1944 Group Build

Wow!  What great builds going on here!  I've finally gotten caught up with GB's and scheduling, so I started the V2 last night!  Not much to it really.  This is my first DML/Dragon kit, so I was pretty excited about it.  So far the only thing I found odd (and this is just me now), was the color call outs.  Not used to the brand paints they call out for, so it is just my ignorance in this.  So, all in all, it is a great kit!  No fit issues, instructions are good, and the detail is very nice!  I got almost half the steps done in about an hour last night!  Pretty much have all sub-assemblies done.  Here are a couple of pics for you.  Thanks for looking!

Eagle90

Hey Allen, It's great to see you back. I was wondering what might have become of ya. Sorry to hear about the thumb but sure glad to hear you've healed up. See, If we all just remained at our benches working on our models we would avoid accidents and injuries such as yours. Well, maybe.

Enough of that nonsense, let's get to drooling all over your Typhoon. First let me tell you that you have upped the ante on your skills and abilities. Really, really beautiful work you have done so far. Very sharp paint work and camo. Excellent detail painting in the gear and gun bays. Seems to me that you've slipped a few steps past us. Either that or my short term memory truly is in the crapper. With that, Did you paint the invasion stripes or are they decals? How did you mask your Camo pattern? And lastly, How did you paint the yellow rings on your rockets? When I built my Typhoon, trying to paint those just about drove me nuts. Fortunately I had enough reference photos that showed them without so, I went that route.

WOW!!! I would drive my wife crazy having her looking for parts I've dropped. Great job on getting the parts cleaned. One of these days I might go after something smaller than 1/48 and 1/35.

Awesome job. Your painting is great. Looking forward to more photos.

Weird...the last couple of pics were clipped from my above post, so I'll add in another I guess. (Is there a limit per post?)

I did up the prop and spinner. Hit it with my air hose in an effort to get the small yellow dot as round as possible.  I suppose I shouldn't drink coffee while doing this; I might be a bit steadier with the ol' brush.

I guess about all that is left is the gear, canopy and some washes.

Thanks for looking,

 Allen

Hello everyone,

I'm back at it after a few months away (I think April was my last update).  I find it hard to get bench time in the summer.  As well I was out of commission for a good 6 weeks after slamming the car door on my thumb . 

Anywho, I've been poking away at my wee Tiffie here and there, so here is a progress report.

I repainted over the left aileron where the paint had lifted, masked and put down the XF-81 Dark Green.  Once again, I had a bit of paint lift when I removed the mask (circled)...frustrating.  However, it can be rectified when the decals go on as there is one bound for that area that can be shuffled back a bit to cover the boo boo.

On to the decals then hang the rockets:

More to follow

Thanks, Joe.  I appreciate your generous offer.  Actually, I don't have any references at all, except what I can find on the internet, so I will very likely have questions.  

Nice progress CMK. It seems as though your patience has paid dividends as you did a remarkable job cleaning up those tiny parts. Like I mentioned early in the GB, I have the Tamiya 1/700 version. When I picked up that kit I also picked up the Technical Reference Book put out by the memorial and a set of ship plans from The Dry Dock.. My point is that I'm not sure what references you have on hand but, if there is anything I can look up for you to help you out I will be happy to.

Nice-looking mud, Nomad.  Looks suitably gooey, sticky and wet.

It took a solid week of cleaning up the pieces for USS North Carolina.  It took at least two hours every night, and I think half that time was used picking up the little parts when I dropped them.

Fortunately, I only had one shoot out from the locking-tweezers and disappear into the Gamma Quadrant.  I think I can scratch-build a replacement.

Also broke both masts--they are very fragile.  But I think a little glue and sanding will fix them up.

Here are some photos of selected parts displayed on President Roosevelt's dime.  The flash wasn't working (battery dying), so they're a little dark.

Anchors, the bow flag staff and various things that I don't know what they are.

The quad 40mm antiaircraft guns

Couple of ladders and search lights

The 20mm aa guns

5 inch guns and turret

Next up is researching the paint scheme.  Since BB-55 was painted in three colors, I have to find out what fittings were painted in which color.

waynec

i would use the rust powder for the streaking BUT BE CAREFUL. i think my rust powder is tamia and it looks really nice but stains the paint so you want to do a little at a time, just a couple of grains at a time.

i don't put a barrier clear between my acrylic paint and my powders or oil washes unless i have ALOT of decals i need to knock down the sheen on. my painting and chipping has decreased since i started doing modern vehicles. even exhaust systems on big trucks just don't rust. so it's mix my own dust with pastels or lots of washes.

Thanks Waynec for the tip.

Here are some updates photos of some weathering of the tracks and road wheels.

aj, I just checked on Hannnats, I think the squadron one you want is 9528. I am not aware of any company that makes open canopy's, but the vaform ones are easy to cut. Not sure if it applies to other scales, but in Squadron 72nd fighter canopy's you get 2, so some room for error.

Check with www.squadron.com if you haven't tried there already.  They usually have a good selection of vacu-formed canopies.  Unfortunately, you do have to cut them, but it's not too bad.  I managed one in 1/72 for and F4F-3 Wildcat.

Standard "coffin lid," not the malcom hood.

Question guys?? Does anyone make an AM 1/48 P-51B canopy already in the open position? Or am I going to have to do some cutting whether I use the kit canopy or a vac one.

i would use the rust powder for the streaking BUT BE CAREFUL. i think my rust powder is tamia and it looks really nice but stains the paint so you want to do a little at a time, just a couple of grains at a time.

i don't put a barrier clear between my acrylic paint and my powders or oil washes unless i have ALOT of decals i need to knock down the sheen on. my painting and chipping has decreased since i started doing modern vehicles. even exhaust systems on big trucks just don't rust. so it's mix my own dust with pastels or lots of washes.

Nice technique!

Nomad - shaping up nicely there.

You can always make a rust paint from the weathering powder you posted earlier.  Just mix a small amount with water and a drop of dish soap. 

In a pinch, you can use coloured pencil crayons, but this only works on a flat finish.  Also, a sharp pencil gives you great control in doing streaks, but only on a level surface devoid of any raised or recessed detail.

regards,

Jack

JOE RIX

Well, That's a slick little trick for weathering exhaust pipes. Very cool. I love those Tamiya weathering sets. You can do all sorts of cool stuff with them. Certainly a wash will make your Tiger pop. The decals sure look good on there. Boy, you're just scootin' right along your on Tiger. Good stuff. Good stuff indeed.

Thanks Joe,

I am still trying to understand the wash process. It seems that I get more of the wash on me than the model. Do I need to spray the model with Future first to give a gloss finish first before using a wash?

Also doing rust streaks is one of the things that I am struggling with. I do not have any oils but the black that my wife got me. I keep saying that I am going to get a set next time. I have mostly acrylics and some enamels. Really going to have to get more paint.

Thanks Bish.

checkmateking02

Looking really sharp now.  Nice figure too.

Thanks. I'm trying to do this right and learning all the way.

Doug

Coming along nicely there Nomad. I like those Tamiya sets, they come in very handy.

not so much for tanks but for helo, motorcycle, and modern truck exhausts cheap eye shadow works too. you can get that at THE DOLLAR STORE. i have also used washes of tamiya clear colors.

Well, That's a slick little trick for weathering exhaust pipes. Very cool. I love those Tamiya weathering sets. You can do all sorts of cool stuff with them. Certainly a wash will make your Tiger pop. The decals sure look good on there. Boy, you're just scootin' right along your on Tiger. Good stuff. Good stuff indeed.

Looking really sharp now.  Nice figure too.

JOE RIX

Now that's more like it Doug. You've sharpened that tiger up nicely. Once you apply some weathering it will really look great. I really like your exhaust pipes. How did you get that effect on them? Nice work. Keep it coming.

Thanks Joe. I am having a hard time trying to figure out on how I am going to weather this beast. There is so many things I could do and not sure on which.

I took some Tamiya weathering powder and red rust paint and coated the pipes with the paint and while it was wet put the rust powder on.

Doug

Now that's more like it Doug. You've sharpened that tiger up nicely. Once you apply some weathering it will really look great. I really like your exhaust pipes. How did you get that effect on them? Nice work. Keep it coming.

Ready for decals and further weathering.

checkmateking02

That's looking very good, Nomad.  Congratulations!

Thanks checkmateking02.

Okay now what about the tracks. How should I go about painting them ans so forth.

Thanks in advance,

Doug

That's looking very good, Nomad.  Congratulations!

Here are the photos of the touched up paint. I have put the spare track holders on the turret.

Doug

JOE RIX

Hang in there Doug. It's looking good and with the tips everyone is offering you should be able to fine tune your camo quite nicely.

I took your advice Bish and it worked. Thanks Joe for the encouraging words.

Photos coming.

Doug