OFFICAL NATURAL METAL FINISH GB V (2013-2014)

Well, I appreciate the kind thoughts.  Would you believe this is my first one. =]  I'm still pretty new to modeling.  I have an art background though which I've noticed helps me move along through a new trick I'm trying to pull off.  But this is my first NMF.  Although I'm normally flying through these builds, on this one I've really taken my time.  I've been very slow and calculated through each step in the dance.  I feel that has made all the difference.

But I'm happy to share what I've picked up along the way.  After all, I learned by digging through forums and reading every piece of any tip and suggestion I could find.  So it's only fair to pay it forward! =]

Can't wait to see what you're doing with that spitfire.  Eduard has that new kit out that I'm really excited to do, but there are only so many hours in a day... lol

bvallot, Blue, it's a learning experience watching you guys produce these finishes. NMF's are not exactly a strong point for me, especially weathering 'em, so I'm making lots of notes for when I'm ready to apply the exterior painting. Awesome work!

Work has finally commenced on the Spitfire. Starting with the 'pit (man is this thing packed!), it'll still be a few days before there's anything photo-worthy.

Thanks bvallot... you have certainly given me something to think about!

That's exactly the pic I was gonna post as well. =]  That's what I went by.  Accounts from the pilots and crew that worked on them have commented how the putty would wear out too after some time.  Not sure "how much".  I've left mine with some wear on the lines on top and bottom.   The next one I do might be cleaner.  We'll see.... =P

But Blue...in regards to the insignia I found what works best is to patiently make cuts with my exacto knife into the decal provided (mostly for scale consistency) as if you're gonna cut it out.  Next, I place a couple pieces of masking tape over it and carefully cut into the grooves I've just made.  It helps the blade find where it needs to be.  Make shallow cuts at first, continue until you've made deliberate and complete cuts, and when you're done you've got your mask. =D  Just be careful not to stretch the tape out and you wont warp your shape.  You can even use it on a sheet of something sturdier and spray it with something dark and cut that shape out to have a mask that will last you a bit longer.  =]

Just take your time and be patient.  I have steady hands, but if you don't feel comfortable trying it on something you're gonna need then try cutting on some circles you draw out with a stencil.

The stars and bars are actually going to be the decals.  I just cut them straight out the decal.  I make the cuts on the star from the center going away.  That way I don't cut into the star.  It was a much simpler idea  than having the star mask mis-register on the field.  It was harder to see what I was doing more precisely before.  This is a much simple way.

Try it out.

Awesome!  Thanks and sorry to make you repeat yourself.

Looking great, guys!

Blue: I posted this earlier in this GB:

SchattenSpartan

Another Diagram showing the application of putty/paint:

Blue areas: 2 layers of putty - no panel lines or rives visible, silver paint

Green areas: 1 layer of putty - no panel lines (maybe a wee bit of them) or rivets visible, silver paint

Yellow areas: just silver paint, no putty

Your Mustang is looking really good bvallot!  You are definitely lighting the path ahead for me!  I love that you are painting the stars & bars... I'd really like to take that on as well but am not sure I can cut the masks well enough at this point.  We'll see when we get there I guess.

Sanderson, thanks for the nice comments and the link to Lawdog's post.  I saw it, but a bit too late.  I went the sand and scribe route instead, and as you'll see below... managed to scribe the little circular panel off center!  Still deciding how I want to handle it.

Anyway, my fuselage is joined and I've taken a first pass at seam filing (mostly on that damned belly).  I'll get back to work on it after I've sprayed some primer on it and can see what's needed a bit better.  I'll also probably need a little more scribing here and there.

Wings are on, and wheel bays are painted.  I decided to add a few random shots of chromate yellow over the green as if some field work had been undertaken.  Just trying to break up the monotony a bit.  My ability to hand paint small details, which was not great when I was 12, has not improved now that I'm on the wrong side of 45 and need glasses for any kind of close up work.  Good times.

Next step is to fill the wing panel lines and sand them down before giving the whole plane a coat of primer. Anyone have a definitive reference for the P-51's laminar wings?  I have a decent idea about the upper surfaces, but the lower ones are a bit harder to find decent pictures of (there are a pair of photos showing a banking plane in the "Walk Around" book, but it is a little hard to be sure about panel lines from that distance.)

That is a good link.  Lawdog sent that to me when I was first getting started on this mustang.  Lots to pick up there. =]

I have another quickie with the markings/insignia for Harry Crim's mustang. The anti-glare paint on the cowling has come out real nice.  I'm happy with it.  I only hope not to lose any of the lighter OD color underneath. I've started out with XF-62 Olive Drab straight out the bottle which is something I rarely do, but then I've added a little bit of the Flat Black to darken it only slightly and sprayed over the very sides which receive slightly less direct light and over riveting on the cowl pieces.  So that's here.  And the Dark Blue insignia field has now been added.  It's a little lighter than I'm comfortable with, but as I've seen in the past after a coat of future it will darken some.  Plus, with a small area of color such as this set next to a high contrasting white, the blue with look darker by comparison.  So, that's a bit of expectation I'm a little nervous about, but I'm sure I can mask it back up and touch it up later. Here they are:

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

Hey Big Blue,

Your P-51 is looking good!  I don't know if you saw Lawdog's post on his P-51, but he has a great way to dela with the lower fuselage details that usually get damaged with sanding.  Here's a link:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/155955.aspx

Your P-47 was outstanding and can't wait to see how you do the P-51! 

Steve

Sparten, thanks man! You guys have set the bar pretty high based on the work I've seen here, so I'll do my best to keep it up there.

I'll put ya on the list. It's great to have some guys from the earlier rounds in here as well! I have that kit in my stash as well, so I'll follow your build with great interest...

Sparten, if it's cool with you and the rest of the guys, I'd like to join in on this GB. The last NMF build was a blast, and this one looks to really be keeping the fun going. I've read the entire thread, and the work is just mind-blowing! My entry would be Tamiya's 1/32 Mk. XVI Spitfire, with AM including an RB Productions Sutton Harness, BarracudaCast resin bits and 'pit decals, Master brass gun barrels, and Lifelike decals depicting a NMF Gunnery School aircraft. My last WWII build was almost 4 years ago (I usually focus on WWI birds), but the Spitfire is my dad's favorite aircraft and I'm building it to give to him when it's completed.

Big Blue

I have the Tamiya Razorback waiting for me to work on next.  (Love the P-47s!)

That makes two of us! I am working on a captured Razorback with german markings atm. It is painted in the normal OD/NG camo, but the whole underside of the plane is yellow! Tamiya's Razoepack kit is better than the Thunderbolt btw. The cockpit is easier to line up properly and it has no annoying extra parts at the tail...

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.  I've loved seeing the work you guys have put up; the pictures have been inspiring.

I've got the fuselage closed up and now need to clean up the seams.  Less fun that cockpit detailing!  I have sanding to do on the belly, but want to make sure I don't obliterate all the panel detail down there.  Re-scribing is not my best skill at this point.

Talent - yep, nice new mat.  Like I said, I've been away from the hobby for a looooooong time.

Bvallot & Clemens - The Tamiya kit seems very nice so far, yes.  I just finished their P-47 Bubbletop (I posted pics in the Aircraft forum), which I have to say seemed a step above this one, so I would agree with you both.  That said, since the last model I built prior to the Jug was probably a Monogram Spitfire when I was in middle school, I don't have a lot to compare to.  I have the Tamiya Razorback waiting for me to work on next.  (Love the P-47s!)

She's looking great, Blue! Seems like you're off to a good start!

Those Tamiya kits are great indeed. I love their Thunderbolt kits (they are even a bit better than their Mustangs).

my my thats a nice clean cutting mat  (the mustangs not bad either  )

Well Blue, that looks to be a good a start as any.   Tamiya makes a great mustang.  Construction is simple, easy, and accurate.  Sometimes the cockpit is a little sparse, but there always seems to be plenty of aftermarket parts available for them so....

Looks to me like you haven't missed a step. =]  Keep em coming.

Great!

I am working on a Tamiya 1:48 P-51 D, which I plan on finishing as John Voll's "American Beauty".  In addition to Eagle Strike's "31st Fighter Group Mustangs"  decals.  I have a Eduard photo-etch detail set, and a few resin pieces including the Ultracast gear bay doors and prop, and the Quickboost exhausts.

This will be my second model since returning to the hobby after nearly 35 years (I am planning on posting pictures of the first model elsewhere in the forums... as you'll see, I've got lots to learn.)  I really enjoyed getting back into the hobby, and am looking forward to participating in a group build.

Anyway, here are the results of last weekend's work on American Beauty:

I used the kit instrument panel with a mix of hand painting, and a small bit of p/e on the lower panel.  The dials are individually cut from the instrument panel decal that I didn't use from the P-47 kit.  I used the p/e seat belts and cockpit details from the Eduard set.

And two side views:

Everything got a dilute oil wash (raw umber).  I have left a few small p/e bits off until after the aircraft is assembled and painted since I am afraid that masking the cockpit could knock them off.

Like I said, I am basically a beginner, so any feedback is appreciated.

Big Blue

As you may have seen in the main Group Build thread...

Is it too late to join this group build?  I just started a NMF build over the weekend that fits the theme.  I know there is plenty of time left before the closing date, but I don't seen any new entries in a while.

On a related note, what is the proper way to post to this thread without responding to someone else's post?  Or is that the proper way?  Thanks.

Sorry for answering so late.

This GB is open for entries at any time untill the end date. You don't have to finish in time either because you can just enter your project in the next round and continue building.

Just tell me the kit you want to build (subject, manufacturer and scale) and I'll put you on the entry list!

You guys are doing some incredible work!

Wonderful Talent.  I appreciate the visual.  I'll definitely be light with my coats, and I'll likely mask off the painted markings so I can hit them with a few more coats to even out any shine.  Thanks for the assist! =]

I also like the green tint on the windscreen.  I've never seen anyone else do it and I've been dying to try it on my Phantom I've got in the works.  I've been doing it to some thin plastic acetate I use for the glass on crosshair (word escapes me right now...need a coffee break!) but anyhow, it makes a lot of difference.

Thanks again!!  Now I just need to make a call to my local hobby shop to see if they can stock it. =]

this was coated with the light sheen and shows what to expect. It does flatten finish slightly but was needed to even out the shine of the decals and seal the pastels used on them. you can see the sheen best on the white spine. the decals were put on using mr setter and mr softer, neither seemed to damage the alclad.

Just a quickie.  I had the time and the patience so I decided to mask off the markings for Harry Crim's "My Achin' Ass."  Hasegawa has a great set of decals that I'm using for Tamiya's superior kit (my opinion).  Hasegawa wants you to paint on the white stripes, but I'll likely paint on the black ones too.  I would hate for there to be some discontinuity between the color's texture, and since I'll be using a different clear coat to seal it I just won't know till I try it.  The red is painted in Flat Red with a touch of Flat Red-Brown and then in a few spots I added a tiny bit of Flat Black with a brush to give it some depth.

Also, finally put the flaps on.

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

Thanks Talent! Duly noted.  I've been considering masking off areas of decals/acrylic paint that would need some kind of flat or semi flat sealant.  But I knew that any detailing I did to weather the surface would need something as well.  The Klear Kote Light Sheen looks like the best option for what I'm doing.  So I think that's the next step.  And light coats seem to be the theme here.  Thanks for the tip! =]

Big Blue

On a related note, what is the proper way to post to this thread without responding to someone else's post?  Or is that the proper way?  Thanks.

i normally just click on any old reply button. if you want to quote something then click on the reply button for that particular post and you will then have that option. just delete any uneccessary text and pics

BVALLOT  - love how that alclad finish is looking!!

what ever you put on it will change it. sad but true. i found alclad light sheen a good compromise, dont put it on too thick though .

As you may have seen in the main Group Build thread...

Is it too late to join this group build?  I just started a NMF build over the weekend that fits the theme.  I know there is plenty of time left before the closing date, but I don't seen any new entries in a while.

On a related note, what is the proper way to post to this thread without responding to someone else's post?  Or is that the proper way?  Thanks.

Nice work on the Mig, Talentless, it looks right.

Thanks for the lesson BVallot, There is lots of information in your post that I can use when I spray my F-86.

Cheers

Tony

Well, I've just completed the NMF painting part of my mustang for the most part.  There are a few odds and ends of course, but the big stuff is now done.  I'm going to put up a whole bunch of pics showing what I ended up with.  I hope it doesn't seem to excessive.  

I had one mistake happen to me between now and my last post that amounted to me rushing to finish a panel, and it forced me to try something I wasn't really comfortable doing to a greater extent.  Seeing as how I didn't have a choice now, I have to say I'm glad it happened.  Making a long story short, I found how much sanding was just right to bring out more of that Gloss Black undersurface without ruining the finish. In fact, It actually improved the finish.  I ended up with more of what I wanted without having to use oils or acrylic washes after the fact.  I switched between a 4000 and 6000 grit to lightly (key word) rub over panels I had masked off to improve the metallic look.  Also, on specific parts of panels that I felt needed attention I masked off a small space between my rivets to make areas I wanted darker without rubbing what I wanted to leave alone.  This illusion helps show how the rivets warp and bite into the panel and warp the light around it.  Something I was hoping to accomplish that seems to be difficult on a small scale.  I'll also point out what I did on the undersurface as I go along which is something I've sort of neglected so far.

Here they are:

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

Here along the fuselage aft of the wing root, I used the Polished Aluminum first, masked what I didn't want painted, then basically reversed everything to follow up with regular Aluminum to acquire this effect.

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

Here's a closer view showing some of what I spoke of above.  A very light sanding pulls out some character in the surface of this Alclad.

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

Here is the undersurface.  I masked off the lighter Duraluminum and came back with the Magnesium over certain panels as I've seen from photographs of the planes.  Next, I took the 4000 grit and rubbed this down a bit over parts that showed wear.  I may adjust this a little down the road.

image by brittvallot, on Flickr

And that's a wrap for now.  I'll likely paint on the markings instead of doing decals.  Still working out how to approach that.  I really just don't know about what kind of clear sealant I should use for this project.  I don't want anything I put down on top to change anything about what I have going so far.  Any suggestions?

Yep, it got a thin cost of future. I found the tiny decals didnt stay on too well, with there being so many therecwas a lot of handling to be put up with. The future also had the benefit of protecting the foil edges a bit from all the handling and also helped the wash run along the panrl lines. Its been sealed with alclads light sheen but i may hit it all over with something flatter when i go to do the shock cone etc.