GrogHeads Forum

Tabletop Gaming, Models, and Minis => Modelling and Miniatures => Topic started by: JudgeDredd on May 11, 2018, 05:23:50 PM

Title: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 11, 2018, 05:23:50 PM
Airfix 1/72 F4F-4 Wildcat

I decided to build something small again to try out painting after my "near" disaster with my Vulcan. It went much better than planned -using Tamiya X20A thinners.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/950/42046634071_cd03124882_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/982/41326374164_d48a0152d4_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/830/42046633861_c34eed6957_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/972/27176416277_611379ac9f_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/965/42046631411_65e60b0210_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/979/42046631051_f8b146c699_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/961/42046630951_a3c962b194_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/972/27176415197_a705eaf912_b.jpg)

I have noticed I haven't painted the back wheel. I'll be getting that done, another coat of klear and then some cement wash.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: Staggerwing on May 11, 2018, 06:40:09 PM
Looks like you got the hang of it  O0
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: BanzaiCat on May 11, 2018, 06:41:52 PM
That's pretty cool. I like the sticker details on the prop.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: mirth on May 11, 2018, 06:43:18 PM
Nice job, JD! Love the Wildcat  O0
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: acctingman on May 11, 2018, 11:27:30 PM
That looks great JD. Wildcat is an iconic plane, at least for me it is and you nailed it.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 12, 2018, 12:48:28 AM
Thanks guys.

I used a Humbrol conversion chart to determine the colours...and personally I think the bottom is a bit dark myself. Certainly in the photo it looks more white than grey.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/911/41151848705_2e5f8b560a_h.jpg)

I done a bit of pre-shading on the underside
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/970/27182047537_46582f0e1f_h.jpg)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/907/27182046857_2609d08f6b_h.jpg)

Also - who'd have thunked that the Wildcat is actually "Dark Sea Grey"? I always thought they looked blue - but the conversion was to Tamiya Dark Sea Grey!!

Collection of aircraft so far
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/907/27182039137_d43efb00e4_b.jpg)

I would like to add a Spitfire, Hurricane, Bearcat, F4U Corsair, Me109, Focke Wulf, Ju-87, Ju-88, Do-17, He-111 - trouble is, I'm running out of space which means a cull would be required and the only one I wouldn't mind getting rid of from that collection is the He111.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: BanzaiCat on May 12, 2018, 05:57:50 PM
Seems the only solution is a bigger flat.  :)
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: mirth on May 12, 2018, 06:10:35 PM
Or a new wife.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: BanzaiCat on May 12, 2018, 06:19:24 PM
Or no wife. :)
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: mirth on May 12, 2018, 06:20:07 PM
Even better
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 13, 2018, 08:15:25 AM
Right - it's finished and I'm moving on

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/976/41179815395_d640fa7c7c_h.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/829/42034724402_8d11a7d6f2_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/972/41179814805_76650f5e0b_h.jpg)

Oh and thanks for the suggestions - but the wife stays  O0 :hug:
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: GDS_Starfury on May 15, 2018, 10:32:52 AM
you are in desperate need of Microsol decal solution.  it will get them nice and snug and get rid of the silvering around the edges.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: DoctorQuest on May 15, 2018, 11:26:46 AM
Nice bird, JD. Were you tempted to build a Martlet?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Grumman_Martlet_Wildcat_REJS.jpg)
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 15, 2018, 01:31:19 PM
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on May 15, 2018, 10:32:52 AM
you are in desperate need of Microsol decal solution.  it will get them nice and snug and get rid of the silvering around the edges.
OI! I used that stuff. Both MicroSet and MicroSol.

I may not have used enough...I have used so much Microsol before that the decal broke. It really depends on the decals I think how much punishment they can take from the MicroSol...there's just no telling until you break them.

But granted - I should experiment.

Quote from: DoctorQuest on May 15, 2018, 11:26:46 AM
Nice bird, JD. Were you tempted to build a Martlet?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Grumman_Martlet_Wildcat_REJS.jpg)
Noe because it didn't come with those schemes or, more importantly, decals. Looks nice though. I wonder if I've seen that at Duxford...off to check  ;D
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: GDS_Starfury on May 15, 2018, 02:35:05 PM
then maybe its an application issue. 
in a perfect world all models get a gloss finish before the decals.  the decals can be moved into place with q-tips not fingers.  also put a dab of solution on the surface before you apply the decals.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 15, 2018, 03:52:31 PM
I did the following

Applied Alclad Aqua Gloss II
Put Microset on where the decals were going
Applied decal
Put Microsol on the decal
Dried the area with a cotton bud, using it to push the decal down onto the surface
Applied Aclad Aqua Gloss II to the model to protect the decals
Applied a wash

I don't know what I could've done differently. I may not have used enough Microsol. There's nothing more I could've done with the Microset - you only need some to cover where the decal is going and that's to help you place it and shift it around.

Perhaps it's the Alclad aqua gloss or maybe I didn't use enough Microset. Or it might just have been the decals. You can get very good decals and really shit decals.

I'll use more Microsol next time - if it's not that, maybe I'll switch back to using Klear floor polish instead of Alclad
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: GDS_Starfury on May 15, 2018, 04:07:28 PM
after rereading the first post I see the problem...

Airfix  ::)
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 15, 2018, 04:13:05 PM
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on May 15, 2018, 04:07:28 PM
after rereading the first post I see the problem...

Airfix  ::)
lol

Honestly though - I probably didn't use enough Microsol...I have had decals rip before so I probably tend to go easy on the stuff

Thanks for caring to post  O0  :2funny:
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: GDS_Starfury on May 15, 2018, 04:21:32 PM
Ive seen cars from the 40's that require less bondo they a typical Airix kit.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: Boggit on May 21, 2018, 12:30:26 PM
A really nice job. :bd:

Do you ever put your planes into a diorama for dramatic effect?
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: em2nought on May 22, 2018, 01:03:56 AM
Came out swell,  a little darker than I've always pictured them.  They probably faded in the sun pretty quickly, I always associate fading with blue paint jobs.  I know that stuff used to work great with Monogram decals, I think Airfix decals are a little thicker?  I've always liked the beefy Navy fighter aircraft, particularly the Wildcat and Hellcat.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 22, 2018, 01:43:35 AM
Thanks.

I thought it was pretty dark too...especially the underneath.

Also, I was really surprised that "Dark Sea Grey" gave such a blue look  :idiot2:

The Airfix kits reference Humbrol paints - so I had to use a conversion chart to get the correct Tamiya colour. I guess the term "correct" might be vague  :DD It's close though.

No-one noticed that I'd forgotten to take the Tamiya tape off the windows on the underside of the fuselage. I have done so now and it adds a touch of interest.
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 22, 2018, 01:46:03 AM
One last thing. I know - now at least - that I kind of used the wrong weathering. These probably wouldn't have been dusty on carrier ops. But I was just going for taking off the "new look".  L:-)
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: Staggerwing on May 22, 2018, 07:15:00 PM
Quote from: JudgeDredd on May 22, 2018, 01:46:03 AM
One last thing. I know - now at least - that I kind of used the wrong weathering. These probably wouldn't have been dusty on carrier ops. But I was just going for taking off the "new look".  L:-)

They didn't always fly from carriers. Pretend it's coral dust from improvised Pacific island runways.  O0
Title: Re: Quick build
Post by: JudgeDredd on May 23, 2018, 12:29:42 AM
Quote from: Staggerwing on May 22, 2018, 07:15:00 PM
Quote from: JudgeDredd on May 22, 2018, 01:46:03 AM
One last thing. I know - now at least - that I kind of used the wrong weathering. These probably wouldn't have been dusty on carrier ops. But I was just going for taking off the "new look".  L:-)

They didn't always fly from carriers. Pretend it's coral dust from improvised Pacific island runways.  O0
I had that thought in mind - though I was thinking more Guadalcanal  :coolsmiley: