PACIFIC CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD

Thought I'd share a couple of update pics. Having found that I struggle with painting straight lines for pre-shading I simply highlighted the panel lines with a black prisma pencil. This enhances the light pin wash i will do. I'm curious how it is going to play with the dark blue upper surface.

JR, that's awesome!  I may give that a try instead of preshading with the airbrush.  Nice clean sharp panel lines.  Gonna start a Google search for a black prisma pencil.

Craig

I finally got a chance to do a little painting.  Not sure why the PE part of the seat did take the paint.  Otherwise, I'm happy with the results.  Now it's time for some fine painting.

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It already looks good that way, Joe.  I'll be interested to see what your final results are.  Good idea!

flyerduke, things are looking good so far.  

Don't know the why's about the PE part of the seat, but PE sometimes has trouble holding paint.  Some folks say you can etch it with vinegar to provide a rougher surface for the paint.

When I have to use PE, I just paint it and try not to touch it or handle it too much.  Usually there is some touch up involved.

Thanks Gentlemen. I should clarify that it tends to be a bit of a tedious task as the Prisma lead is quite soft so you are sharpening the pencil a lot. Also, for the more intricate lines and small access hatches I use a regular mechanical pencil sharpened with sand paper to a fine point. More control with that. Another advantage I find with doing this is that it allows me to find those spots in my panel lines that I have either sanded out or filled in and can fix before the paint goes on.

Those two Hellcats are both looking very nice, gents! What markings are you going with?

I'm almost ready to start work on mine BTW. I got something special planned for that one...

I'm now considering this one Clemens.

Duke, when I have PE parts I know I have to paint, I try to remember to hit them with primer (usually before I take 'em off the fret, sometimes after). Makes a difference. But I don't always remember. :)

JR, that pencil technique looks pretty cool. I too shall be interested to see what happens after paint.

I'm still learning this posting stuff.  Some progress pics.  Coming along slowly but surely.

Craig

Those assemblies are looking good!  Nice job getting the drape on the seat belts.

Starting my 1/48 Tamiya F4F.  Cut out the side floor panels and added PE seat belts.  The interior has pretty nice detail so I decided to keep it as is instead of pulling my hair out with all the little PE parts.

Very nice avipond.  I had debated on whether to start my Eduard F6F or F4F Tamiya for this GB.  The Hellcat is going good, but I may start the Wildcat soon after.  Nice work.

Craig, Nice progress you're making there. Great work.

Avipond, Very well done cockpit there. Your detail painting is very nicely done.

Really nice and nifty looking assembly, avipond!  Good work!

Your cockpit looks very nice avipond.  I had similar problems with the tiny PE parts for my 1/48 TBD.  I think in future I'll skip such tiny pieces just for my own sanity.

Well, I think I finished the cockpit.  Overall, I guess I'm happy with it.  I would have liked to detail the side consoles better.  Gonna finish the engine and start on the control surfaces next.  So far no major issues.

Craig and Flyerduke... I like what you have done.  Really nice.   It's great to see some activity on here.  I hope to post something soon too.  I will be starting my instrument panel soon, once I get the PE.  That will be next week I think.  Then once I am done pulling out what's left of my hair, I will post a picture.

Turned out exceptionally well, flyerduke.  Neat and precise.

Looking good flyerduke!  Was the bar that holds the shoulder harnesses molded in the kit, or did you scratch build that?

Drew - The bar was a separate piece that came with the kit.  It didn't give me too much trouble.

Craig

Both the Wildcat and Hellcat cockpits look awesome, guys! Some very sharp detail painting by both of you guys!

Joe, sadly there's no picture showing at my end

Flyerduke, Really terrific work on the cockpit. definitely looks sharp. I find something rather interesting seeing your 1/48 cockpit that kind of surprised me. On the right hand console there is actually black panels on the lower and upper forward quadrants. What caught me odd was on my 1/72 version there was neither raised relief nor any PE parts to simulate this. Now, in 1/72 I could kind of understand omitting that but, I'm a surprised to not see it on the 1/48 version. Please understand this is not a critique of your work at all but, rather an observation of the kit detail. Also, maybe this will help out Clemens when gets going on his Eduard Hellcat. Here is a pic of how it should look:

So, on my 1/72 cockpit i took the time to mask and paint each of those panels. What was a real bear for me was trying to simulate the little red buttons on the lower forward fuse panel. took me a few trys with the tip of a toothpick.

Hey Clemens, That's kinda odd that my pic of the Hellcat I'm considering doing does not show on your end. Let me try this. It is "Little Joe" off the USS San Jacinto.

Greetings all.  Ok....I need your advice.  This wing is not glued to the fuselage yet but when I do, this is what the gap will look like.  Is this an acceptable gap for this join or do you guys fill something like this?

Don't know why the image didn't show..   Trying again.

Hmmm, that's a toughie Steve. Especially with the rivet detail along the root. My inclination would be to try and tape along the gap as tight to the edges as I could in hopes that only the gap itself was exposed. I would then pack the putty in and when mostly dry wipe the access off with acetone. You will likely have to repeat a couple 2 or 3 times as the putty shrinks. Hopefully, when you peel the tape off the majority putty will have filled the gap and have very little up into the rivet detail. Should it get into the rivet detail you could meticulously pick it out with tip on an xacto blade or the tip of a large sewing needle. That is simply the first idea that popped into my head. Maybe someone else here has an easier softer way of remedying that.

Bakster - another method to correct that slight gap ... before gluing the wing to the fuselage, can you shim or wedge some spare plastic into the opening between the upper and lower wing halves?   Won't need much, just enough to get a snug fit there.

regards,

Jack