Group Build 6 month- open class (9-1-08) $$PRIZE

[Whiterook]

A very wise modeler once made reference to how many aspects of moeling is very zen...the act of noticing a couple hours just floated happily down river in the act of sanding, for instance...oh wait, that was you Niick!

Yes, I couldn;t have said it better myself...the perfectionist side of us should be kept at bay as much as possible, as the end result should be to have fun. That said, I do tend to critique myself, perhaps too excessively, but that's just as much a mark of striving for excellence; but it should be tempered, agreed.


The seam...now I took that to mean the actual joins, and not flash, is that what you meant? As far as flash, well, you folks have shown me the light by way of example, and I marvel at how far I go with that now...never bothered back in kid-days! As for the seam joins, I went down and peeked last night...I was glueing the second bottom wing to the connextor, to jcure overnight. Hmmmm? In hindsight now, I would have decaled the top and bottom in a single piece (not that I think I actually had that much to spare, though!), and I still may "explore" that option; but it's not too bad at all, either. If I don't re-decal that portion, and if I find I'm not real happy with it, I may "explore" the liberal application of "paint as putty" in the seam, but I doubt it will come to that. The decaling worked out fairly well, but there are flaws to be dealt with; specifically, some areas that will require paint, as thngs like a step for the Pilots cockpit popped through the decal in that section, and the white undercoat is clearly visible. Not insurmountable, but necessary to deal with in my view. I wouldn't say this bird is going to be perfect when it's finished, but I'm going to come pretty darned close!

[Geek44]

That's the spirit mate. Always something though huh?
Over the years, I've come to realise that kit instructions become more like a guide. My old sheets are covered with notes and sketches...mostly reminders in big red letters to not forget to include some tiny part from step two, that should actually be attached after everything is painted. This is another aspect that I like about modelling. It's basically problem solving. 'How can I best get these, to look like that?' Another thing I've learned is that I'm a dyed in the wool aircraft guy. Building this Panzer IV (the first substantial Dragon kit I've got this far) has taught me that I'm a pretty sloppy builder. There are mould seams EVERYWHERE!!! Aircraft have about a quarter of the numbr of parts...and I'm not counting indy-link tracks.
I was talking about the seam between the fuselage halves BTW. And I'm yet to see a 'perfect' model. It's possible to pick holes in Verlinden's stuff if you look hard enough...but for me, it's an 'overall' look. Most folks aren't modellers. Having said that, most folks aren't interested either. Their loss I say.

[MAGNA]

Problem Solving is a good way to put it Geek. It does come down to that now you put it that way. That is part of the fun in it's own way.

Funny that you say that about the seams etc on your PzIV. I have always admired the way good aircraft modellers get that seamless look and have always considered my AFV modelling to be 'easier' as I can cover things up with some sand, mud, or even a bit of tarp if something goes really wrong.

That is why these horses are going to be a bit of a challenge. I've done plenty in 20mm for gaming but 1/35th is going to have to be a lot more detailed. Now ship modelling - there's another one for seams.....

[Geek44]

It's funny how people perceive stuff. It's true that aircraft modelling can be a little less 'forgiving' in the way you described but for me, who hasn't built a serious vehicle for maybe six years, there's just less 'modelling' that has to be done on your average aircraft kit. Usually, parts numbers are way lower for aircraft. For me to cover all the mould seams I've seen on this tank, I should just chuck a tarp over the whole model . For finer finishing, aircraft are just easier to 'get around' with your sand paper and wet'n'dry. Of course, things like natural metal finishes on aircraft are a whole new ball game if the old silver paint method isn't your thing anymore. I haven't seriously tried that either.

[MAGNA]

I must admit I haven't ever made anything but Airfix 1/72 scale aircraft. That's what started me off in modelling (69 cents for a Spitfire). I even got to a Short Stirling and a Lancaster. There are obviously far more detailed aircraft kits out there now so they probably fit together better as well.

As for mould seams, I usually go for the selective blindness method - saves me a lot of work.

[Geek44]

Those Airfix kits were what I learned with too in the very early days. I can remember many of them but not all. I opened the box on a 1/72 scale P-38 and had it hanging up in my room in three hours. Dozens of them. I built all of the Airfix 1/24 range except for the Spitfire. The 1/72 ones were really very poor kits. I have their Arado floatplane...it's awful. With all modelling genres, there's a high end and a low end. The higher end kits are beautiful. Sometimes they include PE brass and/or copper, fit is excellent and the decals are sometimes outsourced. Instead of getting eg. Hasegawa decals, you get 'Cartograph' decals...outstanding quality. The most difficult category to win at the Melbourne Expo is 'Best 1/72 Aircraft'. The very fact that I own a 1/72 Airfix kit that I built once before in the mid-seventies says enough about the lower end of town. Having said that, Airfix (Hornby) is releasing new kits. Their latest is an RAF Canberra.

[Geek44]

Those Airfix kits were what I learned with too in the very early days. I can remember many of them but not all. I opened the box on a 1/72 scale P-38 and had it hanging up in my room in three hours. Dozens of them. I built all of the Airfix 1/24 range except for the Spitfire. The 1/72 ones were really very poor kits. I have their Arado floatplane...it's awful. With all modelling genres, there's a high end and a low end. The higher end kits are beautiful. Sometimes they include PE brass and/or copper, fit is excellent and the decals are sometimes outsourced. Instead of getting eg. Hasegawa decals, you get 'Cartograph' decals...outstanding quality. The most difficult category to win at the Melbourne Expo is 'Best 1/72 Aircraft'. The very fact that I own a 1/72 Airfix kit that I built once before in the mid-seventies says enough about the lower end of town. Having said that, Airfix (Hornby) is releasing new kits. Their latest is an RAF Canberra. I can't comment on the quality of the new stuff...it might be okay.

[MAGNA]

Duncan put me onto the fact that Tamiya and others do 1/72 aircraft. Up till then I hadn't known there were so many manufacturers. I still like to make an aircraft every now and then (usually ends up being more then than now unfortunately).

[Whiterook]

Latest update pics on the Gotha Night Raider Bomber. With the great advice of Geek44, I tried my hand at seatbelts! I agree that it's these kind of touches that can really add to a model, and I really like the way they came out. I'm not advanced enough at this stage to have done buckles, or anything more elaborate, but to me, this did the trick indeed. I used blue Painter's tape, which I folded in half, and cut to size; then painted with Plaid Acrylics in a color as close to what I thought suitable. They were pliable enought to bend at the top, to secure around in back of the seat, and then "smoosh" into the bottom of the seat to appear loosely seated on the seat. Whatchya think, Obi Wan (Geek44)?








Yeah, that's some nasty folds in the decals in back of the Pilot's seat! I plan on fixing that a bit later!

And this next one is of the flight console and hood. I painted the console and dials both with Plaid Acrylics, individually painting the dials. This was a tough glue!




I have more pictures coming, but now, it's time for supper!

[Whiterook]

More Gotha pics. This first one shows the tail fins and struts in place...the struts were difficult in that the illustration wasn't very good, and I initially started to place a set in the wrong holes! Geeeeez!! But, it adjust quickly when I realized my error. The strut plastic is real soft and rubbery, which made them a bit tricky to glue.

The bottom wings were tough, in that the Gotha has a dehedral that is at a specific angle and a bit tricky to achieve without a jig. No jig for me; but glueing just one wing, and letting it cure for a couple days allowed me to handle th bird with confidence to glue and align the opposite wing. This dehedral was achieved with careful proping. The correct angle was reached, and all went well. The seams between the wings and connector are pretty nice, and the decals matched up fairly well. Some touch up will be required.

Hey, in the background, by the way, is my new three-tier expandable paint rack...a spice rack bought at Linens "N Things!




The next picture shows the Pilots cockpit control console and hood in place, and those sexy seatbelts!




The rear Machine Gunner's portal was added to the Gotha as an added defense measure, in which he fired through this hole and out the bottom of the bird! So cool!!! I think I'll point the machine gun down into the portal when I afix it. I will paint the underside of this portal on the bottom of the bird. I have no reference of what this was actually painted, but I'm fairly confident it wasn't the Lozenge Camo, but rather a dark solid color.




A better angle on the tail fins and struts, as well as the engines under construction/paint. The engines will be painted all in Tamiya Acrylics (Chrome Silver and Gun Metal), except for the Main exhaust, which I plan to paint in a mixture of Tamiya Red Brown and Plaid Metalic Gold (has sparkles in it, that will also lend actual texture, as the sparkles are gritty).




So, the main body of the bird is coming along nicely. Some problems arose in the building, but course correction was always possible, as these issues have been minor...except for that damned decal fold behing the Pilot...I'll get it, I'll get it!