Second Annual USAF Vietnam Group Build

Sanding, sanding, sanding. Still couldn't get seams smooth. Sooooo.......Taped the seams that had raised detail close by and used Tamiya putty white. Hopefully will be able to get that smoothed out. A little leary about using this stuff what with all the precautions on it. Is it really that hazardous, anyone know? What precautions do you use? How long should it dry before sanding?

The worst area for fit was the burner can area!

Man, that F-100 cockpit is really looking nice, mailwalker!  Great job!      Sorry I can't help you with any info on the putty - haven't used that type before.

Cheers,

Russ

mailwalker

Finally got some free time and got a little more done on the F-100D. Installed the cockpit, joined the fuselage halves,wings, nose and exhaust. Nothing really lined up perfectly, so looks like quite a bit of sanding in my future. Any tips on sanding seams while not losing detail in the immediate area will be appreciated! 

Will this be of any use for filling some of the unevenes along the seams, and a gap along the wing roots?

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=87075

I have it, never used it. I also have their putty. Have never used it either.

Still on the learning curve of producing better models.

At least it's starting to look like something that could fly.

Thanks for the help folks, and everyone elses builds look great.

You are doing great work Mailwalker!   

I have always liked the look of the F-100, it is definitely one of my favorite planes.

On the question about putty, one that I have recently heard about but haven't used is called "Perfect Plastic Putty".  It is water soluble.  Here is a link to a review of it:

http://www.internetmodeler.com/scalemodels/nrtools/Perfect-Plastic-Putty.php 

For the Tamiya putty, you will need to use their thinner to cut it with.  It will help to smooth it so you don't have to do as much sanding.

But you are doing a fine job so far!  Keep up the good work!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to pass along a new product for anyone who is or is planning on building the Academy 1/48 F-111.  It is a set of paint masks made by Aero-Design.  They are for the canopies, windscreen, nose and main gear wheels.  Here is a link to a review of them:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/masks/fad/mask_fad_fms013.shtml 

Ken

Hi Everyone!

I just discovered a new product that everyone may be interested in.  I think most of us has heard about the product to attach photo etch called "Gator's Grip Hobby Glue".  Well the inventor of that product has discovered a newer version; "Gator's Grip Thin Blend".  It is thinner than the original and dries faster!  Here is a link:

http://www.gatorsmask.com/gatorglueorder1.html 

Ken

Canopy on, and primer coat on. Of course the primer shows all the imperfections, but as this is my first serious attempt at a model ever (instead of the ol' slap em together with goopy glue and brush marks 20 yrs ago) I'll have to learn and improve with each consecutive kit. There were some seam lines I just couldn't get to level out without destroying the raised detail.

And the top

That looks like a fine job to me, Mailwalker! I'd say you're well on your way to becoming an artiste

Thanks, Striker, But I'm having too much fun to be an artiste

mailwalker

And the top

I agree with Russ.  It looks like you are doing a great job.  Of course we are our worst critics!  But it looks great to me!     

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Kitty Hawk has just announced plans on producing the T-28 Trojan in 1/32 scale.  Here is a link to some auto cad drawings:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/news/kitty.shtml 

Ken

Well after a long hiatus from modeling, due to work and building my paint booth, I have finally done "something". I have done my pre shading/weathering. Now I know I need more practice with the airbrush, and it does look a mess, I think it will look a little better as the camo goes on? Please know this is something I've never done before, and never heard of until looking on this site and others. Here are some pics:

mailwalker

Well after a long hiatus from modeling, due to work and building my paint booth, I have finally done "something". I have done my pre shading/weathering. Now I know I need more practice with the airbrush, and it does look a mess, I think it will look a little better as the camo goes on? Please know this is something I've never done before, and never heard of until looking on this site and others. Here are some pics:

Hi Mailwalker,

I personally do not use the pre-shading technique, but what you have done looks very similar to other projects I have seen that do use it.  Since you are going to paint camouflage over it you will need to be mindful of how different colors will cover differently.  This will be challenging because you will not be able to compare as your painting each color since they will be masked off.

Looks good so far!     

Ken

OK, so I have worked on the burner-can and gotten the belly painted. The burner-can looks alright, I guess. I used Tamiya  Weathering set D. Too bad these are somewhat toxic. I am happy with the paint on the belly, if I can get the camo scheme to go on nicely with the pre-shade coming through........

Well, now I see a blip on the wheel well.

mailwalker

OK, so I have worked on the burner-can and gotten the belly painted. The burner-can looks alright, I guess. I used Tamiya  Weathering set D. Too bad these are somewhat toxic. I am happy with the paint on the belly, if I can get the camo scheme to go on nicely with the pre-shade coming through........

Well, now I see a blip on the wheel well.

Nice work there Mailwalker!  I think this Hun is going to come out great!     

Ken

Here's an update of todays work. The tan looks a little dark to me but it is the FS# from Vallejo Model Air.

Any comments welcome.

mailwalker

Here's an update of todays work. The tan looks a little dark to me but it is the FS# from Vallejo Model Air.

Any comments welcome.

Hi Mailwalker,

I can't say if that is too dark or not, I never trust colors I see on my computer.

Great job on masking the color though!      I look forward to seeing the next one.

Ken

Thank you, Ken.

Here is my update on my progress. I do need to touch up some spots where the camo pattern meets. My question is, can I do this acceptably with a brush, or should I remask those areas and spray them? Also I noticed the lighter green did not coat as well in some areas, so I have to fix that! Any comments or input always welcome.

I'm calling the camo done, now just mask and paint  the external fuel tanks. And here is a rookie question, how do I glue two painted parts together? Do I remove the paint from the attatchment points? For instance the bomb rack to the under wing. Thanks for the help.

mailwalker

I'm calling the camo done, now just mask and paint  the external fuel tanks. And here is a rookie question, how do I glue two painted parts together? Do I remove the paint from the attatchment points? For instance the bomb rack to the under wing. Thanks for the help.

Your Super Sabre is looking great Mailwalker!  Outstanding!     

Per your question about gluing painted parts; yes, you must have bare plastic at the points where the glue will be applied.  You can use an X-Acto blade if it is a flat surface.  Just keep the blade at a 90 degree angle to the surface and drag it across.  The paint will come off fairly easily.  It doesn't have to be perfect, just get enough paint off to expose the plastic.

Ken

Thank you, Ken, for the tip. That is what i kind of figured, but wanted to make sure.

mailwalker

Thank you, Ken, for the tip. That is what i kind of figured, but wanted to make sure.

No problem at all Mailwalker.  Ask any questions.  If I know the answer I will be more than happy to respond.  If I don't know the answer, I will point you to someplace that does!

Ken

Here is an update. My first decal application in 20+ years or so. These decals are nothing like I remember, laying right down. Plus Microset and Microsol, something I had never heard of until getting back into modelling with this build. The decals are Caracal and Aeromaster.

A little background for this is that I am making this as the craft my uncle crew chiefed in Viet Nam (Triple Nickle). The H and P and each 5 are all individual decals, nerve wracking for me as a rookie. I hope Uncle appreciates this.

Man, that's really looking nice, Mailwalker! You're doing an outstanding job for just getting back into the hobby. How could your uncle not appreciate this beauty?  (if he doesn't, send it to me! )

Cheers, and keep up the good work!

Russ

Thank you, Striker.

Here's my update for the day. Right side of "Triple Nickel" all decaled.

mailwalker

Thank you, Striker.

Here's my update for the day. Right side of "Triple Nickel" all decaled.

You are doing great work there Mailwalker!  She is really shaping up to be a great Super Sabre!

Ken

Hey Mailwalker,

That's a great looking Hun you got there!  Well done!  Can't wait to see it all finished up!

HI Ken and company!!

I have been missing from this group build due to taking too many college classes this semester (trying to make the most out of the GI Bill AND working full time!).  Just looked at the end date and thought that I had missed out on this USAF GB......and it looks like I'm still in the running!  I hope to get something up pretty soon!

I'm not dead; just missing in action!  Now, I'm back!

Dave

Tal Afar Dave

Hey Mailwalker,

That's a great looking Hun you got there!  Well done!  Can't wait to see it all finished up!

HI Ken and company!!

I have been missing from this group build due to taking too many college classes this semester (trying to make the most out of the GI Bill AND working full time!).  Just looked at the end date and thought that I had missed out on this USAF GB......and it looks like I'm still in the running!  I hope to get something up pretty soon!

I'm not dead; just missing in action!  Now, I'm back!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I know what it is like to work and go to school full time.  It equals "no life"  Kudos for you to suffer through that!

And it is very good to hear back from you again!

Ken

Almost got it. Everything but the wheels, pitot,  leading wing flaps and fueling boom assembled. Just gotta get them on and spray top coat. Thanks to everyone for your patience!

Not to sure about weathering, as that is something new to me and I don't want to mess up what I've got so far.

Here's the bottom with all the landing gear and air brakes on ,a little weathering and staining also. Yeah, I realize I should have done this before the tail hook went on. DOH! Live and learn.