Steve, those FLIR pods look neat.

Eric, your Beaufighter is looking very good.

Chris, the Hurricane is looking mighty fine, and thanks for the better pics. Good camo work and I like the subtle panel-line detailing.

Your Future coat pic reminds me that I'm trying to train myself to stop going for a super duper gloss finish for pre-decal and weathering. It makes things to darned slipper, and your finish with the brushed-on Future looks about perfect.

Doug, that's pretty neat about the wing-root gap (rather the lack thereof), and an interesting idea about removing the locator pins to deal with overhang. Those clamps are very colorful.

Greg... lol... Harbor freight tools, 6, or maybe it was 8 for a dollar on special!  Got a bunch of them and use the soup out of them on other things too! lol...

Thanks Bud...

Doug

Great looking builds guys!  Eric, ever since you mentioned Doogs' videos, I've been studying up on the technique. ..unfortunately,  it came after I had already camoed my Lanc.  Well, I have a partial built 1/72 hasegawa intruder that I can try that stuff out on!

Finally,  after about two weeks, my schedule cleared a bit, and I was able to get some stuff done to the Lanc!  I applied the black paint to her lower portions, gloss coated her, and applied all the "deckles".  Lol

I didn't realize I was out...or rather, I misplaced my decal setting solution, so I tried some stuff....and let me tell you, Tamiya's x-20a thinner works great as a decal solvent!  Just be sure your top coat/gloss coat is compatible! 

I tried cider vinegar as a setting solution,  but I wasn't pleased with it, so instead, I actually used future!  It worked great!

Anyway....here's some pics:

Lancaster Dambusters build by Justin Ryan, on Flickr

 Lancaster Dambusters build by Justin Ryan, on Flickr

 Lancaster dambusters build by Justin Ryan, on Flickr

...now to work on the daunting task that is masking the various canopies and windscreens. ....

Rigidrider

Greg... lol... Harbor freight tools, 6, or maybe it was 8 for a dollar on special!  Got a bunch of them and use the soup out of them on other things too! lol...

Thanks Bud...

Doug

 

Harbor freight is great for hobby tools, and some of their other tools are good, if they are not a "use them every day" kinda tool!  I picked up one of those magnifier with alligator clip holdy thingys for 5 bucks, and a few other tools perfect for little plastic models for very few of my u.s. dollars....

Thanks Dougie, I've been wondering where to shop for clamps.

I'm one of those guys who has trouble with clamps (for some reason, they seem to cause more problems than they solve**), I usually use my fingers as a clamp and count to whatever. But I'm always game to try!

**operator error, most likely.

Justin, the Lancaster is looking great. I've read good things about using Future as a setting solution. I'm not a big Future fan so haven't tried it, but is certainly looks to have worked the treat, didn't it?

I haven't been to Harbor Freight in ages. you and Doug have just prodded me to a visit, even if it's just to look.

My last visit was several years back, bought an ultrasonic cleaner that I use for my airbrushes when I want a deep clean, amongst other things. Still working like a charm.

Steve, She is coming along really nicely, can't wait too see this one finished.

checkmateking02

Despite the tribulations, I think you did a highly commendable job of painting and decaling the Mosquito, Damian.  the grey/green camouflage looks excellent.

 

Thanks CM, i hope I get some bench time soon before it ends up in a box unfinished.

Rigidrider - The hurri is clmming alomg really well.

Bossman - Excellent work with the camo, really sharp. What method did you imploy to do it?

Justin - Mighty fine Lancaster you have there. I need to add one to me collection one day, but as I build in 1/48 it would take up a very large area.

Sleek Beaufighter, Eric.  Nice paintwork.

Well-done installation of the pods, Steve.  Looking good!

That is a very nicely painted Hurricane, Chris.  Outstanding painting.  

Greg

Your Future coat pic reminds me that I'm trying to train myself to stop going for a super duper gloss finish for pre-decal and weathering. It makes things to darned slipper, and your finish with the brushed-on Future looks about perfect.

Hi Greg, Yeah - the slightly pebbly finish is partly the brushed on future and partly the brushed on MM acrylics that are underneath it. (and probably partly due to dust)  Most of that pebbly finish becomes less visible when I spray the final Testor's Dullcoat to finish it off - but its never totally gone.

I guess I've never experienced a surface being so smooth that it was actually a hinderance by being so slippery - ha !  an advantage of brush painting I never knew about.   The disadvantage I'm well aware of . . .   Put this next to a nicely airbrushed surface - and it looks kindof,  I dunno . . .  thick ?

Chris

Great to watch your Hurricane build, Doug.  I've got the same kit, and it's helpful seeing yours go together.  Good work; very useful photos.

Exceptional Lancaster, Justin.  I really like the results of your work with the camouflage!

Justin - Man that looks really nice !

Chris

Installed the landing gear

Did some test-fitting to see that everything is going to cooperate.

Nasty gaps are still there.  I'll pop out the ailerons and re-drill holes to make them fit up more snugly to the wing.

Thanks Check - Wings and gear are lookin good.

And thanks Damien -

My method ?   Here ya go . . . .

The two base colors are standard MM Acrylics - right out of the bottle - but watered down a bit and brush painted.  The dark earth goes on over the whole upper surface in 2 coats in most places.  A third touch up coat was used in spots.  Then the RAF Dark Green is applied in the camo pattern.  This time it took three coats to cover with the Dark Green.  I think the sky underside was done in two coats.

I guess what I do with the panel lines is not technically a "wash".  I just paint a slightly darker color with a very fine brush and I dont worry if it gets outside the panel line.  If it does - I just wipe the excess in the direction of airflow.  Sometimes I'll add some of these darkened areas in strategically placed streaks, around the edges of raised detail, or on small access panels just to accent them slightly.

For the Dark Earth areas I use Dark Earth darkened with a bit of the RAF Dark Green.

For the Dark Green areas I just use dark green with a tad of black.

For the Sky areas I use Sky darkened with a bit of RAF interior green.

The techniques I use are best for hard-edged British (and other) camo schemes.  Maybe THAT's why I like modelling RAF subjects so much !

Chris

modelcrazy

I received the FLIR pods today and installed them. I'll continue on with it now that I'm done with the Kate and Thunderbolt.

 

That is going to look awesome!   It would have been cool if you selected a tornado from 617 squadron to build....they are the modern day equivalents to the Dambusters. ....

Thanks for all the kind words guys!  This is tough with two kids....lol

I did some weathering and flat coating this evening.....

Lancaster dambusters build by Justin Ryan, on Flickr

Here she is flat coated....

Lancaster dambusters build by Justin Ryan, on Flickr

Again just to make sure I don't miss anyone- fantastic work all around guys!!!

Useful technique to know, Chris.  I've got lots of RAF subjects, too--including the infamous Spitfire.

Looking better and better, Justin.

checkmateking02

Looking better and better, Justin.

And nice job with those long thin-line decals on the wings !   Those are tough.

Chris

Bossman

 

 

checkmateking02

Looking better and better, Justin.

 

 

 

And nice job with those long thin-line decals on the wings !   Those are tough.

Chris

 

They sure are!  Made just a little easier with future as a decals setting solution. ..

Thanks, Bish, Stick and Justin,

Justin, I thought about it but I found the 100th anniversary of the 31 squadron just too cool.

Justin, really nice work on the Lanc. Great job on the weathering.

Coming along nicely there check.

Justinryan215

 

 

Rigidrider

Greg... lol... Harbor freight tools, 6, or maybe it was 8 for a dollar on special!  Got a bunch of them and use the soup out of them on other things too! lol...

Thanks Bud...

Doug

 

 

 

 

Harbor freight is great for hobby tools, and some of their other tools are good, if they are not a "use them every day" kinda tool!  I picked up one of those magnifier with alligator clip holdy thingys for 5 bucks, and a few other tools perfect for little plastic models for very few of my u.s. dollars....

 

Your Dam Buster is looking great!

Thanks, and take care!

Doug

Got started on the Jaguar. Looks like it's going to be a nice kit