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My 1/72 scale aircraft

Dean62 said:
The idea is to let the thinned out mahogany settle in between the dry brushed highlights giving that dark grain look. And then averaging that with the lighter brown so there isn’t too much contrast. And the multiple colors gives the realism.
Hope that helps.
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Thanks Dean, indeed that helps alot. I was really curious how you got that nice grain look. I see you use the FolkArt acrylics. I presume you thin these down a bit before using them. Do you just use water, or some other thinner?
 
g8rfan99 said:
Thanks Dean, indeed that helps alot. I was really curious how you got that nice grain look. I see you use the FolkArt acrylics. I presume you thin these down a bit before using them. Do you just use water, or some other thinner?
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I use water based paints only, i'm done with using thinners. ;) So yes, I thin the FolkArt acrylics with water, and sometimes the Vallejo paints as well to prevent brush marks.
 
Albatros update…
Wings and struts are on, and it’s time for the rigging cables. I never look forward to it, but it sure does look good when it’s done. ;)



This particular kit reminds me of the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” It has been a total lemon!
No locating pins on fuselage, upper fuselage bad fit, excessive flash, excessive size sprue joints to remove from parts, some in very bad locations.
The decals were horrible! They didn’t want to come off the backing paper regardless of how long you soaked them and they became fragile and broke into multiple pieces that had to be salvaged and even touch up painted! And there was silvering despite the fact I used decal set and clear coat prior to and after application.
The struts for the wings were way too thin and fragile and broke. I had to make replacements out of wood. Anyway, I hope to make some decent lemonade out of this this in the end! ROTF

I suspect if I survive the rigging cables, she will look good.

See ya next time…
 
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Albatros D.II finished!
The kit scheme…

I decided not to use that because it was very plain and most images I found online had the camouflage scheme. So that’s what I chose.

Pics…


Then she was placed on the appropriate shelf…


And that completes 92 aircraft thus far…


I am going to work on my ship (Norske Love) and get some things accomplished on the stern before I chose another aircraft to build.

See ya next time…
 
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Next up will be in the Jets category.

I found a vintage kit of the F9F-8 Cougar. This is the swept wing version of the Panther. Since I built the Panther in the dark blue scheme, the Cougar will be similar to the scheme on the box cover, which was damaged in shipping, but no damage to the kit.
As you can see by the instruction sheet, it’s showing signs of age.

I purchased some liquid decal to restore the decals, but they are not in very good shape, so I may have to use some leftovers where I can.
I started with the cockpit assembly…

Then I joined the fuselage halves…

Next I will install the intakes and the wings. And soon paint can begin.

See ya next time…

Ps - after making good progress on the stern of the Norske Love, I am starting this kit on the side as I finish up some carving on the ship. So I will be working concurrently on both. ;)
 
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Next was the wings and inlets. And then I did the painting in preparation to add the canopy…


Then the canopy was added, it will be painted later after painting the airplane.


Next I have to add weight to the nose cone and add that. Then the inlet pieces at the openings.
Then my favorite part of painting the airplane and adding decals. At that point you have a good idea of how it’s going to look finished.
Then clear coat. And finally it’s just landing gear and ordinance after that.

See ya next time…

Final Thoughts - often when building an antique kit like this, I wonder who bought it originally… with the intention of building it? And then how many people after that owned it before I bought it. How many hands did it go through? How did it spend the last few decades? Sitting on shelves, or in a box? What’s the story behind these old kits? But I feel good about the fact that I am bringing it to life and putting it on display. ;) It seems sad to think it may have sat never to be built. Almost like I’m doing it a favor…lmao! ROTF
 
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Dean62 said:
Mosquito progress:
The cockpit assembly was about three steps and 18 parts. A lot of nice detail which can be appreciated in person. The pictures don’t really do it justice. It’s hard to get clarity on tiny assemblies …it just gets blurry and makes my painting look less sharp…sigh.
Anyway pics…
View attachment 616123View attachment 616124View attachment 616125View attachment 616126

See ya next time…
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Ergonomics for the second crewmember were not high on the priority listsuburb detailing of the cockpitinterior! Thumbsup
 
Dean62 said:
De Havilland Mosquito is finished!
I was a little apprehensive when I started it, but Tamiya did a great job with this kit. Everything went together well. The canopy frame was fun, I had to put the camouflage pattern on it. ;)
View attachment 617417View attachment 617418View attachment 617419View attachment 617420View attachment 617421View attachment 617422View attachment 617423View attachment 617424View attachment 617425View attachment 617426

On the shelf with the RAF aircraft of WW2…
View attachment 617427

Considering my next build. Jet or WW1…
See ya next time…
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Very good rendition of one of the most, if not thé most, beautiful aircraft of WWII.
 
RDN1954 said:
Ergonomics for the second crewmember were not high on the priority listsuburb detailing of the cockpitinterior! Thumbsup
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Obviously not…they seem to be in a more vulnerable position as well.
RDN1954 said:
The model looks pretty well detailed and appears to be made of high quality parts.
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Tamaya did a great job on detail at 1/72 scale.
RDN1954 said:
Very good rendition of one of the most, if not thé most, beautiful aircraft of WWII.
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Thank you Johan, she’s one of my favs! ;)
 
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