Secret Santa 2020/2021 GB

I've got couple as well.  Found them on Etsy - seems they are a vendor there.

And of course, not to be outdone, Eduard just started launching a line of Decals.  I Ordered an Eduard set for the 1/48 Lancaster in my queue.  They just seem to offer more realism than PE.  Especially with the seatbelts.  I did discover the adhesive is a bit weak so I use a bit of clear Elmers to help them stick.

I finally went back to the SS gift, figured out where I was and started working on it. Actually I didn't have as much left to do as I thought. Several fiddly bits but otherwise attach the decck to the hull, superstructure to the deck, repain a few things that broke off during it's shelf queen hiatus and this is where I'm at. A few other tiny items will have to wait until I get done with knocking it around and building a base for it.

modelcrazy

I finally went back to the SS gift, figured out where I was and started working on it. Actually I didn't have as much left to do as I thought. Several fiddly bits but otherwise attach the decck to the hull, superstructure to the deck, repain a few things that broke off during it's shelf queen hiatus and this is where I'm at. A few other tiny items will have to wait until I get done with knocking it around and building a base for it.

 

BK

The F-18 is done. I opted for an "in flight" display for something a little different. This was a fun build, thanks Santa!

How about the bottom pic for the gallery.

Wow, that looks awesome Mach. I like thetubes in the exhaust,  they kinda look like heat waves. I'll get it up as soon as I get to my laptop 

Mach1

The F-18 is done. I opted for an "in flight" display for something a little different. This was a fun build, thanks Santa!

How about the bottom pic for the gallery.

 

BK

Mach1 that's some nice tail you've got there!! In flight is a personal favorite of mine so I think it's the right path. Twin supports are the way to go. I just had the single on my phantom break earlier this year. Smart move on your part. 

OK boys, and my SS, the USS Freedom is ready for paint. WOW, I never put on so many teenie weenie parts OOB on a 1/350 ship. There are parts you can't see very well with the Mk.1 eyeball, much of which you can't see in the pics. The PE was insaine and I thought I had trouble with the Akagi detail, that was nuttun. So here she is without paint and one with a black primer.

Photos never do the work involved any justice. The PE work is beautiful and deserves high praise. Very nice work, Steve.

BK

I got the first coat of grey on last night. Tonight I'll lightly sand and spray another one.

It's always amazing to me to see how a kit suddenly transforms from kit to realistic with just some paint. Nice work.

BK

That is a fine ship there Steve!  Really turning out well.

Thanks BK and Glam,

I did a littlr more work on it last night. I sprayed more gray with some shading an worked on the deck. I also applied an oil treatment to the fore and flight deck after the pic. I placed it in the frame I'm going to use for the water. I'll start the weathering process after applting a clear coat.

Looking FINE! I can see the difference in the gray from 1 pic to the next. 

What a cool looking ship Steve. I'm wrapping up a little tank and then I'm going to put the finishing touches on my Sdkfz 250.

An update to the Freedom. I started on the water base. I don't know why I don't start off with the unbuilt hull at the start. I always forget.

Anyway. I started as usual with a hard foam board which was cut to size to the frame. Since I an going with a calm sea with the ship at hight speed, I didnt do anything to the base foam other than cutting out the ship form. After adding aluminum foil, I used an Xacto handle to press some of the wake valleys. After looking at this picture I realized I should have taken it easer. No wories, easy fix. It's wake is more like a pleasure boat than a ship, at least at this speed.

I have the base painted, next is applying the cotton wake.

Nice work, Steve. Your ship building and bases always are inspiring.

BK

Looking great Steve!

I've got a few things off the bench so time to start my awesome SS gift - Revell 1/144 Airbus 380-800 in Emirates 'Wildlife' livery.

For size reference - here's a same scale 737

Trying out an idea I saw on another airliner site.  A guy uses clear casting epoxy to fill the windows.  He actually polishes them and comes out with crystal clear windows.  I'm looking for an easy way to fill the windows and go the decal route.

Masked off from the outside

Mixed the two part stuff and poured into a syringe for easy application

Here's where we stand now

Given the position of the windows and the pooling of the epoxy right between them :/ I've been perodically moving the fuselages around abit while it still flows - like you would a pancake batter in a pan.  I imagine with smaller airliners with a single row of windows this would work like a champ.  We'll see - needs 24 hours to set up.

Holy cow, that is quite whopper of a jet!

Oh ya... she's a big one.  I have a 747-8 in the stash which will be interesting to see side by side.  Thinking of doing this one wheels up due to shelf space

I have a 787 and that's big, it's hard to imagine just how big that one is. The resin to cover the windows is a good idea.

Keavdog, ya, gotta say the kit is big. And the resin idea for windows, brilliant. I may have to give that a go on 48th scale bombers that have poor fitting windows. Now imagine that kit in 48th. 

BK

John can you do it in 2 pours, 1 for each row of windows, or does that waste alot of resin because you have to mix a minimum quantity?

that's a really cool idea. Took me a little to figure it out. Got it once i realized the one shot shows the blue painters tape ver the oitside. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Eye popping im sure!

Nice idea to file away.  Only thought would be if you getting a "crepe paper"  texture on the outside of the pour from the tape.

Would suggest the green fineline from 3M or the blue Norton version.  Available in several widths.  It is also smooth on both sides, with no chance of texture transfer.

Good point on the tape texture.  For this go around I'm just hoping to fill the windows and use decals.  I may try to polish and leave them as the clear windows on a future kit though.

After 24 hours the epoxy is a touch gummy, but I was able to pull the tape off.  The painters tape has a bit of texture as mentioned above, so if I were to consider keeping these as clear windows in the future I'd find a smoother low-tac tape.  Overall I'm pretty pleased as this is the easiest path to filling windows I've found.

This really isn't a helpful pic but...

Little better

Backlit with a flashlight shows best

Creating supply chain issues - expect a shortage on blue painters tape