Metal masters GB 2016 (1Feb to 31 July)

Britt and BrandonK - I can't wait to see your Mustangs.

Modelcrazy - that is looking really nice. I love the dark and shiny look you've got on it.

-BD-

Brandon, nice to see you in here. =]  What kind of NMF are you looking at doing with that Mustang?

Steve,  I'm about as surpirsed as you with how little paint it took.  I have seen where I've overestimated in the past based on my air pressure and how thinned down my paints were.  So maybe you're mileage is varying due to something like that.  Any close up shots from above over the wings?

Gentlemen - 

All of you have presented some very impressive work. I have fully enjoyed following along witnessing and learning from all of you. Thank you to all for sharing.

Looks great, Steve. Can't wait to see it done. Still amazed by the sheer size.

Larry

That is looking very very nice, Steve. Great work.

BK

Alright, got another kit off the bench. Time to start this one. Here is my entry. I hope this will be a fairly quick build. Off to paint the pit.

BK

Alright guys.  Here's what I'm getting started with...

Untitled by Britt Vallot, on Flickr

Untitled by Britt Vallot, on Flickr

Steve,

That is one big model. It's looking great so far. Can't wait to see how you handle the NMF. I'm learning a lot from you guys.

Larry

Man you guys are really moving now  :-D

Theuns

Looking great so far Steve.  Can't wait to see what you come out with. =]

jelliott523

Are you going to be using Alclad for this one?

Steve, Looking Great!!! Are you going to be using Alclad for this one? Cant wait to see the finished project! That is one huge bird!

jelliot, that Mig is looking pretty cool. I love those birds. I really need to get one.

Steve, I can tell by the black that you NMF is gonna come out SICK !! Such a cool AC.

BK

I painted the B-47 with Alclad gloss black. It goes on well but the build is so big I had to paint it in two sections.

Steve

Interesting.  Sorry to hear about your miscue.  Happens to all of us. I've been taking so long on my builds lately, that every now and then I feel ancy and ready to be past a certain point. I try to write things down and take notes on what steps I need to cover as I rarely go by instructions anymore these days.  Every now and then....I still get ahead of myself. =]

I really like the way that these AK Xtreme Metal colors go down, one thing I have noticed, and I'm pretty sure its my technique, is that they have tended to scratch easily on this build. I also used them on the engines of one of my F-15E's that I did a double build on. I wanted to compare their performance to Alclad. I didnt have the scratching problem on that build. The nice thing, is that these are said to be enamels (they smell like lacquer to me, but they clean up with mineral spirits quite well). The areas that were scratched, I was able to light sand and buff out, and then recoat with the base color and everything evened out beautifully. I'll get some more pictures up showing the different panels I sprayed with the other colors.

I did find out after spraying the panels and removing the masking one bone-headed mistake I made, and that was that I forgot that I had masked the inside of the canopy and glued it to the fuselage. I had used Gator Grip Thin glue and was able to use a sharp Xacto blade and slice it off with minimal damage, a light sanding and some touchup and it shouldnt be too noticable.

I'm so happy to see a MiG up and moving for this GB. =]  No worries on being short a few pics.  It happens.  Looking good so far.  I've also just been looking into the AK series of Metal compounds.  I haven't heard any bad reviews yet.  I'm very curious to see how they turn out for a subject like a MiG-21. 

Okay, finally some WIP pics of my Mig-21PF from Academy in 1/48. Sorry it has been so long since I have added any pics and there were a few stages that I didnt get pics taken.

For the office, I primed with Ammo of Mig black primer and then painted using Ammo of Mig Russian cockpit green/blue. I added air rifle BB's as ballast, to the nose cone. The tail was painted using Ammo of Mig acrylic metal colors (Steel, Titanium, and Jet Exhaust).

For the fuselage, I primed the entire thing with Ammo Black Primer and let cure for several days (mostly because I was out of town and unable to touch it for some time). I then sanded the seam lines and filled with small amounts of Deluxe Perfect Plastic Putty and reprimed with the black. After, I highlighted areas using Ammo Dark Compass Grey and then used AK Xtreme Metals Polished Aluminum for the base metal color. I will be doing several panels in different shades of Xtreme Metal (Dark Aluminum, Duraluminum and Jet Exhaust).

The silly putty idea does work well. I've used it for sometime now. The putty does not leave an oily residue behind but it will leave some traces of putty after being used several times. But, these little bits come out easily with a tooth pic, so no worries. It is by far my preferred method for masking, even on soft edge camo patterns.

BK

And the Tweat is started!

Wow tha is a big model!

Looking good.

Theuns

Omar those belts look great :-)

Ed, I put you down for the 1/72 Hasa Dragonfly

Theuns

OK FSM,

I've given it some thought and considered your comments, and I've decided to fix the teeth on my F-80.  Before I can continue with that build, I have to wait for the mouth's paint to cure so I can handle it without damaging it further.  So while that build sits and waits, I figured I'd start on another NMF project.

Well, truth is I started the other day after I asked Theuns if WIFs were acceptable for this GB.  Since he said yes, I decided to start a project that had been gaining some momentum.  I've decided to build two models as gifts for a couple of female friends of mine.  They've left most of the decision making to me, only saying that they wanted nose art on their planes.  I figured a great canvas for nose art is the P-47 with its big nose cowling and broad sides.  I hadn't told them about the airframe I picked but before I could tell them, independently, they both contacted me and told me they wanted Jugs.  Each had done a little "research" and both chose the Jug.  I picked the P-47 because of the nose art, they both picked the Jug for different reasons.  (Their reasons are a little PG-13, so maybe I won't share.  Maybe I will.)  Anyway, I got my hands on a couple of Hasegawa Thunderbolts and got started.

The Hasegawa cockpit has some nice detail.  I painted them up using MM Euro Dark Green to represent Republic's Bronze Green.  

I found some paper/fabric seatbelts on the web and added them to the kits' seats.

Maybe not 100% accurate, but it does add some visual interest to the cockpit.

After that, I closed up the fuselage sides and installed the cockpits.

So, my F-80 sits by as its paint dries, and the Thunderbolts sit by as their glue hardens.  I guess I have some time to crack a sudsy adult beverage and enjoy the rest of my Sunday.

Feel free to share your comments and criticisms.  I'm always interested in what you have to say.

Thanks for looking!  

Cheers!

-O

Hasegawa A-37

With South Korea markings

This kit is going to take some work. The engines don’t have any locating pins and don’t match up very well. The seams will take some work and filling and will result in the loss of raised detail, but it’s not the first.

That'll be interesting to see Steve. =]

O, from the looks of everything I've ever seen of Korean era shark mouths, they were all sharp. I knew just where you were going with field applied before you even did it. ;) Anytime something happens to me that I don't intend I begin to wonder, "how much of this happened to them? Can I exploit it?! lol" Then I'll stow it away in the idea bin until I find a good place to use it.  Where as I think it's possible to have occurred, I agree with Steve.  If you can fix it, then I would give it a shot.  You'll be happier you did I bet.  Fantastic job painting around all these curves!!  Must've been a PITA keeping the overspray out.  Hats off to you. =]