Fleet Air Arm Group Build

 Alain,  using the Microscale system, you should first apply Micro Set (Blue bottle) to the model surface where the decal will be placed.  Slide the wet decal onto the model & after it's positioned properly you can wick off excess fluids with a paper towel & gently press the decal down from the center out to get rid of any trapped air.  I usually let the decal set for about 1/2 hour & then apply Micro Sol (Red bottle) only to the decal surface.  Do not touch the decal after applying the Sol!!!  After an hour or so inspect the decal.  You may see some sign of wrinkling but that's normal.  If the decal is unwrinkled but not pulling down into recesses, you may have to re-apply Sol. Depending on the decal, it may take a few hours to fully set.  You can repeat Sol application on a cured decal, although it will have less effect.

Jules,   ModelMaster Gloss Dark Sea Blue is a near perfect match.  Just remember that the Gloss enamels take considerably longer to cure than the flats & are best applied in several light sprays rather than heavy coats.

Regards,  Rick

Alain,

nice work! I'm looking forward to seeing more of that one.

Frank, I just opened the new issue of FSM and what do I see on page39, you Bf190E4/7 trop  Now I know two people to get their models posted in FSM you and Darren. 

Congrats!!!!!!!!!  that is so very cool.

Roy

Wow! Thats fantastic! Way to go Frank!

I think this lad deserves some Rum for that one!

Cheers!

Congrats, buddy!!!

First round's on me, my friend!!

Nicely done Frank, although it's going to take a couple of months before I get to see your build as it takes quite a while for them to arrive in the shops via sea mail.

Alain great looking work on the Sea Hawk, she'll look great under a coat or two of paint.  Oh and I agree with what Rick said about Micro Set and Micro Sol, especially the part about not touching the decal after applying Micro Sol.

Cheers

WOOHOO!!!

That is awesome!  Thank you so much guys, that made my day!  Unfortunately, I am not a subscriber so I didn't get the magazine.  The LHS usually gets their copies about two weeks after the subscribers, so it may be awhile before I get to see it.  They also usually send a copy of the issue with a check, but I didn't get one yet as I have moved since I sent in the photos.  Hopefully, it will eventually show up here.  COuld anyone take a photo of the page so I can see it?  Can't remember what pic I sent, nor what I wrote about it.  And thanks for the rum and awesome compliments!  I am proud to have drinks with the great lads here at the FAAGB.  Cheers everyone!

Way to go Frank .

Regards,  Rick

hey thanks for the help guys why research when all the answers are right here..

Mike, mate i'm building a Hellcat III from the carrier Indomitable during 1945..

Hey fella's I just thought I'd check i with you and see how everyone is. I've been out and about today making the most of the January sales. I caught some bench time too and did a little more work to my F-117 and Mk.I Hurricane.

When I finish these other GB's I'll be getting stuck into another FAA kit! Im can't wait!

See you later.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Alain

Here is the Grand Phoenix 1/48 Firefly Mk 1 finaly finished.

The Barracuda is still waiting for completion as it's fighting me to the end. The flaps keep breaking off and not wanting to go back on properly so I will have to rebuild the joint actuators.

Looks great Dave.  very nice work.

Regards,  Rick

Daywalker wrote:

Excellent work there, Dave!  What paint did you use, the finish looks outstanding!

I used Model Masters Enamels for the aircraft - Light Ghost grey for the lowers and Gunship Grey for the uppers. Apparantly these are a close match for the colours the Canadians used.

I forgot to mention that it had a Humbrol matt cote over the top and a Humbrol matt black wash in the panel lines. Other than that I have done no weathering.

razordws wrote:

Very nice work there Dave and excellent choice for the markings (what?  no, I'm not at all biased )

That really does look awesome, Dave! (...and no, I'm not biased either! ).

Dave, very well done sir  Looks great.

Roy

harvs73 wrote:

Here is the Grand Phoenix 1/48 Firefly Mk 1 finaly finished. The Barracuda is still waiting for completion as it's fighting me to the end. The flaps keep breaking off and not wanting to go back on properly so I will have to rebuild the joint actuators.

Absolutely fantastic! This one is a show-stopper for sure!

Dave, you have really raised the bar around here, beautiful work mate.

Forgot to mention...........Dave's build has won the now famous Order of the Three Thumbs award!

Well deserved indeed!

Thanks all The model isn't quite as good as the photos make it look. It's amazing what a decent camera and lighting can do to make an 'average' model look good.

I chose the Canadian scheme as you don't often see their aircraft modeled and it is different from the other FAA scheme that I could have done it in.

harvs73 wrote:

The model isn't quite as good as the photos make it look. It's amazing what a decent camera and lighting can do to make an 'average' model look good.

Dave,

You are too modest!  I think it takes more than a decent camera and lighting.  Admit it, you did an awesome job!

Case in point:

Not-so-good model with decent camera and lighting-

Decent model with same camera and lighting-

See?  You done good my friend!

I say chaps-its rum ration time!

Wherever you may be, whatever you may be doing, take time to have a drink and be merry!

CHEERS!

TANGO 1 wrote:

I say chaps-its rum ration time! Wherever you may be, whatever you may be doing, take time to have a drink and be merry! CHEERS!

Oh-oh, looks like I gotta take a break from drinking rum, and have a drink of rum!

Cheers lads!

Has no-one taught you heathens what REAL rum is yet?

Queenslands finest - Bundaburg Rum!

Funnily enough - I had some last night! LOL