PACIFIC CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD

Thanks guys.

Looking good Joe...I wonder if that is the case for the 1/48, if so I'll have to keep an eye out on that...I remember there was something else you said to possibly watch out for, I'll have to remember to go back and reread your progress on this when I start on my Hellcat. Anyways, keep up the good work, I'm confident the end result will be worth all the trouble ;)

Thank You Josiah. The other fit issue I encountered was the locator tabs on the tail planes were to long. Thus, they met before the fuselage halves would close up. I'll check my 1/48 kit but, I'm going to guess that they are the same. It's been a bit on the tedious side but I've pretty much cleaned up the fuselage slip issue.

Thanks for clarifying Joe.

Here's the underside weathered

I got the whole plane weathered actually...tried my hand at a wash, not too good at it as you can see. When I took a picture of the topside you couldn't see much difference from before, so I'll wait till tomorrow or thursday to break my camera out for the final pics.

Good looking work there Josiah. Your wash looks quite good. Like everything else applying washes gets easier and better with practice. What kind of wash did you use? How did you create your exhaust stains? Keep that good stuff coming.

Looks good from here Josiah.  I'll second Joe's request regarding the wash and weathering methods.

Thanks guys. I just used acrylics and diluted it with water. brushed a  whole section such as the wing. Got a piece of toilet paper and soaked up all the excess that was collecting at one end. Then used an old tshirt and lightly wiped the wing. I had to do it a couple times for each section to get a noticeable difference but on the bottom it turned out decent.

For the exhaust stains I uses pastels, took a exact blade and shaved it into fine powder, brushed it on...wasn't sticking very much so i got the brush a bit wet.

Looks pretty good Josiah!

Now that school has gotten out I'll have a bit more time to model.  At first I was a bit overwhelmed by the detail in AM's Dauntless.  But so far she's building up rather easily.  If I were to make a complaint though, it would be all the ejector pin marks!  I don't mind the ones inside the fuselage where no one will see them, or it easy to clean places.  but there was one on the small flare gun, and on the large leather pouch.  I cleaned them up the best I could.  It took me a couple of nights, but I finally completed step 1 in the instructions, but here it is so far, all painted up.

It's an axiom of modeling, Joe:  parts will fit together perfectly--until you apply the glue.  Nice work, regardless!

Nice cockpit, Bob; really looks good.

Well done, Josiah.  You've done well with the wash.

One method I ran across recently--probably in FSM somewhere--is to take the wash off with a dry, rather than a damp, cotton ball/q-tip/whatever.

I used to have trouble with the damp-removal method; it would take off too much.

The trick with the dry-removal method is to have a good slick/gloss base before you put the wash on; and then, not allow the wash to sit there too long.  Even with acrylics thinned with water, and dish soap added, I've found the washes impossibly durable at times.  They won't come off where they're supposed to come off.  Sometimes they even defy and laugh in the face of Windex with ammonia!  

Anyway, your effort looks absolutely fine the way it is.  But I always think it's good to have a number of tricks up your modeling sleeve.

Question then...so after all the painting and decals are put on...instead of putting a flat coat on I should put a gloss coat on? Do the wash, and then put a flat coat on?

Yes indeed Josiah. That is the proper steps. Applying the gloss coat seals the decals and protects them from any damage the wash mat cause. Also, the one step further is after applying your final flat coat that is when you apply your pastels. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, do not apply any coating over pastels to seal them as it usually causes them to pretty much disappear. So, if you use pastels for weathering you simply need to be extra careful when handling your finished model. This is why I asked about how you did your exhaust stains. I hope you do not mind some constructive observation. It appeared to me that they were just a bit on the heavy side and maybe too wide. Then when you mentioned that your pastel was not sticking and that you cut it with water it made me wonder if you were trying to apply pastels to a gloss coat. In any case that doesn't work. Dry pastels need to be applied to a flat coat as that gives the powder something to grab. Josiah, I hope this was helpful to you.

Very helpful, I love constructive observations, and criticism....unfortunately I was applying it to a flat coat...I couldn't find any good pictures of the underside of a corsair so I was just sort of winging it? haha...winging it....I do intend to build many more corsairs so hopefully I'll get better next time.

checkmateking02

It's an axiom of modeling, Joe:  parts will fit together perfectly--until you apply the glue.  Nice work, regardless!

SB: Great work on your cockpit. It's looking excellent. I have been wanting one of them AC Dauntless's for quite some time. In fact I just lost an auction for one a couple of days ago. Alas, I'll get my hands on one eventually.

Thanks Joe!  I was lucky and got mine off a guy at a model show.  The price was right so I jumped on it and I'm glad I did.  

Josiah: Glad that was helpful. You'll get the hang of it. Should you have any questions concerning the Corsair just ask. I have tons of reference on my favorite aircraft and will be happy to get the info you need if I can.

Thanks Joe!

Silentbob, your Dauntless looks pretty good! I look forward to seeing this build progress

Thanks Josiah!  I've enjoyed watching your Corsair come along.

Hey silentbob, I done scored me an AC SBD-5 off ebay. Paid a bit more than I had planned but I am happy nonetheless. Cross another off my bucket list of kits.

I think you'll be happy with it Joe, mine's been a blast so far

Got a little bit further last week with the Dauntless, but hadn't gotten a chance to post pictures until just now.  I'm trying something new with the seat belts, if it works out I'll post some more pics when I'm done.

Wow sb that looks great. Very nice detail painting. You certainly have to appreciate the detail work Accurate Miniatures put into their molds. You've got me itching to dive into (pun intended) my SBD when it arrives. Unfortunately, it will have to wait for while.

I'm finally back guys!

Bob: Thats one great looking cockpit there!

Joe: Your Hellcat looks simply amazing, mate! Looks exactly like a 1/48 model to me!

Josiah: Nice work on your Corsair as well!

Thanks guys!  I just finished assembling the gunner's turret.  That is a big PITA.  When you get to yours Joe, take it slowly.  After it dries and I get the floor installed I'll post a pic.  Glad to see you back Clemens!

Hey There Clemens! It's great to see that you have rejoined us. I do hope that you are caught up enough with those nasty life things that we will see an amazing burst of modeling from you.

Nice work on the cockpit, Bob!

Good to see you back, Clemens!

Thanks!

Here's the finished cockpit.  Now to fix those gaps...

That is sharp!

Hey SilentBob, that Dauntless looks fantastic!!!!  Really a nicely done job on the subtle weathering!! Kudos!

Glad to hear of your triumphant return, Clemens!!!

Good looking stuff sb. Duly noted on the gun tub. Thanks for the heads up. So, what caused the gap in the fuselage? Is the cockpit assembly too wide? I am certainly taking notice of that. I am certain that you will have that cleaned up splendidly.

Thanks for the kind words guys.  I'm pretty sure the gap was caused by me not properly lining up the bulkhead at the back end of the gunner's compartment.  I took a closer look at it and it's not quite in the right spot.  It could also benefit from some more sanding on the edges just to make sure the fit is good.  The spot in the pic and on the bottom in the same spot were the only gaps.  Just a little bit of filler and sanding and it's good as new.