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Official Natural Metal Finish Group Build II

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  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 7:14 PM

Scorpiomikey -- I have one word for you, TAMEGAWA! Either one... After the experience you just went through, you'll get the impression it's building itself.

Cheers, M/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by Scorpiomikey on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:38 PM

Ill keep an eye out, this is the cockpit im patiently waiting for

Apparently shipped on the 4th which is comeing up 3 weeks ago now.

We got a ding-dong dash last night so im wondering if the neighbours picked it up, ill go over and ask tonight.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how i soar"

Recite the litanies, fire up the Gellar field, a poo storm is coming Hmm 

My signature

Check out my blog here.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: South Central Wisconsin
Posted by Daywalker on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 9:04 PM

Scorpiomikey

 

Any suggestions of the best P-47 in 48 scale?

Tamiya all the way!  One of the best model kits ever IMHO.

Frank 

 

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by simpilot34 on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 5:26 AM

stikpusher

Nice Fit, your Mustang is coming along great! You re almost there!

 

OK, today I found these shots of a historic NMF bird. I would love to see someone tackle it. Note in the close ups the finish is nowhere near prisitne... ya gotta love the multitone look.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/stikpusher/streakeagle.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/stikpusher/streakeagle2.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/stikpusher/streakeagle3.jpg

Bow DownAll hale Eagles!!!!!! Being a former Eaglekeeper, I really perked up when you posted these pics Stik lol!!!!! Thought you were going to build her!!! Had the pleasure of seeing the one and only at the USAF Museum at Wright-Patt!!! Got to see many Eagles naked when I worked at Robins AFB climbing like a homesick angel, then later hearing BA-BOOM!!!! then saying,'Nother job well done!!!' The F-15's I saw naked had a few panels in primer yellow as well as the coppery color which is an alodine coating to prevent corrosion. Nice to see a pic of an Eagle with unmodified vertical stabs too. Before the Modified leading edges that were started being retrofitted not long before I left, there would be a couple straps about 6" and 18" below the 'bullet' fairings on the tips. Hehe sorry, I like my Eagles!!!Toast

Cheers, Lt. Cmdr. Richie "To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace."-George Washington
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: South Central Wisconsin
Posted by Daywalker on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:49 AM

Very cool Richie!  I can understand your fondness for the Eagle, what an amazing machine.  You know, before I signed his GB I was planning to build the Streak Eagle.  After realizing the changes to be made, trouble locating decals, and complicated paint job, I opted for something a little bit easier.  Hopefully, someone here will build her, I'd love to see it modeled too!

Frank 

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:49 AM

VERY nice -- I remember first seeing the Project Streak Eagle plane in the late 70s and thinking what a fabulous subject she would be. I have the classic 1:48 by Revell that was released in those markings, or lack thereof. I also have the markings by Superscale and have always wanted to do her, but have never yet got up the nerve to tackle the project! It would sure take some research. Richie, you say this particular plane is preserved at the USAF Museum? Another great reason to visit! My sister in law was almost an Eaglekeeper, she was a Rhino crewchief and if she had taken another tour she would have retrained on Eagles, but quit the blue suit and went civvie about that time.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by simpilot34 on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:46 AM

Thunderbolt379

VERY nice -- I remember first seeing the Project Streak Eagle plane in the late 70s and thinking what a fabulous subject she would be. I have the classic 1:48 by Revell that was released in those markings, or lack thereof. I also have the markings by Superscale and have always wanted to do her, but have never yet got up the nerve to tackle the project! It would sure take some research. Richie, you say this particular plane is preserved at the USAF Museum? Another great reason to visit! My sister in law was almost an Eaglekeeper, she was a Rhino crewchief and if she had taken another tour she would have retrained on Eagles, but quit the blue suit and went civvie about that time.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

COOOOL!!! Yes, the Streak Eagle is there!!! I was TDY (temporary duty) at Eglin AFB in Florida for a couple weeks and I saw 'Gulf Spirit' setting on the flightline, proudly displaying 3 kills from Desert Storm. I also had the pleasure of working on the only F-15 from Langley AFB to score during Desrt Storm, 83-017.

You can see the green star marking just under the canopy.

Cheers, Lt. Cmdr. Richie "To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace."-George Washington
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 1:55 PM

Soulcrusher and NiceFit- your P-35 and P-51 look great!

Simpilot- that's pretty awesome.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:26 PM

Simpilot, I would love to tackle the Streak Eagle one day. I have everythiing I need to build it. But once I get the Thunderjet done, my next NMF project will be a Hun from the early Vietnam days.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: USA California
Posted by vetteman42 on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:15 PM

Soulcrusher saved my nickles and ordered some Talon paints today and a bottle of buffing powder. Now I just have to decide what model to try it out on Stick out tongue

Randy So many to build.......So little time

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: back seat of your car with duct tape streched out
Posted by soulcrusher on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:03 PM

Looking foward to seeing how you do with them Randy. I suggest reading the intructional stuff on his sight. Once you get the hang of using it you will want to build everything in your stash with a NMF.

SoulcrusherPirate

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: back seat of your car with duct tape streched out
Posted by soulcrusher on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:26 PM

Got all od the decals on last night. No surprise the Hobbycraft decals were pretty crappy. Very thick and did not want to conform. It took several applications of Microsol just to soften them up a bit. The rudder decal was no where near the correct size or shape. I got it on and let it dry. Then trimmed it carefully and touched up a coup[le of spots. Just have to mask and paint the white cowl band then add the gear and she's done!

SoulcrusherPirate

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:26 AM

SC -- I cannot tell you how much I love this finish! You inspire me to take another crack at Talon paints, and I'll bear in mind your tips -- thanks for posting them! 20psia -- my guage reads in L/min so I'll need to check for a conversion factor.

Wow, what a paintjob!

Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: back seat of your car with duct tape streched out
Posted by soulcrusher on Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:48 AM

Thanks Mike. I still manage to bugger up one or two spots on every one but I am making less mistakes the more of them I do. They do take a bit of getting use to. Just bear in mind that they are very thin paints and do not need much pressure and only use fine settings on the airbrush and I think you we be pleased. You still have to have a smooth suface to paint on just like any other NMF product but the big difference is you can paint right on the bare plastic as long as you make sure to polish the plastic anywhere you might have sanded smooth so it appears like and unsanded areas of plastic. If you want to create different shades you can mask off areas and pre shade differnt panels by painting  them black or shades of grey and it will change the top color of silver giving a nice effect. Just make sure they are gloss colors.

SoulcrusherPirate

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:56 AM

That's a very interesting technique, SC --  creating a variegated NMF finish with a single metallic shade, by undercoating some panels with a variety of gloss shades, then also selectively using the polishing powders afterward... That sounds like the solution to not having to mask over NMF to create variety. I think I will take a crack at these paints again, maybe do some test spraying on styrene sheet and see what I can acheive. If they have a slow drying characteristic then the wait between mist coats should not bring about tip drying, which would be very handy indeed. I see a B-29, B-35, B-36, B-47, B-49, B-50, B-52 and B-58 lineup... On a very long shelf... Whistling

Cheers, M/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by simpilot34 on Thursday, June 24, 2010 1:20 AM

Crushster you were not wrong that your finish is better than the pic I posted!!!!! 10 times better I would say!!! That looks great mate!!!Toast

Cheers, Lt. Cmdr. Richie "To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace."-George Washington
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Dallas, Texas
Posted by NiceFit on Thursday, June 24, 2010 8:14 AM

soulcrusher, I love the finish on your Hobbycraft kit. It looks fantastic. I could learn a thing or two from you about seam filling/sanding. Do you have tutorials? Computer lol. Great work. Can't wait to see the finished kit.

Respectfully, Dobby

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: NJ
Posted by JMart on Thursday, June 24, 2010 8:22 AM

I am glad the “tubing” tip was of help. I cannot claim it is my original idea, but I can’t remember where I first read it…  Another use for those of you who do armor: connect the “eye bolt” of a towing cable to a metal strand (if you SB your own tow cables).  The box I showed in the pic, you can get for 4-5$ at MicroMark.They also sell an assorted box with larger sizes.

 

Maxfax – Your Revell P51D is looking REAL nice; I will refer to your pit pics when I get to that step next week.

 

Julez – congrats on the finish! And no, we cannot have too many mustangs! ;)

 

ScorpionMickey – sorry to hear about your FUBAR. The only kit I have binned since my re-entry into modeling was a Testors’ P-51D.  Those old testors kits are just not worth the aggravation…

 

Soulcrusher – paint job looks great! I think the Talon paints are the “children” of Hawkeye (Gerald), who is a regular poster in here. One day down the road I will try those paints. Your decal job actually looks pretty good!

 

NiceFit – very well done! That one will always have a soft spot for me, was the first ever kit/markings I built when I came back to the hobby. I also painted the red stripes and B&W invasions lines. It is just so much easier to paint them than to deal with keeping the decals straight.

 

I will post pics on mine maybe next week, busy lately with my eldest’s HS graduation and family visits!  Cheers all

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: back seat of your car with duct tape streched out
Posted by soulcrusher on Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:37 PM

Thanks Richie. The one in the picture looks like it was just sprayed with just regular silver paint and not a specialty NMF product.

Nicefit. I just do the basics when it comes to seams. Squadron putty sanding stick to smooth them out. I am a big fan of wet sanding with the fine grade sanding sticks to smooth the plastic then I like to use Tamiya silver paint as a seem checker. It reall makes any small flaws stand out. Then I wet sand over the silver paint and watch the way the silver wears of as it is sanded to find and steps. It is also thick enough to fill in any tiny imperfections. It saves having to repaint when ugly spots show up after painting.

Jmart I have not seen Gerald post here in a long time. Mabye buisness is so good he does'nt have time to build anymore.

SoulcrusherPirate

 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Frisco, TX
Posted by B17Pilot on Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:59 PM

Thunderbolt379

I see a B-29, B-35, B-36, B-47, B-49, B-50, B-52 and B-58 lineup... On a very long shelf... Whistling

What about a B-17?

Sorry just had to throw that in there.

  

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Dallas, Texas
Posted by NiceFit on Thursday, June 24, 2010 1:03 PM

soulcrusher, Thanks for the seam techniques. I've been using Testors sandpaper but sanding sticks sound like a better approach. Which sticks do you find you use the most (coarse, medium, fine or extra fine)? I see Squadron offers a "val-pak', which has one of each. Your thoughts on which to order?

I will try the sliver paint as a seam checker. I had been checking seams after applying primer - which is much more effort since an airbrush is involved. Your approach seems (pardon the pun) simpler and effective. I appreciate the tips! I'll order some sticks once I hear back from you.

Respectfully, Dobby

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Brisbane
Posted by Julez72 on Thursday, June 24, 2010 5:59 PM

Jmart, Thanks buddy...I was gonna post up some more pics but i'm hip deep in my Mirage111 build at the moment....

Crusher, Your finish looks outstanding, very well doneYes I got in touch with Hawkeye and asked a few annoying questions so it looks like my Mirage will be finished in Talon paints......I love the Alclad finish but i'm definatly interested in trying all the products out there for NMF.....

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: USA California
Posted by vetteman42 on Friday, June 25, 2010 1:34 AM

Stikpusher you just had to go and do it huh, ya had to go and post those F-15 Eagle pictures. Now  I am having very dangerous thoughts about that aircraft and the Talon paints I just ordered. I might just hafta.......... now I can't let that thought get into my head. No I cant do it. Clown I will blame it on you if I get my hands on one of those kits ya know, oh and Simpilot isnt off the hook either. Geeze

Soulcrusher man that P-35 is looking good, I really really like that Talon finish you have on it and hope I can do half as well with the paints I ordered. Oh and BTW I used your silver Tamiya paint trick tonight on a P-51 I have on the bench. It works like a charm thank you for sharing that tip with us. Should work great on the Travel Air too. Toast

Randy So many to build.......So little time

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by simpilot34 on Friday, June 25, 2010 2:09 AM

vetteman42

 .......oh and Simpilot isnt off the hook either. Geeze

What??????WhistlingWink Looking forward to it Randy!!!

Cheers, Lt. Cmdr. Richie "To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace."-George Washington
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, June 25, 2010 2:36 AM

vetteman42

Stikpusher you just had to go and do it huh, ya had to go and post those F-15 Eagle pictures. Now  I am having very dangerous thoughts about that aircraft and the Talon paints I just ordered. I might just hafta.......... now I can't let that thought get into my head. No I cant do it. Clown I will blame it on you if I get my hands on one of those kits ya know, oh and Simpilot isnt off the hook either. Geeze

Zip it!

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Brisbane
Posted by Julez72 on Friday, June 25, 2010 3:11 AM

simpilot34

 

 vetteman42:

 

 .......oh and Simpilot isnt off the hook either. Geeze

 

 

What??????WhistlingWink Looking forward to it Randy!!!

Ditto

Can't wait to see that F-15 come together Randy.........Good choiceYes

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, June 25, 2010 10:20 AM

SC: Hey the decals look good to me. And the finish is flawless.

I'm tempted to pick up some the Talon acrylics, if only I hadn't already invested a pile of cash in Alclad II by now.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Dallas, Texas
Posted by NiceFit on Friday, June 25, 2010 2:04 PM

1/48 Revell P-51D Mustang "Postmortem"

Scheme: P-51D, "Miss Marilyn II", 343rd FS, 55th FG, Wormingford, Northants, UK

Colors used:

  • NMF base coat: Model Master Flat Black (#1149), over-coated with Future
  • NMF: Alclad Aluminum (#101) with Dark Aluminum (#103) highlights
  • Green: Model Master Euro Dark Green enamel (#1764)
  • Yellow: Model Master Gelb RLM 04 enamel (#2072)
  • Red: Testor Red enamel (#1103)

Started: So long ago, I can't remember.

Finished: Today!

Notes:

Overall, I was pleased with the quality of the kit, instructions and decals. I felt the kit fit together well, except perhaps for the air scoop. I would build one again, especially considering that the kit is relatively inexpensive.

I started building this kit during Phase 1 of the NMF Group Build. I was almost finished painting the fuselage when paint started to lift off areas I had masked for touch-up. I thought perhaps I had not done a good enough job removing all the Novus #2 Plastic Polish before painting. Not knowing any better, I tried to use lacquer thinner to remove some areas of paint. Unfortunately the thinner reacted with the plastic and ruined the kit. So I went to my LHS, bought a new kit, and started over.

On my second kit, I got just about as far when the same problem occurred. This time I determined the actual cause of the problem was the Alcad Aluminum not adhering to the Alclad Gloss Black Base. (I emailed Alclad and they responded that I should lightly scuff the gloss black base with 6000 micromesh or use a gray primer base coat instead. I did some test samples, however, and did not like the way the NMF looked over gray primer. A gloss black undercoat produced the best look. My solution was to use either flat black enamel or the gloss black base, then overcoat either with Future before applying the NMF.)

Anyway, I had to strip all the paint off the plane. I used Gunze Leveling Thinner (thank you Daywalker for your suggestion), which worked beautifully and did not harm the plastic. Later on, I had a few more painting and masking mishaps which caused me to strip the paint several more times. By the end, I think I used nearly half the bottle of thinner. LOL

As I was doing all the paint removal and repainting, the antenna and rear landing gear broke off. I also noticed that I had not done a sufficient job filling seams. (These mistakes become really evident in an NMF.) It was at this point that I decided to make my last attempt at painting and accept however it came out. Unfortunately, it did not come out great. Some areas of the undercoat were rough and this showed right through the NMF. Other areas seemed to attract dust and lint while I was painting. I also misapplied the starboard wing star/bar decal to the topside. I tried to cover decal with paint but the outline of the decal can still be seen and the aluminum looks very different.

I heard of a guy who used Tamiya Smoke for panel line post-shading. I did not do the panel lines, just around the flaps and engine cover. I probably shouldn't have done the later.

Anyway, I point these things out, not to knock my work, but to simply explain why the plane looks the way it does and why it took so long to complete. Despite the setbacks, I've learned a lot from this experience and expect my next NMF build to go much better. I plan to: 1) do a better job filling/sanding seams, including around the canopy, 2) apply the Alcad Gloss Black Base and a coat of Future for better topcoat adherence, 3) paint, then mask, highlighted panels first so I don't waste a lot of time and tape masking other areas if I were to paint the highlights last,  and 4) pray I can keep the dust and lint at bay while I airbrush. I'll be seeking tips on seam work, as I haven't quite mastered it, especially around canopies.

I hope this write-up has been useful. I welcome feedback. VetteMan, feel free to pick any photo for "finished kits" area of the group build. In the meantime, I'll re-glue the canopy to the frame as it became detached just prior to the photo shoot. I'll also figure out how to obtain the GB badge - as this is my 1st group build! :-)

 .

 

Respectfully, Dobby

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: USA California
Posted by vetteman42 on Friday, June 25, 2010 4:36 PM

Nicefit I wish to thank you for your write up on your build, I have learned from your trials with this build and I am sure others have also. Believe me when I say I feel your pain with nightmare builds where everything seems to go wrong. Call me strange but these builds are the ones I am proudest of upon completion. Check out my Avenger in the Sub-Killer GB.

Now your build is fantastic Sir Bow Down and let me tell you, you should be very proud of her, I love the markings and the color scheme. I have commented on the red stripe you did a fine job on and the spinner as well and well the whole build. Being able to take one of the old kits and make it look this good does indeed take an artist with a lot of, shall we say fortitude, believe me, you have both talents. If you don't mind I have chosen picture #2 for the front page, it really shows off Miss Marilyn II beautifully IMHO.

CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT BUILD  YesYesToast

Oh Nicefit to get the badge you need to copy it to your computer then post it to photobucket. From there you can include it in your signature by editing your profile here on FSM.

Randy So many to build.......So little time

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Dallas, Texas
Posted by NiceFit on Friday, June 25, 2010 5:53 PM

vetteman, You always have the nicest things to say and it's very encouraging, especially when a nightmare build is at hand. Needless to say, you make a GREAT group build moderator. I don't know how you manage to track all these posts and make thoughtful replies. OUTSTANDING! YesYesBeer

I got my shiny badge in place, don't ya see...

Respectfully, Dobby

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