Secret Santa GB 2016 !!!

Looking good!  I may have to add one of those to the stash. 

Wow !! I am absolutly SCREAMING through this build. I painted all the colors on the La-7 yesterday and did all the decals today. I will clear it later today and give it a wash and some weathering Sunday. This is really a sweet little kit to build. The fit is very nice and I only used a very small amount of filler. I'll post up more pice later.

BK

BK, nice progress on it, now that you thawed out.  Looks great.

Question for anyone- On SEA camo, Tamiya callout for color on the underside (gray/white) seems a little dark.  Am looking at either MM4766 (camoflage gray) straight or a mix of that with flat white to lighten it up a little, probably around 10% white.  Any thoughts or what do others use for that color on SEA camo.  Most of my builds will end up with that scheme, as that is my era.

Well, the little La-7 is proceeding quite rapidly. The kit is simple and goes together with very little fuss and I've only put filler a some small sprue cut locations and at the wing root to lower fuselage. Other than that the kit is trouble free. 

I have the cockpit done and, although simple, looks quite nice. I did add some color as the real cockpits are very very plain and offer little in colors. SO, I took some artistic license and added a touch of color simply to help make the pit a bit more lively. I hand painted the instruments and they have nice detail. Decals are not provided here but the surface detail is better than those anyway.

I have completed the exterior, and other than checking things over, it is ready for primer.

And if anyone is curious, I am now masking most of my canopies with Scotch tape. I can see exactly where the frame is and make very precise cuts that have extra crisp edges. Far better than masks. It takes longer to apply them but cutting is simple. Removing them does however take more effort. I do prefer this method to Tamiya tape, its easier to work with. IMPO

I must say that the La-7 is much smaller than I thought it would be. I was looking at pictures of it and I was thinking it was FW-190 in size, but it is similar in size to a Mig-3 which is a small plane. Certainly not a great deal bigger than a 109. Its short fat profile lends its looks to a bigger aircraft.

BK

According to a couple of the guys in the BUFF build, "H's" were never done in SEA, but the new Italari "G" has one scheme from around '68 or so in it.  Worked on the "G's" at Beale for a short time.  The old AMT 1/72 also has that scheme from around '72 or so.  Doing her to hang in the bedroom to remind me of those fun filled days.  Paint looks dark to me, but is Tamiya callout for SEA on their big F4C/D kit.

Thanks, appreciate the thought.  Won't get the bottom done today, but all masked up.  Decided to reshoot the pylons after the bottom is done.  Easier to mask those then.

GH, I don't recall ever seeing one of those in that scheme. Mightly sexy I think. It looks really good.

BK

Here are a few of where it is at now.  Masking for the bottom, hope to gt that done tomorrow.

Been thinking about either that or Imagshack.  The yearly fee isn't any kind of issue, so might end up with Imag.

Nice start on the smaller items getting them ready for assembly.

GH, you should give Flickr a try; I find it works far better than PB.

Well, it's official, I am off an running on the La-7. This one will be a fairly quick build.

BK

Good to see you thawed out enough to get back to the bench.

Was trying to post up some pics, but PB is being a pain again.Spent a couple of hours masking the pylons so I could paint the undersides of the wings and fuselage.  Have come to the conclusion I'll paint the bottom and come back and repaint the pylons.  Easier masking the wing around them.

Alright, I just finished up the F4-B, so now I have the parts spread out on the bench to get going on the La-7. I am totally looking forward to this one.

BK

I know its not much, but here is a shot of the new bench and on the right corner of the bench you can see the Mig-23 with the masked off canopy ready for a final coat of clear to seal the decals before the panel line wash and weathering commences.

I'm wringing my hands in anticipation of the upcoming pics.

BK

I'll try to get some updated pics on here soon. I havent had a lot of actual "build" time at the bench lately. I just started a make-over of my build space. I picked up a new desk/table and a nicer chair, that I found on Craigslist. It increased my surface area from about 6 square feet to 12.6 square feet, plus its adjustable so I dont feel so cramped. I'll get pictures added of that when I upload the final Mig-23 shots.

Then, I can get knock out this year's SS build of the F-84G.

GH, the build pics look great! I cant wait to see this one finished. I'm surprised at how large this thing is, even at 1/144.

Just got done with the tan and the two greens on the BUFF.  Will let dry and cure for this week, and get her masked and the white undersides next w/e.  Pics to follow that session.

Replaced the exhaust stacks with brass tube.  I thinned the walls of the brass to a scale thickness then I formed them to an oval. 

That's a nice "little" kit you've got there!  Nicely built.

Thanks BK.  Even in 1/144 it has a 15 1/2 inch wingspan.  The 1/72 is around 31 inches. Would hate to see one in 1/48, would be around 42-43 inches, and have not heard of one in that scale.

  Even though the "H's" were never done in it, I am going to do her in SEA camo scheme as a reminder of my days with the "G's" way back in ancient history. 

I did pick up the old AMT 1/72 "G" for a future build.  This one will hang in the living room, or maybe the bedroom, and leave the living room free for the bigger one.

The B-52 has always been an impressive aircraft to me. I would love to do a 1/48 but that would take up some space. I love how fast you are moving along on this kit. Very nice.

BK

Here are the pics of my BUFF, with wings on, engines and tanks ready for paint.  Getting the Hound Dogs together today.  Hope to start paint tomorrow.

Well the long flappy things are on, and just a couple of spots to fill/sand.  Should have that done tomorrow.  Then on to final wash and starting to throw paint at it.

MC - The low shots show her off even better.

Steve, great water effects!

Fantastic camo on that Mig-23!

jelliott523

As promised, here are some updated shots I took tonight of the Mig-23. Still some small details, a few stencils and fiddly bits left to attach and then some light weathering and she'll be done, hopefully in the next day or so.

 

 

BK

Fantastic Steve, that is truly awesome work. Wow, what an amazing piece of work!!

BK

Great looking Mig!!  The 23 has always been my fav Mig other than the 29.

I received the crew yesterday and just completed the build tonight, so here it is.

THANK YOU Secret Santa, I hope I made you proud.

Steve

As promised, here are some updated shots I took tonight of the Mig-23. Still some small details, a few stencils and fiddly bits left to attach and then some light weathering and she'll be done, hopefully in the next day or so.