Well, it's been awhile since I've done a full work in progress thread, but I felt a hankering for a Thunderbolt once again so I thought I'd share it. Sometimes I get inspired by a picture, usually aviation art, and I just have to build that subject if I can source decals or piece then together from my stash. This picture did it for me.
This is the 353rd FG/350th FS machine of Kenneth Gallup, named Rat-A-Dat 3. He was a 12 kill ace with 7 of them being Bf 109's. He is one of the lesser known aces but certainly no less inspiring and is right up there with the best of them.
I was lucky enough to source Gallup's markings, Rat-A-Dat 3, through a Superscale sheet. I've always had good luck with Superscale. I stated with the pit. On this one I experimented with the frisket chipping technique, that being silver paint first, liquid frisket dabbed on with a sponge, then paint. Once dry, rub it off and it reveals silver chipping. I'm not crazy about how it turned out here. I'll have to save this technique for cowls, wing roots, Japanese stuff, and maybe pits in 1/32 scale.
On another note, I used up the last drop of my long time go-to cockpit wash, The Detailer, and it seems they not longer make it. Apparently now I need to find a substitute. I liked The Detailer because it was water based and easy to use. On this one I used AK Dark Brown enamel wash and was not impressed. Perhaps I'm using it wrong. I'm open for suggestions. If anyone has Black Detailer wash they want to part with I'll offer a King's ransom for it.....
On a positive note, I like AK Real Color's Dark Dull Green, which seems perfect to my eye. I also like the Eduard Zoom instrument panel I fired in there. Anytime I don't have to paint or decal an IP it's a win for me. I recommend these.
Next I switched to the Pratt and Whitney. I'm not a huge fan of Tamiya's example. I think it's average at best with the weak cooling fin detail up front. Someday I'll drop a Quickboost replacement in one of these. Anyways, I rigged that turkey with lead wire. If your interested in trying this on your next radial, here's how I do it:
How to wire up a convincing radial engine (Updated 2017). - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products
Next I wanted to get the black and yellow 353rd checked cowl overwith and out of the way. Superscale includes decals for these, but the sheet is old and likely for the Monogram or Hasegawa kit. Besides, I figured it would be fun to torture myself a bit and paint them on. To add insult to my figurative injury, they go from big to small and are diamond shaped....ugh. Squares would have been too easy. After spraying the black, I got busy by cutting out a few of the diamond decals out and I used them to cut the diamonds out of Tamiya tape with an Exacto. I worked my way around and after two nights of work, a some minor cussing, I was done.
Far from perfect, but I can live with it...
I sprayed the yellow (touch of red added) then peeled off the tape. I was fairly pleased. Again, not perfect, but I suspect they weren't perfect on the real thing as these markings were field applied.
The airframe went together without a hitch..ready for natural metal. The Tamiya Jug is a joy to build.
So I ran out of Alcad Duraluminum halfway through the top wings. I decided to give the AK Interactive Xtreme metals a shot again. Here is the result of several shades, namely Duraluminum, Aluminum, Dark Aluminum, and Matte Aluminum. The wings are Duraluminum and the fuselage is Matte Aluminum. Various panels were picked out with the other shades. Verdict?.....it's mixed. They spray nice and smooth and don't pebble like Alclad will sometimes. The downside is they are enamel based and take a while to cure. I had some lifting when I taped off some of the various panels, however, this may be my fault as I neglected to use their primer for these. I'll still use it ocassionally here and there, but I think I'll restock my Alclad.
Next I will move on to invasion stripes, the OD anti-glare panel, and main markings. More good times ahead and I'm praying I have no more paint lift off......