OFFICAL NATURAL METAL FINISH GB V (2013-2014)

Hi Clemens - glad you like it. It was a bit of a haul but now it's finished I well pleased with the result. I have several, non plastic, modelling things to attend to now so it will be a while before I can pick something else up but I have enjoyed taking part and would certainly like to do so again in the future.

I used the full size flying F-86 picture as a lead in to my build photos file so I guess I would prefer that one if possible.

Does it automatically appear or do I have to do anything to make it part of my profile? If so, can you tell me what I have to do please.

Thanks for hosting this GB - long may it go on and as they say - 'I will be back' 

Regards - Tug

SSpartan

Please add me with a crossover 1/72 Fujimi Cutlass F7U-3. It will be in Alclad NMF.

This is truly a very nice kit.

Here is the pe fret made by Eduard for RES-IM. It elevates the cockpit detail tremendously. It also has details for the landing gear. 

The IP and side consoles have finely detailed raised instruments that would have looked fantastic painted but they had to be shaved off so the pe parts can properly fit.

The tub got the pe details which are a bunch of folded thin metal pieces and glued with thick ca.

I removed the molded belts from the seat and the clunky headrest then added the leg restraint loops from thin electronic wire. The loops may look too thick but the reference pictures I saw showed them to be on the hefty side.

The pe set really dresses up things, adding some really nice details . The IP instruments have a drop of Clear Parts cement for the glass face. I still have to shoot some clear flat on the pit  (less the IP) to kill a bit the shine of the pe consoles and need to paint the head cushion grey. The camera flash makes colors look a bit lighter.

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I finished the office and before sealing the forward halves, I added a small lead sinker to the nose to keep it from being a tail sitter. There is still another pe part that is to be attached to top of the dash where that square looking molded part is at..

Nice office there PJ.  That's a nice way of dressing up what I can only imagine is an incredibly tiny cockpit already. =]

This GB has been quiet lately, but keep it coming with your build.  We'll all be watching.

Thanks bvallot for the nice words. I just got in here but there is still 3 months left so I think I will have enough time to finish this one.

The kit is very old but it has recessed panel lines and some nice details. The cockpit was actually ok OOB but I stumbled on the pe set that helps elevate the details. Thanks for looking.

Ok kids, I did a little more work on the Cutlass. I assembled and painted the inside of the trucking and fans which were Tenaxed in place.

Also added the fins and the top half of the wing assembly.

I'm impressed by the parts fit with this kit even though it's very old.

really nice pit! how anyone does that in 1/72 is beyond me.

Thanks Misty.

Looking very nice, PJ! It's great to have you aboard!

SchattenSpartan

Looking very nice, PJ! It's great to have you aboard!

A quick update on my small Cutlass. Got the fuselage and wings together and was VERY impressed by the fit which needed no filler at all, making it a must when using Alclad. Everything just falls together and the fit is incredible.

Looking good, PJ! That model really is small!

Thanks SSpartan.

 I finally was able to work on the Cutlass finishing attaching the pe parts. I did not use all of the pe pieces cause some of the gear high stress plastic parts had to be removed to make space for the pe parts. IMO it would have weakened the gears. The sliding canopy is masked but the windshield was carefully painted free hand with a 18/0 brush. I will attach the clear parts as they will keep paint out of the pit area.

Finished up installing the upper ip

Up next will be a coat of gloss black enamel in preparation for the Alclad NMF.

This is a very quiet GB. I guess I must be the last one here but got till the end of December

I made some  progress I shot the gloss black enamel a couple of days back but got tied up with car problems so that's all out of the way now.

Shot the Alclad Polished Aluminum this morning, producing a beautiful polished metallic finish.

Some of parts such as the tanks, flaps, slats and gear doors I sprayed less Alclad to make the tone deeper and shinier.

The fuselage got just a tad more coverage to get a lighter colored effect. The more you let the black show the shinier and darker the Alclad appears. It has a very light metallic dust over the surfaces  and some lint that needs to be carefully brushed off so I can tape up some panels and shoot a different shade later on.

I added a couple of drops of Alclad Steel to the Polihed Alum just to darken the mix a tad. I did not want  an exaggerated color variation on the panels as this tends to not look too realistic. So I taped up some panels.The color variation is very subtle as you can see in this picture.

The flash reflects off the finish giving a darker appearance.

It amazes me every time I use Alaclad as to how realistic the metallic tone is. The shine is incredible as it truly looks like polished metal.

Nice job there PJ.  I might suggest you making a mask to cover that pretty polished alclad.  It shouldn't need any kind of future or clear coat.  In fact, I've seen in some cases where it can make your build look more toy-like.  The solvaset may not injure your polished aluminum at all.  I had some luck with it on my P-51D.  Definitely test it somewhere else first thought! =]

Good luck.  and keep the updates coming. =]

bvallot

Thanks! LOL you read my mind. Experimentation  was next in my agenda. I built the Sea Fury in the December issue of FSM and did not seal the finish but the AM decals were very thin and I kept the Solvaset very light and avoided touching the finish so it worked out.

These are the Fujimi decals and hope they will behave accordingly.

More progress on my Cutlass. I was very happy that the Solvaset did not affect the unsealed Alclad so most of the decals are on. Still have to add the gear doors, wheels and slats and she will be completed soon.

Some mighty fine NMF you got going there, PJ! Really amazing stuff!

Thanks Clemens!

Seems I'm the only one keeping this thread alive.

I thought I would be done but once I removed the masked canopy I had forgotten about the area behind the seat.

Working from some reference pictures, I stretched some sprue, added some thin wiring and super glued the details in place.

Painted the area and added a black wash to deepen the details.

Looks a lot better now with the added sprue and wires.

Great work as usual, PJ! Unfortunately it really looks like you are the last one building in here. I'd love to throw that P-47 I got on hold into the ring, but my bench is way too crowded with other projects for me to drag another one out of the stash...

Thanks Clemens. My bench is pretty full too between GB's and commissions.

Almost done with this little guy and will be posting updates soon.

Just put the finishing touches on the Cutlass and it is complete.

She's looking great, Ernie! The NMF on that little bird is simply amazing! I'll add her to the front page right away!

Thanks Clemens!

Not bad at all PJ!! =]  Thanks for sharing.  How'd those decals settle down for you?

bvallot

Not bad at all PJ!! =]  Thanks for sharing.  How'd those decals settle down for you?

lovely little cutlass, great finish!