1/32 Trumpeter P-40B..Going Dark

You are both very very kind.  Many thanks.

Joe

I am SO glad I discovered this thread this morning.

This is really something, and to be able to watch it come together in real time is a true treat, Joe.

If I might time travel back to Jan 1, how did you accomplish those wing cutouts so neatly? (and btw, thank you for explaining how you scratched those bulkheads a month or so ago. Who whould thunk...)

Greg to be honest it is all pretty easy.  For the wings I laid out tape on the panels I wanted to keep and then used the backside of an old exacto blade I worked next to the tape.  Scoring until I was nearly through and then sliced with a new blade.

Glad you are liking this so far.

Joe

That is just awesome work!  I wish I had half your ambition.

Mike

Thank you for that explanation!

I overcomplicate tasks in my own mind. Now that you explained how you did it, I might even be able to pull such a thing off in some fashion.

Mike you are very kind.  Many thanks.

Greg to be honest I have no doubt you could do this, most likely you would do it much better than I.  I encourage all to give this type of thing a go.  You never know how it will turn out without giving it a shot.

Joe

The final phase of construction is to work on the firewall and the engine area.  The engine will be an entirely separate thing and will be covered while I install it permanently. 

The firewall included a couple of tanks as well as a base for some plumbing and the throttle linkages.

And with it inplace in the fuselage.

Now I have also added just a few stringers for detail on the interior of the fuselage.  Next for me will be to begin to paint.  

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.

Joe

Woooooooow. I'm so amazed at your work and craftmanship, I've enjoyed seeing this being built. I'm inspired to attempt this, one day.

This is really cool. I love watching you scratch this thing up. I gotta get back on my p-40. Keep it coming.

BK

You are both very kind.  Thank you.

I am glad I could provide some inspiration.  

Joe

Ok folks I have reached a point where it would be advisable to start the paint work.  

All the prep work is done, I think.  Bulkheads are installed, with the exception of the forward most as they need to be removable yet.  The little bits and pieces are prepped for paint.  The tail wheel assembly is in place.

Paint was sprayed starting with a flat black base.  I wanted to try something a bit different and changed midstream to putting a coat of Model Master Aluminium Plate on then I sprayed the interior colors.  I did however forget to take pictures of that.  I wanted to see if the Aluminium changed the Interior Green and the Yellow Zinc Chromate.  It did but not so much as you would really see it.  

I also began to paint and detail paint the interior pieces.

That is where it stands at the moment.  Now the challenge will be to work on the firewall more and on to the engine work.  I am choosing to not install the bits and pieces as of yet as they could break free during the process and I do not want to lose them.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.

Joe

OH My Word this is looking soooo cool !

This is my vision of scale model building and your W.I.P is very inspirational to me.  I've done a few "wham bam " kits and found little satisfaction in it.  I'm slowly working on a Accurate miniatures 1/48 TBF Avenger . I'm attempting to open up and detail the engine bay so I'm so lookng forward to your next installments. Many thanks for showing us how to do it. 

You are very kind.  Thank you.

Joe

Update time:

Engine compartment and Engine work.  

The engine is the kit parts, added are hoses and such. 

The firewall.

With some additions.

And just how much will you actually see when done???

Well not much really.  Again this is not 100% accurate.  Some issues occurred during the process and some things did not get installed.  Maybe the next time.

This took a while so my goal was not reached.  I had hoped to get this weathered but that did not happen.  Also I have not finished the exhausts yet.  That will have to wait till the next update.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.

Joe

Coming along nicely Joe.  Don't rush a thing. =]

Many many thanks.

It is a shame but I can see something to improve upon for the next one.  And of course more things to research.

Joe

My friend I am sure you could do this better than I.  Many thanks for the very kind words.

Joe

An update, a rather quick moving one.

First up is finishing up the engine.  Exhausts are now added.

Next up is to actually begin the painting process.  Some may ask why, why do that prior to gluing all of the bits and pieces?  Well simple really.  I am a bit scared when it comes to painting around that cut away bit.  For that reason I choose to paint it now and then when I get it all together I can go back over the bits and touch up.  

First up is my usual, a coat of Flat Black.

Next up is to break this up just a bit.  I choose to use Model Master Aluminium Plate.  This is sprayed on randomly.  This is to break the monotone of the top colors.

I then sprayed Pollyscale colors, Dark Earth, and Dark Green.   I used homemade paper masks.  To be honest they worked ok but they could have been so much better.  The paints on the other hand again do not impress me.  They are some of the most difficult I have used.  

Being up front about it, any tone modulation in the paint are strictly because I either sprayed too heavy, not heavy enough, or otherwise screwed up.  It might just work for what I intend though.

Next up will be to begin the reconstruction of the interior and the permanent installation of the assorted pieces.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.

Joe

BK

Joe,

That engine looks better than my 1/8 scale Merlin. You are doing such a great job on this project. 

Still at the edge of my seat. Coming along nicely to say the least. Beautiful work on the engine and firewall.

It seems you are awfully hard on yourself at times, Joe.

     <------- don't do that. 

You are all very kind.  Many thanks.

Greg you are absolutely right, I am very harsh on my own work.  Always have been.

Joe

Love the way you work, Joe. Clean and crisp! Looking forward to more pics.

Many many thanks.

Joe

Finishing up the interior work.  Everything I will show in this post is now installed.  

The port side 

And the little bit on the starboard side.

What is left on the interior is the seat, the lower section of the tail wheel assembly, and finishing off the plumbing of the starboard side of the cockpit.  Oh so close to closing up the fuselage.  Oh so close.

All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.

Joe

Joe,

That is looking so good  You are doing a fantastic job!!

Just friggin amazing work there!

Mike