Both look Sweet Doogs !

panzerpilot

They both look great! Did you overcoat 'Magic Carpets' NMF with anything? I saw you mention you were gonna use alclad's clear gloss? I am trying to decide if I need to to get the deals to set better, or just leave it as is.

I am finishing "Jabo's" Stripes. I went with enamel, instead of acrylic hoping for a slightly richer color. I've also finished the prop. Pics soon...

Looking forward to seeing those stripes! 

For "Magic Carpet", I used Alclad Gloss Klear Kote. Goes down thin and smooth and doesn't diminish the metal much at all. Not sure I'd be comfortable using it on a chromed-up resto job, but a war-weary fighter with oxidation issues? Totally. I'll be toning it down with Gloss, Light Sheen and Matte. I've actually been considering using different clears to get some "sheen modulation"...I've been noticing that a lot of period aircraft weren't uniform in their sheen...outside of Pacific and CBI planes that just went dead flat...might experiment with The Bug first, though. Or not. We'll see...

Oh...one more nice thing about the Alclad clears...you can use decal solutions over them.

Thanks Doogs. Stripes coming along, with a bit of first aid where the tamiya tape "leaked" some.

Looks like a visit to Sprue Brothers is in order.

I was curious about decal solutions over the Alclad. I don't want solvaset to end up making my Jug "fly".  "Jabo" looks really nice the way it is, but I need to suck it up and weather it a bit. I saw Fermis' jug. It looks amazing with the way he toned it down. A light dullcoat is what he said he used. How about the Alcald Klear over decals? Any idea if that would be too harsh? It's laquer, right? So, Future, then decals, then alclad clear may be a disaster? (Post Script) A visit to the Alclad site says decal solutions are ok over Alclad, just not "high shine". Also, the Alclad Klear is water based?)

Nice idea about the "sheen modulation". Perhaps an overcoat of Klear Gloss with various other mattes, semi-gloss, etc. as you mentioned. The few color pictures of Jugs I have been able to find, show that. Almost a light buffed look. I even thought about trying 0000 steel wool to cut it down some, in certain areas, but that may be a bit medieval.

panzerpilot

Thanks Doogs. Stripes coming along, with a bit of first aid where the tamiya tape "leaked" some.

Looks like a visit to Sprue Brothers is in order.

I was curious about decal solutions over the Alclad. I don't want solvaset to end up making my Jug "fly".  "Jabo" looks really nice the way it is, but I need to suck it up and weather it a bit. I saw Fermis' jug. It looks amazing with the way he toned it down. A light dullcoat is what he said he used. How about the Alcald Klear over decals? Any idea if that would be too harsh? It's laquer, right? So, Future, then decals, then alclad clear may be a disaster? (Post Script) A visit to the Alclad site says decal solutions are ok over Alclad, just not "high shine". Also, the Alclad Klear is water based?)

Nice idea about the "sheen modulation". Perhaps an overcoat of Klear Gloss with various other mattes, semi-gloss, etc. as you mentioned. The few color pictures of Jugs I have been able to find, show that. Almost a light buffed look. I even thought about trying 0000 steel wool to cut it down some, in certain areas, but that may be a bit medieval.

The standard Klears are closer to enamels, I believe (bottle says "contains white spirits"), not lacquer. The Aqua Klear is water-based. I've tried it and don't particularly care for it, but the spirits-based stuff is amazeballs.

Some progress today....

Brand new flaps?...

Tom - Wow, your Jug is really coming out outstanding. Your work is sure helping me stay encouraged. Also, I'm glad to see you asking alot of the same questions I've been having concerning clear coats and decaling on Alclad.

 Doogs - Thanks for the tip about the wing fit. I quickly test fitted and looks as though the fit will be fine.

 Progress on evening out my fuselage seam is coming along fairly well. Restoring lost detail is going to be the bigger challenge. You know, it seems that Mr. Surfacer 500 & 1000 gets a lot of press here, and desevedly so, yet i don't see as much about using Mr. Dissolved Putty. Man, I'll tell ya I find that stuff to be gold. It fills the larger gaps and sink marks very nicely. Although it shrinks a good bit when it dries the bonus is that it dries quickly and successive coats can be applied in very short order. It sands very smooth and any feathering issues it has I just touch up with some 500 or 1000.

                                                                                  Joe

Doogs and Tom-A round of Shiners for you gentlemen! Beautiful work on all of your builds. Being new to aircraft building, I have learned more from you two with this GB than from any other source. Thank you.

Tom - Outstanding! What red did you use? When I did "Hairless Joe" last year I used MM Guards Red...way more vibrant than their rather dull shade of Insig. Red.

Joe - Glad to hear the wings are good and you're moving along! I've heard great things about Mr. Dissolved Putty but never been able to actually find any!

Excellent news on "Magic Carpet"...wife was going to take the kids to visit her parents this weekend so I could go to ModelFiesta. Well...she's decided to head out today, so I'll have the house to myself and a big, unexpected window in which to finish "Magic Carpet" in time to take it down to SATX. 

It's going to be dicey...still have a wash and all the weathering, undercarriage, wing lights, finishing off the prop, mounting the prop, drop tank...don't think the bombs'll happen in time though. 

Looking good all around folks. DoosATX - unexpected extra day to yourself - BONUS!!! I love the look of that mixed-bag bird you're working on. So what;s the story with the NMF wings & camo on the fuselage? Field replacements??

doogs.. dont forget to sleep... I saw your 4 am ??? FB post.. lol

Looking good in here.. !!

grrr.. gotta get mine out..

Thanks Guys! Shiner? Good man, Ed! 

Doogs. Excellent! Magic Carpet looks flawless. Nice, smooth finish! Did you already put on the various Alclad clears? Question: Do the Alclad clears affect the decals, when sprayed over?... My Sprue brothers order is on the way.

I used MM Insignia red, enamel. It was the closest match I could find, based on some red detailed WWII jug pics. I do plan on weathering the finish somewhat, so that will blend nicely. It's just hard to willingly knock down such a clean coat of Alclad! I plan on using some pastels and lightly, some oils, for weathering mostly underneath. Gear is almost done. Gonna do the bombs today. Finished the prop and canopy last night.  I'm getting close!

Come on P38! Get er out!

Thanks gents! I'm pretty happy with the way she's coming along!

Vance - honestly I've got no idea what's up with the NMF/OD combo. I don't think it's replacement parts (well, wings maybe) since it seems too deliberate (and the cowl ring doesn't fall along panel breaks so that has to have been masked). And this was a CO's plane, so who could have easily been personal touch. Whatever the case...it's definitely one of the most distinctive Jugs - especially Razorbacks - I've ever seen!

P38 - 2 AM my time...I'm very much a night owl, and get by fine on 5-6 hours of sleep (usually get to crash for a bit with the kids in the evenings, get up 6:30-7). But 4 would be pushing it!

Tom - Coated the whole plane with Alclad Light Sheen last night. Think my plan tonight is going to be 1 - sludge wash and wipe, 2 - tires, 3 - get undercarriage and bomb racks on, 4 - selective use of Alclad Matte, 5 - clear bits and blast tubes.

Doogs: That light sheen sure looks great!

The prop...

Tom - prop looks great! I'm jealous...looks like the hub bits are a lot easier to paint than they are on the Razorback's Curtiss Electric toothpick blades. There's a small ring between the hub and the prop proper I've just had to ignore on both Jugs since there's no way I'm getting a brush in there without mucking something up.

Also, totally forgot, but I light-sheened the Bug last night, too. Kind of amazed how much the clear coats knocked down the variations in the OD...but I'm blaming the absolute crap Vallejo Gloss Varnish I used on this one...had great luck with it before, but this time around was a total failure. 

Tom: Again your NM looks flawless, why do I always get dust and lint in mine?? Nice looking prop too.

Doogs: Gee yeah, you don't have much more to go there. Looking forward to your washes, what I've done on my previous NM builds was ok I guess but I'd like to try something new. 

Thanks guys.

Doogs: Not sure I would've tackled the "inner blades" on a 1/48 either. I painted the hub first, then cut some micro-strips of tamiya tape and wound them around. I like that OD you got going there. looks really good.

The prop was, by far, the most challenging part, so far. (Sometimes the "easy" stuff reaches out and bites me). I had everything all set, then got impatient with the yellow. I don't know how many kits I'll have to build to finally realize you gotta layer that stuff on very very lightly! So, I had to re-do one of the blades. Of course, that cut into the NMF I had under the black enamel. Some serious damage control.

Gamera: I fight the dust bunny war as well. I had to sand out some. One thing about Alclad is, it really works well in small  touch ups! Also, that mega paint booth I have has an insane fan on it. I don't know the CFM specs, but it's up there. I seal off my room several minutes before painting, foam pad under the door and everything. -- looking forward to your GB by the way. Tony is on the way!

It was an epic build session tonight, and I'm going to feel it tomorrow, but "Magic Carpet" is DONE!

Congratulations!! Great Job. Turned out perfect..

Doogs, that looks incredible!

Absolutely Outstanding Doogs. Not only hats off to your skills but also to your efforts to punch it out. I bow in your general direction.

                                             Joe

Well, the long night paid off! 

I'm happy to announce this is now an AWARD-WINNING Group Build!

Congrats again! First place!

YOOHOO! That's fantastic Doogs! Congradulations!

                              Joe

Doogs - Congratulations on the Award!!!  Awesome job!!  I would have been totally shocked if it had done any less.  You and the others on here never cease to amaze me with the quality of craftsmanship on here! 

Mike

 Thoght I'd  throw up a couple of progress pics on the fuselage work. I've pretty much got everything smoothed out now just filling/sanding the little nooks and crannies and slowly restoring lost detail. This little endeavor prompted me to finally order the rivet tool from UMM. It should arrive Mon.

                                                          Joe

DoogsATX, Impressive finish and congrats on the trophy.

Thanks gents! My first-ever category win, so I'm pretty stoked! My Achilles also took home bronze in open-top armor. Biggest surprise of the show for me was seeing not a single 1/32 Tamiyastang. Last September in Austin a good half of the 1/32 entrants were Spit VIIIs and IXs.

Unfortunately, getting "Magic Carpet" off the bench as sapped all desire to work on "The Bug"! I'm going to keep plugging away since the end is in sight, but probably at a slower pace...I just want to work on something else too bad.

Joe - that bubbletop's fuselage is nowhere near as bad as you made it out to be! Keep it coming!

wow doogs thats some great  work! congrats on the well deserved win.  could you help me on how  you finished the tires on both the tam. and revell 47s youre working on. ive always had peoblems in this area. thx

                                         S.A.R

some assembly required

wow doogs thats some great  work! congrats on the well deserved win.  could you help me on how  you finished the tires on both the tam. and revell 47s youre working on. ive always had peoblems in this area. thx

                                         S.A.R

Sure thing!

Both kits are wearing Ultracast shoes, but the process should be the same for kit tires, too:

1 - Prime

2 - Paint entire tire black. Semi-gloss, flat, whatever.

3 - Paint hubs silver. I used Alclad Aluminum.

4 - Weather the hubs. I used a sludge wash of Promodeller Dark Dirt.

5 - Paint tires. My preferred tire paint is Vallejo Dark Rubber. Thin a bit more than usual, and paint the area around the hubs first. Use a big-ish brush that comes to a fine point, go slow and steady and just kind of drag it around the hub. Jug tires are pretty easy since there's a nice divide between tire and hub. This sucks a lot more on tires where there isn't. Gradually work out until you get the whole thing painted.

7 - (I didn't do this step with MC since I was rushing...) Weather the tires. I prefer pigments for when you want to get down into the tread (mud) and drybrushing for when you don't (main example is sand on PTO island-based aircraft). In the latter case, sand doesn't stick in between the tread, so you don't want pigments since they'll get trapped. I've considered using pigments mixed with acrylic medium or Model Master flat clear or something to turn them into a "paint" that could be dry-brushed on, but I haven't had the opportunity to play with it yet.

 A technique for tires, that's worked well for me in the past. I mix floquil prussian blue and flat black. About 1:4. Pastels very lightly on the hub, mostly inner hub. Thin wash of tamiya earth, and/or buff on the treads. I'll have to take a look at the vallejo dark rubber. Sounds like good stuff.