Hírfolyam

Dave Burgess
Bird #2 in the Thunderbirds series. I'm having *REAL* fun with these decal sheets. Most of the kits (T-33, F-100D, F-105, F-4, T38) were produced by Hasegawa in the mid-'70s to mid '80s, and the decal sheets have deteriorated badly. They've dried out, and become VERY brittle. I've had to buy decal sheets on EBay, and they too are in rough shape. I ended up by brush painting Testors gloss lacquer over the decals to keep them from shattering when they're dipped in water. I first tried airbrushing the lacquer on, but I found I needed a thicker coat. I'm working through the kits now, and dealing with the decal issues as I come across them.

Dave Burgess
Minor error n this one. Didn't realize, until it was too late, that the tail surfaces had to be painted white before the red scallops & stars were applied. One of the problems with the various decal mfgs. Some of the sheets also provide the white, others don't By the time I realized, I'd already applied a bunch of decals, and was beyond the turning point. I addressed this problem on the F-100 and F-105, but I'll just have to live with my mistake on the T-33.

Dave Burgess
Another problem cropped up during the build. The kit-provided decal sheet was incomplete. They provided no decals for the drop tanks, instead indicating they had to be painted, but no stencil for that. Having built his one before, I knew the first one I built DID provide decals, so I found Microscale sheet #72-133 on EBay and purchased it. I had perviously purchase this sheet about 3 decades ago, and built all 3 versions (T-Birds, Blue Angels and Golden Knights). Unfortunately this decal sheet also suffered from deterioration, forcing me to touch up a couple of the red scallops. I've now purchased THREE Microscale T-Birds decal sheets in the past 6 weeks (T-33, T-38 F-100) that have splintered when wet. After the first one, I started carefully testing unused decals on the sheet, before applying them. The best fix I found was to brush paint over the decals with Testors clear lacquer (a spray coat was too thin).

Ben M
My solution has been to scan the old sheets and if they shatter/are too much of a hassle, I print new ones via sts decals. I recently purchased some decal paper for my printer and next time I'll try making my own. I have cut out simple ones from scans with my cricut to make masks to paint the markings, another option.

Dave Burgess
The problem there is that MANY of the decal nufacturers print on light blue paper (intentionally, I think), so that if there is much clear carrier (like around letters), the printed decal sheet has a blue tinge. You can play around with the image to get rid of that, but it usually changes the colour hues of the images on the sheet. I did that very thing with all of these T-Bird sheets, and the results were disappointing. Also, the print 'thickness' is much less than the silkscreen, so that unless you're printing on white decal paper, the model colour tends to show through. Printing on white is not really an option for lettering (like 'USAF').

Kim Branders
Good work. Grtz Kim.

Es-haq Khosravi
Great job!

Rui S
Thank you for your comments. Very old italeri kit. Waited for years for a zimmerit solution...

Rui S
Kim, Coming from an real Expert in the subject like you, is a great complement, Thanks.

Kim Branders
I'm not an expert, just someone shares the same hooby like you. Keep up the good work mate.

Kim Branders
I meant hobby😉

Rui S
HeHeHe. For me your work is great, so if not an Expert I'm sure you are a Great modeller.

Marko Paakkanen
Very nice tree !😉

Nice dio coming!

Rui S
Thanks Marko. Yes a small one that also died early...

Donald Medley
Love your base

Rui S
Thank you Donald, the finished one is in the photo19

Tim Heimer
I love the detail work, just awesome!

Rui S
Thank you very much Timothy. It's on hold, because I thought in put some figurines in the tank and a horse rider or so in the trail next to it. I'm not very good in figurine faces... I've yet to try the oils on them😉

Donald Medley
You'll love working with oils, trust me

Fabian D.
Your solution for the Zimmerit is genious. Nice finish aswell.

Donald Medley
Very nice indeed

Rui S
Thank you very much for your kind words Fabian, and Donald... as I wrote the kit waited years for a Zimmerit solution... All my latest projects are missing the figurines hehe...

Tim Heimer
Hey I know the pain of not doing faces as well, but all we can do is learn from others and do what fits our liking

Rui S
Agree. I Think the most important is practice... A lot, with new technics. I'm confident that with oils it's going to be better...

Rui S
Some ad on photos. I thought to put some figurines on the side track but for now, I'm going to try a messenger...

Wesley De Braekeleir
Ubercool!!! Love your work sofare! Very beautiful camo pattern on the elefant! 😉

Rui S
Thank you very much for your nice comments, mates.
Much appreciated :
)

CaptGPF
Damn Rui, that camo pattern is wicked! The mud effects are also impressive!

Mr James
I agree with CaptGPF, also that tree is really good. What did you use as leaves Rui ?

Rui S
@ CaptGPF, Thank you for your comment. I hope you liked that Wicked 😄 😉 this Is an old project that is on hold as well as the photos. I hope to take better photos and complete it.
@ Mr James Thank you for your Nice words. I hope you also liked that Wicked 😄 The tree is a bonsai that had died, I cut some leaves because they were too big. If I remember correctly, I spread small wood shavings and other natural ones that I had in my vegetation stash on the ground.
Also, I thank the new likes. Apreciated

Mr James
Ah, its a Bonsai tree. No wonder it looks so good. 🙂

Rui S
I'm very happy to say that I've returned to my mancave this weekend after a to long hiatus.
So to start I preferred a lighter job, although painting horses is not, in my opinion, easy.
Let's see what this will give...

Alec K
Nice to see you back at the bench, and another shelf queen resurrected. Horse looks great imho 👍

Doubtingmango
Great job breathing life into an old kit, and I can't think of a better use for a dead bonsai tree! Looking forward to the finish!

gorby
Good to you back modelling Rui.
The horse looks great.

Rui S
@Alec, Thank you for your kind words and support. It is always great for me to receive such encouragement, even more so, when they come from a master modeler.
@Doubtingmango thx mate, I agree with you., but hey, I can only return to my bench on weekends, só it Will take some time to finish. For me the most important thing was getting my mojo back.
@Gorby, Thank you very much my friend, for your motivational words. They are always very important to me.
The horse will still improve, I hope. At least that's what I'll try to do without ruining all the work that has already been done 🤔 😉

CaptGPF
wow! you aren't horsing around (pun intended)! They look amazing!

Rui S
Thank you for your comment CaptGPF, Glad you like my hors ing 😄. Apreciated

Landlubber Mike
Nicely done!

Desert Marlin
Looks great! The coat should shimmer like a newly minted US penny. (Shiny Copper). I'll follow!!!

Ben M
I hate to be the first to inform you, that is not a tiger, nor is it an elephant, it is a horse.

Kim Branders
Rui, the horse looks amazing.

Rui S
@Landlubber Mike. Thank you for your comment. Glad you like this one
@Desert Marlin, I know whar you mean. I've been hesitating about highlights with a soft airbrush of satin black or satin varnish on the most exposed surfaces. I hadn't thought about copper. But yes, it will have to have some shine.
@Ben M, Hahaha. Thank you. Your comment with a triple meaning has made me laugh several times, but in my defense I can tell you that this horse It is known as having the strength of an elephant and bites like a tiger. That's why they nicknamed him tiger elephant. 😄
@Kim, thank you very much Mate for stoping bye and comment. Always apreciate your suport.

bughunter
I'm not really into tanks but that is a great looking horse 👍

Rui S
Wow, this is an unexpected comment. It's always great to receive a compliment from a Master. Thank you so much for stopping by and for those encouraging words. Appreciate it.

Ben M
Did you give the horse a dark wash around the tendons or post shade?

Rui S
Hi Ben, If i reacall corrctely, I gave a little bit of both, sarting with a black primer, overal coats with oils leaving those spots almost unpainted or with less coverage.

Angel Yovtshev
These horses were a nice surprise, Rui!

I'm currently fighting the harnesses of a two-horse team pulling a gun carriage(it's a hard fight- I can tell you!).
Your reins look splendid!

Cheers,
Angel

Pietro De Angelis
Damn, what a gestation this work has had,
it gives me hope that sooner or later I too will finish something!😅
Congratulations for the scene and for what you managed to do with that old Elefant, the horse is wonderful!
Admiration and respect

Desert Marlin
Very well done! Keep it up!!!

Rui S
@ Angel Yovtshev, Thank you for stoping by. Mate Your comment was also a nice surprise to me. Apreciated. I'm sure that for a master scratch builder like you, the harnesses will be a piece of cake. Looking forward to see it.
@ Pietro De Angelis, Thx a lot for you praise, really Apreciated. But you are right and If you would know the century I started the Italeri kit... 😄 I'm a slow modeller wich fails to keep the Mojo high for long periods, so, it's nice to make a few more steps to conclusion. I'm glad you like my work on the Elefant and horse.
@Desert Marlin, Thx again for your suport, it means a lot to me. I'm sure you noticed that i've followed your advise and gave it a soft overcoat of satin Varnish on the upper or most exposed surfaces 😉

Desert Marlin
I did indeed notice! Bravo!

Gary Victory
Really nice progress Rui. Impressive work on the soldiers camo.

Alec K
Nice progress on the embarrassed rider 👍

Doubtingmango
Headless horseman arrives just in time for Halloween!

Desert Marlin
Looking absolutely great!

Mark Sherwood
Nice work on the Hoss' the shading's brought out the musculature. The camo' on the headless horseman is top notch too. 🤟🥸🤘

Rui S
Hi, mates, sorry for my late reply, but I prefer to do it with some new uploaded progress photos. Gettting near to the end on this two. Hope you like them.
@ Gary Victory, Thank you very much for stoping by and nice comment;
@ Alec K, Thx again for your words, the rider come back with proud;
@ Doubtingmango, Thx for looking. Now I think he is redy for another kind of Halloween, if you get my drift;
@ Desert Marlin, thank you for your kind words, suport and Encouragement. Apreciated;
@ Mark Sherwood, Thank you for your nice comment. I know nothing about horse anatomy, so I follow the reliefs and I Think I can be happy with the result.

Desert Marlin
Just looks awesome! The progress is excellent!

Guy Rump
Superb so far!! 👍

Rui S
@ Desert Marlin, Thank you a lot for your Great suport.
Near the end as intended in photo 19 (June 20, 2016, 😮).
A few more bits and pieces and I can finaly close this chapter. That makes me very happy.

Rui S
@ Guy, sorry, didn't notice your comment during the uploading of the photos. Thank you. I'm glad you comment and like it.
@CaptGPF, I take this opportunity to post the images that inspire the camouflage painting. The numbering remained on the decals that I had.

Desert Marlin
Aye! It's a good feeling!

Rui S
@ Desert Marlin, Thanks again for your words. Apreciared.
Completed? Huummm 🤔

gorby
WOW! Excellent diorama Rui.

CaptGPF
Damn Rui! That was truly a masterpiece! Its times like this I wish there was a tech to capture a 3D photo of this so we can turn it around and admire every detail put into the diorama! The hours riding messenger, the tank crewman, the various munitions, even the foliage on the realistic tree barks - all done to perfection detail! I cannot thank you enough for sharing this with us - truly a joy to watch!

Pietro De Angelis
Absolutely agree with CaptGPF,
congrats again Rui!

Lebloge
Everything is said above... 🤔 there are no other words 🫡

J35J
Excellent work! 👍🏻

Neil
Gosh Rui! This is a story in a model. Stunning work mate! I can only add my own admiration also. 👏👏

Desert Marlin
That horse is absolutely perfect!!!

Desert Marlin
A letter from home or a communiqué from HQ?

Sebastian Meyner
Great work Rui S 👍 Knowing the old Italeri kit, you did a great job integrating it into a splendid diorama! I think I would have already given up halfway "through" the horse 😉

Neuling
Excellent diorama. Idea and implementation. Your efforts really paid off!

Rui S
I'm very happy to receive such nice comments. This was a great ride 😄
@ Gorby, Thank you so much, really important to me your approval
@ CaptGPF, Wow, thank you very much for your very kind words, it makes me feel very proud and the pleasure is mine
@ Pietro De Angelis, Thank you for your comment. Appreciated
@ Lebloge thx for stopping by. I'm glad you like this one
@ J35J Thx. It's good to know your apreciation
@ Neil Mate, thank you very much for stoppping by and comment. Very nice feeling
@ Desert Marlin, Thx again for your continuos suport. You're to kind. The message is brought by the horse rider. A sturmmann from the 9th SS Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen", so doesn't come from home, it comes straight from the XXIV.PANZER-KORPS, HQ 😉
@ Sebastian Meyner. Thank you for your nice words. Yap the the elefant is almost as old as the kit itself, 😄 had this in stand by for years and the horse at first it was a bit intimidating and frightening, but I can assure you it feels really great to finish it finally.
@ Neuling my friend, thank you very much for your comment. Coming from an dio expert, feels great.

David Verbruggen
Great diorama , i need to paint also some horses . i find my inspiration here !

Gary Victory
Really nice dio Rui. Some lovely attention to detail. Loving the Autumn foliage. Very well done my Friend.

Alec K
Outstanding work as usual. Final pics are excellent 👍

Desert Marlin
Good to know some details for the story! Makes it more real! Cheers!

Doubtingmango
Great finish Rui! The horse and figured are fantastic

Rui S
@ David Verbruggen, Thank you for your comment. Glad you like this one and that you consider this work inspiring
@ Gary Victory, Thank you for stoping bye and your kind comment. It waited so long that since I was finishing it now I might as well add a few more details.
@ Alec K, Thx for your praise , Apreciated
@ Desert Marlin, I always like to research the subject and this one come from a book called "The Combat History of German Heavy Anti-Tank Unit 653"
@ Doubtingmango, thx mate, I enjoy doing them and I was lucky (and happy), that they have turned out fine.

Desert Marlin
Bravo Zulu!

Clair Greenwood
I keep hearing that AOL guy in my head... "You've got mail", great dio Rui 🙂

gorby
Excellent model and photos!

Dominik Weitzer
wow, great!

Marcel
Great work. It looks almost like the real thing.

Rui S
Excellent model & photos 👍

Villiers de Vos
Very nice work.

onetwentyfan
Thank you Mates!

Gerald
Hello Welcome here 😉

Gerald
Hello Welcome here 😉

Rui S
Beautiful work 👍 it deserves a nice base 🤔

hiveloc
Thanks @Rui S- I still have some work to do 😉