Dreamsof51

I shot the colors over white primer and preshaded all the panel lines. Then lightly sanded the whole thing to fade it a bit. The patches are touch ups like you see on real naval aircraft. These aircraft were glossy but I did not want that for scale effect reasons, I shot the picture in bright sunlight so a lot of the effect is lost. I have to shoot some review model photos for the 1/72 F1A Trumpy Lightning I just finished, so I'll try to capture this a bit better and post it on the member gallery. I'm encouraged by your comments regarding contest level finish. Its hard to be objective about you own work. This was also the first time I ever dipped clear parts in future, believe it or not. Thanks for the feedback. Chris

That rigging looks great. I can tell this ones going to be a winner. Do keep sharing. Chris

Finished this one in between review models. This is the Fairey Firefly from Grand Phoenix products. I built this one right from the box mainly because everything is already in the box! This model included some great resin details including a full cockpit that looked awesome once painted up. The finish is Tamiya colors airbrushed over pre shading. The only weak point was the wheels were a little soft in detail but look Ok once they were done. The gear doors were spot on against some photos I took of the real thing at Edwards AFB open house a few years ago. Decals were a real pleasure to work and laid right down with setting solution. This model took over a year because I painted and fitted the cockpit parts then moved on to other projects for a while. Its finished in the colors of 826 Squadron HMCS Magnificent 1950. This was going to be a contest model but did not make it to the last OrangeCon. Since this would be my first contest model, comments in that regard very welcome.

Really like the weathering, especially the exhaust. Great looking piece of iron, uh I mean plastic. Thanks for posting it. Chris

Hey Eric Wallmart, Ralphs, Vons, RiteAid. There is a Luckys across the valley here I'll check it out. Thanks Chris

Similar experience in Southern California. My bottle is really old! When I went to get a new one surprise, can't find it anywhere. I'll be on the lookout for the renamed product.

I've tried this type of model other than pilot figures in aircraft. Looks good so far. Chris

Is this the airplane found in the Aluetians Islands? I worked with a guy named Harold Levinson who was stationed there (on Attu) During WWII. He gave me a great B&W P-38 photo that hangs over my model bench. Like so many others from that era, he long passed on. While we're on Zero stories I've another friend Clarence Silva who was stationed in New Guinea. He told me he once watched a Zero and P-38 dogfight in which the P-38 got the worst of it. The pilot bailed out and after they collected him he stayed a few days and was shipped back to his unit. Sadly, heros like these are leaving us too quickly. I hope what we do in some small way helps preserve their legacies. Thanks for bringing back some great memories. Nice job Tim.

I can't see that small anymore. It certainly is nice to build a completly relaxing kit once in a while. My last one was the kinetic F 84F in 1/48 scale. Not Tamiya but really nice. Thanks for posting your Jug. Really like the shading work.

Never get tired of looking at Mustangs. Good work thanks for sharing it. Chris

This is an interesting topic. Fixing panel lines after closing seams is an essential skill in building contest quality models. I've been using a squadron tool for years and have gotten good results. I agree with the other comments to do us much as you can before assembly. In the case of models with recessed panel lines, i have been using a two step approach. If the line is across part halves, I use a #11 blade to roll across the line to keep it straight, then finish with the tool. I always sand the seam with very fine sandpaper and clean out the lines with a brush (or tool) and rubbing alcohol. Prime paint the area to check your new seam, then paint. I'm going to look into this UMM tool as I am not always satisfied with my panel lines. I also use automotive gap gauges for spark plugs as scribe guides. Really thin ones. If a kit has raised panel lines use the old lines as a guide for the new ones by scribing right against the raised lines, then sand off the old lines. Like anything else in life, it practice, practice, practice to get this right.

I stand corrected. I built the Williams Bros kit of the "Gamma" a long time ago and it was very much ahead of its time. Finished it in the colors of the Polar Star if I remember correctly, but don`t remember the history behind that. I had the great fortune of flying a lot with my grandfather and the stories he used to tell me sounded to amazing to be true. When he passed away and I received his logbooks, its turns out they were all true. It really was (1920-40s) the golden age of flight.

Thanks fo the rigging clinic. I never thought of that approach but I suppose the seams can be cleaned up without popping any rigging. as for the exhaust, its spot on the way it looks. I'm going to try your method. Thanks for taking the time to explain it. Chris

Steve, I'm with the others in that its a great looking aircraft you've built. Any details on what unit/time period the markings represent?

Looks darn good to me. With you on backup of projects. I think I'm up to 8 or 9 now. Keep posting, its a motivator for the rest of us. Chris

Very nice so far how did you do the exhaust colors? Also find the pre rigging wire interesting. I generally avoid biplanes because of the rigging. Some close ups of your rigging would be of great help. Keep posting. Chris

Vast improvement over what came in the box. I'm surprized Tamiya did not provide more detail. I built thier Porsche GT1 kit a while back for my father in law and it had lot of engine detail under a removable rear body. The decals were a high point in that they reacted very well solvent and that car had a lot of graphics over compound curves. Almost had a heart attack when I put solvent on the first one and it wrinkled up! That project took me six months. Can`t wait to see more. Thanks for posting progress photos. Chris

A fitting tribute although you did not plan it that way. I'm sure your dad is smiling down on you. Thanks for sharing with us.

Nice work Jeff. The balance of wear and exhaust is just right. I can appreciate the flap work. Did that on an older Tayima Zero a while back. Tricky to cut then all the same shape/size. Did you mask the canopy with tape or use precut masks? Thanks for posting

I vote for the 1/48 scale Accurate Miniatures version. Excellant detail right out of the box. The only thing I recall adding was some harness belts. Other than that, its turned out to be one of the best finished kits I've ever made. I'd love to show you a picture but that plane fell victim to a 7 year old during a move a few years ago. Came with masks for the greenhouse which worked quite well. Highly recommended.

Hey Andy nice job on this one. I've eyed this kit more than once at the hobby shop but have yet to dive in and get one. Given that its Tamiya, am I to assume the great fit found in thier other products? Also looks like you got the decals to setle into the panel lines real well. All and all very nice. Thanks for sharing. Chris

Looks like a fun project. Looking forward to watching your progress.

The saying teaching an old dog new tricks comes to mind or how about putty and paint make this kit what it ain't. Nice work Jeff. Thanks for posting it.

That is awesome! I really like the lighting effects. You have my dream job, building models for living. I've settled for building sewers. Thanks for sharing your project.

Wow, can't believe thats 1/72 scale. The base really adds to the whole effect. Very nice.