South Pacific Group Build 7 August 2006 to 7 August 2007

I know very little about the Kate, or Japanese planes in general....

Your instrument panel looks great! Was it a decal?  Painted?

espins1 wrote:

I know very little about the Kate, or Japanese planes in general.... Your instrument panel looks great! Was it a decal?  Painted?

Same here   it was from dry brushing   Thanks

mucker wrote:

silentmodeler: The cockpit looks well put together. I'm a fan of the Kate, but far from an expert. I'm curious as to the yellow-ish color. What color did you use and what references called out for that color? My limited knowlegde has it as Nakajima Interior Green. Just curious. I can't wait to see the finished bird.

Mucker,  I had a difficult time to decided which to paint the interior color since im not good at mixing the color.  I had 3 kates which im building one now (coral sea).  two are from pearl harbor.  one of them says yellow-green and others says mix brown, yellow, green , white and I got lost argh.   so i research to find yellow-green color.  I like to use model masters and testor color since im comfortable with them.  but.... the yellow-green color was from tamiya (XF-4)  it work out nicely. 

and espin1   the only decals i use is on the chair with black holes. 

silentmodeler wrote:

mucker wrote: silentmodeler: The cockpit looks well put together. I'm a fan of the Kate, but far from an expert. I'm curious as to the yellow-ish color. What color did you use and what references called out for that color? My limited knowlegde has it as Nakajima Interior Green. Just curious. I can't wait to see the finished bird. Mucker,  I had a difficult time to decided which to paint the interior color since im not good at mixing the color.  I had 3 kates which im building one now (coral sea).  two are from pearl harbor.  one of them says yellow-green and others says mix brown, yellow, green , white and I got lost argh.   so i research to find yellow-green color.  I like to use model masters and testor color since im comfortable with them.  but.... the yellow-green color was from tamiya (XF-4)  it work out nicely.  and espin1   the only decals i use is on the chair with black holes.

Thanks, silentmodeler...keep the pics coming. It looks very nice so far.

Here's what I have so far on the P-61, I've already started filling and sanding.

Ollie- I also have several on-going/back-burner projects to finish and they are keeping me from joining any new GB's that would be fun.  I think I will enjoy the future ones more when those other projects are finished.

Joe- Welcome back. T'was great to hear from you. Your P-47 looks wonderful...hope your eyes are okay from dealing with those itty bitty 1/72 scale parts!!

Silentmodeler- Your instrument panel is really gorgeous and those other aluminum details really stand out. I also am learning to use Tamiya's paints. I sure like the lack of paint fumes when cleaning up with Windex/Simple green.

NucMedTech- Wow, that is some serious seam filling!! Happy Sanding!!

Jerrynfrog

Thanks.   i took alot of time to do that and came up pretty great   and umm  use simple green or windex to clean the brush?  it work better than thinner?  I never know abt that   can ya explain  thanks again. 

Update: 

My kate is almost done  boy  had hard time to do sanding and filing since im not that good with it. I should of take some pictures of it before i use airbrush   dang   next time tho.  at least i have two kates left to build  ill shall post up some pixs before i put on decals. if i happen to forget abt that  then u will see my finished kate.

silentmodeler wrote:

Jerrynfrog Thanks.   i took alot of time to do that and came up pretty great   and umm  use simple green or windex to clean the brush?  it work better than thinner?  I never know abt that   can ya explain  thanks again.

If you're using Acrylics (such as Tamiya Acrylics) you use an amonia based cleaner as it totally disolves Acrylic paints.  Windex has amonia, is very inexpensive and works fantastic!  I use it to clean my brushes, clean my air brush, and to strip dried acrylic paint or remove small amounts with a q-tip with a little windex on it etc.  If you're using enamels, you have to use enamel thinner.

Jerry-I haven't found a monogram model that did not require a lot of sanding, except for the promodeler series, those are some decent models.

Does anybody have an idea of how to build a engine ring mount for the p&w 2800 engine? I'm thinking of using brass wire soldered together, unless there's an easier way. Especially since I've soldered one time before this.

espins1 wrote:

silentmodeler wrote: Jerrynfrog Thanks.   i took alot of time to do that and came up pretty great   and umm  use simple green or windex to clean the brush?  it work better than thinner?  I never know abt that   can ya explain  thanks again.  If you're using Acrylics (such as Tamiya Acrylics) you use an amonia based cleaner as it totally disolves Acrylic paints.  Windex has amonia, is very inexpensive and works fantastic!  I use it to clean my brushes, clean my air brush, and to strip dried acrylic paint or remove small amounts with a q-tip with a little windex on it etc.  If you're using enamels, you have to use enamel thinner.

Thanks for the tip 

heres update on my kates  not 100% compete  but getting there

Torpedo

heres kate with torpedo

can anyone give me tip how to make a chipped paint on the kate body?  drybrush or sponge?  let me know thanks   im trying to make it look like wore out plane.  again  feedback and comment are welcome

NucMedTech wrote:

Does anybody have an idea of how to build a engine ring mount for the p&w 2800 engine? I'm thinking of using brass wire soldered together, unless there's an easier way. Especially since I've soldered one time before this.

NucMedTech

i found this site it might be useful to ya but i know it cost

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=VE1171

or other way which is much difficult is to use copper wire,  i have see in fine scale mag.  i never tried it. 

NucMed-I think Monogram has ownership in a couple of companies that manufacture putty (just kidding).....Your P-61 looks great-that is an interesting plane.

silentmodeler-as far as the chipped paint effect, I remember an FSM article where the builder painted the model silver, allowed to dry, then sprayed a coat of Future.  After the Future was dry, then the final color, allow to dry, (but not completly) and then take some low-tac masking tape and 'dab' the surface, pulling off the last coat.  Also, I saw a builder paint the silver, then when dry (not sure if it was Futured), apply rubber cement where he wanted the chipping.  Then the final coat, allow to dry, and remove the rubber cement.  If you have already applied the final coat (and you have), then a silver pencil is a good option for light chipping. Not sure of a good way to do heavier chipping/pealing though....

btw-your Kate is looking good.  I'm starting on the Tamiya Zero (drilled out the seat and primed the interior bits) and I'm thinking of doing the chipped paint effect too-I'll be watching to see how yours turns out.

Oh, as for paint chipping, I tried the system that Mr. Bailey described by painting the model silver then top coat color then low tack tape. Here are my results on the Monogram PBY a few years ago.

I know you already painted your kate but you may want to try this on your next one.

nucmedtech

WHOA!  nice job!!  and i have exactly same PBY but havent build it yet since im trying to figure it out where to put it in my small townhouse   more likely hang it up on ceiling

Wiccan Warrior wrote:

Would it be too late to get in on this - say with a Marine Corsair?

It's never too late, welcome aboard! 

Cool! It will be a "Birdcage" F4U, I'll post the unit as soon as I can decide!

Sorry, it's the Academy 1/48 kit!

Regarding salt staining...

I like your Kate...but I think you may have missed the chance for salt staining and chipping.  If I totally mis-understand your intention, my apologies.

Try this link from Swanny's page.  http://www.swannysmodels.com/Salting.html

It describes chipping, but I have found an interesting side effect in most cases.  If you put the salt on over a regular (no future or clear coat) base metallic then lay on a flat acryllic over the salt, there will be a "staining" effect around the salt.

The other method which I used on the P47 is to use an artist's blending stump and pastels.  I used it to lighten panels.  The stumps are cheap, I paid $1.20 at the local art shop for a pack I will never use up.

Hope this helps.

JoeRugby wrote:

Regarding salt staining... ....... but I have found an interesting side effect in most cases.  If you put the salt on over a regular (no future or clear coat) base metallic then lay on a flat acryllic over the salt, there will be a "staining" effect around the salt.

Joe-is the "staining" effect around the salt a good thing or a bad thing?

Thanks

Bob