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

[Whiterook]

OK, this is where I promised to be honest to myself...Geek44 asked me a simple question: "How did the seams come out?" Dang, you know, I checked the bird after that question, and a fly in the ointment arose...when I put the decals on the fuselage, I thought I was being so clever in putting them down in one piece on eacj side. Ahhhhh, after glueing those halves? There's that damned fly! That seam wasn't horrible; but it wasn't up to the level I prefer. Luckily, it was just the rear top section, and the front bottom that were wanky (yes, that's an official term...somewhere, I'm sure!). This is an example, the top rear section:




And here's the fix...a new decal over those two halves mentioned above. It's all good! The top and bottom sections:







Yeah, you can still see a bit of the seam, and some may quibble over that, but not me...it's all good! As I applied the decals there as an afterthought, I was long past sanding, puttying, etc. It's all good! This next pic shows how much decal I had left (namely, NONE!)




This bird is interesting. A little frustrating at times, but what project isn't, eh? It's all good!

[Whiterook]

This is a quick post...a pic of the engine, under construction. The cowling halves are cureing currently, and were HORRIBLE! Man, Roden didn't get the clearances right on this. The engine is wider than the enclosed cowling...in EVERY way I tried to maneuver it! Slowly getting it together. I have to let the front of the cowling cure a bit before I can apply the proper amount of pressure to get everything "seated". Yup, all good!

[MAGNA]

That is going to be one very different looking kit. Nice.

[Geek44]

Seatbelts look awesome mate and I'm glad you're happy with the result after giving it a try. It gives the viewer's eyes (yours too) another thing to take in...keeps the eyes busy, for me, it's a part of the composition of the model. We all 'compose' our models but not always consciously. This is where the line between modelling and 'art' begin to blur.
Man, those blasted Roden decals mate...they're pretty poor quality mate and I think you did a great job of making the proverbial 'silk purse'. I'm not sure if the darker borders surrounding the pink shapes in the lozenge are deliberate or if they're symptoms of poor printing. Again, my mind drifts toward possible aftermarket sheets of lozenge decal in a variety of colours. Here are two pics. The first is an example of the bad printing of the decals on my S.E.5a and the second is an example of the excellent 'AeroMaster' set on the same model.
Peace.

Decal 1.jpg

Decal 2.jpg

[Whiterook]

Yeah, I'm not sure how I'll feel about the decals in the end...depends on how the bird looks after it's complete, with all the other bits and baubs on her. They may be the proverbial thorn, but I'll get over it (maybe). I may have been a bit impatient in not exploring aftermarket alternatives, but that's just the stage I'm in right now. If I were starting this bird over again, though, I know now I'd avoid the Roden decals...but at the very least, it was a learning experience, and that's a big part of the point, I guess.

I like your "composition" point...I quite agree. I liken modeling to sculpture, of which I've done but never rocked my world enough to explore any deeper. Every model is like a blank canvas...it moulds, and takes shape; goes in unexpected directions, and yields results both good and bad. Some may consider it a hobby, but for 99% of us here, I think it much closer to Art.

Yeah MAGNA, this is going to definitely be a different looking kit in the end. It's part of what attracted me to it. I am developing a fondness for WWI Air, I have to admit. Doing the carrier showed me (in reference to my modeling back some 30 years ago) that I am not into ships anymore...though I may do a sub at some point.; but Air is certainly still a draw.

[MAGNA]

You may like to look 'in between' all your interests and try something used on ships in WWII that still has the WWI flavour? Maybe something like a Swordfish for instance. It has all the ingredients listed and was a very famous and useful type in WWII. Attacks on Bismark, Taranto Harbour, and I think the first plane of the war to bomb and sink a U-Boat (at least the one that did was a biplane on floats from HMS Warspite so it may be another type for you to look at).

Have I wiped out your budget yet ?

[McCoy]

Tamiya's Stringbag in 1:48 have received a lot of praise n' you can buy a PE set for the rigging to it if you prefer PE. It's a nice modell with a lot of feel.

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by McCoy

Tamiya's Stringbag in 1:48 have received a lot of praise n' you can buy a PE set for the rigging to it if you prefer PE. It's a nice modell with a lot of feel.

I was just going to say the same thing mate. I've seen the sprues. It's excellent Tamiya stuff. The cockpit has excellent detail and the kit features PE torpedo aiming sights I believe. Can be modelled with wings folded for stowage or extended for flight.

[McCoy]

Yeah, it's really a kit that's beggin' to be built n' that's from a tincan builder...

[Whiterook]

Wow, I have to check that out. Very cool!