Uutisvirta

Greg Baker kirjailija
This should be an adventure... I'm entering a 120 step program... 🙂

Greg Baker kirjailija
Ok... so a bit of an explanation seems in order for this project. As most of you know, I have a large and ever growing Tintin project - trains, planes, automobiles, boats... and ships... that were featured in the various Tintin albums. Amongst the long list there are the "Big Three" - The Lunar Rocket, Marlinspike Hall/Chateau Moulinsart, and the Unicorn. For the first two, I've been doing some preparation work to be able to tackle them with 3D model building and printing. But the Unicorn... well, that's a different beast altogether. A sailing ship as complex as the Unicorn is not something easily 3D printed. That's were this set comes in. In 2011-2012 Hachette released a Unicorn "kit" - basically on a "one part per week" schedule. You buy the booklet and the part... and little by little the Unicorn comes to life. I've known about this set for a while, but didn't really have a hope of ever getting my hands on it. I missed the weekly release, which, while still expensive (about $10 a shot... for a 120 shots...) would have maybe been manageable over the long haul. However, trying to get your hands on all the parts at this point is not easy... and generally costs a mint. So, I'd more or less resigned myself to not getting this.

Greg Baker kirjailija
However, as luck would have it, I seem to be getting a bit of a reputation as a builder of Tintin models on a few spots on the internet and after making a few connections ran across a guy who HAD gone to the book store 120 times... and then got in over his head. So for over 10 years this partially started project has sat in his basement... until this past week. There was a bit of negotiation, but the price was quite reasonable (all things considered) and, after finding a few unloved boxes of comic books and sports cards in MY basement, I was able to a 3-way trade and close the deal. 😄

Greg Baker kirjailija
Yesterday the box showed up on my front doorstep... in less than stellar condition. I'm really glad this box was only being shipped across the country and not overseas, because I'm sure I would lost half the parts somewhere over the Atlantic. 🙂 I get the impression that the seller doesn't do a lot of online sales... because he basically threw whatever was on the table in his basement into a flimsy box, threw a scrap of bubble wrap on top and put a piece of tape over the top. However, after a close inspection I was very glad to find that everything arrived more or less intact. I thought I was going to have to craft a few bits to replace the broken off tips on a few of the pieces, but luckily I actually found them on my front step this afternoon. Anyway, it's been cleaned up, all the bags have been inventoried, the broken bits glued back on... and it's ready to go. The first 9 steps have been completed so I'm starting from step 10... only 110 more to go! Stay tuned! This one's going to take a while...

Cuajete
Interesting story. Glad you were able to get it, Greg 👍
110 updates ahead seem to promise hours of fun and days of watching it here 🙂
I can't miss this!

Greg Baker kirjailija
Thanks Cuajete. One of the problems with inheriting a partially started model like this is that sometimes you need to undo someone else's mistakes. This is a rather precise "kit" and I've already had to partially disassemble it to a) clear out a glob of wood glue that was pushing up one of the ribs and would make the deck warp, and b) sand down the cut edges so that the little burs don't keep the parts from sitting flush. Luckily the previous owner didn't do such a great job to glue the pieces in place, so it's coming apart relatively easily. Maybe I should tear the whole thing down and start over…

LucLuke B
Count me in.
Yes, maybe a good idea to go back to step one.

Alec K
Taking a seat. What a journey so far!

Greg Baker kirjailija
Thanks guys. LucLuke - I've inspected the rest of the pieces closely and there are 3 that I think were originally mis-aligned. So, I think after a bit or regluing I should be good going forward now. I'm a little warry of the MDF wood - it's a lot less forgiving than plastic. I don't want to break and of the pieces by trying to take them apart because they're unlikely to simply break cleanly like polystyrene. The MDF will tear and become full of fibre. That will make it almost impossible to get it back in position.

Cuajete
I agree with you, Greg. The cure could be worse than the disease 👍

Spanjaard
this will cer6be an epic project, not to be missed 🙂

Greg Baker kirjailija
It'll be an epic... one way or the other. 😉

I just hope Lode doesn't show up until it actually looks like a ship... and not just leftovers from a home building project. 🙂

CaptGPF
Taking a seat - this is definitely going to be insteresting!

Matti Thomaes
Permission to come on board, Sir? very interrested in this one.

Ben M
🏴‍☠️

Greg Baker kirjailija
Thanks guys. This one promises to be a long and plodding project. It'll be a new experience for me though, that's for sure.

bughunter
Great story and nice that you don't have to wait another week or more to get next set parts 👍 The rather large gunship looks really small compared to this new ship.
Watching no matter how long it takes!

Greg Baker kirjailija
Thanks Frank. The pirate ship does look small, but I'm happy to note that I think I got the scaling bang on. My original thought for this project was the Heller 1/100 Soleil Royal (with heavy modifications) and the pirate ship is a 1/110 scale Bounty. Both of which were (at least to my eyeballs) pretty close to perfect for the scale given that this one is "scientifically calculated" to be 1/72 scale.

Anyway, I'm still in the re-do mode. I can tell that the previous owner was a bit less than careful in putting some of the pieces together. I've had to break down a few more parts, do a bit of sanding and then re-glueing them back in the proper place. The trim along the hull for the canons was particularly sloppy and I think that would have caused me a lot of grief once I try to get the hull put together because they would've caused gaps in the planking.

LucLuke B
What's worse is that you've got to build three.

Greg Baker kirjailija
Hahaha! I wouldn't survive. 🙂

Anyway, my last bit of re-do work, re-aligning the gun ports, is now done. I've now opened my first bag of parts (10) and have officially started moving forward rather than backward. I've glued one row of planks on the deck. 🙂

Ben M
Don't prime? Not even with my beloved tamiya?

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Hi Ben. The engravings of this kit are so delicate that they loose depth with the application of primer to such an extent that panellining becomes quite tricky. I would continue to prime models where this doesn't seem to be an issue but modern airliners or small scale models with such fine engravings I will try to do without. I suppose propper surface preparation and use of colors with more 'bite' than acrylics would be a good idea to avoid issues with paint adhesion.

Petar Žorić
Not priming a model with fine shallow lines is a great idea. I would guess if you use stronger lacquer based paints its not an issue. Will try this on my next model with fine lines! Awesome progress BTW looks really good!

Ben M
Tamiya makes "fine surface primer" I think for this application. I find it does not level as well as the regular product though.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Almost done. Now I have to adjust the shine. Even with the use of flat clear from Mr. Hobby the paint appears too shiny. Afraid to use AK Ultra Matt as this will be as matt as matt can be and thus maybe a bit too much. Then painting the radon and mounting the exhausts.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
I was cheerfully positive to finish this bird today. But the gods of modelling had other plans. After removing the canopy masks I discovered an area where paint/varnish has crept under the edge and marred the inside. Shit. But I will live with it. Then I recalled that the seals of the canopy were still to be done. A quick freehand job seemed to be a sure road to regret and disappointment. So I was in for another round of masking. Painting will follow tomorrow- hopefully.

Patrick Hagelstein
What the…! How could I miss this??? Beautiful! 👍🏼

bughunter
Built in a week? Holy moly, great workl 👍
@Ben The finest Primer I know are the MRP ones. It is thinner than many paints! On plastic I still prefer Alclad with micro filler, but the MRP sticks better on resin.

Ben M
Thanks! I'll see next time I'm at the hobby shop if they have MRP stuff. I have always found tamiya primer to stick to anything but I don't like how the fine surface primer can pool and not level.

This phantom one thing I'm really enjoying are the striped metallic portions showing the ribs. It's very well done. And I see lots of great surface detail despite the Mr surfacer.

J35J
Excellent! Congrats👍🏻

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Welcome mates, thanks for the nice feedback.
.
@Frank: no way I build something like this in a week. This has been on and off my workbench for a couple of months. Now with the final touches ongoing I summed up the process.

@Ben: being such a characteristic area of the Phantom I strifed to represent that striped portion of the tail as realistic as I was able too. I am happy with the result and of course happy too if others deem it well done too.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Note to self: cut the thin stripes first and paint them separately. When painting first and cut second the paint crackles, when only the carrier film is cut and the decals are painted then the decals are difficult to separate from the backing and from one another. Often the paint tears then - leaving uneven edges.

CaptGPF
Beautiful build! The gray panel lining does a great job of accentuating the details - as well as the numerous warning your have given us along the way. 😀

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks CaptGPF, hope I didn't sound like a Cassandra though. 😉

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Sooo. All the touch ups done, the small wheel well doors glued into place a third time and the Sparrows (?) attached with blue tack only as I consider to display the bird as seen on display in Mikasa any time in the future. And if so, it will be depicted without the rockets. And of course some final shots are mandatory.

Mr James
What a lovely build. I agree with CaptGPF on the panel lines. Im impressed with the rear end also, looks like metal

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Mr. James. I have to admit that I like the rear of this bird a lot too. I hope I recall some of the techniques applied there for my next jet build.

bughunter
I like the worn paint finish 👍 It looks 110% like the tornado in the "Deutsches Museum" in Oberschleissheim!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Danke Frank,

Funny thing is: what I actually wanted to achieve was this:

Scale Model World in Telford 2024 Part 1 Air | Album by panorama

That's the great Phantom build by Kev Baxter which has EXACTLY the appearance as the gate guard at the airbase of Misawa.

But although I aimed at something else, in the end I am quite happy with what I finally hit. 🙂

bughunter
👍
BTW, you can add a #204 to the end of the link of an album, then it opens with the indicated picture.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Done. Thanks for the hint. Again what learned - as we say in Tschörmänie.

Skyhiker
Really nice job. I personally found that Aqueous surfacer 1000 works super. It works like Mr finisher but without the lacquer smells since it is water based. Really it's the best kept secret.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Skyhiker for the hint and the nice feedback.

Neuling
Top notch. On some photos the model looks like the real thing. - Interesting: I don´t use primer for the same reason as you mentioned. For a realistic appearance of the model it seems to be important to keep the layers of paint as thin as possible.

Thomas Haberl - TH SCALE MODELS
How could I miss this one ... Amazing result. Turned out really nicely 👌

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Late thanks Neuling and Thomas for your kind words.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
The Moson Model Show is drawing nearer and serves as a catalyst to complete projects.
Kevin Baxter - a fellow mideller from England - showed the same Phantom in Telford

Scale Model World in Telford 2024 Part 1 Air | Album by panorama

and had not just already completed what I had only envisioned so far, but was also so kind to provide me with more photographic reference of the machine in its museum setting.
Thanks Kevin for that.

So, let's finish this one for good.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Kevins Phantom is on the last pic.

Alec K
I love the finish on this one Michael 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Alec. Makes me happy when others like my stuff.

Finn
Well done!

Mid Franconian
Great Phantom Michael! 👍🏻 Looking forward to the finished diorama…

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks mates for the interest and the nice feedback.

Rando
Hi Michael, I've also been building the USS Midway F-4J release of this tooling and have been enjoying your take on Fine Molds' offering. It's a great kit.

Denis Dogadov
Изкоробка будет?

Denis Dogadov
Вот стройка,может что пригодится-
karopka.ru/forum/forum435/topic29377/

Duster_d kirjailija
Denis Dogadov, да, походу изкоробку буду делать. Спасибо за ссылку, как раз искал инфу по "Вентурам". А еще можете подсказать: подойдет ли в качестве ANA 607\606 Sea Blue краска от Ганзы H54 Navy Blue?

Denis Dogadov
Здесь на сайте покопайтесь, сначала инструкции на Вентуры посмотрите в 72-48-32 ,чем там производитель рекомендует красить.
Если не поможет, то и другие самолёты США с того ТВД, окраска стандартная была.
Я недавно Каталину красил эмалями Ганза, 367, 338.

Nicolas
👀

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Duster_d kirjailija
I haven't had time for modeling lately: too much work, plus I'm sick.

Nicolas
Get well soon.

J35J
Great work so far, take care!

Denis Dogadov
Ну и чем в итоге красил?

Duster_d kirjailija
@Denis, белый H316, Intermediate Blue H56 и верх Navy Blue H54 (все Aqueous HobbyColor). Как в инструкции от "академиевской" "Вентуры".

Dave
That's patience. Nice work.

Łukasz Gliński
Following

Christoph Kunz
Da schau ich Dir mal über die Schulter.

Robert Podkoński
Taking a seat, for sure!

Alex K
... sure!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Welcome mates. Happy to have you around.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Those familiar with the kit might have noticed the absence of the firewall. I simply lost it and decided that I will just omit it as it is invisible anyway.

bughunter
A very interesting plane! You made a good progress with another (parallel?) project 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Parallllllel, alternating. You name it. 😉

J35J
Great start!👀

Cuajete
Well done so far 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks and welcome.

Nicolas
Great start.

Thomas Haberl - TH SCALE MODELS
Interesting build and very promising start - I´m in for this 🙂

Jennifer Franklin
Following

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Moin zusammen Thomas und Nicolas.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
...and Jennifer too, of course. 🙂

Nicolas
Interesting approach to simply sand the control surface structure in the primer. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a good result.

Denis Dogadov
As a base for the red color, you need to use yellow, then the red will be bright.If you put red on white, you will get just pink.

bughunter
Michael, using different primers for one top coat is my idea! The usage of my idea is geBIERenpflichtig! 🙂

Łukasz Gliński
Looks like you're the partial member of The Infanous Order of The Pink Primer 😋

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
@ Nicolas: I cross my fingers too. But looks like I have to do some homework before the final coat (see below 🙂 )

@ Denis: thanks for your input. I tested your suggestion on a scrab wing. With LP-7 I get a nice hue as well over white primer and pink base alike. Problem is that there is almost no difference between them. Over yellow (XF-3) the red receives a rather orange hue which I do not like for this project. But I am optimistic to finetune that and use lighter yellow or buff as base coat and see how that turns out. I'll keep you posted.

@Frank: So, se wollen erheben ne kleene GeBIER?!
Da trifft es sich ja gut, dass mein diesjähriger Adventskalender aus 24 Flaschen feinem fränkischen Bier aus 24 verschiedenen Brauereien besteht. Es wird mir eine Freude sein, ein-zwei-drei mit Dir zu teilen - in N?! In M?! Gruß 🙂

@Lukasz: I applied, but as PartPrimerer I am only allowed into the Entree so far. Full membetship pending. 🙂

Welcome Guy

Denis Dogadov
Yes, I will be interested in what your red color will turn out to be. I recently painted small parts red, but there was a noticeable difference in color, depending on the color of the soil. Perhaps your LP-7 is better.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
I tested a couple of base coat variations for LP-7. A nice combination in my eyes is achieved when using Mr. Hobbycolor H413 yellow as base for the darker areas and pink (Tamiya X-17) for the lighter ones. But that would have meant to redo the whole base paint. So I stuck to my combination and mourned the loss of contrast.

Mark Sherwood
Looks good to me Michael. 🤘🥸👍

Cuajete
Me 2! 👍

Jennifer Franklin
That is a gorgeous colour red

Christoph Kunz
I say the same as Mark and Jennifer. 👍

Łukasz Gliński
Add some white today and it will be perfect Xmas gift just in time 😋

Jennifer Franklin
There's the white! Perfect Xmas gift.

Jakub Biganovsky
Really great job. I appreciate your approach.
I didn`t test different base color. I used GS Aquarius H23 at first piece at black surfacer, and it wasn`t fine. I will use gloss yellow at 2nd piece.
How did you do such perfect wing bottom side. It looks really nice. I had relatively big gap there and some residual step although I precisely brushed big material layer out from both wing half. Maybe, the used glue did a step at the end.
I thing, that this, wings bottom, is weakest part of this model although, as you ar writing, engine nacceles also need some attention.

Bernhard Schrock
A nice red! 🙂

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Welcome mates and thanks for your encouraging and funny comments. Bottomline I am quite happy with the shade of red. I just haven't made up my mind about how gloss it should appear finally. If I would have had access to a cutter I would have scanned the bigger decals and cut masks for painting the letters.
Now what's left are the tail skid and a few bits and pieces at the wings and the stabiliser.

@Jakub: wing assembly requires some scraping and dry fitting. With super thin cement I didn't encounter any issues afterwards. But there still remains a considerable gap towards the flaps and ailerons which I filled with super glue.

Mark Sherwood
By Gum. That's a lovely looking aircraft. Kudos Michael. 🤘🥸🤟

Robert Podkoński
Looks beautiful already, Michael!

J35J
Almost there! Great build & paintwork👍🏻

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks mates. Let's see whether the year is still long enough to finish the plane.

bughunter
Nice 👍
Regarding the cutter - you know I can always help here! If you still want to do it may another mate can scan the decals ... or next project.

Cuajete
Fantastic job. Very nice result. Great!
Congrats!

Zbynek Honzik
Great job! I like it very much, Michael. 👍

Jennifer Franklin
I agree with everyone; great job, nice result, and I like it very much.

Rui S
I like it, a Lot 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thank you all for sneaking in.
Couldn't finish it last year, so might be the first to be completed this year.
Wish you all a lot of happy modelling in 2025.

Neuling
Very beautiful model. A good start into 2025 !

Nicolas
Great looking model. 👍 Happy 2025 to everyone.

J35J
Excellent! Your setting the scene for the 2025 build year👍🏻

Robert Podkoński
Absolutely fabulously looking model!

Guy Rump
Great result, congrats!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks mates for yor very nice feedback. Is a nice kit. Still pondering about a few details for a little vignette.

U1 PLAMO
Beautiful! That's a wonderful piece of work!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks mate

Christoph Kunz
High End Modelling. 👍

Cuajete
The figures and other elements look great. Are they 3D printed or commercial?

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Christoph and Cuajete,
all items are commercial, some classic resin casts, some 3D-printed.

Jennifer Franklin
I love the additional elements, especially the bike.

Thomas Haberl - TH SCALE MODELS
The comet turned out beautifully 😊 - excited to see the finished dio my friend 👌🤞

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thank you Thomas.
progress is a bit slow as the last figure I bought needed a decent makeover due to casting imperfections. Same with the barrels I bought. Issues I weren't used to from.Balaton and White Storck Models.

Alec K
Very nicely done 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Alec. Yesterday two figures were painted, the barrels redone and after I went full circle I am back again at the high base which I left for - first a bigger, then a smaller one with different layouts. Now I am confident with the actual concept and I am optimistic that I can still finish it for the Moson Model Show end of april.

Nick Dragone
Stellar!

Mark
Wow! A wonderful kit assembled to stunning effect. 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanx Mark. Happy to hear. It was no homerun and sat again and again for month until I gathered the motivation to overcome the hurdles I faced. But now I am happy to look at it.

Robert Podkoński
I am deeply impressed with your perseverance...And the effect is stunning indeed!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Robert for your kind reply. Much appreciated.

bughunter
Nicely done! It was a good decision to replace the closed cowling with the engine, luckily Karaya re-released the old ExtraTech sets.
One day I will solder this kit too as addition to the other stripdown kits of this series.

Dominik Weitzer
super!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Danke Bughunter und Dominik.
I hope that Eduard will re-release those strip down kits with improved styrene or/and resin parts as they did with the Fokker Dr.I.

Rui S
Filigrana. Incredible work 👍

Ralf Topeters
Could it be I saw this one in Lingen yesterday? It is a masterpiece of skill and concentration. You must be a Zen-master! 😉 👍 👍 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Hi Ralf, thanks for your nice comment. Indeed, this kit tested my skills, patience and perseverance as it is very fragile and some parts, like the leading edge slats, are quite tricky to assemble. But what you have seen in Lingen must have been another Zen-Master as I happen to work this weekend. 🙂
I case you like that Strip Down stuff, you are welcome to visit my Fokker Dr. I- build too. A kit which is much easier to handle.

Fokker Dr.I strip down 1:72 | Album by panorama (1:72)

gorby
Incredible work!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Gorby.
I gotta take some decent pics of this model too. Somehow I always forget.

Finn
Awesome!

Dominik Weitzer
Wow, das sieht Klasse aus 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Guy Rump
Great work. 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks guys for the nice feedback, much appreciated.

Neuling
Great achievement. Nice feedback mandatory!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
🙂 Thanks Neuling.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Finally added some new and better pictures.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
And Thank you guys for your likes.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Dean to you too. Appreciated.

Neuling
👍

Lothar Linke
beautiful aircraft and job

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Neuling and Loghar29 for the thumbs up.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
And thanks again for more likes. Am a little proud to have finished this one after the hard times it gave me. 🙂

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thank you guys for sneeking in and leaving a like. 🙂

Zbynek Honzik
Great job, Michael! 👏👏👏

Gary
1/72 scale wow amazing work

CaptGPF
Wow, Michael! Well done and plated!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thank you guys and welcome to the last meters. 🙂

Robert Podkoński
Great to see this jewel again!

Thomas Kolb
I am at a loss for words. Simply amazing.

Dave
That looks amazing.

Andrei
How is it possible to build?! Amazing work!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks a ton mates for the nice feedback. Makes me happy.
@Andrei: actually it is not that difficult as the layout of the kits is quite smart - most of the time. But I admit that some steps are a tad fumbly and tricky indeed.

MS K
Amazing!!!

bughunter
After seeing pic32: looks a bit crazy, because the legs are too long -> in flight position.
I know this only as I built the 1:48 Storch from Tamiya, see how it looks like on ground: Fieseler Fi 156 Storch - A-99 of Switzerland | Album by bughunter (1:48)
Tamiya offers a accessory kit: Fi156C Storch In-Flight Land..lay Set (Tamiya 12620, 1:48) which contains a stand and new parts for a in-flight extended landing gear, so yours looks more like this.

Perhaps an excuse could be that the aircraft is very light because it is only half built and has no fuel and no cargo, so the suspension lifts it up 🙂

Michael Kohl kirjailija
That was precisely my reasoning:😉
Otherwise I would have modified the hell out of this landing gear.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Kidding aside, thanks Frank for your input. Always nice to learn.

Dietmar Bogatzki
Whoow Michael, in dem Maßstab so was zu bauen 👍

Finn
Awesome!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Dietmar and Finn for your praise.

Cuajete
Following!
Intake is not closed in final stretch?

Michael Kohl kirjailija
no - and no need to, as you cannot see the roof of the intake once the fuselage is closed.

Hi Cuajete, nice to have your attention. Stay tuned.

Cuajete
Thanks, Michael 👍

Mark K
Following as well - looking good!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
You are wellcome Mark

Oleg Smilyk
Great start!Looking forward to completion👍

Cuajete
Looking good so far.

Robert Podkoński
Watching, of course! 😉

Bernd Korte
I missed this in October but will follow now. Nice paint job so far!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Hi mates! Nice to have you on board and thanx for the encouraging feedback.

Cuajete
Very nice deco.

Bernd Korte
You can try to cut the decal where it is silvering very carefully with a fresh scalpel blade. Then brush some highly diluted gloss varnish on that are (eg. Future). Like this the gloss varnish should get under the decal and stop the silvering.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Hi Bernd. Thanx for your advise. I tried it but it did not work too well. But I was lucky as a lot of silvering got covered with the gloss varnish that protects the decals.

Marius
This is so far great work and a great model. I just ordered it my self yesterday. i don't know how I missed your topic so far. Great camo work. I love this scheme.

Regarding the silvering: it tends to apparently dissapear behind a gloss varnish but will become obvious again once you apply satin or matt varnish. I would still try now in this phase to puncture it and use a decal solution. What do you use? For me the Tamyia Mark Fit works very well in most situations.

Bernd Korte
Sorry to hear my suggestion didn't work so well! I keep my fingers crossed that the silvering stays hidden now or perhaps Marius' tip works better! Anyway, what I see is very nice progress and a probably time consuming camouflage! Looks great!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Hi mates! Thanx for your likes. Much appreciated.
@Marius: welcome to the build and Thanx for the nice feedback. The kit is really a gem and I am sure you are going to enjoy it. There is actually not a lot of advice I can give as fit is really great. I did not align the wing roots perfectly and had to putty and sand a bit - thus loosing some details. In case you want to paint the naked aluminum areas around the stabilizers, consider mounting them AFTER all the painting, as masking this area with the stabs in place is really a challenge. I did not do too well on this section.
Concerning the silvering, I am quite optimistic as the semimatt varnish did nothing so far to make the silvering reappear.
I use MicroSol and MicroSet. By now I was happy with this combination, but as this' kits decals are a bit on the thick side, I indeed wished I had a stronger setting solution in my poison cabinet.
@Bernd: I will surely keep your technique in mind. It might work better in a different setting. Thanx for your motivating comment and - yes - the paint job is quite time consuming. But as I like the color scheme too, I won't complain. 🙂

Mark Broughton
Very nice job so far, following.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Hi Mark, thanx for your encouraging comment. Nice to have you around.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
A question to the crowd: I received CMKs Mystere maintenance crew and was wondering whether anyone out here has knowledge of the color of their clothes. Any input is appreciated. I am talking about israeli plane maintenance personel from the sixties and seventies. Somehow I could not find anything useful on the web.

Mark Broughton
Michael, you can't go too wrong with khaki green! But if you have a group of ground crew make sure they are all slightly different tones of Khaki green. Many Israeli personnel during this period were reservists and would have drawn their uniform from store at different times of services, so there is a large variation in colour and design of uniform. Also the kit issued to the army and airforce was pretty much the same.
I have a picture of the ground crew of 101 Sqn in 1967 on and around a Mirage (black and white unfortunately), there are 18 ground crew in the picture, 15 of them are wearing just shorts and are topless, everyone of the shorts is a different tone , 2 are in boots, the rest have flip flops on! One is in a white vest and Bermuda shorts. Those in full uniform, the tone of the shirt doesn't match the trousers. Hope that helps a little

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Hi Mark, it definitely does help. So I will go for the color of the Israeli army gear with some variations. Thanx a ton.

Robin (WhiteGlint)
That Mystère looks great!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks WhiteGlint

Michael Kohl kirjailija
It is done. I call it completed, although I want to build a little vignette in time. Some better and detailled pics will follow.
Time for a resume.

Kit:
Bottomline, the kit is great. Almost perfect fit and ease of construction make it a pleasure to build. If you leave the canopy closed there is no need for further details in the cockpit. I bought it, but think that the resin wheels are no significant improvement over the kits parts. I consider the engravings of just the right depth as they show beautifully after a wash without appearing exaggerated (which of cause they actually are). Clear parts have a perfect fit without any seam or imperfections and include the wings positioning lights.

Issues I had:
- at least without ordnance the Super Mystere turned out to be a tail sitter. This is not mentioned in the instruction. Be aware and put weight into the front. Space is plenty.
- the landing gear actuators bend if you install the wheel well doors closed, as shown on most parked Super Mysteres. Might be that this is my fault, but I have not figured (yet) where I might have taken a wrong turn.

Recommendations:
- leave the stabilizers off until after painting, as this will greatly facilitate masking this area
- replace the two pitot tubes in front. This will improve looks significantly. As there are no pitot tubes for this particular aircraft available yet, you either have to fashion them yourself or buy something similar. I found the Master Pitot tube for the L-29 Dolphin a good match. You get two as you need and you only have to shorten the front tips a bit. Easily done with a plier (Additional free advice: Do not loose one, as happend to me 😉 ).
- decals are beautifully printed but a bit on the thicker side. I did not use it, but it would probably not hurt using a strong decal softener as with MicroSol and MicroSet only they would not conform fully into the recess lines.
- be aware that the main landing gear wheels have a locating pin. They fit in one position only. I flattened the wheels without noticeing this and was left with a wrong orientation of the brake drums on one side. My bad.
- drill open the little holes in the front wheel. Looks better.
- sand the rims of the exhaust stack of engine and frame thinner. This improves appearance.
- I replaced the landing gear hydraulic pistons with segments cut from syringes and further detailled the gear with brake hoses. Almost nothing of this is seen. For a next build I would skip this.

Okay, those are my two cents on this magnificent kit. I think that Special Hobby is on par now with brands like Eduard, Tamiya, Meng and the like.

Final conclusion:
Buy it, enjoy it.

Marius
I am waiting for the final photo session, but it looks great already!!
Thank you Michael for the progress pictures and tips. Very, very helpful, at least for me, since I will be doing this kit at some point in the next 12 months.
😀

Cuajete
Very nice job. Congrats!

Simon Nagorsnik
nice job michael!
camo and decals looks great, the tail fin is an eyecatcher 👌

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Marius, Cuajete and Simon.
@Marius: if my remarks help others avoid problems and/or make the build more enjoyable, I am happy

Bernd Grün
An outstanding build and paint job, Michael! Congrats, mate. 👌👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks a lot Bernd. Nice to read.
I just then realised that I only took some quick and dirty last pics. So I have to change that and take some decent ones.
@ Marius: You wanted to build this kit within the next 12 month, you said. On January 19th 2022. So - another 9 days to go. ;-P

Michael Kohl kirjailija
And of course thanks for the likes too.

Marius
Michael, you don't need to expose my empty promises every year 🙂.
Actually the kit is indeed on my very short list, but it will take a longer while to start it. As always, you have a stash lf many kits waiting for years for some attention, but then you get excited by a completely new topic, you buy a new kit and start that one.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Marius, your explanation sounds all to familiar to me. 🙂

Łukasz Gliński
Missed this one so far 🙂

Michael Kohl kirjailija
You are always welcome Lukasz.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Ok, finally I managed to shoot some final pics and posted them here.
I really enjoyed building this kit. I was only surprised to find it to be a tailsitter - an experience other modellers did not have. In case you want to build this beautiful kit I recommend to put a few grams of ballast into the nose. Apart from that the only mistake I made was flattening the wheels without paying attention to the fact that they are mounted in one position only. So now my brakes are not in line anymore.
This kit impressively shows how far Special Hobby have come. From "nice-that-they-released-it,-but-they-could-have-done-it-better"-kits to this one, which pleases with crisp details, fine mouldings and very good fit.

Ekki
Fantastic job! Excellent!

Łukasz Gliński
Beautiful 👍

Christoph Schnarr
Wonderful 👍

Marius
A very succesful model of yours, although it's not in an agricultural frame.
I notoced just now the chipping at the air intake. How did you do it?

Dean Harpster
Beautiful aircraft!

Neuling
Top build and presentation!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Very nice to read your encouraging feedback. Thanks for that. It was a fun build and I am quite happy with the outcome.

@ Marius: the chipping has been done with the good ol sponge technique. Usually I don't like it, but here I managed to controll the effect and not to overdo it (apart from the fact that I do not know of any reference which supports any chipping there whatsoever. It was artistic license and educated guess. 😉 )

Alexander
Nice topic and a very nice looking model as well - particularly like the pictures in the fake hangar! 👍

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanks Alexander. I like the hangar background too. Hope that I will be able to build a real one too, to enhance the impression.

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thank you mates for all your likes. Happy to see this one being so well received

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thank you guys for sneeking in and leaving a like. 🙂

CaptGPF
I had a hard time with silvering on my earlier kits, but once I started to correct my myriad of errors, silvering is more or less a thing of the past. Silvering does happen to me from time to time, and when that happens, I use the following steps to resolve it:
1) I carefully cut / pop the area which is silvering
2) I brush on a lot of Mark fit strong onto the area
3) Wait a bit for it to seep into the cut, and then use a damp cotton bud to roll out the excess liquid
4) Pray / Perform sacrifices to the modeling gods / Whatever your kit making ritual is here
5) If this doesn't work, I bring out the big guns - Walther's setting solution - as a last result, and repeat steps 1-4

The first Eduard kit I made had some really weird silvering issues - to the point I was ready to just paint some of the markings manually, until I applied the X-22 Gloss coat, then it went away. Applying a Matt coat after that didn't make the silvering reappear, so I just chalked that up to some oddity with Eduard decals - or something I goofed up on.

That said, LOVE the final result - and appreciate the step-by-step process!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thanx CaptGPF for the detailled suggestion and the nice feedback. 🙂

Guy Rump
Great job, congrats! 👍

Robert Podkoński
Great job, Michael!

Michael Kohl kirjailija
Thank you mates. Waiting for a figure from Reedoak to complement and finalise the build.

Valters Orlovskis kirjailija
This project was started two years ago but then stopped. Now it's time to move on.

Dash Rendar
Heck yeah! Let's goooo.

Matti Thomaes
Looks very good so far, keep it up

Łukasz Gliński
Interesting, will follow

Ben M
👁️👁️

Nick Dragone
Nice start, is it finished? I have this one in the queue as next ip

Tim
Fun

entophile kirjailija
It will be a fun build. I want to experiment a bit with washes on this one, and try more streaking effects 🙂.

Dave
The weathering looks good. If you go into Albums than manage and look for Advance, you can rotate your pictures.

entophile kirjailija
Thanks for the kudos, and the advice on the photos! I will go in and rotate them now that I know how to do it.

Christian Abraham
good start!

Rui
Watching! 🥸

Rui S
Excellent work 👍

Dave
Nice work.

Rui S
Beautiful work 👍

Dave
I agree with Rui, Beautiful work.

Rando kirjailija
VF-161 might just be my favorite Phantom scheme, so the box art sold me on this one. I need to enjoy a state-of-the-art kit and I hear Fine Molds is excellent. I got some masks and missiles on order but otherwise just a nice simple OOB here.

Rando kirjailija
This kit is awesome. I'm already on to the main fuselage assembly and I'm not even rushing—it just falls together. Instructions say to paint (and decal?) after the fuselage and wings are attached

DerMattes
Watching 👍

Tommy Agne
Count me in! Watching👍!

Dave Flitton
Nice start, count me in.

Ekki
Following.

Patrick Hagelstein
Following! 👍🏼

Rando kirjailija
And then there were two! Building a Hasegawa 1/72 Phantom as a quick fun holiday ornament while I take my time on the Fine Molds paint job. Using DXM decals for a festive F-4J.

Thanks for following friends, was on a bit of a hiatus to work on some household projects.

Nicolas
Nice start, count me in.

Rando kirjailija
Back to work now that it's warmer at the bench, and had to fix some warts on the paint scheme. Got the black stripe painted on the nose…excited to get to the decals

Rando kirjailija
This kit is awesome, everything fits together so that any seam is covered/not visible somehow. The decals are nice too, the data stencils are clustered in groups of the same carrier film so it's a lot less work getting everything on. One flaw with the option I picked: the long black decal on the spine can't be applied until the metal tail part is attached, and the instructions tell you to paint/decal before that.

Andrew P.
Nice work. Following

Martin Weinpold
nice!

Rando kirjailija
Hi gents thanks for visiting. Doing crazy metal masking stuff on the Phantom tailpipes. Doesn't exactly look right, I might try to darken the lighter metal somehow

Sergej I
Looking great so far 👍! What's the other Phantom you are building in parallel?

Rando kirjailija
Thank you Sergej! That was actually a Hasegawa F-4 that I threw together as a Christmas tree ornament. I just decided to build it on a whim since I had this great sheet from DXM with a funny Christmas scheme. I actually really liked the Hasegawa kit, went together super well and the gear doors fit perfectly in a closed position. I'll definitely build one again
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Phantom - Merry Christmas! | Album by Rando (1:72)

Rui S
Nice clean work 👍

Adam Gudynowski
Great show, great photos. Thanks!

Spanjaard
really impressive show

George Williams
Thank you for sharing the photos.

Neuling
Thanks for sharing! Top modelling on display.

gorby
The standard of modelling is astounding, as are those paper models! Thanks for taking the time to post the photos, I enjoyed looking though them. 👍

Zbynek Honzik
Many thanks for sharing, Łukasz!

Dave
There is a lot of beautiful work on display. Thank you for photography.

Rui S
Great Show 👍 thx for sharing.

Steven Van Dyck
I'd check this thread for any reference on these ships: shipmodels.info/mws_..t=8143&start=860

Neuling
Looks good and deserves more pictures!

David kirjailija
Added a couple of more Neuling, seeing as you asked 🙂

Neuling
👍

John
That's a nice interior. Will you make the hull lift off? I personally lack the patience for doing detail that won't be seen. I used to be in the "at least I know it's there" camp but the stash is large and life is short!

alessandro magrelli kirjailija
Hi John, thanks. I am just like you, if it's not seen, not worth it. In this case the kit expressly direct you not to glue some parts. More specifically top of turret and turret can be removed, drum and drum cover as well. Engine cover can be lifted also. Only the driver seat will be sacrificed but the latch will be open. The kit is very demanding, in terms of patience, the sprues are listed all the way to the letter "Z" and some are duplicated (3 sprues "F"..) and many parts, to get together, direct you through 3 or 4 different sprues. Instructions (30 pages) are not tge best around. It took me a while to start this subject and it is my first (and last) tank, btw...

Rui S
Great work & paintjob👍

alessandro magrelli kirjailija
Thanks Rui

John
Turned out great. Interior is fantastic, must've taken a while! Like the camo scheme too 👍

alessandro magrelli kirjailija
Thank you John, yes it took a while and some patience...

Neuling
Top result! Very interesting interior. I think you can see here well the dangerous placement of the ammunition in the center of the hull.

alessandro magrelli kirjailija
Actually it was very instructive on how these things work (I am a planes guy..). Yes sitting in there looks dangerous and suffocating but the autoloader system is interesting since you can have just 3 crewmembers. One scary stuff about this kit is that, until the end, you don't know if everything is going to fit well together 😅.

Neuling
Well done, alessandro!

Alberto
It looks fantastic! Well done

alessandro magrelli kirjailija
Thanks guys

CaptGPF
Two words: simply amazing!

alessandro magrelli kirjailija
Two words: thank you.

gorby
WOW, what collection!

Mark Deliduka kirjailija
Thank you Gorby!

Spanjaard
truck? I am curious what you do with it

Rod -
Maybe there is some mold release still on the plastic. Instructions often say to wash parts. I never do and never have had trouble but I guess it's possible?.

Spanjaard
MS K did that already 😉 see picture 1

Rod -
Lol ok... so its not that.

Martin Oostrom
That's a bummer

Goldman
Strange. Never had such issue with Italeri truck panels before. Don't think it is ABS - try to glue some sprue bits with Tamiya Extra Thin. I don't think this glue will work on anything that is not styrene. Never used Gaia primer - only using Mr. Surfacer and Mr. Priming Surfacer. Is the Gaia primer lacquer or acrylic? Not sure if you have already did it but try to scuff the panels with Tamiya 3000 or 2000 grit sanding sponge (or similar) before priming. Another idea worth trying is to clean the panel with IPA - maybe the release agent Italeri used don't come off easily with just water and soap.

Alexander Grivonev
Truck with upgrade? I am so in...

MS K kirjailija
Oh no guys, this time it's just a straight build...
@Goldman - Yeah As you said, it doesn't seem to be ABS, and I sanded it and used a lacquer surfacer, but strangely the paint didn't stick. Washing with IPA is a good tip, thanks.

Bozzer
Late to the party! Apologies, work has taken over my life 🙁
I'm definitely in for the duration, on this one!

Bozzer
The paint is definitely your issue. Most of my trucks are painted with Tamiya paint. I've never had much luck with model air paint. AK doesn't work for me either. I find it best to use a primer, the lads have already pointed out the best, but I've also used Tamiya primer from a rattle can, as well as decanted. However, I've also used both Tamiya and Mr Colour, straight onto the plastic. Some colours over here, are hard to match, so I go to the automotive store and get the colour I want, and also the matching primer. Again, I decant these into a glass jar, and I leave the lid loose, to allow the gasses to fully disperse from the paint. After a day, I simply add a little cellulose thinner and then mix it up, and airbrush it.

Michael Kohl
Following

Rui S
I'm in 😎

Goldman
Interesting pattern! Can wait to see it assembled

Goldman
Custom decals - that's new. Really nice design. Looks like a huge amount of work

Goldman
Great idea scribing the part numbers. I used a POSCA marker to write them (usually the last digit is enough) but it is too easy to erase the POSCA marks by just handling the parts.

Goldman
Bummer with the fuel tank. I think all metallic paints are hard to mask. Sometimes it works most times you get these (unwanted but very realistic) "chipping" effect.
For fuel tanks I gave up "proper" metallic and just use Mr. Hobby Silver C8. It is not a metallic paint but it looks very good and very durable. Got this tip from Jan Rosecky excellent book "The Complete Guide to Truck Modelling"

Michael Kohl
When you sand for gloss, don't you have difficulties that when sanding red areas in your instance, the dust ruins the white surfaces?

Andre Louis
I guess he used a top layer of clear gloss which was sanded and then polished. So, effectively the colors are protected by the clear coat

MS K kirjailija
@Andre - Yeah, that's correct. I had clear coated twice before sanding. 🙂
@Michael - And in that case, you can erase it by gently wiping it with a compound.

Michael Kohl
Ah. Thanks for the inside. I understood that you sanded the colors to prepare them for a clear coat. Hence my question. Now it's clear to me.

Bozzer
@Michael.
;) Clear to me! That made me chuckle, probably too much 🙂

Martin Grafeneder
Amazing Work 👍

bughunter
Very clean impressive work 👍

Goldman
Italeri do have this kinds of stupid random errors in its kits. Annoying, but since Italeri is the only company that still offers European plastic moulded kits of trucks I guess beggars can't be choosers.
I *think* that there is no clear decal film between the lettering for the tyres to improve appearance. It will be almost impossible to hide the clear film on the rubber tyres. Not sure that having separate letters is the best solution. If you want I think MBM sells PE templates to airbrush the words on tyres.

MS K kirjailija
@Goldman - I'm ok without it. I don't care anymore. hahaha!!! Thanks bro~ 😄

Spanjaard
if the decals are still in the sheet (misaligned but there) its easy to scan, convert to vectors, align, make masks in vinyl and try to paint them with mask 😉 and if decals are gone, well, MS K knows how to vector them, and has the cutter already available 😉

Spanjaard
i see your post now, problem solved 😄 😄

MS K kirjailija
@Spanjaard - I thought about making my own decals, but I was too lazy to change the toner to print white. LOL
And since the base color of the self-made decal shows through a lot, it is better to avoid attaching it on top of a dark color. 😉

Spanjaard
i did not say anything about making decals, but masking to airbrush the missing decals 😉

Maciej T. kirjailija
Youtube Video

Robert Podkoński
Good job! Congrats!

Maciej T. kirjailija
Dziękuję 🙂 (Thanks 🙂 )

Robert Podkoński
Jak się składał? Wygląda na dobrze zaprojektowany - mam "nowszą" wersję z kabiną w powiększonym stateczniku pionowym i się waham, czy go zacząć, czy nie. Nie mam zbyt dużo wolnego czasu, więc zabawa w "rzeźbienie" odpada...

Maciej T. kirjailija
Jak się składał? Tak sobie... Amusingi generalnie są słabe w składaniu (dużo szpachli na łączeniach połówek kadłuba, łączeniach skrzydeł itp.), ale jednocześnie mają - dla mnie - bardzo fajne tematy, szczególnie what if-y 🙂 Robiłem już od nich kilka modeli i niestety. wszędzie podobne oceny składalności :-/
Z tym, że ja nie zaliczam się do „liczynitów" - więc mi tak bardzo to nie przeszkadza, bo tematy naprawdę mają fajoskie 😄

Robert Podkoński
Dzięki za info. Ja też buduję modele dla frajdy i kieruję się zasadą "to mi się podoba" 😉 Z Amusing Hobby złożyłem kiedyś Triebflugela i pamiętam, że poszło szybko i bezproblemowo... Może jednak wezmę tego Messera na warsztat...

Maciej T. kirjailija
Też robiłem Trieba - możesz tu zobaczyć w moich Albumach 🙂

Clair Greenwood
At 55 years old here it's really hard to stand on my head, if you go into advanced settings you can turn your photo's to face correctly. I know because I have to fix all of mine too. Have fun with the photo etch, thats actually my favorite part of building a model. You'll need a folding jig to do really nice bends, and for glue I've used and had great results with Clear Nail Polish, Microscale's Micro Kristal Klear, Mig Ultra Glue, and of course super glue. For positioning I do a 2 step process when my pe part is ready to install, first a tiny dab of Microscale's Micro Liquitape and let it dry a few minutes till it turns clear. It in now sticky like a very light adhesive and can be placed and manipulated into just the right position, then a dab of your choice of glue. If you go with any brand super glue and it's the thin kind I highly recommend a Glue Looper set, very cheap and will last forever. Clean up old glue on the tip with a cigarette lighter. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your build 🙂

Danny Ray kirjailija
I've done a terrible job with my first ever part.
Glue looper? Why have I never heard of these things? lol we are practically twins. Well, I'm 56. With the modelling skills of a 5 year old 😳😂

Danny Ray kirjailija
@lorraine are there actual female modellers? Clair is that a male name where you live? Surely there aren't 2 female modellers on earth? I'm showing my 1970's attitude here. 😳😂
By the way Lorraine cute cat. I have a dog but he's scared of cats. In fact he's even scared of doors! lol

Lorraine Lin
Danny, female modelers are relatively fewer in China, especially military modelers. But we do exist😜 And I also see many females in this community.

[img1]

Clair Greenwood
Thats ok Danny, Im 55 and act about 5 lol. I get along with my 3 year old grand daughter on the same level 🙂 Clair is a dude unless there's an e on the end usually. I have 2 cats, the one is super skittish, I remember when he was a kitten he farted, it scared him n he ran a good 15 feet before turning around to look at his butt. Hahaha

Clair Greenwood
Oh and to get that paper off use some nail polish remover. It dissolves super glue pretty quick. Then touch it up.

Rui
Great conversation going on here!

I have to catchup:

1st - I'm in the same age bracket at 59 with the modelling ability of a 90 year old who can't find his glasses 🙂

2nd - whats this I here about using a lighter to cleanup the tip on glue! How does that work? Is it for super glue cleanup? I'm always dealing with nasty clogs.

3rd - Where I live in Canada we have very few female modellers. In fact, I have never seen one. I have a theory that females can be amazing modellers because of small fingers. I don't have fat sausage fingers but they are big enough to get in the way of intricate work.

4th - @Danny I know another modeller on here named Jennifer. She is relative new to the hobby and already quite good. Lorraine's work is amazing!

Lastly - I have cats. I use to have dogs when I was younger, but now it's cats. They drive me crazy and I think the little assassins are trying to kill me, but I love them to bits.

Danny Ray kirjailija
I love this site. So much good advice and just when I felt like giving up I get lots of lovely people encouraging me to carry on. Thank you. I also need to give a shout out to Jakko. I drive him crazy with almost daily questions and he's never once told me to stop and leave him alone! 🙂

@Rui, I'd love to see a few more females in the hobby. In fact I need a new wife and one who could help me build a model would be a definite bonus. It's all about the lack of sausage fingers, as you say 😂

Lorraine Lin
For PE parts, I use lighter to clean up the instant glue. It works very well, 100% burned up.

And sometimes, I wish I had a third hand, help me to hold the small parts so I can glue them together😛

Thomas Mayer
Remove superglue from a glue looper, a needle, blade, or whatever metal item you use, by holding it into the flame of a lighter. Let the tool cool of, remove residue with a paper towel.

Thomas Mayer
Glue loopers:
SCM Search: Glue applicators looper*

Danny Ray kirjailija
Thanks Thomas.
@lorraine a third hand would be invaluable! In fact on a serious note are there items you can get to help with that? I often find myself wishing I had something to place a model in when I need to add a tricky part. I bought a small jewellers vice that I sometimes use but if there are other devices I'd love to try one!

Lorraine Lin
I bought a soldering helping hands in electronics store. It helps sometimes.

Danny Ray kirjailija
I think I'll get one too Lorraine. By the way I'm seriously impressed at your skill. Are you a professional model maker? Or something similar? Film business?

Robert H.
I have the same kit on my workbench right now, take care the instructions have a few errors and some missing steps to do, just in case you haven't noticed

Lorraine Lin
Danny, I'm not a professional modeler. Building
models is just a hobby in my spare time. I've learned a lot of skills in this community.

Clair Greenwood
I have 3 or 4 helping hands of different sizes but this one is on my "snag it eventually" list : amazon.com/gp/produc..8B8CMKBF3NX&th=1 , should prove handy when I am repairing electronics as well.

Danny Ray kirjailija
@Robert yeah I've noticed one error so far. I bet yours comes out a lot better than mine!

Danny Ray kirjailija
@Clair, thanks I'll look at that. I think I'll buy one! 🙂

Danny Ray kirjailija
@lorraine how long have you been modelling? You really are skilled. I'm very new to it but I think it'd take me at least a decade to get to your level!

Robert H.
@Danny, t's not about better, it's just about fun !! and you learn and get better with every model you build - may you've noticed that K3 and K4 track parts the designations are swapped, some drill holes that need to be made are not shown, best you download the instructions of the original Academy kit, last page shows some corretions .... scalemates.com/products/img/5/1/1/839511-44-instructions.pdf

Clair Greenwood
Well said Robert, without having a fun time we'd all be doing something else instead.

Lorraine Lin
@Danny, about 6-7 years. Agree with Robert and Clair, it's all about having a fun time. I enjoy those few hours late at night when I build models. I can fully immerse myself and forget about other worries. And I also enjoy to learn and to share with all the friendly mates here.

Danny Ray kirjailija
I agree but I'm at the stage where I'm messing everything up. I think it'll be a lot more fun when I get a bit better and I have a system for doing things. I mostly make (so far. I have 61 kits and about 2/3rds are AFV) tanks. Can't decide whether it's better to spray the wheels and tracks before adding them or once they're glued in place. I'm veering towards the 'before' scenario. Same with the tools and things like machine guns and rifles (from my universal carrier). I don't feel confident at all with figures. In fact I'd even say they scare me. 😳😂

Robert H.
@Danny, take it easy, may start with your more simple kits, to mess something up sometimes is part of the never ending learning process and fortunely on armour models you can easy hide a mistake by covering it with something, at least mostly 😉 I airbrush the assembled main groups, hull, turret, wheels, tracks... separately. I also glue small things like tools before airbrushing to the hull, I've no problem to paint small things with a fine brush after... just look always what makes more sense. Figure painting is also not such a big deal, many tuturial on YT, start with simple guides.... and don't try to paint eyes, mostly not necessary at all 😮

Clair Greenwood
Danny bro,. you didn't mess anything up... Thats the beauty of modelling war machines, Battle Damage 🙂 I've been building models on and off since '74 and I still make colossal goofs here and there. I was doing a Santa Maria all wood kit and guess what, I goofed and cut off in scale probably about 10 feet on the poop deck. I just planked and kept going, now it's a pee deck that bring your own bottle Hahahaha. We all screw up dont fret just learn and do better on the next one buddy 🙂 As for painting, I always paint parts separately, my hands shake a good bit anymore so I'd make one hell of a mess if I didnt.

Danny Ray kirjailija
Thanks chaps. Great advice. That made me laugh clair. Pee deck and bring your own bottle. 😂
I actually thought this yesterday. Why am I worrying about a rip in a wire mesh on a machine that's had dozens of armour piercing shells slung its way? Of course it's gonna look beaten up! That's a sure sign that I've not (yet) done any weathering whatsoever! 🙂

And Robert I agree. It's a good job I've (now) got 62 kits (just bought another panzer iv by Ryefield oh and a hetzer by Takom so 63 kits! (They were so cheap on temu. The Ryefield was just £11! Well with my discount.
I have now stopped buying. For now 🙂

Danny Ray kirjailija
@lorraine. I hope I'm half as good as you in 6 years!

Lorraine Lin
Danny You surely can do better. Because I just joined this community last year, while you've been here since the very beginning😜

Danny Ray kirjailija
Not me Lorraine. I only joined in November. Or thereabouts 🙂
You did say you've been model building for about 6 years? I might have mixed up your comment with someone else. It's my age! Lol

Danny Ray kirjailija
Can somebody take away my credit card please? I just saw a Takom 1:35 panzer III Ausf.M mit schurzen (armour skirts) on Temu and it was only £15. God knows where I'm gonna put these models once they're built? I'll need at least 3 more houses. Maybe I can build a few model blocks of flats? 😂

While I'm here, do any of you use those PE bending tools to help you? Some are like metal rulers with lots of different shapes to bend around. Another type is a square with another square with shapes cut out and there's a screw down clamp to securely fix the part down when bending. I can get one of each type for around £7 with my current discount . Are they worthwhile or just a gimmick?

On a similar note, I wish I could find a solution to my many different diameter circle masks. Being primarily interested in AFV builds, I find I need (especially if the road wheels are rubber edged and therefore painted in black(ish), I know you can buy specific wheel masks for many kits but they're not cheap. I was wondering if there's a good universal solution. A tool or technique where you can make your own masks or stencils. Bearing in mind, I have the abilities of a not particularly bright or gifted toddler 😂😂😂

Clair Greenwood
I use a Bug from the Small Shop and it's simply a must have to get great folds on the first try. Each bend at the same spot makes brass weaker. So yes, definitely get a screw down type.

As for question 2 >>> Tadah!!!!! scalehobbyist.com/ca..00000048/product.php

I bought one, seems nice quality but haven't needed to actually use it yet.

Danny Ray kirjailija
Thanks Clair. You the man. As they say. Funny to think I thought you might've been the (wo)man before you educated me about the different spellings of your name! 🙂 then again (I'm assuming here yet again) you Americans do love to change the spelling of the mother tongue! lol 😂😂😂😁😁
But seriously, thanks for the reply and advice. It does make it feel like I'm not in this arms race against 1940's nazism alone. Even though I'm building German tanks 😁😊
You've convinced me. I'm gonna buy a screw down clamp thing. I mean, for equivalent of ten US dollars, you can't really go wrong?

Danny Ray kirjailija
I wonder if that stencil you linked would cover the British tanks too? I see that panzer iv is mentioned. I have all the British tanks to build. Churchill, Cromwell, valentine, crusader, Matilda as well as the Brit versions of American tanks like Grants, Lees, Stuart's, and shermans ? I guess it'd be expecting a bit too much to have a single stencil to cover all German, American and Brit machines? 🙂

Robert H.
@Danny, I have this USTAR UA-80026, covers all wheel diameters, at least I didn't have one where it didn't fit in scale 1/35. For bending PE parts just a small tool which is usually sufficient for what I need it [img1] [img2]

Danny Ray kirjailija
Thanks Robert. I've just bought something similar on temu and a square one that you can screw down. Because I've been buying a lot of kits from them I had some discount. The screw down type was originally £20. I got it for £6. Hopefully it'll be decent quality. I'll have a look at the wheel mask. As well as the one Clair suggested. Thanks to you both.

Ben M
Helpful tips abound here. Sorry I missed it til now. Photo 5 looks nicely done. I apply superglue with a sewing needle with the end of the eye cut off like a tiny little U. When it gets gummed up I burn the glue off with a lighter. In my late 50's as well.

My girlfriend builds models as well but isn't on scalemates. I like to build things with my kids also.

Clair Greenwood
Gee Ben, that's a really smart idea there with the needle. I like the ingenuity bud 🙂

Danny Ray kirjailija
Hi Ben. I forgot that I bought this little tool from Temu. It's a very fine needle on a small spring and it unscrews from the handle where it's safely stored away. Basically you just dip it in the super glue then dot it where you want it. When it first arrived a couple of months ago I was disappointed but it really has helped. Though I obviously had to remember I had it first! lol
So your whole family model build? That's great 🙂

Danny Ray kirjailija
@clair shall I post a link to the needle tool I bought? It's just a small bullet looking piece of metal that unscrews then you screw it in the other end. It's just a really fine needle on a small limited movement spring like joint. A lot more handy than I first thought! Bear with me I'm not good with computers/phones. I've added a picture of the tool in the project/build photos. See it? They sell them on Amazon too but it was half that price on temu.

Clair Greenwood
Actually Danny yeah I'll grab me a few next week when I get my ssi in.Thanks man I'd like to give that a shot, looks very useful.

Danny Ray kirjailija
You're very welcome amigo

Danny Ray kirjailija
I'm embarrassed to post any more pics of the build. It looks like an explosion in a Humbrol liquid poly and Tamiya extra thin plant as an Airfix lorry carrying T34-85 112 Factory production 1:35 kits was passing….😳

Don't think I'm ever gonna get a call from Industrial Light and Magic with a job offer. 😂

Clair Greenwood
Naw buddy, Im sure it's nothing some putty wont take care of, nothing else use tarps and mud to cover bad spots. Perhaps it's a battle damaged 34 getting hauled back for repairs... 🙂

Jakko ‌
Everybody started somewhere, and nobody built award-winning models when they were just starting out.

Also, you'll be amazed what a coat of paint while hide, never mind the suggestions above 🙂

Steven Van Dyck
I made one of these and bought a second one, but made sure that I had a turned barrel set for both of them. Griffon has a nice one.

Flak 38 | Album by StevenVD (1:35)

Piotr Puchowski kirjailija
Of course, I replaced with metal, but making such a product as in the picture is a scandal. This is forcing you to buy extras

Skyhiker kirjailija
Starting a very rare bird. (I am getting bored with the other 9 builds I have still in progress).

Cuajete
I didn't know about this oddity.
Following!

Robert Podkoński
Interesting - watching!

Ben M
👁️👁️ I have this problem of starting too many things also

Cuajete
A lot of work ahead...

Skyhiker kirjailija
One step closer today.

Neil
Following, looks good 👍

Skyhiker kirjailija
Working on the fuselage today

Cuajete
Well done so far 👍

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Thomas Kolb
Coming along nicely!

Skyhiker kirjailija
Rescribing and re-riveting the fuselage today.

Dave
This looks interesting. Let me find a chair.

Thomas O'Eh
Nice job so far! Reminds me to continue work on mine. I am also stuck with the fitting of the front transparent part. I use thin layers of evergreen strips to close in on the gaps, but I am not quite there yet…

Ferenc Sarka kirjailija
Thomas, thank you for your advice. I will see the old remains, maybe there willl be something "filler".

Nicolas
Following

Łukasz Gliński
Joining too

Cuajete
Me 4.

Thomas Kolb
What a fight this little helo puts up! But you seem to be on top of it, so I am waiting for the next steps!

Cuajete
It's coming along really well 👍
Cheer up!

Ferenc Sarka kirjailija
Mates! Thanks for the comments and nice words, it gives me strength.

Nicolas
That's a great result, congrats. 👍

Rui S
I'm in 😎

Ben M
👁️👁️👁️

Villiers de Vos
Booking my seat.

Danny Ray
This looks better than my Panther. Then again my Tamiya was/is (it's in the paint shop) my first ever 1:35 scale AFV…if I ever get to your level of build quality I'll be a happy cockney 😘😇😊😊😁

Danny Ray
By the way, you can always trust you Jakko to have an interesting subject matter. Something a little quirky or different. Never knew the allies had one. It was relatively common to use an enemy's vehicles I believe but it's still somewhat of a shock when you actually see it.

Jakko ‌ kirjailija
There are a good number of photos of captured Panthers used by the Allies, but Cuckoo is probably the best-known. For a lot more pictures of all kinds of captured German vehicles, take a look at this thread on Missing-Lynx: tapatalk.com/groups/..-allies-t337227.html

Danny Ray
If you look at the new hatch door you built, if you zoom in a little it looks a little bit like the palm tree part of the DAK marking that has the tree with a swastika half way down its trunk. Or am I going mad? They do say the human brain tries to find familiar shapes in everything. Could be a case of that! 🙂

Jakko ‌ kirjailija
You mean on the Zimmerit? That's an arrow pointing up, to ensure the hatch would end up the right way round 🙂 I had to take care that the ridges and grid pattern on the hatch line up with those on the turret, and the arrow helps with that.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress so far. This threat also is a good tutorial.

Jakko ‌ kirjailija
Thanks, I like model threads that actually show what the builder is doing rather than just posting the finished article 🙂

Danny Ray
Ahhh thanks for the explanation Jakko. I thought it must've been intentional!

Doubtingmango
Love the narrative

Jakko ‌ kirjailija
Thanks — and see my previous post, above 🙂

Spanjaard
wow fantastic details, looking forward to the rest of the show

Jakko ‌ kirjailija
Bedankt 🙂 I now have to figure out what most of the other stuff is that was on the real tank when it was photographed near Geijsteren and in Tilburg. Some of it's easy, like a couple of jeryrcans, a bucket, etc. but other bits are very hard to make out.

Spanjaard
sure you will figure out 🙂

bughunter kirjailija
After I got this kit as present - Thank you Kenneth - I found also some accessories. Luckily the kit was some years old so I found the sets cheaper. The start was triggered recently while I was cleaning my bench and working room. All the additional CMK boxes were to big to fit them into the Airfix box so I cut some of the bigger resin parts from the mold. But once they are cut I found myself mounting them.
Yeah, my first Airfix kit and my first CMK cockpit set 👍

LucLuke B
I'll be watching over your shoulder if you don't mind.

bughunter kirjailija
Hey Luke - you are the lucky first one! A warm welcome.
Just added some more pictures.

gorby
Joining the audience for this build. 🙂
The cockpit looks great and the instrument panels look amazing!

bughunter kirjailija
Welcome and thank you gorby!
The CMK set is really great so I have not used much from the kit yet and in opposite to other projects no scratch work is needed 🙂

Kenneth
That'll be another great result 👍 You will be adding the rods that connect the throttles, the tailplane trim (on the left fuselage half), the slat controls (on the right fuselage half), the rudder bars, and to their respective destinations (engine, tailplane, slats)?

bughunter kirjailija
Thank you Kenneth for the detailed information and pictures!
One remaining question on the right side of the cockpit, see picture 16 (part of the Eduard manual).
The parts 29 are the control of the slats, that's clear. But what is the purpose of the two levers 10? Should I leave them out?

Robert Podkoński
Taking a first row seat on this Talent Show!

Christoph Kunz
Me 5.
I'm happy you're doing a biplane again. 🙂

Kenneth
I've never ever seen such levers (10), and I wouldn't know what they should operate. One guess - and I repeat guess - would be for actuating retro-fitted wheel brakes on a modern, restored aircraft. Personally, I'd leave them out.

bughunter kirjailija
That seems to be a good educated guess Kenneth 👍 So I have not mounted the levers (10).
In meantime I found some PDFs of original manuals! Very interesting drawings 🙂
In pic 16 Eduard showed two levers 29, the CMK cockpit set only one. May be there are updates with slat control in both cockpits but the original drawing shows this lever onll in back cockpit. So I followed the CMK manual. Now I understand also how this control wire runs to the upper wing and can clearly see it on the reference pictures of "my" Tiger-Moth.

Regarding the little maintenance lids: Eduard provides around 80 and the instructions where to add those. They seems to follow the original generic drawings, but on "my" Moth the layout seems to be different. For example they are sitting on the lower surface on the tail plane instead of upper. So I followed my ref pics here, but this task is not yet complete.

Alec K
Taking a belated seat for another superbuild 👍

bughunter kirjailija
Welcome to this build Alex and Lorraine!
Due to spring and nice weather outside not much progress as hoped, but may be some new pics soon.

Marcel Klemmer
Take seat…

bughunter kirjailija
Welcome Marcel!
Added some new pics. Decided for a different mounting order. The instructions says to cover the engine early, but as the covers overlap the fuselage that complicates the paint job.

Simon O'Gorman
Very enjoyable watching this come together.