ZHL good to go

[Jimsky]

Your attitude, shouldn't affect others! You refuse the help I\we offered and keep whining! The best you can do is to switch the subject. Switch to another model something small so you can complete it in a short period of time but at the same time fascinating, exciting so you can forget about Victory.

 

[Bryian]

My goodness Ken, better for you to relax brother. Perhaps ship modelling is not for you.

 

[deepriver27]

first of april, aprils fools, day... Trying to finish a Mamoli (ugh) victory....which has been nothing but a battle... no pun intended... they shorted me on everything....and people wonder why I have an attitude... (see previous posts) I've spent more on accessories than on the kit itself... I know... be quiet b4 I get kicked off again.... the problem is,,, I've got a lot to say,,, just no where to say it.....been muzzled again... yes, gilbert,,, been following your build also,, along with Paul and others

This is a pastime and it should always be enjoyable. When you reach a point when it isn’t, what I do when I reach a frustration level is to shift to making something else... a different project, deck furniture on the existing project, anything really. That’s the main reason I have 3 projects in motion now. This pandemic has brought me to that. I thank God I’ve accepted that I probably do not have enough years left to me to start a Victory.

 

[Bluebeard]

kind of my point. why bother sending poor quality parts in what is proposed to be a quality kit. send proper parts with your kits, i dont mind spending an extra 5 bucks instead of having to send away for better quality at an additional cost plus shipping. if you have seen the zhl flags they look like either their laser jet printer is on its last legs or they dumpster dived at the model flag company to get the throw aways.

I totally understand the frustration about the poor quality of the kit’s flags.
I also understand there are many articles on this matter in other logs, so I want to introduce the way I do all my flags.
Again I have yo say that I’m an intermediate ship modeler, that been said, my way is easy for me because I like to draw and do paintings.
So here I go:
1. First I search the web for irte most appropriate designed flag. Once I find it, I make a full page copy of it and by using a tracing paper, I hand draw the image and add extra shadowing. You’ll see later why.


Maybe you recognize it, it’s the Half Moon 1/40 from Imai.

 

[Bluebeard]

After I have done my ink hand drawing, I make a copy but downsizing it to the scale needed. Also you have to make sure to make a reverse copy of the image since the final flag will have an opposite side. (This method is not aplicable for all the flags). This is why is so handy to trace the art on a tracing paper, because you can flip it and make a reverse copy of it.

 

[Bluebeard]

Now for the final shape.
Do not draw square flags, draw some waves to it and also the attaching point where you will be using a needle and thread . You’ll see it later
.

 

[Bluebeard]

Now you have the actual double (one right and one left) together with the waves.
So pick up your brush and maybe a shot of whiskey to relax the hand, and start painting away.
In my case, the red background was painted with small brush strokes thereby making it look like fabric textured .

 

[Bluebeard]

For the lion, I used three different yellows and blue for the claws and the sword shadows.

 

[Bluebeard]

Next step is to flip the painted flag on its back and add thin line of rope alone the edges of what it will be a simulation of the pulled attaching points of a waving flag.
I used CA glue to to this.

fl

 

[shipahoy]

amazing detail is it on cotton or silk cloth?

 

[Bluebeard]

Now for the grand finale.
Fold the flags together by adding white glue; not so much or it will ooze out.
Here is the critical part.
You have to start shaping the waves by hand or any other method before the glue dries.
Don’t worry that both halves are not matching on the edge because when dry you will cut this out with the scissors and paint the edges.
Then after is dry to whatever shape you desired, add small amounts of CA to the attachment points edge to seal this section, and after it has dried, you can make the small holes for the attaching rope.

 

[Bluebeard]

Now use a needle and thin rope to attach it the the flag poles.
On the first two pictures you can see how I retouched the red edges.


That’s a LOT OF FLAGS.

 

[Bluebeard]

The pendants and other flags were made with the same process.


Last picture shows another method of shaping the waves wile the flag is drying.

 

[Bluebeard]

As you can see, I used small beads from Hobby Lobby to finish the end of the pendants.

And...That is all folks”
What do you think?

 

[Bluebeard]

One more important thing I forgot to mention at the beginning is how to pre-seal the paper by spraying one coat of Satin Clear Enamel before and after you paint them.

 

[Bluebeard]

amazing detail is it on cotton or silk cloth?

Its plain paper but I think it looks more to the silkie side. LOL. But again the trick to this is to do small brush strokes.

 

[Jimsky]

And...That is all folks”
What do you think?

I think you did a great job, the flags look very realistic. Many thanks for this tutorial!

 

[Bluebeard]

I think you did a great job, the flags look very realistic. Many thanks for this tutorial!

Thanks Buddy,
If just one person benefits from this tutorial, it will make very happy.

 

[ZHLmodel]

I am here,And happy new year everbody!

 

[ChrisP]

Bluebeard - great to see an example of initiative and effort producing such great results - especially after reading a series of depressing and unproductive posts at the beginning of the thread.

PS: I have built several Mamoli kits and found them to be good quality and value. I hope the new production of Mamoli models by Dusek is as good.