♠ Allied Aces GB (WW1 -WW2) April 2006 Start - Sept 2006 Finish

Thanks "Sponge Bob" .

Regards,  Rick

I'm trying to decide how I want to do the natural metal finish on the P-51D.  The directions give me 2 options:

1. Tamiya TS17 Gloss Aluminum in the spray can

2. Mix 1 part X-11 Chrome Silver and 1 part XF-16 Flat Aluminum and air brush.

Has anyone used either of these two options?

Good Luck Scott .  Alclad is actually very easy to use, but preperation is key.  Like any NMF, the model surface must be as blemish free as possible, because any blemish will be magnified with the NMF.  Also, it works best if applied over a gloss finish.  I've never had any luck with the Alclad gloss primer or with the technique Swanny uses.  But I find it works great over Future & that's all I use anymore.

Regards,  Rick

rjkplasticmod wrote:

Good Luck Scott .  Alclad is actually very easy to use, but preperation is key.  Like any NMF, the model surface must be as blemish free as possible, because any blemish will be magnified with the NMF.  Also, it works best if applied over a gloss finish.  I've never had any luck with the Alclad gloss primer or with the technique Swanny uses.  But I find it works great over Future & that's all I use anymore. Regards,  Rick

Thanks for the tips Rick.    I figured the first go at it I'd stick with the Alclad Primer, Alclad Gloss Black and then I got 3 different shades of aluminum so it wouldn't all look like one color.  Any suggestions on how long I should wait for the primer to dry/cure before applying the gloss black?  And then how long should I wait for the gloss black to dry/cure before applying the Alclad II?

Rick, great job on the NMF!

Dave, beautiful looking jug.  I think I like the OD versions better than the NMF, sorry Rick...

Thanks Jay.  I like ALL schemes on a Jug .

Regards,  Rick

More progress made.  The decals are now on & top-coated.  Down to final assembly & light weathering, as the deadline draws nigh.

Regards,  Rick

Thanks Bob.

Regards,  Rick

Dave your Jug looks GREAT well done.

Rick Great job on your bmf your build is progressing nicely.  Did I see you mention you used futur as an primer coat to the Alclad as oppsed to the gloss black.  Does it work better than the gloss black??  I have a couple of kits that would require bmf & i'm doing some home work before i try my hand with the Alclad.

Progress update: painting and touch ups are done and i installed & rigged the gears last night.  I just have to intall the decals and the few fiddly bits pitot tube, gear doors, canopy and I'm done. 

Here is a progress pic

Cheers

Bear

Thanks Bear.  I put down a base coat of flat black followed by Future.  Works well for me.

Nice Spit BTW.

Regards,  Rick

Rick Thanks for the info & comments.

Cheers

Bear

Had very productive weekend.  I finished my Spitfire MK Vb flown by PO D Morrison of 401 Sqn RCAF.

Here are the pics of my finished build.  I have'nt weathered it yet, actualy I'm not sure if I want to it's so nice not messed up.  I'll decide later.  Jay thanks for hosting this GB I had a great time.

Cheers

Bear

Nice one Bear.  Well done .

Regards,  Rick

Thanks Rick much appreciated.

Cheers

Bear

Congrats on finishing Marc!,

Alas! it is with great regret that I will not be able to finish this build before the end of September (or even by Christmas!).  My modelling time has dwindled to maybe a few hours a month!  I shouldn't complain as being with my wife and son is awesome!  I know I will get to modelling again sometime and any time I do get I'll try to work extra hard!

Those of you finishing up the build, keep at it as I'll update the front page for a little while yet. 

Scott & Jay thanks for the pos feedback.

Jay  I'm glad to hear all is well with your familly enjoy this wonderfull time with them.  I am sorry though that you won't be around much, your comments & feedback were always appreciated.  take care.

Cheers

Marc

I have the canopy masked and attached, I'm primering the moment I get home this evening and will apply the bare aluminum color in the morning.  I should have this baby finished by the end of the weekend. 

Things have been hectic as we're entering the final stage of our home remodelling, and we had a sewer line disaster at our rental property last week.  I had to spend 3 days of vacation time digging a 40ft trench, 3 feet deep so the sewer line could be replaced.  It's amazing what tree roots will do to an old cast iron sewer pipe.

Anyway, in about 2 weeks I'll finally have some breathing room and some time to get more current with all my builds instead of having to rush to hit the finish line.    Thanks for your patience. 

Here is my Tamiya P-51D after spraying the primer.  I'm pleased with the results so far. 

The "stang looks GREAT !  Is that a paint booth you have?  Color me green with envy.

Oh, by the by, I am sure the folks at Craftsman had not thought of that use for one of thier wrenches!

JoeRugby wrote:

The "stang looks GREAT !  Is that a paint booth you have?  Color me green with envy. Oh, by the by, I am sure the folks at Craftsman had not thought of that use for one of thier wrenches!

Thanks Joe 

Heh, that paint booth is the Pace Peacekeeper Deluxe, and let me tell you, I love it!

Those monkey wrenches are perfect for holding aircraft, the handle counter weights just right so that it's pretty sturdy. 

Nice work on the Stang.  looking good.

Regards,  Rick

The BMF goes on tonight (wish I had enough time to do the Alclad treatment, I have a feeling I'll be building another one of these Mustangs) and then tomorrow I pop off the landing gear doors, install the landing gear and wrap up the "bits and pieces". 

I'm going to be spraying the Mustang with Gloss Aluminum.  Do I need a coat of future before I decal or do you all think that the gloss aluminum will be glossy enough to put the decals on directly?

I sprayed the natural metal finish tonight (hectic night, open house at my daughters high school).  Here are a few photos. Because I was running out of time, I didn't do the Alclad 2 finish this time.  I used a mix of Tamiya Acrylics - X11 Chrome Silver and XF16 Flat Aluminum.