Spike190

...will yours remain mottle...less? 

Spike---I am sorry but it will not.  The inspriation is "Black 7" as feature in FSM's special BoB edition a few years back.  The builder displayed it open and I wanted to see what the bird would look like closed up.  In the end it will have RLM 71 Xs and RLM 02 mottles on the fuze sides.

All---I ran into a new issue when painting the 109.  After applying the RLM 65 I masked for the darker colors using Tamiya tape to make the demarcation lines and then filled the larger areas with 3M blue "painter's tape" to save my Tamiya supply.  When I demasked, the paint under the Tamiya tape was a lighter hue than the area under the 3 M tape.  I painted with Tamiya acryl thinned with their lacquer thinner.  The paint cured about an hour before the masks were applied.   

It is not a dramatic difference and the mottling and weathering should render it nearly invisible.  Has anyone else experienced this reaction?  Did I mask too soon? 

I don't mask that soon with acrylics, it seems like the surface can appear dry before the underlying paint is done.  I give it a day if I can, but I have gotten away with 3 or 4 hours on thin flat coats.  Perhaps the difference you see is because of the different tackiness of the tapes you used.

Spike: WOW! She looks great, I was very happy with how my Spit came out but she did have a few rough places. Yours looks flawless!

Clebode: Weird, I've never had that happen to me and I use both sorts of tape. However I almost always allow the paint to dry overnight just to be safe. No idea if that would make a difference or not.

John & Gamera---I think you are right.  I masked too soon.  Its not an issue now because I tried painting the camo Xs today with disappointing results.  I have to strip the paint from the fuze sides and start over. 

Darren, is that Spit urs!!!????? WOWSERS!! Having seen the real one twice at Point Cook, albeit not as weathered, the colors are spot on!!! Beautiful work mate!!!

Thanks  Gamera, mine also has plenty of rough spots, photo's were very kind to me

Shame about your paint problems Clebode, I ended up stripping mine twice so stick with it and I'm sure you'll get the result your after

Darren, Richie was right thats a lovely looking Spitfire

Cheers...

Mike---I tried to paint the Xs freehand with poor results, too squiggly.  I might have worked before the wings were attached and I had better access to the fuze area over the wings.  A steadier hand would help too.  I spent time last night making a mask that should allow me to paint fairly uniform but soft enough to look hand sprayed Xs.  We'll see tomorrow. 

Thats a great loking Spit, very well done.

Clebode, sorry to hear about your paint wowes. Hope you get it fixed soon

Steve

I finally got my Bf 109 E looking pretty good.  I chose the aircraft flown by Hauptmann, Rolf Pingel, Gruppenkommandeur of I./ JG 26 during the fall of 1940.  The fin carries 17 victory markings.  It was during this period that Pingel had his aircraft damaged and ditched in the Channel.  In July 1941, flying a Bf 109 F-2, Pingel was attacking a British Stirling Bomber, when he himself received damage. Intercepted by Spitfires, he force-landed, and was taken prisoner.

The model is a Tamiya Bf 109 E4.  I used Eduard's Color Zoom cockpit detail set to dress up the interior.  All the exterior paint and camo markings are Model Master paints.  The fuselage mottle camo was by far the toughest part of the paint job.  I ended up using a combination of raised masks and freehand mottle with minmum paint flow and very low pressure.  I also sanded the mottle with 2000 grit paper to further feather the edges.  After a light coat of Future, I applied AeroMaster Decals using the micro set system.I highlighted panel lines with diluted oil paints.  I stressed over the stark yellow cowling, but the oils did a great job toning down the yellow.  I gave the whole job several light coats of Krylon clear flat, which lays down great.  Before attaching the fiddly bits, I dirtied up the exhausts, wheels, and general coverage grime.  It looks pretty good sitting on the shelf.  It continues to be fun and rewarding following all these builds.  Everyone's WIP's and tips certainly help advance each other's skill levels.  Thanks Darren, for making this build work.  Rick.

Wabash, that is some stunning work!!! What I can see of the office, looks great!! All round jam up job!!

Wabash, that is one amazing 109!  Excellent work!

That's one sharp looking Bf-109 WW!!!

Wabash, great job on your 109, love that yellow nose

Cheers....

Nicely done Wabash... looks great!

Wabash---Excellent work.  I considered building the plane you built.  I liked the nationality flags a lot.  I'm glad I didn't.  I wouldn't want mine to be compared to your beauty.

Spike, love the Spitfire....An excellent build, well done

Wabash, another great looking finish you guys certainly set the bar high

Cheers Julez, glad you liked it.

Close to the end here.  Camo and "stickers" are on.  Painting the Xs was more difficult than I expected but the result is satisfactory.  Will work on the LG and drop tank this weekend.

Looks great Hugh. The camo looks great. Man I really need to get started on my Me 109 E-3. Just can't seem to plant my rear in hte chair at the work bench.

Soulcrusher

Thanks Coach.  This was a much easier build than the Ta152.  I think this is an older kit.  There was a lot of flash and I was shocked that it presented with raised panel lines.  Notwithstanding, the fit was very good especially at the wing roots.  Going to experiment with how to pop the raised detail.  I don't really want to try post shading with the AB yet.  I am going to work with washes and powders.

Looking good Hugh those crosses do look difficult to pull off.....Very well done...

Hugh, that camo is tops mate!! I have found that treating raised lines the same as recessed ones makes no difference unless you get a magnifying glass. Just make them enhanced not really pop. Sort of camouflage or disguise them rather than draw attention to them if you will. Just don't make it look like a tar stripped tarmac whatever you do. HTH

Clebode, Very nice work on the camo. Looks great.

can i join this please?

iv just got hold of a 1/32 spitfire 1a :) it looks bloody tiny next to a 1/32 tomcat lol

Julez--Mobious--Richie  Thanks for the comments on the camo.  Much appreciated.

Well, "Black 7" of JG 54 is finished.  Here are the pics:

Cloebode, well done buddy she looks great...Man thats a very attractive scheme, i wouldn't mind making that one myself...thanks for sharing

Nice finish Clebode, The last shot is my favorite. Shows the work in the pit, the excellent camo, and the weathering. Well done!!!

Mobious--Thanks for your support.  Since you commented on the pit, here is a close up.  It did turn out nicely I think.

Since this was a raised panel line kit, I deliberately went easy on the weathering.  No tar lines here.

Hugh you did a fine job on a tough camo scheme. The cockpit came out nice also. She looks like a winner to me.

Soulcrusher

Hugh, well done on a great job, excellent camo scheme which you did a very fine job on

Cheers....