Man, what a busy lot you guys have been!

Marc - don't know what to say that has not been said already. That is jaw-dropping work! I'm curious as to how you plan on weathering the fuselage, especially the wood grain, to tie it all together.

Greg - man am I glad you saved that and that cool heads prevailed. Would have been a major bummer not to see the finished product after all the excellent work you've put into it.

Bish - congrats man! That is a very sharp looking build. Now that you've cut your modeling teeth on one of these birds, any plans for another sometime in the future?

Got the wings decaled for the E.III, but the gloss coat really diminished the effect of the weathering on 'em. Hoping after I matte them out it'll be more visible.

Bish - Appropriately "heavy" congrats on finishing the 0/400, it looks amazing. (I remember "flying" one of these in an old video game, and wondering how they ever got them into the air)

Jack - Only thing I can suggest with the decals, based on similar experience, may well be something you've already tried, but here it is. I've found that cutting with the "middle" of a new blade, rather than the tip, can give a cleaner cut on slippery sheet-type applications. Regardless, I hope you get it worked out.

Thanks to all for the words of support. Really geared to see how everybody's progressing.

Chuck - you've done quite well at rendering the Fokker streaking.  Another option in lieu of adding white, would be to use less paint in a few areas to bring about more contrast with the deck tan showing through.

Marc - becoming very colourful now, and  love the knackered look of those wheel hubs.

Greg - good save there, can't tell at all that your project had that major mishap, and the weathering on those floats looks right on.

Bish - grats on hauling this one over the finish line, I think you did a wonderful job.  I don't know what sort of base you have planned for it, but I hope you can give us a few shots with a plain background to get a better view of the rigging.

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Well the decal option for wood grain isn't going anywhere fast.  The originals are not cookie cutter solution type,  but are oversize and have to be trimmed once affixed to the model surface.  I can align one side to a panel line, but the other three have to be cut.   Having problems with this, as even a fresh new blade does not want to make a clean cut after several passes.  I think it might be the clear decal film is too thin, and exhibits the properties of a plastic baggie.  

I also thought that being on clear decal film, it would not darken the overall colour, but it has done just that, and looks very much like a deep red wine.  So now will try printing a test section on white decal paper ( both are Micro-Mark brand).  This should control the colour shift, and they are also thicker, so hoping that will aid in acquiring a cleaner cut.

regards,

Jack

WOW I can not believe the work going on.

Tim-another good VLOG and the lozenge decals are looking nice. Looking at the Lozenge decals for the Gotha and shiver everytime I do.

GJ-nice work on the wood grain. What decal paper did you use?

Chuck-the streaking turned out really nice. Love how it all blended together

Marc-I don't know what to say. Absolutely incredible just doesn't seem to properly describe how that wood finish turned out.

Greg-really good save. The Pup still looks like it is ready to fly after it mishap.

Bish-that 0/400 is a beast. I can see the similarities between it and the Gotha. I am thinking that the Axis ground troops better start taking some cover.

Greg, that looks good. I feel your pain on the rigging. Glad to hear the damage was limited.

Chuck, that is some great work.

Marc, that is just amazing. How did you do the nail heads.

Well, the 0/400 is now finished. I still have the base to do before calling it done. But its just going to be a simple one for this. I know its nowhere near the standard you guys are putting out. But considering its my first bi plane and its not a subject I would normally choose, I think its turned out not to bad.

I dry brushed the top wing to highlight the ribs and left the weathering at that. The rigging for the control surfaces and running from the tail are all based on the box art alone.

Thanks for looking and all comments welcome. 

Greg! - Wow!  Excellent save, sir!  She looks great and none the worse for her maiden "flight."

Marc - Let me add my kudos as well, sir...outstanding Albie

Dodged a bullet of sorts.

Had just started rigging my cabane struts. Going cross-eyed fishing EZ-Line through the tiny rigging loops and letting the frustration get to me as I was holding the model with one hand, pulling a line taut with one hand, and reaching for the glue with another...and oops, I ran out of hands. After executing a graceful Immelmann, the plane dropped like a stone, just managed to get my foot under it to (sort of) break the fall, so it hit the (mercifully carpeted) floor as a glancing blow.

Top wing off, half the struts scattered about like confetti, and tailfloat rigging and rudder severely wonked.

I confess I came within about a gnat's whisker of hurling the whole thing against the wall. (If it hadn't been a group build---i.e., if there hadn't been "witnesses"---I probably would have.)

However, after a few deep breaths and a quick inventory of pieces, it wasn't so bad. None of the struts were actually broken, just popped out of their sockets, and the tail damage was mostly some easily-replaced stretched sprue. I re-jigged the wings and glued everything back together. Not quite as neat as before, but it's "all there and all square," as the saying goes. A day later and I've gotten the cabane strut braces and flying wires in place. (Also shown is the float assembly. waiting to be attached and "pulled tight." That wasn't involved with the crash, which is fortunate, since, given it's fragility, that probably would have been the end.)

Doing a lot more deep breathing and plugging ahead.

gregbale

Tim - It was good to see lozenge decals on your bird. Hope things are proceeding apace.

Thanks, Greg. Things are moving along. Just put the second lozenge decal on the underside of the lower wing this morning (finishing that one) and am hoping to get to the bottom of the upper wing this afternoon. 

Marc - In-bleeping-credible! Are the nail heads Jennings Heilig, or do you have some home-baked voodoo of your own?

Chuck - Great job on the Fokker streaking!

Jack - Neat work on the wood decals. Can't wait to see them in situ.

Thanks gamera.

Oh wow oh wow Marc- love her!!!

Again guys, thanks so much for the compliments.

Jack, you are definitely going to have an easier go than I did.  

Chuck the streaking looks pretty darn spiffy.

I am not in the home stretch by any means but I sure do like it when it starts to look like an airplane.

1st thing was to add the lines of nails heads... then the decals.  The bottom pick is some of the fiddly bits that will need to get on there eventually.

Rudratt - thanks for the comments.  I thought about white, and I bet you're right - I just chickened out.  Maybe next time...

Tim - actually, I can't claim the hairdryer technique as my own either - it's straight off Wingnuts' website under "Hints and Tips - applying lozenge."  I've used it often now, and it works every time.  Sorry I've been "quiet" but Aaron has me pretty busy...maybe a scheme on his part to delay me?...and yes, I plan to "finish" the figure.  I haven't painted a figure since getting a whole box of Airfix 8th Army dudes ready for battle with my air force back when I was a kid.  They lost, BTW.

ruddratt

Tim & Aaron - thanks for another great vlog entry, and Tim for the WIP shots of the D.VII. Have to admit using a dryer on the decals is something that never crossed my mind - great tip! How's yours coming along Aaron? The last pics we saw looked amazing - curious as to how it's progressing.

Mike - I can't claim the hair dryer technique as mine. It's something I picked up from Chuck Davis, and I'm a total noob at it. But it does help get those decals down and shrinks them nice and tight against the surface.

Chuck - GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Another great technique. I think you've captured the look perfectly. Are you planning to finish the fig in the kit too?

Jack - very clever idea (and some heads-up thinking to include the Ser. #). I'm very anxious to see how it looks on your model!

Chuck - awesome work there on the streaked camo for the F.1! The only thing I may have done different would have been to use some white in addition to the green and brown oils. Still, that is light years ahead of my first attempt at that scheme - very impressive!

Jack: Now that looks cool, if I did wood grain I think I'd take that approach - looks a bit simpler!

Chuck: Ohhhhhh, looking forward to seeing how she comes out!

WOW guys - excellent stuff.  I love all the technique options we're seeing show up in this build.  I haven't posted in awhile, but I've been watching...great job everyone.

I finally had enough time and courage to get the Fokker streaked - although at first I thought I ruined it.  I gave her an overall coat of Tamiya Deck Tan sealed with Acryl gloss.  I used a set of cheap flat brushes (very cheap - bristles came out during cleaning) to apply streaks of green and brown oil paint.  I've not used oils except for panel line washes before.  Scary stuff.  After much streaking, swearing, streaking, etc. et. al. I ended up with something close.  I then applied a "fog" of Tamiya Olive Green over the top (some call this a filter - I'm not that artistic).  Hope you guys like it - it'll work for me, and allow me to get to the next stage.  Gotta get my nitrogen tank filled first though.  Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!

Marc - truly awesome work with the wood grain effects, your method really gives it that personal touch.

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I've got my wood grain printed out on clear decal film (that way I don't have to worry about white edges).  I took a scan of an actual HGW product, then changed the colour to the RGB brown chip which is suppose to be Methuen 6E7.  After a few test prints on regular paper, I did tweek it a bit by increasing the blue hue slightly.  While in the paint program, I also added the aircraft's serial number 153.106.  These too were slightly overpainted with the brown.

regards,

Jack

Marc - another thumbs-up for that wood grain look. That's some good work going on there!

Tim & Aaron - thanks for another great vlog entry, and Tim for the WIP shots of the D.VII. Have to admit using a dryer on the decals is something that never crossed my mind - great tip! How's yours coming along Aaron? The last pics we saw looked amazing - curious as to how it's progressing.

Phil- the subtle effect of the wing's ribbing looks very convincing - not overdone at all. Very nice!

GM - bummer about the wing, but I'm glad you're finding the EZline working to your liking. It does make rigging these birds a lot easier.

Phil: Looks good to me! If a little bold it should be toned down some after all the gloss and matte coats.

Marc: Wowie! Stupendous!

Marc - Truly astounding work on the wood grain. I am really stoked to see this one shape up.

GM - Sorry to hear about the wing problem; hope you have an easy time getting the support pin(s) in, and that it does the job.

Tim - It was good to see lozenge decals on your bird. Hope things are proceeding apace.

Phil - Great work on the Pup. The ribbing on the wing undersides looks good to me.

Nice job Tim and Aaron on the vlog! Great work, everybody, and a safe and sane Memorial Day weekend to all.

Marc, I am always impressed with your stuff, but that is something really special.

Thanks for all the encouraging words guys.

DONE... with the wood anyway.  The possess sped up as I went but it was still 3 sessions at the bench to complete.  I am pretty happy with the outcome.

Tim-guess I am just a sucker for punishment. Figured since it was suppose to be my original choice instead of the Rolland I might as well try and get it built. Besides we can't have the Allies being the only ones with big guns.

Bish-the kit is the 1/72 scale Gotha G.V from Roden

Wing-Nut-that wood finish is looking great. It does look like you made you build with wood. Good job

GM-I know how wrenching it is to have a mishap after all the work you did, but just roll up your sleeves and think of it as another challenge to beat.

every bodies builds are looking great

GM - sorry to read about your mishap, but have faith you will pull it through.

Phil - that is quite subtle shading you've got on the underside.  It really is a matter of personal taste how far you wish to take it, as this is venturing on the artistic interpretation - namely the illusion of sunlight passing through treated linen cloth.  

regards,

Jack

Just a quick update from me I'll put some more info on the WIP. Been working on my wing (as have we all) and I'm still not 100% sure of the look. I like the impressing of wood underneath but not sure its not too obvious. Anyway feedback as always welcome

Phil

Greg, lovely work on those weapons.

Shiv, for a second there I thought that was another 0/400. Looks very similar at this stage. Which kit is that.

Marc, beautiful technique there, the results are stunning.

Mike, I love the look of that build, I am still impressed with the metal effect on the nose.

Tim

Bank holiday is just an extra day off same as a public holiday. Gets called a bank holiday as it a normal day of the week just the banks used to be closed.

Phil

Gentlemen! Behold! The latest vlog!

Looks like there's some late breaking news in here.

GMorrison - Sorry to hear about the setback. Keep us posted ...

Shiv - Your tour was up, man! Still, you came back for more. And not an easy kit, either. Can't wait to see how it shapes up.

Everyone, great work. Hope you like the vlog. I'm getting back into the workshop for more decal work.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend (for you living in the U.S.), and I guess there's a bank holiday in the UK. Not sure what that means ... hmmm, should go look that up before I offend someone.