Classic Kit GB [Official Thread]

Barry, no I don't drybrush as I simply never got the hang of it.  What I use are Prismacolor colored pencils for popping out the detail on IP's, with some dabs of paint for buttons.  For me it simplifies the process, although it still takes a lot of trial and error. 

Duly noted on the canopy fit.  I'll watch out for it.  Right now I'm struggling with a slight fit issue between the cockpit and fuselages.  Just can't get them to fully close.  

arki30 wrote:

I have the AT-6 cockpit finished.  Really nice detail from Monogram on this old kit.  There's a little silvering on the seat decal, but it's hard to notice.  Next is to throw it in the fuselage and close it up.

Did you try sanding the sides of the framework? that should help a little bit.

And right now I am working on the crew figures on the SDB and TBF. The gunner for the SBD is almost done and once finished I'll be installing him into the fuselage. Pilot figure for the SBD is also close to done as well.

I've decided to start this build by first cleaning up the pilot.  He's a bit bashful about overseeing this P-39 Airacobra project unless he's looking real good (in case he shows up in any photos, ya know?).  Started removing some big mold seams on each side of his body, need to fill a hole in his behind area at about belt level, and need to remove the mold injection mark on his chest area...Then there's the flash removal...and the need to drill out the extra plastic in the right arm bend area...  Geeez, if this feller doesn't start to take better care of himself than he has been he's going to be flying..er...fryin' 'taters in the mess tent!!

Haven't had time to do much to the old BUFF this past week; am going to get some photos of what I've gotten so far and post them.

Swell bunch of builds and built kits so far!

piperjoe wrote:

Thanks, Viper!  I'd get in that YMBC program too if they brought it back (and I'm 58 years young).  I have 8 or 9 of those bagged kits still in excellent shape, including the B-26 and Kingfisher.  Didn't even know the program was in effect back in the '70's/'80's.  Times have changed have they not?

Work on my Hunter has stalled while I look for my references (I might end up copying the seat from the Revell Hunter - if you recall, my kit's seat was broken).

However, I have been working on other classic kits (as usual). Here is one nearing completion - an Airfix Fw 190D-9 from 1978:

The model was sprayed in Future, I used Microset (which must be ammonia-based, because it made the Future cloudy). There will be no silvering of those decals! I promise.

And here it is, all done:

Sweet Bruce!

Show us the belly! 

ok ...

It's the one on the right. The one on the left is Airfix's 1958 version of an Fw 190D

Brews wrote:

ok ... It's the one on the right. The one on the left is Airfix's 1958 version of an Fw 190D

ok now you should probably fix the landing gear on the 190 on the right.

Quick progress pic.  Obviously she's assembled and the gloss black base coat is applied.  I'll let that cure for a couple more days and then shoot the NMF.  

Had some time to shoot the Alclad II NMF.  Next to begin masking for the cowling and tail markings.  

Well, ok, but it'll have to be later.  I won't be able to touch it for the next couple of days as I have other life stuff going on. 

Ok, progress pic of the Alclad finish applied, plus I masked and painted the red cowling and rudder areas. 

As anyone who has experience with NMF knows, you must be perfect with your seam work.  Otherwise it will show.  I have experience and still blew it on some seams.    It's my fault, I just went too fast and didn't pay close enough attention.

Anyway, next is either the wing walkways or the anti-glare area.  I'll decide which to begin masking tomorrow.  If I keep this pace, I should have this completely finished by the end of the weekend. 

Here is my Mongram FW-190 completed. Almost every decal broke when I was putting them on. I was able to piece them together though.

It won't win any awards, but it is better that I did as a kid. Comments welcome.

raptordriver wrote:

Arki, great job. I want to know, why do you paint the plane black before silver? Maybe I am missing something. I somtimes spray primer before silver.

Everything you wanted to know about Alcad is here:

http://www.swannysmodels.com/Alclad.html

Now, fair disclosure, I don't follow Swanny's instructions exactly, but I do follow the general idea.  A gloss base coat is absolutely essential under a NMF, while the black just gives the NMF some visual depth.  It's not absolutely necessary except on some highly polished finishes, like chrome or polished aluminum.  It's my personal preference, although I may try just a Future base coat sometime for kicks and giggles.

I'll reiterate one very important thing for NMF, you must nail your body work.  Everything shows up under a NMF.   

Ok, ready to begin decaling with these old decals.  I'm gonna need all the luck I can get.

BTW, MKelley great job on the FW-190!  I like the markings in particular.

Old Monogram Decals!

Thanks for the encouragement.  The good news is that they are not disintegrating!  Whew...

The tricky part is the silvering.  That painted-on look with the decals is always difficult over NMF, and the raised rivet detail all over the place on this old kit isn't making this easier.

Time and a lot of decal solvent will tell.