Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Darren-

thanks mate! To answer your question, I use Humbrols H78. Its a perfect shade of RAF interior green. Good news is that they are about to launch a new acrylic paint range, so you should be able to get it in acrylic or enamel.

Frank,

I don't know the link but I did find some decal sheets for RN/RAF codes somewhere on the web, I'll try and hunt them down tomorrow.

I remember reading somewhere here in the forums a link to the fonts used by the RAF and FAA for their aircraft code letters.  Does anyone remember where that was?

I can't find the decals I want for my Corsair, so I think I am going to have to try to mask and paint them.

Dave, they look great  By the way how's the knee feeling   I can relate to what your feeling, I myself have had two on the same knee

Roy

I use ModelMaster RAF Interior Green enamel, but I'm pretty sure they make the same color in their Acryl line.  Another one is the Aircraft Color line of acrylics made by Vallejo.

Regards,  Rick

Darren I know I'm going back a page or two but the Corsair looks awesome, I can't wait to see it finished.

Frank the Zero is very cool; you've really done a nice job on that one.

Dave the progress on your Barra looks spot on, please keep up the progress shots.  Also, it was great to finally meet you in person at Expo the other weekend

Now I have a question for the group, what color/brand paint do you guys use for RAF interior grey/green?  The reason I ask is that in the past I have always used Testors enamels but this year I have moved exclusively to acrylic paints and was looking for the best match for RAF interior grey/green in acrylic.

Cheers

Dave,

nice work! Sorry to hear about your knee, hope its getting better. After seeing that Firefly built up I am very tempted to get one!

Looking good Dave, I need your inspiration to get working on my Fulmar.

It's too bad you have to go back to work so quickly. 

Frank, that canopies on both of these look better closed up. The Barracuda because it is molded that way and the Firefly due to the thickness of the canopies. In this case I have glued them in place then faired them in. I would normaly mask the canopies before filing or sanding but I glue them in unmasked due to the possibility of the glue getting under the mask.

I will keep you guys updated on the progress of them.

Nice progress Dave.  Thanks for the pics.

Regards,  Rick

Thanks for the well wishes I'm managing to hobble around without the crutches but unfortunately I have to go up a set of stairs to get to bed at night! Whats even worse is that I will most likely be back at work on monday.

But anyway, here are some images of the work so far:

Barracuda -The paint job is a bit patchy but thats ok as i'm going to be using some darker and lighter paint to highlight the panel lines etc as well as the centre of the panels prior to spraying the DSG camouflage. Then I will do the same to that colour so it gets that well worn patchy look that carrier borne aircraft get(I hope).

Firefly

The canopies are mostly faired in I just have one spot that needs ot be built up and then I can sand away all of the file marks. Once that is done I can mask it and paint it up in the RCN colours. I did stuff up the pilots canopy on one side as the windscreen slipped forward away from the main canopy so there is a slight gap between the two parts.

rjkplasticmod wrote:

Looking forward to seeing them Dave. Regards,  Rick

Get some pics up when you can, Dave. Would love to see 'em!

...and I want to wish you a speedy recovery and that you're back on your feet soon (is that OK to do? Because ya know, you're having so much fun modeling! )

Looking forward to seeing them Dave.

Regards,  Rick

Leon,  Thanks for the offer but if I dedide to try it I'll pick some up next time I place an order.  Right now I'm happy with the 3M scotch tape and maskol.

Dave, looking forward to seeing some pics!  

Being stuck at home after my knee operation has finaly borne fruit. The Barracuda has the sky underneath and the slate grey on top done. It's now just waiting for the paint to dry and it will get the EDSG or whatever it is camouflage over the top.

The firefly has also moved forward with the canopies closed up and i'm now just blending in the canopies to look like the original aircraft.

Hey Leon, thanks for the link mate! I don't know where they sell that stuff over here, But I will look out for it.

BTW, thanks to all of you for the kind words about my Corsair, much appreciated. I maked my canopy with tamiya tape and maskol (a new method for me) We'll see if it worked or not in a few days!

I've never had much luck using Parafilm, but that's me.  I prefer Tamiya Tape & Scotch Magic Tape for masking Canopies.

Regards,  Rick

Dave,

I bought mine at micromark (an amount that at my speed of building will last a life time). I believe there are possibly better deals out there but the micromark one is not bad.

If you would like, I would be happy to send you a foot or so (enough to last quite awhile) so you can try it out and experiment with it. Let me know.

Leon

Micro-mark link for their deal BTW: (Seriously though if you want a little to try before buying the whole roll let me know)

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=80806 

gwaihir wrote:

Frank,  I agree with Mike - every time I see the zero I am more and more impressed!

Thanks Leon, I really appreciate that!  Great link on the Parafilm.  I have a roll of it, but wasn't using it properly so I quit.  I think I'm gonna pull it back out and have another go at it!  Thanks for that link!

ruddratt wrote:

Nothing yet Frank, but I've been checking every day and will continue to do so until it does. Thanks again buddy! Anything show up your way yet?

Yep, got it today my friend!  Pm inbound!

Nothing yet Frank, but I've been checking every day and will continue to do so until it does. Thanks again buddy! Anything show up your way yet?

Leon, I still have a roll of parafilm left and I use it a lot, especially where I need to mask a surface that has a lot of compound curves. I'll establish the borders if I need to with masking tape and use the parafilm as a filler, like on fuselage bands, cowlings, and engine nacelles.

Thanks for the link!

Nice work on the Corsair Darren.  Looking Sweet.

Regards,  Rick

Darren, The corsair looks great. I, too, think the base is also really sweet and adds that extra punch to build.

Frank,  I agree with Mike - every time I see the zero I am more and more impressed!

Have you guys tried Parafilm for masking? It's what I use, and I really like it! Here is a helpful article about using it that I usually read before any masking job. 

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/usingparafilmda_1.htm

Hope all is well.
Leon

Thanks Mike, those decals really make her look good!

BTW, any surprises show up yet in your mailbox?

Roy-  Hang in there buddy!  I had to tear down my model set-up (AGAIN!!!) yesterday so the painter could come in today and tomorrow to paint my place.  Really wish they had done it BEFORE I moved in, but alas...

Bob-  I really wish Eduard made a mask set for the Tamiya Zero as well!  I used BMF on mine, and it seemed to take forever to get it all masked.  I think what made it so difficult was the lines on the canopy are not very straight, took a few tries on some panels to get them to look right.

wyoroy wrote:

Guys, if I may suggest... give Eduards mask a try.  Using those will enable anyone to do a perfect canopy job. Roy

First things first-Roy, I agree, but Eduard doesn't make a mask for the Tamiya 1/48 Zero-a good (ok, it's an old kit) inexpensive kit.  I learned that lesson the hard way!

Darren-stunning job on the Corsair.

Roy-back to you-I feel your pain.  Only I don't have an good reason (i.e.,moving) for not building-I'm just eyeball deep in life stuff.  Keeps getting in the way of my hobbies....