I finally got all the painting done on the arado, and i am really pleased with it. A couple of years ago i did my first German pre war scheme with the 3 colours on top, on a Ju 87. I really like that scheme and used it for inspiration on a Do 335 build and decided to do so again, but with colours that are even more like the pre war ones. But i used late war colours and went for a flowing soft edge scheme rather than the pre war hard edged jaggered scheme.

I first applied RLM 77 useing the same approach as underneath. I then drew the scheme on with a pencil and applied some black spotting and the RLM 81, and i managed to find an 81 thats brown and not the green version. Soon as that was applied, i added the black spots for the third colour, and here is where i remembered i should be taking photo's.

With that dry, i added the RLM 82. The black baseing has not worked as well as i had hoped. In some areas i had to tidy thing up wth more paint and this has blocked out some of the black showing through. It is ther ein some areas, but very very subtle. I don't mind to much as i had not planed to use the method when i started the build, but its certainly something i will work on in future.

So next up, my favorite bit, the decals.

I have also been working on the vehicles. I checke and the SS-100 tractor does not fit under the aircrfat, so i had to re think the dio. PJ had suggested adding a pit under the aircrfat for the bomb to be lwered into as the Americans did to load the A-Bombs under the B-29's. But i thnik that would be over doing it as the bomb and trolley do fit underneath, but it has given me an idea for another German aircraft in the stash. But it got me thinking about bringing the aircraft to the bomb rather than the otehr way round, so i needed a towing vehicle. The only one that would tow an aircrfat of this weight is an Sd.Kfz 9 Famo, and i just happene to have one that was intended for a He 177 which is heavier than the 555 would have been. So i ditched the other truck, the Famo will serve a dual role of towing and carrying the ground crew and equipment. I had to re jig the lay out and make a new base, but i thnik its going to work fine. I have also had to scratch build a tow bar. So here are the vehciles after painting and some dry brushing.

Famo on left, SS-100 and tractor on right and Kubelwagen front and centre.

People often ask about about making bases, so i thogut i would post some pics of that as i go alng as well. Only one for now. An old bit of chip board with some 18mm MDF to make it thicker and the first piece of balsa added to one side.

And thats it. Now to get those decals on.

Bish,

That is one nice paint job. Did you take the time to mask it off or did you free hand the entire paint job? That looks great. Can't wait too see it completed.

Thnaks Hunter, it was all done free hand. I normally use rolls of putty, but i can never get a soft edge so in past builds have had to re do the edge after taking off the masks. this time i decided just to do away with the masks altogether. Still got quite a bit to do, going to be a couple of days ading the decals from the look of it.

Bish

Thnaks Hunter, it was all done free hand. I normally use rolls of putty, but i can never get a soft edge so in past builds have had to re do the edge after taking off the masks. this time i decided just to do away with the masks altogether. Still got quite a bit to do, going to be a couple of days ading the decals from the look of it.

 

BTW, I like the idea of adding the soft edges to camouflage afterwards. It sounds like less room for error to me. I may try it out on my Waffentrager! However, I'd like your opinions on the technique.

I only used to use the masking on aircraft, for armour i have always done it free hand, being 35th scale and not 72nd, it does not have to be so fine. But having now done this un masked, i prefer this method. The end result is the same, i just save the time to mask, un mask and go over it again. I kow a lot of people can get a soft edge with masking, bt i can't see to get a hang of it.

But give it a go and see what you think, you might even be able to get a soft edge with the mask.

Hey Bish, looks very good, sharp work on the camo.

And nice looking collection of ground vehicles too. I know what you mean about not wanting to put a trench in there, it's a pain to either chisel out a hole in the base, but building it up on top and making it really thick doesn't really look right either.

Thnaks G. If i did a hole, i would make a thin base and build it up with styrofoam to put the hole in. But i didn't really fancy doing all that at this stage either.

Bish, that is becoming a very keen project, and interesting camouflage, different for sure.  The colours themselves remind me a lot of what the Finns used on their vehicles, but I know that is not what is being portrayed here.

For the towing tractor that doesn't fit underneath the aircraft, what if you made a very long towbar, within reason I suppose?

regards,

Jack

Ye, i suppose it does bear a resemblance to the Finnish schemes, i had not thoguht of that.

The only way the long tow bar would work is if the towing vehilce was at the rear, because of the nose wheel, and then the bomb would have to be back wards and does not sit right on the trolley. I did consider that option as the bar is close to the back and any tow bar would not need to be very long.

Bish I'm working at a snail's pace but I dd get some work in on my German Panzertriebwagen Armored Locomotive. I'm sorry I haven't posted as usual so I hope its okay to show several photos of my progress. 

This is where I'm at. Construction is almost done, the main parts are primed and I sprayed a coat of Burnt Iron as my base color. Next will be to add oil based washes, weathering and final assembly. I'm going with one solid color with some modulation on certain parts. I hope it comes out as I envision it. 

In my next groupm of picks I'll show the same parts with my base color.

No worries tery, its great to see what you have when you can. Its looking really good, i do like your rail bilds.

I experimented a little with some Mr. Hobby metal colors and decided on Burnt Iron that happened to be the lightest of the iron shades. I know after I apply an oil wash and some pin weathering it'll darken up to the right shade. Here are a few pics:

Terry

I forgot to mention that there are over 100 lugs that had to be attached to the side of the main hull and carriages. I've tried my best to understand their use and the best I can come up with is that they may be used to attached the armor plates to the superstructure. If anybody knows I'd sure would like to know. At first I thought they were for some camo netting or foliage but that just doesn't make sense, anyway this was some tedious, repetitive work but looks quite nice when it's done.

Terry

Thats looks some tedious job Terry. Not sure what they could be used for, they seem a bit flimsy for hanging armour plate on. Be interesting to find out.

Steve, sound slike you have been doing a lot of research on this. Nice to see you started.

I have not realised the Eugen was so shallow or at Kwajalein. Wasn't that a Japanese base during the war. I recall hearing that mentioned in one of those 1970's war movies, i think the batle of Midway.

Thnaks Steve. I had always imagined it was just blown to bits. Its nice to know there is at least some left.

Bish

Thnaks Hunter, it was all done free hand. I normally use rolls of putty, but i can never get a soft edge so in past builds have had to re do the edge after taking off the masks. this time i decided just to do away with the masks altogether. Still got quite a bit to do, going to be a couple of days ading the decals from the look of it.

 

Bish,

What size needle and air pressure did you use to obtain that fine line in your pattern? Sorry to be a pest....Always been curious minded, and I want to learn this so I know going forward.

Thanks,

Hunter

Steve,

What type of base or foam are you using for this dio? I noticed it looks like the same type in most of your water dio's, and does it take to most building materials (Gels, plaster paris, model clay)?

Once again, you are off to create another water master piece  

No worries Hunter, ask all you like. I use a fine needle on my Badger 100 and have it set at about 10 to 15 psi. I did start much lower but it just spatters out of the airbrush. Get the paint/thinner mix is also very important. I can't give you a ratio as i just do it by eye. Its taken me a long time to be able to do this, i always struggled with fingur control on the tigger, but i seem to be getting there.

Bish

No worries Hunter, ask all you like. I use a fine needle on my Badger 100 and have it set at about 10 to 15 psi. I did start much lower but it just spatters out of the airbrush. Get the paint/thinner mix is also very important. I can't give you a ratio as i just do it by eye. Its taken me a long time to be able to do this, i always struggled with fingur control on the tigger, but i seem to be getting there.

 

Bish - When you state fine needle, is that a .20 size needle? And you are correct about the trial and error of paint/thinner ratio. I had a good time figuring that out yesterday before work.

Some great work in here! 

Bish - Could I join in the GB?  I have a couple Panther IIs that would fit the 1946 criteria (I think..)

Cyber-Hobby 9103 

and Dragon 6027 (which is actually the original release, CH 9103 being the "Orange box" update)

Now, I know there are HUGE issues with the "accuracy" of those kits, mostly the turret. But I think will be a fun "What if" build for 1946. 

Cheers! James

I don't know the actual size i am afraid. The needles for the Badger 100 and 150 are just labeleled as XF, IL and HD, and these are Fine, Medium and Heavy needles. I have never seen a comparison of these with other needles.

James, you certainly can. I built the Draon kit you have there many many years ago. It one of the few kits that have survived from before my short break in the hobby. Are you planning on building both of those or just one, eitehr way would be greta and it definatly fits the GB.

James, i thought i would share these with you, one of my oldest surving builds. I know the kit was released in 1994, so i mst have built this in the late 90's, so over 15 years old. My weathering consisted of nothing more than some dry brushing and i hope my dio's have improved since this. But it a nice kit despite the issues.

I am surprised Dragon have not re-tooled this, i would certainly get a new one.

Bish - The XF sounds like the .20, IL would be .30 and the HD would be .50. That is my guess. I am not sure...but if I was a betting man I would say this is it. Thank you again sir.

I would say thats likely. I guess badger just wanted to be differant. And your very welcome.

Hey guys nice to see all this progress!!!

Terry: You're a brave man to tackle yet another giant railroad model. Looks good, like the metallic paint there.

Steve: Very cool idea there, I'd never have thought to modify the kit to represent her at her death like that. Though now I'm thinking about a bad horror movie of her wreck swarming with radioactive National Socialist ghosts out for vengence!

James: Neat and fits right into the spirit of the build. I tried building a Panther F with that turret probably about the same time Bish did but royally screwed the thing up.

Bish: Really nice work there, thanks for sharing. I was trying to do figures at about the same time in my modeling life but I never tried to fit as many into a dio or as well.

Hunter: My two cents, I'm not sure the type of airbrush or needle is that important to fine lines. I mean you're not going to get them from a really cheap brush or an industial product designed to spray houses but as you said I think it's more getting the paint/thinner ratio right. And I don't think there's any hard and fast rules here, just keep playing with it till you get it right. After awhile you'll develop a 'feel' for the right ratios. That and practice, grab an old or cheap model and just keep working at it. I'm not sure that I or anyone else can give you advice anywhere near as good as hands on experience you'll build up on your own.

In case anyone's still looking for something to build, this was in an Armorama newsletter: 

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=21594&mode=thread&order=0