Vetteman- I'm gonna have to carry my P-51 over to the next GB cuz there's no way I'm getting done in time without rushing it and screwing it up.....I'd rather take my time and do it right.  I also decided enough is enough and I've gotta get previous projects done, so the Mustang is kinda on the back-burner right now anyways

Glad you all think the Aeries parts are nice too!

I am waiting to do the Do 335 till after the GB 3 starts as I am in process of designing and building a tool to make solving the following problems a little easier.

Severe warpage on wings from a 1/48th scale Beechcraft Staggerwing and the upper wing from the old Eduard Hannover CL IIIa kit also in 1/48th.  (Yes I know, they have no metal finish)  BUT  as this is a common problem that can occur for any kit I thought I would go ahead and mention it here.

Here is what the Hannover upper wing should look like:

H-E - nice rig and idea! will have to file it away for sure. Wingnut is running a Great War GB, perfect place for your biplanes!

Thanks for the GB suggestion. (I have been lurking there for a little while) don't know if you could really tell but the yellow Staggerwing  sings are "QUITE" warped.  It is a nicely detailed kit but now the challenge is to straighten the warp fully weather it ever gets built or not.  Yes the upper Hannover wing is way too curved.  Should be almost flat.

Thing is the tool I am working on should be good for wing alignment to fuse, setting landing gear level and a few other things.  Trying to keep the basic parts simple (inexpensive to make) so that it might be an option for a product.  The main idea is to be able to fix and build thru problems in a controlled manner with some ease and precision.  I think I am on the right track with it.

OK so enough of the side track.  You guys builds are looking good and this rusty old modeller is trying to remember all the stuff I used to do 20 years ago that worked well, as well as learn a few new tricks!

Yep, saw the distorsion! As long as the jig parts are water-compatible it should work. That way you can pour hot water over the part to soften the plastic then slowly or step-wise apply pressure to straighten the part out.  And a bunch of us are old modeller hobby returnees ;)  cheers

The Jig parts are fully immersible.  The jig is a little big to fully place it in my big cooking pot.  It will fit halfway though.  To brace the parts against the metal jig use styrene scraps and such.  It shouldn't get hot enough to melt the styrene.  The point is to jig the part to the shape you want to end up with.  Then heat in boiling water to allow the plastic to temper into the new shape.  The big trick and technique is to properly brace the part without distorting it.  Snug not tight.

In addition with other parts added it will make a wonderful jig for assembly.  Am having to make the base plate out of 3/16 thick aluminum plate as the 1/8 thick piece I had was warped too bad and couldn't get it perfectly flat.  This could end up a blessing as the 3/16 thick piece is not going to flex at all.  

Interesting topic you guys are talking about, it's a good idea...the last time i had a warped part i sat on the toilet with the wifes hairdryer and the part wedged between my knees.......

Randy i finished my Stuka and now i'm doing my Mustang...I just painted the black parts and i have to go to mums this week but im at dads next week and i'll do some more....

Redraider no problem, carry overs are fine. Looking forward to seeing more of your P-51 in round 3.

Heavens Eagle  that fixture is a great idea for fixing warped wings, and it looks to be doing its job well from where I am sitting. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Tyler254 looking forward to seeing your P-51 come together, I have heard the Tamiya kit is a good start on a fine build too. Hey were you planning to post a few pictures of your Stuka ? I would love to see it.

Julez72

the last time i had a warped part i sat on the toilet with the wifes hairdryer and the part wedged between my knees.......

Julez you do paint quite a picture there

Looks like I am finally getting my health issues under control, only one more pill to get working right and I should be back to my ole self. My apologies for being gone for so long.

When are ya planning on Round III???

Randy,  good to see you back buddy

Yeah my missus walked in when i was unwarping that part, she shook her head and walked out without muttering a word

Tyler is at his mothers so he won't be posting but i'll add a pic of the Stuka on his behalf, he did a WIP on the A/C forum but that would be on page 2 or 3 by now....

Stikpusher  round III will be starting on May 2nd, I will get the page up sometime first of next week.

Julez I gotta say Tyler did a beautiful job on that Stuka man I have built 2 Stukas and I can tell you Tyler's looks much better than either of mine. I can see he has both the knack for modeling and a very good teacher, or maybe mentor would be a better word. This one will in fact be going into my album.

Over the last couple of days I have gotten the base coat of Talon NMF on the Streak Eagle, and have been masking it for the appiclation of Chem-Film ( the gold Irridite). Leme tell ya there3 is a lot of masking to get done then paint some then more masking and paint then more ..................... What have I gotten myself into this time geeze. I hope to have pictures in the next few days, that is if my hummmm (cough) plan works out.

Randy, thanks buddy i'm very impresssed with his build, he had me hovering over him but i've let him take the reins a little more with his P-51....Looking forward to seeing some progress on your end, i don't envy you doing the streak eagle and it's odd NMF....

I still havn't recieved the Verlinden set for my build yet, i expected it last week...Hopefully it will arrive over the next couple of weeks and i can resume work, if not i'll give the guy a call because i can hear the clock winding down on this GB now...

Gamera hows the B-29 coming along ? I am really looking forward to seeing more of it.

Julez hope your Verlinden set shows soon as the end is closing in on us.

Some WIP pictures, I have to tell you that I have really been sweating this stage in my build. the painting.

Above is the Streak Eagle with powder blue paint to simulate filler that was used to close up vents and the gun port, along with lightened interior green for worn green zinc chromite primer on the tail and a few other places.

Masking for the filler and zinc chromate.

Here it is after 6 misted coats of Talon NMF Aluminum. I really like the way this paint covers and looks.

Here is the second misted coat of the simulated chem-film finish, this one really had me worried. I had done a bunch of test panels to find the right colors, my last try was with Tamiya X-12 Gold Leaf. I thinned it for my airbrush and shot a panel, wasnt pleased at all with the way it turned out so decided to give up for the evening and put my toys away. The metal flake just didn't work at all for me. The next morning I found the paint had separated, the X-12 that is, clear with a gold tint at the top of the jar, heavier darker gold in the middle and all the metal flake at the bottom, so I poured off the clear at the top into a jar the darker into another jar, and left the metal flake in the first jar. I shot more test panels and liked what I saw, below is what I ended up with on the Streak Eagle.

The first 2 coats were done with the gold tinted clear misted on. The 3rd was done with the darker paint, then the next coats were painted on in faster uneven strokes with a couple drops of Tamiya brown paint added to darken it a bit for each coat to get that blotchy look. It took a total of 7 coats.

Here it is with all the masking removed but for the canopy. Next up will be a clear coat of future to seal the gold then masking for the burnt titanium around the engines, and burner cans. Let me know what you guys think good or bad.

wow, that is some fancy NMF

EXCELLENT spraying and smart thinking there Randy! I knew this was going to be a stunner and you delivered nicely.

As for weathering... Maybe a highly thinned burnt sienna type of color wash in multiple, random coats.... Ya know, get some streaks on the wings and all that... Just a thought. If you use the watercolors it is very easy to get it off again if you dont like the results.

Richard

looking good Vetteman!

Randy -- STUNNING! That's the word I'd use. You've tackled a very difficult subject and you're pulling it off! Can't wait to see her done!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Fine work there, Vetteman! Very much looking forward to round III. My new Aztek 470 Airbrush is working out nicely so I can't wait to see what it does with Alclad lacquers.

Cheers

V-Man: Looking good! I've done some panels in different shades of NM but the gold/copper really stands out. Love what I see!

Thought I'd have the B-29 done by Easter weekend but as I was spraying the overall clear coat on the model some dripped off the friggin' airbrush and dissolved part of the paint on the rudder. It's mostly fixed though you can still see the damaged area. That and I keep knocking the bomb bay doors off every time I handle the model. Still she's sitting at 97% done, if I can get the few remaining bits added without knocking anything off photos will be posted soon. Cross your fingers.

Thank you ALL for your kind words and encouragement, your complements really go along way considering the skill levels among you. I still have a few things to tidy up and she will be finished, I hope to have pictures up by Friday.

ColGray I hope I didnt misunderstand, so must ask if you were calling "Hurry Home Honey" finished or if you planned to weather it first.

Gamera buddy I have my fingers eyes and anything else I can think of crossed for ya, just can't wait to see the finished pictures of your Superfortress.

OK I am pleased to announce that the front page for NMF III has officially been posted. I was also thinking of a rule change, maybe adding anything in NMF. Cars, a Delorian maybe or vintage aluminum race cars, space craft, maybe even show armor ? The what-ifs could be endless I think, so I thought I would bounce the idea off you guys and young lady first.

vetteman42

OK I am pleased to announce that the front page for NMF III has officially been posted. I was also thinking of a rule change, maybe adding anything in NMF. Cars, a Delorian maybe or vintage aluminum race cars, space craft, maybe even show armor ? The what-ifs could be endless I think, so I thought I would bounce the idea off you guys and young lady first.

Do it!

If you open it up to armor, I WILL build a blinged-out Sherman. Might even add racing stripes!

vetteman42

OK I am pleased to announce that the front page for NMF III has officially been posted. I was also thinking of a rule change, maybe adding anything in NMF. Cars, a Delorian maybe or vintage aluminum race cars, space craft, maybe even show armor ? The what-ifs could be endless I think, so I thought I would bounce the idea off you guys and young lady first.

sounds like a great idea! 

V-Man,

Personally i think that a NMF gb is game for anything natural metal. Hell why not allow NMF mopeds...

Doogs,

LOVE the idea of an armor build in NMF. A big turret KV2 would look very nice on my desk

Just my opinion. Ofcourse it is your call Randy

Richard

kermit

Doogs,

LOVE the idea of an armor build in NMF. A big turret KV2 would look very nice on my desk

Just my opinion. Ofcourse it is your call Randy

Richard

With a  KV2, I'd be tempted to track down some spinners from the auto side and do a dropped, blinged-out version with way too many subwoofers.

EDIT: Oh, and a big wing on the back. You know, for the downforce...

Ok great I will get the rules changed this evening thanks for the interest and input you all rock.

Now for the bad news I just finished the last of the decals and well................... One of the Streak Eagle logo decals came apart on me so badly I couldn't save it, just exploded apart. I even used a decal saver on it. The good news is I got lucky and saved one of them by piecing it together on the model, was touch and go for a while but its on there now. So I will have a lop sided Streak Eagle

DoogsATX

With a  KV2, I'd be tempted to track down some spinners from the auto side and do a dropped, blinged-out version with way too many subwoofers.

That would be cool to see! Don't forget the flame on the sides

Doogs! I wanna see the chomed out 'bling-bling' tank!!! I'd be tempted to do one if I could figure out how to set the thing up so it would jump up and down.

V-Man: Sorry about the decals. I swear they looked ok when I pulled them out of the box even though they were kinda old  Still looking forward to more photos.

Finished!!! Sorry it's too dark now to take good photos but here is one just to prove that she is done. Hopefully will have some good photos up by the weekend but wanted to make sure I beat the deadline for the end of the GB here!

Don't have a 1/72nd Zero so here is a 1/72nd 190 for size comparisons.

Hey guys great builds!

Well I thought since I mentioned my current project on here I would show you folks just how it is turning out.  There is even some natural metal finish to it!

Remember my showing some photos of some badly warped wings? Some were so bad that the kit was basically not build-able.  Well I have SUCCESS!  

First the before photos.  The upper wing from an AMT 1/48 Beechcraft Staggerwing.  Nothing flat or straight about it. 

Fuzzy but you get the picture.  Another shot.

Definitely NOT flat.

Now for some Natural Metal Finish,  THE TOOL

And now The Results!

Definitely a vast improvement!  Very usable and will glue just fine to the underneath sections.  Might need another tweak once the wings have been assembled.

This project was not without some casualties though, the upper wing from an Eduard Hanover became a partial shrinky dink. It ended up about 5/16 of an inch shorter than when I started and was already too short to begin with.  Definitely too much heat and too much time.  Only consolation is that it wasn't quite in scale before I started and  guess a little scratch building never hurt anyone.   This wing had no deformation or shrinkage though it took a couple of passes in the heat phase.