OFFICAL NATURAL METAL FINISH GB V (2013-2014)

SchattenSpartan  I will jump in with the 1/48 Revell B-29 Superfortress. They say the 3rd time is a charm maybe I will get it done this time.

OK, so the other day I shot the 105 with MM non-buffing aluminum but for some reason I didn't like the look of it.

I hope I didn't jump the gun but this morning I re-shot it with Testors silver enamel.  

Count me in!

I'm a bit nervous about this, as I have NEVER done a NMF, on a model.  

I bought a kit a while ago, that I wanted to try my hand on this type of finish. So, here we go. I hope I don't mess up. Nothing like starting with an easy kit   Go big or go home...well, 1/72 big anyway.

I'll be doing Minicraft's 1/72 B-24J Liberator. The Dragon & his Tail:

SchattenSpartan

I was at my LHS today (yes, again!) and recieved my Thunderbolt!!!

Here are some pics of it:

The whole bunch of it:

The kit itself (that thing is bloody damn huge!):

Barracuda Wheels (massive improvement over the kit parts):

Master gun barrels:

 

HGW seatbelts:

 

Aires gear bays (again a big improvement):

Quickboost engine (much better than Hasegawa's solution):

And now to the Big-Ed stuff:

Cockpit set (with a PE-seat):

Exterior set:

And some masks:

And a pic of the box with everything on top of it:

 

So as you can see, I have plenty of nice stuff for this build

In case you wonder what that "303" everywhere is about, that is my customer number at my LHS.

Cheers, Clemens

Clemens, I can't quite put my finger on it but, it seems you are missing something 

Just kidding, that is going to be one heck of a build!

I am going to pay close attention to this, as I have a P47D in my stash. Hopefully, I'll get some pointers from you, since you are the Thunderbolt expert!

PS...are the add-ons you purchased, just for that particular kit? I like them.

Cheers!!

Randy: I'm glad to have you in here and I welcome you officially as my co-host! You are building a B-29 in 1/48!? Wow. That must be a huge bird! Can't wait to see your progress on it!

Ed: Looking nice! I can't wait to see more of that beauty!

Eric: You're so in! I love that noseart! Good luck on your first NMF bird! You are right btw. I AM missing something. The decals haven't arrived yet, but they are not needed for this build 'till the very end, and that's going to be a long project!

I wish you much fun guys!

Cheers, Clemens

I'm by far no expert on the big 'n' mighty jug, but I'll try to become one!

I just ordered me some reference material:

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SQS1208

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SQS6079

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/BGSB019

Yep, those AM goodies are just for that single Thunderbolt

SchattenSpartan

Randy: I'm glad to have you in here and I welcome you officially as my co-host! You are building a B-29 in 1/48!? Wow. That must be a huge bird! Can't wait to see your progress on it!

Ed: Looking nice! I can't wait to see more of that beauty!

Eric: You're so in! I love that noseart! Good luck on your first NMF bird! You are right btw. I AM missing something. The decals haven't arrived yet, but they are not needed for this build 'till the very end, and that's going to be a long project!

I wish you much fun guys!

Cheers, Clemens

I cannot wait to see progress on that!   I only wish I had the space for 1/48 bombers and that's a biggin'

This GB has started some days ago, but I'm not able to show you any progress sadly. I still have to wait for my reference books to arrive before I can start building...

Cheers, Clemens

Don't worry about it Clemens,

I want to do a "test build" and get some techniques learned, before I begin the B-24.

I have an old Testor F2H-2 Banshee, that I forgot was, in my stash. It's only about 25 or so parts. I have started building, this afternoon. I want to try my hand at this finish, before doing anything. I know it was a Navy fighter and didn't have natural metal. It's on my carrier now, so I am having the mechanics, strip off that pretty paint

I will keep you updated.

This will be my NMF test subject:

Shall I add that one to the build roster as well?

SchattenSpartan

Shall I add that one to the build roster as well?

I think this is what I will do, Clemens.

Add the Testors 1/48 Banshee to this build. I went to the hobby store and picked up Tamiya's 1/48 P-51D 8th AF Mustang. Could you please remove the B-24, from the list and add the Mustang? I don't feel comfortable entering it (the B-24)...especially with some of the fine builds, that will come from this GB.

Sorry for the confusion. Hopefully, I can build the Mustang's appearance properly!

No problem at all, mate!

Tamiya's mustang should be a blast to build (like all of their kits) I have the P-51B in my stash and I'll probably build her as a what-if MTO bird (with some desert camo on).

I changed your entry already.

I just recieved my first reference book for the Thunderbolt!

It is Sqadon's "P-47 Thunderbolt In Action" and it is a really lovely book (and really cheap at 10€)

Here are some pics:

 Color profiles:

Some plans:

They even included a pic of my favourite jug:

And last, but not least: A picture of a really good example for the Jug's ruggedness (note the description):

I really like this book and I can only recommend it, as it gives a great overview on the Thunderbolt, highlights all important differences between the various versions and there are lots of nice pictures in it as well. And all of that for only 10€!

Cheers, Clemens 

Test subject is under way.

This is progress so far, on the Banshee. It went together, quicker than I had expected. I did my filling and sanding, washed it down and is now ready for a Gloss Black coat.

Still not sure, which way I will go, to achieve the finish, Alclad or Tamiya. I do really like the sleek look, of this kit, even though it is an older Testors one. There may not be a lot of parts but she looks good!

Alclad all the way! Just a little tipp for ya: Polish the model before and after applying the gloss black paint.

What do you think of that tank-like thunderbolt in the last pic?

Cheers, Clemens

TAP,

I wouldn't worry too much if its a dud if your worried of what others might say since I think my 105 might turn out to be one.  If your passing just so you can get some practice first then it's OK.

That aircraft is a beast!

It's almost saying..."Get my wings level and I can still take out more targets"

So here is the Testors chrome silver.

It's even brighter than the MM Metalizer non-buff aluminum but the pigment is much finer so it might look ok after I tone it down a bit.  I might even stir up the brush cleaner bottle and spray that on very lightly after the decals and another gloss coat are on.

Taps88

That aircraft is a beast!

It's almost saying..."Get my wings level and I can still take out more targets"

LOL, awesome comment!

Don't you know that the Thunderbolt was the best kamikaze-plane ever built? It was so tough that you just had to ram a ship and go right through it, just to fly away after doing it! But the pilots had to beware of high-calibre AA-fire (that stuff makes some nasty scratches in the paint...)

Ed: Looking good! I think the color is just the right shade, but I can only judge from that pic you posted...

Cheers, Clemens

68GT

OK, so the other day I shot the 105 with MM non-buffing aluminum but for some reason I didn't like the look of it.

I hope I didn't jump the gun but this morning I re-shot it with Testors silver enamel.  

So, you actually airbrushed 2 different shades of silver, correct?  What was your base? The last pic you posted, had just shown the masking of the canopy.

I like the look, of the last coat, over the 1st MM coat.   I know the above pic, is your initial MM spray.

This is a dumb question and I know it's certainly been asked before, but I can't help my stupidity.

Has anyone tried Krylon paints? I had to run to the store and get more primer (I use Kylons spray can grey primer on most of my builds) I was looking at their line of Metallics, Aluminums and so forth.

Any luck with this? I have some, from other projects, that I may test.

No need to panic..just a test (although it looks like a low level fly by)

I know, you will ask about the office. Folks, there is none with this kit. There IS a pilot figure, that looks like he's sitting on a 2x4  that gets glued between the 2 fusalage halves. That's it! He doesn't even get a stick or one instrument to look at!  I won't be adding him....he's been grounded. This Aircraft must have sucked to fly What's that little hole in the front, you may ask? Why silly, that's where the nose landing gear goes..duh!

Yes, there are some panel lines...you can't see them at this angle. I have it clamped to my drying board. I would have to scribe some more in..but again, it's just a test

I think I did a fairly decent job, filling in the seams, along with sanding and smoothing on this kit..here's a bottom & top view view:

Base was gloss gull gray FS16440 but I think with double shooting it would be a moot point.  I actually am going to try and get a dull finish out of this one.  This kit is definitely going to be a learning experience.

Banshee looks good!  I've always liked the look of it.

I ran to my local Hobby Lobby and picked up Testor's MM Gloss Black and MM Aluminum. I also grabbed 2 bottle of each: Vallejo Natural Steel and Oily Steel. I bought them because they had them marked at $2.99.

I have never used Vallejo paints and was curious to try them out.

Pencil me in for a 1/48 Tamiya P-51B.  I'll do Kidd Hofer's "Salem Representative" as soon as I'm done with my Bf 109 G-2.   I need a 4th fighter group '51 in my collection and I haven't done a B in years. 

Joe

SchattenSpartan

Alclad all the way! Just a little tipp for ya: Polish the model before and after applying the gloss black paint.

What do you think of that tank-like thunderbolt in the last pic?

Cheers, Clemens

Clemens - At our last model club meeting, I seen a bottle of Alclad Stainless Steel on the shelf at my LHS. I've been thinking about it for a NMF on my Jug ever since. Will that give a good NMF?

What would you polish it with? And would I need to do that as well? What will the polish do?

I almost forgot I signed up for this GB lol I'll post some WIP pics of the Jug tomorrow.

Taps88

This is a dumb question and I know it's certainly been asked before, but I can't help my stupidity.

Has anyone tried Krylon paints? I had to run to the store and get more primer (I use Kylons spray can grey primer on most of my builds) I was looking at their line of Metallics, Aluminums and so forth.

Any luck with this? I have some, from other projects, that I may test.

Taps - There no such thing as a dumb question. Hows this look to you?

This P 38 was painted.......................

........................................ With these.

Just a little update photo of the 105.  The kit decals are actually went down nice and I have since given it another clear coat.  I'm letting it dry for a few days before I continue one.

Ken: That's a nice finish on the Lightning!

I hope I can answer your questions: I never used Stainless Steel, but I think Aluminium or Airframe Aluminium would be a better color, just because the actual plane was made out of aluminium... I would polish the model after you sprayed it with a gloss black color to even out minor surface imperfections that might appear (just use a soft piece of cloth) and if you want your model to be extremely shiny, you can polish the actual Alclad color a bit as far as I know...

Just have a look at this. Thanks to Cliff (Gamera) for showing me that blog!

Ed: Looking nice! (I love the look of Republic planes!) Nice finish as well!

Cheers, Clemens