see you at the priming stage - I've been enjoying your progress. You deserve kudos for persistence and for sharing the ups and downs of the build with us. Looking forward to your next post!

 

It's good to have you, Mike. Thanks for being here.

Since you mentioned interest in the ups and downs, I might just share my control surface boo boo and recovery from some weeks ago later.

crown r n7

Looks real good. I like the black baseing and you will do fine.

 

Thanks, Nick. Again, thanks for following along.

patrick206

I sense some increased modeling spirit from you, the quality of this ZM kit might have sparked more enjoyment and interest in the process, yes??? Not many kits do keep us motivated so well.

Your Spidey senses are working, Cap'n Patrick. The good quality of this kit is making it a more fun build so far.

You're welcome, and thank you for hanging in there with me as I progress at my usual snail's pace.

JOE RIX

Magnificent progress Greg. Good to see you moving along. The primer coats do indeed look excellent. I am intrigued to see how your priming technique turns out. It should work out quite well. It appears to me that you are having a good bit of fun with such a nice kit. Looking forward to your painting update. You're doing terrific. Keep it coming my friend.

 

Thanks for your encouragement, Joe. I am having fun, you're right.

Greg, that looks like a really nice kit, and your modeling skills make it look even better. 

I really like that primers satin and smooth finish. 

Keep bringin it!

Ben

Wow!!! That stuff does lay down smoothly.

It's been a long and adventurous slog...but she's looking magnificent. You have single-handedly made me hungry for one of these kits...the moreso, since I've got the old Monogram version 'stalled' under my desk with not even the cockpit finished up yet!

Great to see you at the priming stage - I've been enjoying your progress. You deserve kudos for persistence and for sharing the ups and downs of the build with us. Looking forward to your next post!

Looks real good. I like the black baseing and you will do fine.

Greg - Seriously a great build, your work is impressive. The fine details of the kit really do show up well, this will be one to watch throughout the project.

I sense some increased modeling spirit from you, the quality of this ZM kit might have sparked more enjoyment and interest in the process, yes??? Not many kits do keep us motivated so well.

Thanks for the detailed posts and photos.

Patrick

Magnificent progress Greg. Good to see you moving along. The primer coats do indeed look excellent. I am intrigued to see how your priming technique turns out. It should work out quite well. It appears to me that you are having a good bit of fun with such a nice kit. Looking forward to your painting update. You're doing terrific. Keep it coming my friend.

So I got the Phantom primed. This will be my first go at black-basing, so wish me luck. Top is Stynylrez black (regular, not gloss) and bottom is Stynylrez grey which I am going to try the same techique as the light gull grey over black base, except insignia white over grey on the bottom.

I gotta hand it to Zukei Mura, this is the first prime job I've ever done where everything looks better after the primer. There are virtually no flaws. No putty. A couple of minor fills due to modeler error.

I forgot to finish sand the wing leading edges, I think I need to touch up the right leading edge flap a little, and maybe touch up around where I made a mess of installing the Master metal pitot tubes on the tail. Or not.

For some reason, this is the most fun I've had yet doing a prime job. The primer laid down so well, dried to a perfect smooth satin finish and all the ZM detail just popped.

mustang1989

I've gotta say that I really like how that Vallejo Metal Color turned out. Very convincing. I may have to pick some of this stuff up. 

Good save with the engines Greg.

 

Thanks, Joe. Sorry I'm so late replying, senior moments are becoming more frequent.

BTW, the Vallejo Metal Color not only looks good, it sprays like a dream IMO. Dries fast and is durable, too.

I've gotta say that I really like how that Vallejo Metal Color turned out. Very convincing. I may have to pick some of this stuff up. 

Good save with the engines Greg.