ニュースフィード

Marcin Dudek
Impressive build 👍

Rui S 著者
I've some Miniart dios in stash, so I decided to do something diferent for me.

Villiers de Vos
I am booking my seat in the front row and will be following your progress.

René (Lord Bilbo) Bartholemy
Same here. Front seat.

Rui S 著者
Thank you for your vote of confidence and encouragement mates.
I Apreciate it and i hope I will not disappoint you.

Michael Osadciw
Me too. I have two of these MiniArt building kits in the stash for two different dios. I'm looking forward to your progress.

Mike Kryza
Hi Rui, I'm in!

Bruce Huxtable
Hi Rui, if you were to press this wall face down into something like Plasticine, and then pour the plaster onto the Plasticine, that might give you a crisper copy. Good luck with your experiments - I'm watching with interest (as these kits are not cheap....) 🙂

Rui S 著者
Thank you for your vote of confidence and encouragement. I'm very pleased to have you on board mates. Now I'm feeling the pressure growing 🙂
@ Bruce, Thank you for your tip. Yes, It seems quite easier to do it Plasticine. I don't have any at the moment but...🤔
I also decided to duplicate the plastic windows in wood. So I've always other alternate molds up to scale.
I will try to make some scaled bricks in modeling paste, and other stuff to improve the overall detail.
I'm hoping to enjoy the work on this little scene.
Let's see how it's going to workout 😎

René (Lord Bilbo) Bartholemy
Hi guys, pouring plaster in plasticine will soften the plasticine considerably (tried it), leaving you with a very difficult to clean plaster positive. I talked already of the Silicone & Cornstarch technique in another post. Here's a link to a YT clip: Youtube Video (as ever, the music sucks!) to show how easy this solution can be.
Hope to be of service... 😉

Rui S 著者
Thank you for your heads up and video, René.
It sure makes things easier to understand.

gorby
Interesting. No doubt this will be transformed into something special.

Bruce Huxtable
Great tip, René. Looks easy so will give that a try myself too ?

Rui S 著者
@ gorbygould, Thank you Mate. Apreciated.
I'm Hopping to do something about it, but I don't know how special it wil be 😄 😄 😄

Kerry COX
The masters machinations. !
Make room for me on your brick fence there Rui. ! 🙂 👍

Rui S 著者
You know I'm always proud to get a master on board. So you know you are always most welcome, Kezza. The pressure is on, hehehe

Rui S 著者
Here is the reason why i will never be able to make a weekend model, at least with these old kits 😉

gorby
Good grief, that little bike model has more parts than some aircraft kits I've done.
It's looking good so far and I'm interested to see how this develops.

Bruce Huxtable
Watching and learning 🙂

Rui S 著者
Thank you for your kind words mates, apreciated.
@Gorby, this is an old kit and could be more detailed. I hope you will like what I'm planing 😉
@Bruce, you're welcome. I hope it can help in someway, because you have more experience than me in Miniart dio kits 😉

Bruce Huxtable
I have a few motorcycles and bicycles in my stash, that I have put off attempting, as they have PE and tiny parts. Your added extras are encouraging me to make a start (when I am next in UK, and can get near my stash!)

Rui S 著者
This one, unfortunatly dosen't have PE spokes on the weels 🙁
Looking forward to see your next builds.

Bruce Huxtable
Me too, Rui! I have been away for eight weeks, and don't yet know when I will be home again. I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms....

Rui S 著者
😄

Villiers de Vos
Rui, a beautiful build and impressive attention to detail.

Rui S 著者
Thank you for stoping by Villiers de Vos, I apreciate your comment 👍
I've finished the build and starting the paint work on the bike. More photos to follow 😉

Jean-Michel Tilquin
Nice work as ever so far Rui. Waiting for more!

Rui S 著者
Well come abord and thank you for your comment Jean-Michel Tilquin.
"Your order is my command" 😉 🤔 😄

Kerry COX
Simply outstanding Rui. 👍 👍 👍
I am wondering about the crease in the drivers and pillions saddles, if that was hollow or left as you have it there. ?

Rui S 著者
Hi, Kezza. Nice of you to stop by and leave your kind and wise words. Always very much apreciated.
If I get you right, you are speaking about the holes in the seats?
That completely scaped my attention. I have to study that issue... Thx again

Simon Nagorsnik
It will be getting a nice dio, i think!
Good detailed bike- good job on an old kit👍

Kerry COX
Rui. I just did a Google search for BMW seats for WWII army type M/Cycles. And it looks like you have it right. The seat has no slots or open cavities. 😉

Rui S 著者
@Simon, thx a lot for commenting with encouraging words. I appreciate it.
@ Kezza It looks YOU are right Mate. I've looked at my research material and it seems they are mostly flat. I've seen one or two that have a slight depression on the front seat, but nothing so deep like in the kit.
Now I will have to further detail the seats 😄

Rui S 著者
Kezza, I've Uploaded two photos 😎 second bike on the Left in the first photo.
In the second the front seat, apear to have 3 recess 😎

Kerry COX
Good spotting Rui. I wasn't being a smart ass. I genuinely wondered if they had the hole there for letting water drain away rather than pool, or cause a wet bum if you were not paying attention before you threw your leg over in a bit of a hurry to get away. (Just a thought mate. 😉)

Rui S 著者
Of course you weren't Mate, you never where a smart ass, I'm sure you don't intend to start now 😄 More so, because what you say makes total sense. We motorcyclistes know how bad it is when water arrives to your Balls 😄 but normaly this guys use rubber suites on the winter.
I thank your insight and headsup. I've decided to change only the back seat and i've done it already 😉

Kerry COX
LOL. 🙂 I was only trying to be logical Rui. 😉
I am really looking forward to the progress images, as the final result will look so real, it will have us all opening our doors to let the engine fumes out. !!!! 👍 hehehehehe

Rui S 著者
😄 Me too Mate 😄
Thanks for your encouraging words. I hope I don't disappoint your expectations.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice Rui, especially all the small details that you have added.

Rui S 著者
Thank you for your suporting words Villiers de Vos. Apreciated.
I didn't go the extra mile, but there is always space to further detailling 😉

Villiers de Vos
Rui, very nicely done.

Bruce Huxtable
Liking the realism all the extra wiring, etc brings 👍 Is that an ignition key too ?!!

Jim Bob McCabe
That motorbike combo looks great, Rui; i hope you don't mind but i am going to copy your ideas as i have one of those combos waiting to be built and detailed.

Rui S 著者
Thank you mates, for stopping by and comment this album. A good motivation.
@ Villiers, Glad you are following, and like it, so far 😉
@ Bruce, when you pick an old kit you know you will have extra work to do, but I'm not going the extra mile because this is tiny (for me ofcourse). That piece it is not the key. I think, it is for tighten / loosen / lock ? the steering shaft? 🤔
@ Jim, Welcome abord, Be my guest. I'm flatered, you are more than welcome 😄

James C
I'm not much of a fan of motorcycles in general, but your detailing and attention to detail with this build is fantastic 👍

Kerry COX
What ever the season you choose Rui. I am sure you will do it justice my friend. 👍 👍 👍 🙂

Simon Nagorsnik
a good job with the bike!
I also think that it still needs some dust and also on the floor of the sidecar

Teeage
Nice job, again, Rui 💪🏼

Olivier
The R75 was produced between 1941 and 1944.

Rui S 著者
Thank you for your comments mates.
@James, In the past I've done a Tamiya ketenkraft, 9 SS Panzerdivision | Album by mig (1:35)
and I always look at it and think, "why didn't you made the cables??? 🙁" So this time I was more comitted.
@ Kezza, well this time I'm going for a dry season 😉 apreciate your encourgement

Rui S 著者
@ Simon, thank you for stopping by and comment. I'm going to try a soft urban dust weathering
@ Tini, I'm really glad you also like this litle thing.thanks a lot
@Olivier, Thanks a lot for your headsup. Apreciated mate.
I was so engrossed in building the bike that I didn't even go to see its production story. I already had a Dio in mind and now I have to change all the plans. I saw so many images of motorcycles invading Poland in 1939, that I was going for that. As you can see, I'm already thinking about the alternative, same context, same unit, but later in the war, 21/11/1941 – 27/11/1941.

Olivier
Sounds good to me.

Rui S 著者
Thanks Olivier I'm glad you concor 😉.
I'm going to extend the time frame a little from 04/10/1941 – 27/11/1941, so there are no more inconsistencies 😄

Bobby Thumbs
The bike is awesome rui

Rui S 著者
Thank you very much Bobby, I realy like it very much too and I'm not trying to be cocky. What I mean, is that I'm very happy with the result so far 🙂

Kerry COX
When your work is constantly of such high quality Rui. You can afford to be cocky mate. 👍 👍 👍 😉

Rui S 著者
Hi Kezza, I know to well my limitations, so I prefer to be humble, (and believe me that's not false modesty) even more so, when I see the top modeling level here in scalemates. 🙂

Daniel Klink
Truly a fantastic result mate👏👏👏👏👍

Rui S 著者
Well Daniel, Thank you so much for your kind comment Mate. It means a lot to me, comming from a top modeler like you.

Kerry COX
Well said my friend. 👍 😉

Rui S 著者
Thx Mate. Glad you agree Kezza 👍

Artur Z.
Hi Rui, it's looks like next exellent work 🙂. I will wait for final result.

Rui S 著者
Thank you, for your vote of cofidence, Artur. Apreciated.
After aborting the 1939 Poland dio project, I've to redirect the all thing. But I've a plan B in mind.

Mathias Decommere
Nice motorcycle-paintjob!

Villiers de Vos
Rui, this is pure eye candy.

Rui S 著者
Thank you Mathias and Villiers de Vos, I'm very glad you like this one. A long way too go, but I'm very proud it took your attention.

Jac Fleming
I love the pose of the bike, I wouldn't change anything. The road and building are super objects by their simplicity

Rui S 著者
Thank you Jack. Nice of you to stop by and coment this one, Apreciated.
I see what you mean but I want to make an efort to do this dio more real, like I always try, and so y see that I still have lot's of work to do. 😉
P.S. Owh, and the Rommel unfinished figure, is just a touch for scale purpose.

Rui S 著者
Some update photos, of the third kit for the dio.
My first Alan/Dragon Kit (definitely not for beginners).
Scratch on Zis truck, started 🙂

gorby
That does look like a very challenging kit. Fortunately your skills can easily master it.

Rui S 著者
Thank you for your kind words Mate.
Well, the kit is bad enough yep, but I'm challenging my scratch build with it, so I'm hoping to make something interesting out of it with spares and trash that I've accumulated in the man cave 😉

Rui S 著者
This is the state that the transformation from Zis 5 (Zavod imeni Stalina 5) to PMZ-1 (Zis-11) special chassis developed for the fire departmant, is currently in.

It's a Autopump on a Amo-4 (Awtomobilnoje Moskowskoje Obschtschestvo-4) chassis, from Miusskaya fire engines plant almost in the center of Moscow.

PMZ-1 also (ПМЗ-1) or (ЗИС-11) is the first model of this plant, realeased in 1934. This fire truck had a engine power of 55kW, a load capacity of 3 tons, was designed for 12 people, equiped with a centrifugal pump that suplied 1340l/min, and a tank for 360 liters of water to extinguish fire.

Villiers de Vos
Simply, outstanding work Rui.

Rui S 著者
Thank you very much for stopping by and comment, Villiers de Vos. You are to kind Mate. But yeah, I'm enjoying it a lot.

miloss
Very nice and detailed build, thank you for very helpful photos and comments. Can you suggest me, please, some good source to learn how (from which point to where) to draw cables in German BMW and Zundapp bikes, please? Your pictures are detailed, but sometimes I´m not sure, which cable is it, in other picture.
Thank you very much.

Rui S 著者
Thank you miloss for your words.
Well, my album is certainly not the best place to understand how to put wires and cables in the BMW.
I did my wiring by looking at a lot of images of this motorcycle available on the internet and also some knowledge acquired since I was little because I have always ridden motorcycles.
I'm not an expert or rivet counter but I can say that there are always n cables, some electrical and others steel, that connect, for example, the levers to the brake hub on the front wheel and to the clutch. then there's the accelerator that goes to the carbs, there's also the speedometer cable that goes from the front wheel to the dial.
Then do we have electrical cables that go for example from the spark plugs on the pistons to the alternator? and all the lighting cables coming out of the battery, to the front and rear lights, etc.
So if you want to get it perfect what I can advise is a lot of research on the net maybee try to find the diagrams of the complex electric systems and also on YouTube, there are lots of this bikes with lot's of fan's still nowadays, so you will find What you're looking for. I hope this helps, a bit 😉

miloss
Hi Rui,
thank you very much for your answer. I´d like to accentuate, that your amount of pictures, done during building of models is not usual in positive meaning of words, and so I´m really grateful for it. My intention was not to diminish your effort, only to point to my lack of knowledge and ability to fully use them for my own education. And yes, my question is a part of my searching on internet for good source of information. Different of you , although I´m not a young boy already, I´ve never ridden a motorbike. Actually I started to like motorbikes (old veterans I mean) only since my , let´s say, upper age. 😮 🙂 So I have to learn a lot. I love books, but they can be expensive and to buy something and then realize it was not worth money is not optimal way of learning ... but it´s also learning, isn´t it? 🙂
Thank you very much, have a nice day!

Rui S 著者
Hi miloss,
Thx again. I didn't understand your comment as derogatory, quite the opposite.
I appreciate the same and apologize if my answer or English words chosen were or sound arrogant, as that was clearly not my intention so i'm hoping no harm done.
I understand What you mean and I'm sending you a private message so I can try to help a little more and talk about the matter at hand 😉

miloss
Hi Rui,
thank you very much! No harm was dome, don´t worry! I´m also not very clever speaker in English, it´s much better in Slovak, I think. 🙂 The way of thinking and speaking in my language is different comparing to English - there are some cultural differences, what´s OK, but can cause difference in what wanted to be told and what was told. 🙂Thatś why I´m not always sure, how my questions sounds to other people. And I don´t want to be rude (without reason). 🙂
Thakk you very much for your PM.
Keep well!
Miloš

Rui S 著者
Hi miloss,
Ok, nice, for me would be better in Portuguese 😄 otherwise misunderstanding can always happen, and hey, you're younger than me 😉
Cheers.

gorby
If the main language of Scalemates was Portuguese, Slovak etc. I wouldn't have a clue what was going on. Everyone on here who speaks English as a second language deserves respect from those of us who use it as our native tongue. In fact, it's often embarrassing when many of you write English far better than many of the English.
Rui: your scratch building on the truck is excellent. I love the way you made the back fenders/mudguards.

miloss
Hi guys,
yes,you are right. You know, I´m greenhorn.🙂🙂🙂
Cheers!

miloss
Hi gorby,
let me ask you, please:I see that you started Panzer Soldiers Set 1. Are you able to remove molding lines of miniatures and do not destroy all details around, please? Because I´m not. So I would really appreciate some advice, how to do it. I tried thin cement, to freeze it and use low temperature, to use acetone, and, of course, sand paper, scalpel and razor blade. Razor blade works, but it´s too big to use it in area around delicate details.
Thank you very much.
Cheers!

Rui S 著者
@ gorby, thank you for your words and understanding. One thing I'm sure, my English is rough and I wish I had your sense of humor, or at least be able to transmite mine in English as perfect as you do with your 's in all your álbums, like the introduction words of your panther 1/48 project.
Let me introduce you to my first and ONLY attempt to model a tank with a full interior. | Album by gorby (1:48)
Outstanding. I always laugh and enjoy reading your comments.
As to the fenders I think we both have that improvisation in common, right? So Thx again.

@ Miloss, I think you should ask gorby about his project's on his albums. Please don't get me wrong. I don't mind you doing it here, but I thing it's fare enough if you you do it in Gorby albums, they surely deserve it.
Btw I never was able to remove 1/72 figures seam lines
So thank you both.

gorby
Hi Miloss, the Panzer soldiers set is my first experience of Orion figures and I was quite impressed with them, they are the best 1/72 figures I've tried. Mine only had a faint seam line on most of them although there was a few which needed trimming. I found a sharp scalpel used with a sawing action worked well enough and then, if that left a rough patch I used Tamiya Extra Thin. Do you know that you should prime the figures before painting with diluted PVA glue? I used plastic primer on top of that as well. I hope that helps.
Thanks you for your kind words Rui. It's particularly pleasing as I had to re-learn to speak and write after a stroke 18 years ago.
Isn't Scalemates a lovely place? 🙂

miloss
Hi guis, thank you very much for your answers and sorry for my question placed on not correct place. I'm really not a fan of social medias and my knoleadge of the manners there are really poor. I felt the post similar to Room of discussing people and I wanted to use opportunity to ask someone who is present there.But you are right, no doubts, and I know how to do it correctly, next time. 😁🤔👍 Thanks.
Cheers!

P S.: I tried Extra Thin glue and scalpel, but with poor success. But I didn't know anything about diluted PVA. Thanks!

Rui S 著者
@Gorby, I'm sorry to know about your misfortune but very Glad that you recover very well from that stroke Mate.
I'm 100% with you, scalemates it's a lovely place 👍
So Keep safe.
@Miloss, I'm sure, no harm done. 🙂
Cheers

Neil Patrick
Great craftsmanship Rui. Two major projects in one build! The Zundapp looks wonderful and I am sure the ZIS will too very soon. Looking forward to seeing the next steps.

Rui S 著者
@Neil thank you very much for your kind words and for stopping by and comment. Yah I'm back from holidays and I've to restart working on this project. It will be a long one as all my other work but hopefully I will manage to do something that will make me proud.
P.s. it's a BMW 😉

Thank you Tom Harris (MHBeergeek) for the 53 like. Much Apreciated

Neil Patrick
You're welcome Rui. Duh, How did I make that mistake? I think I was probably just too distracted by the fine detailing! 🙂

Rui S 著者
Thank you very much Neil.
No harm done 😄 on the contrary.

Thank you tom svk-atfor the 54 like. Much Apreciated

Rui S 著者
Thank you Jac Fleming for another 54 like on this album. And Hang Li fot the 55...or should I say the 56 🤔
Much Apreciated

Simon Nagorsnik
Fantastic scratch build elements!
Really like them, they´re looking great 👍
I'm already curious how it will look finished.

Pietro De Angelis
Remarkable work,
congratulations for the detail work on the vehicles.

John
Is that a water pump in the back of the ZiS? Amazing level of detail and scratchbuilding Rui!

Villiers de Vos
Over the top scratch building skills.

James C
Coming along nicely Rui 👍

Kerry COX
Will this give us frost bite Rui. ? 😉
I can imagine all kinds of scenarios and blood in the snow is one of them, if a field ambulance is required. 👍
What are you using for the bolts that will be holding all your timber add on's. ?
Brass pin nails like the naval modellers use for their planking are good. :-/
Love your work mate. 'No covid blues here' obviously. 🙂 👍
Cheerz .😉

Rui S 著者
@Simon, thank you for your comment and vote of confidence. I'm also very curious how it will end 😉
@Pietro, thank you for stopping by and your kind words. Appreciated.
@John, thank you very much, I can say that you nailed it.
@Villiers, you are to kind Mate. Thank you.
@James thx Mate .I'm really glad you like it.
@Kezza, my friend, thank you for stopping by and comment. I'm really glad to hear from you Mate. Hope everything is good now.
Well, I'm trying to keep some secret about this one, but I can say that, yes it will have blood (but not on the snow), and that John as raised the tip of the veil 😉 😄
You know I'm not a rivet counter, so I think this will not need any visible bolts.

I also would like to thank all the 60 mates that pressed the like in this one and also on my other albums. Appreciated

Kerry COX
Sweet as mate. !! 🙂 (y_

Rui S 著者
Start working again on this project, and the mojo comeback 🙂
Also thanks for the new likes. (thx to all 63 mates).

Villiers de Vos
Rui, it simply stated work of the highest standard. I am glad you have your mojo back.
What is the kind of tape that you used to make the hoses please?

Rui S 著者
Hi Villiers, thank you for your kind words Mate. I've used it before in my project
Outono / Autumn 1944 | Album by mig (1:35)
To simulate zimmerit.
It is used by wall painters when they have to mask out circled areas. it allows you to extend (straighten) one side while keeping the other side short and rough.
And yes, I'm such a slow modeler that I also really enjoy when I'm motivated.

@ ribellinu, Thank you for the 64 like. Appreciated

Villiers de Vos
Thanks Rui. I agree with your feelings.

Rui S 著者
Starting the bodywork, paintjob. Complitely noob on shiny paint work... The only gloss kit I have is a 1/72 Kubelwagen from centurys ago when I only had some clossy paints and brushes.
Some dry fiting test also.
Getting ready for the marriage.
@ Villiers de Vos 👍
@ DaveTheGun, Thank you for the 65 like. Appreciated

Kyle DeHart
Very cool!

Rui S 著者
Thank you Kyle, I'm glad you like it and comment. Apreciated
Also, thank you and to David (DaveTheGun), and Robert Hessler (RobCol)
for the 3 new likes, 68.

Kyle DeHart
I do like it. Most impressive!!

Mathias Decommere
Your building proces is really mind blowing... Perfection in the smallest detail.

Villiers de Vos
Phenomenal.

Rui S 著者
@ Kyle thx again, you are to kind.
@ Mathias, thank you very much for your kind comment. Don't we all seek that impossible aim 😄. ? Much appreciated comment.
@ Villiers de Vos, thx for your support & motivating comments Mate, you are so kind.

And thank, Viacheslav (touristTula) & Dmitry Melnikov (Ditrich) for the 2 new likes, 70.

Riho Sakrits
Will be watching that project!
Boa Sorte!

James C
Looks to be progressing nicely Rui 👍

Rui S 著者
@ Riho, Thank you for your interest and comment. I hope you will find this interesting till the end. Obrigado 😄
@ James, Thank you for your comment. Apreciated. My redemption from ZIS - 11 or PMZ - 1, is nearing completion.
And thank you Dmitry Melnikov (Ditrich); Raditz; Neil (djferrisbueller) and Mark K (Ladislas) for the new Likes. (74).
I've uploaded some more scratch detail work on the kit. I Hope you find it interesting, I sure enjoyed doing it a lot.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice work so far. It is a joy studying the small details in each photograph.

Kerry COX
As always. It's a trip back in time and a great rendition of that moment in time. Then, there is the detail. Thanks for the pleasure you give us all when admiring your skills.
None better. 👍 🙂

Rui S 著者
@ Villiers de Vos, thank you for your kind comment and continuous suport, very apreciated. I'm really glad you like the detailing.

@ Kezza, thank you my friend. you are without a doubt one of my main mentors here. It was with you and through your albums that I learned a lot, and I even tried to use your sharing methods in my Albums. It is fair and deserves my respect and public recognition for what I am saying. I am far from reaching your heels but your support from the beginning was one of the reasons that led me to try to do more and better. so thanks for your support. for me it means a lot and I am always proud of your comments. Thank you for your unconditional friendship, without it I would not be what I am in scalemates.
P.S. if I'm something at all. One thing I'm sure, I'm for ever grateful to you.

Rui S 著者
Now lifting one more edge of the veil, reveling a little more about this project, I leave you with Sturmbannführer Kurt Meyer (nicknamed "Steel Fist") , commander of the motorized reconnaissance battalion "SS Leibstandarte" memories, about that noon on Wednesday, October 8, 1941:

(...)- My armored car drove into a round city square. Trams were moving in our direction, and trucks, horse-drawn carts and hundreds of people were spinning around. My armored car almost ran into a fire truck, the driver of which stopped in confusion. The second armored vehicle, which was following mine, suddenly opened up with a whole hail of fragmentation shells, and the fire truck, frozen in front of me, was literally torn in half!
Next, the machine guns of our motorcyclists rumbled, echoing with an eerie echo somewhere in the courtyards of the houses surrounding us. (...)

Robert Podkoński
Your skills and perseverance are simply impressive, Rui. Keep it up!

Rui S 著者
Thank you very much for your comment and encouragement Robert, much appreciated.
The clean and shiny version (Diecast type with a little accident) of the fire truck is almost finished.
I just need to take more photos.

Rui S 著者
Now I can start to concentrate on the dio and figures.

Kerry COX
As always. Your skills and attention to the details have shon through mate. Well planned and executed. 👍 👍 🙂
What will next year bring I wonder. ? hehehe
More surprises no doubt. 😉
Happy New Years too mate.

Rui S 著者
Hi Kezza, thanks for your nice comment. Apreciated.
You Know mate, I realy fell proud doing this original, never saw one built, so... 😉
Anyway, at the start of the new year I want to finish this dio, so let's see how long it will take 😄
Best wishes to you and a Great and Healthy New Year 👍

Villiers de Vos
Rui, outstanding and inspiring. Best wishes for 2023.

Kyle DeHart
Really great Rui!

gorby
WOW! The fire truck is fantastic Rui! Up there with the best modelling I've seen on Scalemates.

Mathias Decommere
Just... Superb!

Rui S 著者
@ Villiers, thank you very much for your comment and kind support. Happy 2023, Mate.
@ Kyle, thank you for your comment, glad you like it.
@Gorby, thx a lot for stoping by and comment. You are to kind mate. I know very well your scratch skills and originals, and I also know I'm still some miles away from the best modelling here, but always learning on each project and so, improving.
@ Mathias, thank you very much for your kind comment. Apreciated, and it means a lot.

Thank you also for the new likes and to all, Happy 2023.

Rui S 著者
Frankenstein at work. This was easy the poor guy was already dead. Last figure worked out.

John
Nice work Dr. Frankenstein! Very realistic pose of an unfortunate participant.

Rui S 著者
Thx a lot John. Apreciated.
Yap, obviously some work still to be done, but I'm also quite happy with the pose.

Rui S 著者
Started the new challenge. Making a good interesting scratched base.
For those interested in this historic events or If someone wants to know more about this episode, you can translate from this interesting UKRAINE site:

dniprovsky-project.b..om/2021/07/1941.html

It also has a video, but unfortunately without subtitle's.

Villiers de Vos
I am still nailed to my chair. Following each development, big and small with great interest.

Rui S 著者
Thank you very much Villiers de Vos, I realy apreciate your resiliance 😄 and the endeless suport. Thx a lot.
I've finished the scratched Tram Pole, it's ready for painting 😉
Another small detail but one less to do in all the scratch work I've been doing in this project.
They sure take double time, old fashion work, from finding the right pieces and work them to a viable result, at least for my hapiness.

Rui S 著者
Start the work on the dio base.
I also want to thank all the new likes on this album. Apreciated.

Alec K
Amazing build 👍

James C
That cobble stone road looks fantastic! The manhole cover and tram lines are a nice touch as well 👍

Robert Podkoński
Soo realistic... You're a wizard, Rui!

gorby
The base is stunning! Remarkable.

John
Incredible base Rui! 👍

Mathias Decommere
Just perfect!

Rui S 著者
Well mates, I love this hobby yes, but with the kind words of support from such talented friends, I enjoy it even more.
Thank you all, I really fell great with such comments, they help me endure any hardship I encouter. Let's see if I can keep up with the standards.
Thank you also for the new likes.

Pietro De Angelis
Besutiful base!

Kerry COX
Rui. I do hope that all those cobble stones came in a packet mate. But knowing how enthusiastic and fussy you are about your work. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you hand picked them from some construction site. 🙂 🙂 But as always. Your the best. 👍 👍 😉

Neil Patrick
Just catching up with your amazing project Rui. Quite apart from the fantastic modelling, it was great to see the photos from this event all in one place. I think most of us have seen some of them before, but the books I have seen them in do not give much context or info about the actual events they depict.. Your extra research makes the whole project historically fascinating too. Great work!

Tierra del Fuego Alejandro
1. in my little opinion, as a rule, there is always a puddle from the inner thread of the rail of the tramway, or it dries up or has just formed 2. too clean street too clean path. although I myself love cleanliness, it's hard to achieve cleanliness on the street for a number of reasons independent of each other

Rui S 著者
Some progress done, I've start painting figures and weathering the tram pole, truck, and a bit more on the bike.
@ Pietro, Thank you, glad you like the base. Still work to be done but I'm happy the way its going,
@Kezza, Thx Mate. The cobble stones had already appeared in this album (photo 18). They came from a beach in Algarve.
@Neil, Thx mate. Yap this events are very well documented, as i discovered with the progress in my research.
I also would like to thank Austin Steenkamp; Lothar29 and all the new mates that pressed the like botton. Apreciated.
Still a lot of work to finish the dio, but I've now a glyinps of the final result.

Pepe
😲😍

Mathias Decommere
It sure will be a beauty!

Robert Podkoński
Faces are just perfect, Rui (as everything else 😉 )

Guy Rump
Looking better and better. 👍

Shar Dipree
Great work and a phantastic overall impression. 👍 👍 👍

Villiers de Vos
The motorbike and crew is a beautiful little gem. The wear and tear on the backrest of the sidecar is a nice touch.

Olivier
I fully agree with Villiers. Your motorcycle crew look almost real.

Pietro De Angelis
Amazing crew and motorbike Rui!
I'm so sorry, from the bottom of my miserable modeling and cultural historical skills I would never allow myself to give advice but if the scene is set in Mariupol during the Battle of the Sea of ​​Azov in 1941 the BMW R75 if I'm not mistaken was not yet available for the German Army, the model available at the time was the R12.
Anyway great work, congrats!

James C
Those figures look fantastic. Awesome job on the paintwork! 👍

Rui S 著者
@Pepe, thx
@Mathias, thank you for your support, I hope you are right.
@Robert, thanks for your kind comment. I was nicely surprised on how fast they got into this result. I think they are well sculpt and has they say, when you have that one's "they paint themselves easily"?
@Guy, I'm glad you think so. Thank you for that
@Shar, welcome and thank you for your comment and like. I'm also hoping in the end, to have that nice overall impression to be satisfied with all the effort applied on it.
@Villiers de Vos, what to say to your always motivating comments, thx a lot? I'm glad you noticed that soft weathering too. Apreciated
@Pietro, thank you. I'm pleased you like the R75 and crew. Has to the historical accuracy I will respond next.
@James, your comment is always very apreciated. I know and recognize the high quality of your work, so it's most rewarding to see you stopping by. Thx

Rui S 著者
Now Pietro, you probably right, that it should be a R12, but has you can see the matter was already discussed up in this album with Oliver early in 23 November 2021.
When I started the BMW I only had the idea of making something different from what I had been doing, than I thought about Poland invasion but that was a blunder has Oliver pointed out. So I changed plans and look for a date when the BMW was already running. And 1941 was the beginning of that.
In BMW Group Archive, I found that:

In 1941 the production of civilian motorcycles was stopped. Germany was at war and production was adjusted to the needs of the Wehrmacht. BMW motorcycles have always been popular with authorities - and thus also with the military. Single-cylinder models were used as light courier and training machines, and the R 12 was delivered to the Wehrmacht as a side car.
However, the war policy of the Germans required a motorcycle Side car that could be safely mastered on any surface - mud, ice, gravel, desert sand - and that required only little maintenance even at extreme temperatures and heavy loads. In addition, the motorcycle should also be able to cope with longer distances at low marching speeds without any problems.
No German motorcycle manufacturer had such a machine in their range, which is why a special development order was placed with BMW and Zündapp. In the winter of 1938, BMW began work on this project based on the R 71 engine. The beams of the bolted tubular frame were divided. This enabled the engine to be installed and removed quickly, as the lower frame part could simply be folded away. A rear wheel suspension was omitted for better stability. But while the frame proved itself during the test drives, there were thermal problems with the side-controlled motor in off-road use and on longer trips at walking speed. So BMW developed a new engine.
The result was a 750 cc unit with an output of 26 hp at 4000 rpm. The engine developed an enormous torque and, since it had a very low compression ratio of 5.8:1, it could also easily tolerate poor-quality or synthetically produced fuel. In contrast to the R 71 engine, no heat problems occurred during testing, so that the R 75 could go into series production in 1941.

And

Series production of the R 75 begins
date from07.1941.
Description
In July 1941, the first R 75 sidecars rolled off the assembly line in Munich. However, after production was relocated from Munich to Eisenach in June/July 1942, the majority of the R 75 was manufactured in Thuringia. The R 75, with seven forward and two reverse gears and a powered sidecar, was specially developed and produced for the German Wehrmacht.

Rui S 著者
So my conscience his ok with using this kit has eventually a single replacement new side car in October, for the first SS division formed based on the Hitler personal bodyguard regiment ( probably with a great influence) in theory it could be possible?. Has said already above in this album I'm not a rivet counter (I can't read the licence plate in one of the reference photos, the one that looks like a Zundapp?...just joking 😉) and my dioramas don't intend to be historically correct they simply aim to be ideas historically based, with lots of the so called "artistic" liberty.
Anyways Thx again for your comments. I apreciate them all.

Pietro De Angelis
👍

Alec K
Awesome progress Rui, I love the expressions on those motorcyclists' faces 👍

Gary Curling
Motorbkes and bikes are fiddly models to do,so well done on this one

Kerry COX
Hi Rui. 🙂 🙂 🙂 I have just finished browsing through you work using the mosaic view and pulling up the ones I saw that showed the detail you included.
It took a LONG time to do as every image had something of interest and wonderment included.
No need to say your attention to detail is superb, as I have said it every time I see your work, especially with the images of the original scenes in black and white you have used to help you define that moment in time.
It takes a while before the smile on my face goes after seeing what you have accomplished.
It really is hard to separate the final results from the images you used as reference material.
That is some skill you have my friend and there is not one build I have seen of yours that one can find any sub standard workmanship.
Your skills and abilities are truly something special mate.
Thank you for all the years of enjoyment and inspiration. 👍
Cheers good buddy. 🙂 👍

Rui S 著者
@Alec k, thank you, glad you think so and like them and yes this figures are well sculpted.
@Gary, thank you for stopping by and comment. Apreciated. Not the best motorcycle kit in the market I think but it was a nice kit to build and improve. Thank you for your like too.
@Kezza, my friend, your words put a big smile on my face. Thx a lot Mate, coming from a Master makes me feel very proud. Also Knowing that my work was interesting enough for you to have all that work and time spent looking at it ... Yap makes me feel Great and motivated for doing better every time.
I know I should be more selective in chosing the lot of photos I upload but as I've a lot of work in improving the old models I find difficult not to share that in here, so I end up uploading more than I should, but hey, that's just one of my disabilities.
I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thx again good Yoda 😉

Kerry COX
Hi Rui. 👍 I am pleased to know you 'rescue' some of your builds. 🙂 I have from time to time pulled a few off death row and repatriated them to their former glory. Just as much fun as unpacking them for the first time. 🙂 Right now, I am eying off the Erickson Sky Crane from ICM in 1/35 scale. But I want to do it as the 'Elvis' fire fighter. Bright orange with a huge tank slung under the rotor and engine assy. Almost $300.00 AU. But with the war in Ukraine, it's understandable. Also. I am eagerly awaiting the 1/35 Mi-28 'Havoc' Russian attack helicopter from Meng. The 1/72 scale was a shit model. Happy Easter my friend. BTW. I meant every word about your skills and abilities. You have given me so many ideas and tips without saying a word. 😉

FTilhonLinden
Excellent work! My deepest respect!

Rui S 著者
Hi Kezza, I think I didn't express my self correctly as sometimes occour. I meant old kits and not, my old models. That ones I never go back and touch them, not because i don't fell that urge, it's more because they tell the story of my skills at the moment I built them and so I like to see what progress I'm geting from newer experiences. So I let them stay like they where when I finish them. Also, I've so many kits in stash that I prefer to start a new project from scratch. If not I always consider that a model his never completelly finished, so it would be a never ending process arround the same subject, plus you know I'm a very slow modeler. I always have to enjoy one less on the stash.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to see you Back in Action Mate, I missed that for a long time now, so I'm eager to study your new albums. Please, go for it, you know my scale is 1/35; 1/32 right👍
Happy Easter to you too, my friend and thx again for your kind words, they are always most welcome. I'm really happy to know that my work still has some tips for the interested mates, that makes me try harder to work better, (and ofcourse some abuse in uploading it) 😄.
@ FTilhonLinden, Thank you very much for your kind comment. Much apreciated and I'm really glad you like my work here.

Kerry COX
I did misunderstand, but 'no foul' as they say. hehehehe I am looking around for a display case that will take all my 1/32 scale birds and choppers, those being the 'Super Stallion, the Apache, and four Ju-87's and Skyraider, but with the two future additions, I will be pushing for space to put the case too. :-/ Not long now before I have the confidence to tackle an other big project. It's been a while. 😉

Mark Sherwood
That is a very nice BMW Combination, kudos on your figure painting. The dio' looks pretty nifty too.

Mr James
I know its been mentioned by others, but your attention to detail and the documentation of your process, is very impressive Rui. It inspires me to build the R12 in my stash to your standard. I will be referencing your work when the time comes and for that I thank you. I was really impressed by the painting of the bike riders. They wonderfully painted and the expression on their faces you brought out, is superb. The scratch building of the fire truck is a stand out and the cobbled street is beautifully painted. Bloody good work Rui 🙂

Villiers de Vos
As always, phenomenal detail. Master class.

Neuling
Mr James says it all. - To me picture 313 seems to show the completed diorama. More photos would be more than welcome!

Kerry COX
Rui. Your simply, the best. ! Salute. 😉

Kyle DeHart
This has been great following along with. A really stunning result. The attention to detail has been next level across the board.

Jean-Michel Tilquin
It's all been said above... Superbly detailed and the figures are really realistic.
Like Neuling, suggested, more photos with a cleaner background would make your dio more justice! Congrats, Rui!

Lawrence Landis
Your work is phenomenal. Very enlightening.

Kyrylo
This is a very titanic work ... I am delighted with the realization of this idea! You are an incredible cool modelist because this work is truly difficult. I am pleased that you have chosen the subject of Mariupol because it is the city of my student years. Thank you for it! I will look forward to new works!

Walton
Hi guy !! I'm very impressed by your face painting.. It looks sooo human !!!!! 👍👍👍

Villiers de Vos
All the elements are starting to come together. Fantastic.

Mike Kryza
I like the result! Well done!

Rui S 著者
As mentioned some time ago, I would like to respond and thank all the last comments that have been posted here, now that I've resumed this project and hadding it to completion.
I intend to emphasize the great appreciation I have for all of them and so, responding to everyone:

@Kerry COX, Kezza my friend, I hope you are well. Thank you very much for your unconditional support, which was one of the reasons why I always continued to work and present my dios here and always try to do my best to reach your level. I look forward to seeing a new project of yours;
@Mark Sherwood, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I'm so glad you like this dio. The BMW is a really nice kit, although the Italeri always needs some work, but it's worth it IMHO;
@ Mr. James, Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging comment. Appreciated. The details make the difference as they say, so it makes sense to spend time executing them. I highly recommend making a sidecar, as mentioned above, it is a small piece, but in itself it is worth many larger ones. As for the figures, they almost painted themselves, the molds were so good. I'm glad you liked my scratch work too. As for the street, the stones came from a beach in Algarve;
@Villiers de Vos, Thx a lot for your nice comment. Always appreciated;
@Neuling, Thanks for commenting on this work of mine. Photo 313 is just another one of the work in progress. As I love sharing all my work and details here, you already know that my albums have a lot of photos. But yes, I can say that I will be happy to continue presenting more, until the final result, which by the way, is almost arriving;
@Kyle DeHart, Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate that you enjoyed the development of this dio. The final result is to be shared soon. I hope you will like it;
@Jean-Michel Tilquin, Thank you, it is a pleasure to read your words here, as I know the quality of your Dios. The photos still represent WIP, but as mentioned above, this work is in its final stages. Stay tuned;
@Lawrence Landis, I'm really glad you like my work so much. Thank you very much for your comment;
@Kyrylo, Thank you. It was really a leap in the dark for me. I always wanted to make a sidecar with every possible detail and the fire truck came along the way and it was really captivating.
Your words are really kind as they reflect all the effort I put into this work. The fact that you are directly involved with this city makes me even happier, as I intend to make this work a tribute, to all the martyrs of the invasions it suffered.
@Walton, Thx for stoping by and comment. Appreciated
@Villiers de Vos, thank you. Yes, as mentioned above this work is in the final stages. New photos are added:

-New fire truck details and weathering, (including battle damage and the flat tire), as well as street weathering.
- Missing the finalization of the figures and the base corner, and the final weathering on the sidecar.

P.S. Hi Mika, I apreciate your comment. Glad you like it. The final result is shortly in sight 😉

Villiers de Vos
Welcome back at your worktable.

Rui S 著者
Thank you Villiers de Vos, but I've been at my wortable finishing two "shelf queens" :
- Outono / Autumn 1944_Jagdpanzer Tiger (P) Elefant;
- Esci sdkfz 10/4.
But yes, now finishing this one and thinking wich one I'm going to pick froms stahsh next 🤔

I´ve finished the base corner.

gorby
The base is looking remarkable! 😮

CaptGPF
A little late to the party, but following! That motorbike looks fantastic!

Rui S 著者
@ Gorby, Thanks a lot. I'm so glad you think so, it envolved a lot of commitment 😉
@ CaptGPF, Thank you very much for your comment. As we say "better late than ever" 😄 and always apreciated.

The motorbike and figures are now finished and in place. One big step closer to the finish line.

Lebloge
I'm taking the train on the way,😬 how could I have missed this incredible work...😶‍🌫️ I have no words for it...🤔 except waaaw 🤩🤩

Villiers de Vos
The motorbike and figures came out super.

Rui S 著者
@ Lebloge, Welcomw abord, we are reaching the end station 😄 Thx a lot for your comment. Apreciated;
@ Villiers de Vos, I want to express my depest apreciation for all your suport on this project. It was very important and motivating for me, so Thank you very much for all your kind comments.

Now, finishing the weathering and last details on the fire engine.

Pietro De Angelis
What a dio show Rui is coming out with,
the bike and the bikers are really fascinating!
I have them in my stash too,
when one day I get around to making them I hope they look at least a little like yours!

Alec K
It's great to see this awesome project inching toward the finish line Rui. It's gonna be epic 👍

Rui S 著者
@ Pietro De Angelis, wow, such words and praise fill me with joy and pride. Thank you so much for your comment. I'm sure your work on the subject will be great;
@ Alec K, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I don't know about the epic thing but I'm just hopping I will not let you down.

Add some detail photos of the finishing work on the fire engine, that I'm happy to say, it's now finished.

Bozo
Brilliant
Beautiful and very inspired stagging

Spanjaard
amazing job once more Neuling

Gary Curling
A great diorama

Mark Sherwood
Like it, a lot. 👍🥸👍

gorby
WOW! I'm amazed at how you make the scene so realistic. Your attention to detail is remarkable.

Paul Eden
This diorama is mind blowing. Literally thought it was a photo of a real scene at first. Thanks for shar8ng, fabulous example of model making art.

Zbynek Honzik
Beautifully done diorama and very nice photos. Wonderful! Just the way Neuling does it so well! 👏👏👏

Rui S
Great Dio, again. Great weathering too 👍

Cliff Kidd
Stunning work!

Thomas Haberl - (TH SCALE MODELS)
Very nicely done and I love the outdoor shots ☺

Michael Kohl
Another dio with all the qualities we came to cherish from you. Again a treat.

Marc .
Great diorama! I really like the storyteling.

CaptGPF
I just don't know how you do it - building such perfect pieces, laying them out on a beautifully haunting setting and arranging everything to tell a story is simply astounding! ❤️❤️❤️

Panzerwomble
Very sweet!

Mid Franconian
A masterpiece as usual!!

Guy Rump
Excellent dio and modelling. 👍

Air no
J'ai beaucoup de leçon à recevoir sur la peinture des personnages. Bravo !!

Lebloge
Splendid work… as usual ! 🤩🫡

Neuling 著者
Thanks a lot for the comments and likes! Really much appreciated!

Shane Hodgetts
Fabulous stuff…well done ..😉👍

Neuling 著者
Tank you, mate! Much appreciated!

Djordje Nikolic
Awesome diorama and great setting. With thr background it adds a certain level of realism!

Sy Bar
It's all been said before but great storytelling diorama and the builds are excellent 👍

MS K
The film camera effect makes it look like a war correspondent's photo. Nice work!

Arnold Mertens
excellent story telling and detailed debris!! Beautiful work

Neuling 著者
I´m glad you like my stuff, mates! Thank you so much!

Olivier
A very lively scene. Another piece of your art...

Robert Podkoński
Awesome - that's the right word 😉

Neuling 著者
Thanks a lot, Olivier and Robert! Much appreciated!

Desert Marlin
Just saw this one! Excellent job!

Neuling 著者
Thank you, Desert Marlin! Much appreciated!

Ed Froix
Superb! very realistic

Neuling 著者
Thank you, Ed Froix! Much appreciated!

Randy Kriegel
Excellent build 👍

Martin Weinpold
You are brave!

DerMattes 著者
Thank you, I guess? 🙂

Cristian A
Buche meinen Platz bei diesem fabelhaften Projekt!

DerMattes 著者
Nose sanded and first primer test. Fitted the air intakes and did some riveting after rescribing all panel lines. Will check some panels for correct lines and a rough idea where to put rivets.
Thanks for the interest / Danke für das Interesse 🙂

Finn
Following

Dave Flitton
Watching!

DerMattes 著者
Thank you for your interest, Finn and Dave 👍

DerMattes 著者
More filling and sanding, we will see after priming if the fuselage is smooth now.

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
following ! If you need information, ask me

Nicolas
I'll take s eat. Nice start.

DerMattes 著者
Thank you Laurent and Nicolas for your interest and Laurent for the offer! 🙂
As always I am thinking about the colors. I will use Vallejo Model Air and tend to select 71.327 for the lighter shade and 71.143 for the darker. Both seem a little bit too light, but with thin coats over black primer and a dark brown oil wash, this should work i think.
The weapon loadout will be the one mentionen on dstorm.eu hope that makes sense?

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
yes to DAGUET 1991 = good war armament is MAGIC II , MATRA 530 and ventral reservoir ! for air defens superiority ! on the 2000 under the engine fuselage at the rear, a central decoy box was fitted as a matter of urgency in place of the parachute housing and on both sides!

DerMattes 著者
I will check for the decoy boxes, thanks!

CaptGPF
Taking a seat! BTW, where do you get your 3D images for printing?

DerMattes 著者
The files for 3d printing are from cults3d, the engine is linked in the project. The company sells this as STL files on cults or from their own shop as printed resin parts. The missiles are from cults as well, they were free files but the modeler seems to set a price to his models after some time. To be fair, a very reasonable price for the quality! Link: cults3d.com/en/users/Sufa312/3d-models

CaptGPF
Thank you for the link!

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

DerMattes 著者
Thanks for your interest mates. Got the base colors down, next is detail painting and the nozzle.

Cristian A
Painting looking good, looking forward to the details and wash👍

Desert Marlin
I like it! The paint scheme looks awesome!!!

DerMattes 著者
I am currently doing the decals. Nearly every little bit is wrongly numbered, I am using a picture of Italeri's promo build from the Spielzeugmesse as reference because most is not clear on actual photos of the Mirage. Stay away from this kit if fun is something you want when building a model.

DerMattes 著者
Oil washed the underside, trying longer drying time this time. Hope the wash drys and stays in the panel lines.

DerMattes 著者
Antennas added, small parts painted and did some additional weathering at the exhaust and overall with the airbrush. I faded the colors a little in some spots and tried to add weathering like in some pictures of this particular aircraft.

Cristian A
Very close to the finish line! Looking great!

DerMattes 著者
Finally reached the finish line 🙂 I had my ups and downs with this build, the kit itself is kind of weird. The big underside delta wing piece has nice, finely recessed details. Then there is the fuselage underside with fixed gear bay doors for the front gear. The upper side is more rough, the radar cone is famously wrong for a production aircraft because of the panel lines from the prototype. Where the wings meet the fuselage the fit is not good, with huge gaps on both sides. Just filling them leaves a flat area, so I filled and sanded it multiple times. The riveting I tried is barely visible at all, which is a good thing as I clearly need more practice with this. The pictures from the project banner where my references for the weathering and the panels where the unique desert camo paint is missing. I really like the 3d printed exhaust! The fit was simply perfect, including inside the fuselage. The designers surely knew what they were doing, as this addon was one of or the best fitting part on this kit 👍 😉
There are decals provided for the tank and the missiles, but only the placement of the tank and missiles is mentioned in the instructions, the decals for them not at all.
Overall, a challenging kit for me. Thank you all for the likes and the interest! 🙂

Desert Marlin
Bravo Zulu!!!

Well done!

Cristian A
Gut gemacht, Matthias! Glückwunsch!

Neuling
Auch von mir!

DerMattes 著者
Thank you very much @Desert Merlin!
Danke euch, Christian und Neuling! 🙂

Nicolas
Great result. 👍

Robert Podkoński
Taking a first row seat, of course! 🙂

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Welcome Robert, nice to see you again at my model build. 🙂
It will again be a plane with a special paint job.

Robert Podkoński
How could I miss such a talent show? 😉

Rando
Love me a Swedish delta 🙂 or I guess Czech in this case

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Robert, you've come at the right time. I started airing my show today. 😉

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Welcome, Rando. I'm glad you're here. You're not wrong, the plane will be in Czech colors. 😄

Mark D
Nice and following this build! I heard that the panellines of this Italeri kit are a bit soft or a bit deep, are they? It looks, well, acceptable.

J35J
Taking a chair 👍🏻

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Mark, it's true that the plastic of this kit is a bit softer than the standard kit, but it's nothing terrible. Also, the panel lines are a bit thicker (compared to Tamiya or Eduard kits), but again, not entirely bad. The kit does have a few minor shape flaws as well, but overall it's pretty good and with a little effort you can build a nice JAS-39 model from it.

I will describe the kit's faults and how to fix them, including modifications to the "C" version (the kit represents the original "A" version), as the model is built.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
J35J, welcome. I hope you have a good time. 🙂

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Little progress on the model.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm preparing the hull for its closure. I've glued the assembled engine and cockpit to the left half of the fuselage.

Alec K
Looking great! Taking a seat for sure 👍

Vloudila se ti tam čeština, pics 13-16. Jen v případě že to nebylo úmyslně 😉

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Hello, Alec! There's always room for you at my place. 🙂
Thank you for letting me know. It was my fault. The texts are already in English.

Jos Jansen
Watching

Michael Kohl
Me too

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jos and Michael, welcome!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
The fuselage halves are already glued together.

Jos Jansen
How's the fitting...?

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I haven't put much together yet. The fuselage halves can be glued together without any problems, they fit together well and the panel lines follow each other. The glued joints are gapless, just sand them lightly. When gluing the fuselage tip, care must be taken to ensure that it is turned correctly. If the tip is glued to the fuselage with the bottom side up, it will not follow the shape of the fuselage correctly when viewed from the side.

If there are any problems during construction, I will point them out.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Work on the model continues. The first problems are appearing. It was necessary to modify the joints between the upper and lower half of the wings and also the joint between the fuselage and the wings. The use of putty and sanding is unavoidable.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Little progress today. I glued the wings to the fuselage and started prepping the other parts.

Rando
Really cool techniques Ludvik! Taking notes on how you reduced the gaps

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Rando, thank you for the compliments. 🙂

The technique of extending the fuselage by gluing struts from inside the fuselage is nothing new. I have been using it successfully for many years. In my opinion, this technique is better than gluing the wings to the fuselage without extending the fuselage and then repairing by filling large gaps with putty and sanding.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm continuing with modifications to fix some bugs in the model and rebuild it to version "C".

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I sanded and puttyed the model. And I got to the point where it was hard to recognize the places that still needed to be repaired. So tomorrow (time permitting) it's surfacer's turn. I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
The Gripen model has been sprayed with Surfacer.

Alec K
Looking good! What Surfacer do you use (1000, 1200)?

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Hi Alec, I use Surfacer 500. After finishing minor finishing work and sanding the Surfacer, I spray Base white 1000 (both are Gunze) on top.
I then spray the camouflage paints on top of that prepared surface.

Alec K
Thanks 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Most of the errors are already corrected after sealing. Now I will add some small details on the surface of the aircraft. I'll have to scratch most of them.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Not much time to work on the model this week. But some progress was made on the model after all.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
When I looking the photos I found minor differences in the details on the underside of the rear fuselage. The model will need to be modified.

Christian
Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing all of this tremendous research detail - very fascinating. I have this same kit on my "to-do" shelf, so I'll be looking over your shoulder for tips and ideas.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Christian, welcome aboard! I'm glad you're interested in my project.

When you look over my shoulder, make sure you don't make the same mistakes I did. I've just discovered that my inattention has caused the flare hole to be too far forward. I'm working on correcting that mistake right now.

And I remind you that the modifications described are only for Czech Gripen. For other users' aircraft these details may differ.

Vintagemodeler
Another one to join to the observation, as I will have to do it at some point aswell . Is it the Front Noise need to be replaced by the quick boost?

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Welcome Vintagemodeler! I hope that in the course of building my model you will find inspiration for building your Gripen.

I'm very sorry, but my English skills are not perfect and I don't understand your question. Could you elaborate on your question a bit?
Thank you.

Vintagemodeler
Yes mr! I cant believe how you did those amazing scratch! i just mean if front noise looks good, as few people told me that it need the QUICKBOOST upgrade part, i get it for mig 29 and Su-27, but didnt get it for JAS-39 yet, as i didnt saw that much difference.
kind regards

Mark D
JAS 39C/D Gripen - Correct Nose (Quickboost QB 48 227, 1:48)

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Vintagemodeler + Mark D, thanks for the explanation.

I think the QUICKBOOST nose is not necessary. According to the drawing, the nose from the kit has a good shape matching the drawing. The bad shape of the nose is elsewhere. The top of the nose needs to be corrected. The windshield in the kit rests on a raised area that is not on the real model. However, this can easily be corrected with a little putty.

A clear description of the basic modifications to the Italeri kit can be found here: kits.kitreview.com/jas39agripenreviewrw_1.htm

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Moving the flare launcher to the correct position is done. I will fix minor errors after spraying the model with Surfacer.

Vintagemodeler
Amazing article! What a nice work mr!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Vintagemodeler, thanks you!
I agree, the article clearly describes the modifications of Italeri's biggest faults. But since this article was published (2005) many JAS-39s have been upgraded (some machines more than once) and the appearance of some details on Gripen aircraft has changed. When building a particular machine, it's good to have not only a drawing, but also photos of the particular machine.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm continuing to restore the lines between the panels. It's slow going, but the lines being restored are increasing.

Alec K
It's looking good Ludvíku (👍

Vintagemodeler
Will be an epic build 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Thank you Alec!
Vintagemodelerer, the quality of the Italeri kit (considering the time of release) is somewhat half-hearted. But with some effort it can be used to build a nice model. I've already made most of the modifications. Once I finish restoring the panel lines, the model building will go faster.

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Welcome Guy Rump! Good to see you.

Jennifer Franklin
It's been a while since I looked at this one, Ludvik; it is progressing nicely. Your work is exceptional; the attention to detail is beyond my imagination. I love watching what you have done.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jennifer, thank you for your kind post. I'm just trying to build my models as best I can and it's great fun for me too.

bughunter
Oh, two Saab at once - no wonder that I nearly missed it! Nicely done too.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Yes, I'm building two Gripens at the same time. Both aircraft have a large number of the same parts and the same basic grey paint. It makes my job easier.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Italeri kit contains only one additional tank. But I need two tanks. That's why I decided to make them. To make both tanks the same, I made two.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
The auxiliary fuel tanks are ground down.

Alec K
Very interesting way to make the auxiliary tanks 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Hi, Alec!
There are resin tank castings that can be purchased as separate accessories. However, their price, along with the cost of shipping, is high. It's much more than half the price of the Gripen kit I bought from Italeri. So I decided to make the additional tanks myself.

The choice of how to make the tanks was simple. Making the moulds and then casting the tanks is quite laborious. In addition, I do not have a vacuum pump, so air bubbles would form in the castings. I also don't have a 3D printer and I don't know how to model in 3D software.
Therefore, I figured that making tanks out of paper was the easiest way for me to make them at home.
I think paper is an underrated raw material in plastic modeling. With a little knowledge and skill, you can make various accessories (e.g. additional fuel tanks) out of paper. And as a bonus for the work involved, paper add-on tanks are very light and don't put unnecessary strain on the landing gear. 😄

Alec K
I agree, all good points. For what it's worth, here are my few observations regarding casting from personal experience: for a small job like the tanks, you really don't need a vacuum pump (nor, and IMHO more importantly, a pressure tank). Yes, you will likely get some bubbles in the resulting cast, but those can be fixed relatively easily 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Alec, I also have experience with making parts from cast resin.You are right that bubbles can be fixed fairly easily with putty. But for making 2 tanks I find casting unnecessarily laborious.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm continuing to build the Gripen. I finished restoring the lines between the panels and added more details to the fuselage.

Alec K
👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm continuing to fix the minor surface errors that surfacer showed. I've also started riveting.

CaptGPF
Love the super detailing - as well as the extensive riveting work. Are you planning to rivet the wings as well? I will need to use your trick of using wires to pull the wings up to close the gaps on the next build. The Italeri kit is a good foundation for the Gripen, but it is sorely lacking in details - I'm glad to see you putting that into the kit.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
@CaptGPF
Thank you for your comment. I'm really glad that my ideas will serve someone else.

I don't plan to rivet the wings. None of the photos (that I have) or the drawing show any rivet lines on the wing surfaces. Except for a few rivets on the leading and trailing edges of the wings. And I have already made these few rivets on the wings. If there are any rivets on the wing surfaces, they are ground in with the surface and not visible under the camouflage paint.
On the other hand, I'm considering removing the rivets from the Gripen Kitty Hawk wings (Kitty Hawk made the rivets marked all over the wing surfaces).
I will definitely do some weathering on the wings though. It's very visible on all Czech machines.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I have little time to build models lately. So at least in one short spare moment I made an experiment with tinting the transparent cockpit covers.

Thomas Haberl - (TH SCALE MODELS)
Hi Ludvik! This build turns out t be another "crazy" build ... your view for details is amazing. Do you spend more time on research or building? I´m not sure 😉 again something spectacular is going to come here. Keep going (❁´◡`❁)

bughunter
Wow, your tinted canopies are looking great! I once used a mix with Alclad (on a egg plane) and nearly ruined the clear plastic as it was dull matt afterwards 🙁

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Thomas, at the moment my lack of free time doesn't allow me to pursue modelling as much as I would like 🙁. It's just a transitional period and I hope it will end soon.

As far as research is concerned, I have a database on my computer with information, drawings and photos of aircraft, literature ..., for all the aircraft that interest me and I would like to build models of them. And I am constantly adding to this database. So the moment I start building a model, I simply open the appropriate folder in the database and draw from the information I have stored there.

In some cases, for example, when I was building the MI-24, I was lucky enough to work with a guy who works in an aircraft repair shop as a mechanic, and he would take pictures of various details of the helicopter's structural elements and email them to me, according to my instructions.
I am now using similar friendly help in building both Gripens.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Bughunter, the procedure I used, I found on the website of a Czech modeller. With long-term testing of different color types from different manufacturers, it achieved the best results with metallic Gunze paints (MC series) and Gunze Mr. Leveling Thinner. The procedure is simple. I mixed gold (MC219 - brass) and brown (H017) into about 1 ml of diluent. From each colour to just a small drop (on the tip of the brush). Metallic paint does a partial transparency effect based on your point of view. From a certain angle, the cabin appears opaque, and from a different angle, you can see right through it. And that little bit of brown puts a slight damper on it.
The original instructions recommend the metallic colour MC215 - copper, but the author used this on American machines. According to the photos, the Gripen cabins are toned to a tawny colour and this is better matched by the golden hue of brass combined with brown. The precise dilution ratio is not critical, but he wants to test it. The important thing is to spray gradually a few thin layers (just to dust lightly) and spray the next layer of paint until the previous one has dried. With a thick layer, diluted metallic paint makes irregular spots.

And if it doesn't work, just wipe off the paint with a soft cloth dipped in thinner and start over.

Jennifer Franklin
That is impressive, tinted canopies. Thank you for sharing the technique.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jennifer, it was my first attempt at a tinted canopy. I found a tutorial online and decided to give tinting a try. I did a few experiments on pieces of clear plastic first so I wouldn't ruin my canopy if it didn't work out. During these experiments, I tried different shades of metallic paints and chose the best combination of colors based on the results.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Gripen is ready to be sprayed with primer.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Gripen got a smart white coat (primer). Once the cockpit equipment is completed, it will be the turn of spraying camouflage colours.

Mark D
Have you dipped the canopy in for example Alclad Aqua Gloss? It helps for transparency.

CaptGPF
I read on Finescale modeler that you could get a golden tint using a mix of transparent smoke + transparent yellow diluted down with thinner.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
@Mark D
The canopy in the photo of the partially assembled model is not the final solution. I'm still experimenting with tinting the cockpit canopy. The goal is a canopy that will be transparent from a certain angle and partially act as a mirror from another angle. I'm well on my way, but it still needs to be fine-tuned.
@CaptGPF
There are more ways to colour the canopy, of course. Using transparent paints is probably the easiest way. But it doesn't achieve the mirror effect described above. To give you a better idea, I have included a picture of the cockpit canopy from several different angles.

CaptGPF
I'd love to see how you can achieve that angled transparency effect!

Daniel
I had good results with holo nail powder:
Starting Pic 24
Fat Amy WIP | Album by halohead (1:48)

Ludvík Kružík 著者
@CaptGPF
A very thin layer of metallic paint takes care of the angled transparency effect.
@Daniel
Thank you for the illustrative example. Your canopy looks great.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm continuing work on the cockpit. I am gradually adding more details to it.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
The "box" at the rear cockpit wall had to be modified. After correcting its dimensions and location, I added a few cables to the rear of the cockpit. More cables will follow shortly.

Jennifer Franklin
The couple of wires that are in there look great.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jennifer, thank you! I hope the cockpit will look even better with the addition of more "cables" and the scope slide. 😉

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I wasn't in the mood for the delicate work of adding wiring today. So I busied myself with fixing a badly shaped engine nozzle.

Robert Podkoński
That's a true craftmanship on this nozzle, Chapeau bas!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Robert, thank you for the compliment! 😉

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I continue to work on completing the cockpit wiring.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
The cockpit cables are in place. I glued a few more PE parts to the fuselage and now I will prepare the model for spraying.

Jennifer Franklin
The cables look amazing, Ludvik; your attention to detail pays off.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jennifer, thank you for the compliments. 🙂 I appreciate it.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I prepared the model for spraying with camouflage paints.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Gripen is ready for decals application. 🙂

Daniel
Beautiful work + you're really fast! 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Thank you, Daniel! My speed is only temporary. Soon I will start making smaller parts and the model building will slow down. 🙁

I have started applying decals to the painted model. So far I have only managed to apply the decals with the special anniversary coloring.

bughunter
What a colorful nice looking outfit 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
The colour scheme of the in-line machines in a combination of two grey colours with little visible markings is practical for military purposes, but somewhat boring. It's good that there are aircraft with special paint! 😄

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Due to the extraordinary activities that took place during the day, I only got to the model briefly today. In those few minutes I only managed to glue a few decals. I added the national emblems and a few small labels. I will add photos later, when all decals are on the model.

Robert Podkoński
Beautiful scheme indeed.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Robert, from the first moment I saw the pictures of this Gripen in the attractive anniversary livery, I knew I would eventually build one. When the decals for this machine appeared on the market, I didn't hesitate a moment and bought them immediately. And now the moment has come when I am fulfilling my resolution.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I "painted" the cockpit canopy with strips cut from painted decal paper.

Jennifer Franklin
The canopy looks amazing

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jennifer, thank you for your compliment. 🙂

The work on the baldachin will continue. I've only finished the outer part. I'm still working on the inside of the canopy. The inner frame, cross brace, rear view mirrors and the "collar" in the front need to be completed.

"Sparky"
Great idea. I have always wondered why there is not a product to just stick to canopies instead of painting them for the frames.

CaptGPF
Thanks for the tips on the canopy - I have an AH-64D in the queue and was wondering how to achieve the same effects you just taught us! thank you, Sensei! 🙇‍♂️

bughunter
Ludvik, your macro is merciless! I guess in real size it will look better.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm so glad you found my tutorial on painting canopy frames helpful. 🙂

Since masking the canopy, spraying the frame and a thin strip of gasket is laborious and the result is not always 100%, I was looking for another method that would be easier and less laborious. Using decals met my requirements. The application is simple and the results are accurate. And when layering the decals, even a very thin line of gasket can be easily created. And the use of decals also eliminates the laborious cleaning of paint that occasionally runs under the mask.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I painted the auxiliary tanks this afternoon. Like the plane, the tanks have a special paint job.

Jennifer Franklin
The auxiliary tanks look amazing Ludvik

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jennifer, thank you for your kind words. 🙂

I worked on the hangers today. For the middle hanger under the fuselage I used a part from the Italeri kit, but first I modified it slightly, sanded it, made new joints and added rivets. For the underwing hangers and rocket adapters I used Kitty Hawk parts. These were left over from an earlier Gripen 9241 build where I replaced them with castings from CMK. For the wing hangers, I replaced the plastic pins with wire ones so I could accurately glue the hangers to the wing. For one thing, the plastic pins were large in diameter and would not fit into the holes in the wings, but more importantly, the wire pins served me well when spraying the hangers and then applying the decals.
The fewer stencils on the aircraft, the more there are on the hangers. I applied 54 decals on all five hangers combined (5234 did not have a forward fuselage hanger when it carried the annual livery). And I still haven't glued the decals on the rocket adapters.

bughunter
Attractive combination of grays and colors 👍 Well done so far!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Frank, I was intrigued by this machine from the first moment I saw it. The combination of the dark grey motif on the upper surfaces of the wings and fuselage with the red, blue and white accessories on the vertical tailplane and canards is (at least to me) very attractive. Although I find the special colour scheme of Czech tiger-themed machines very successful, this annual livery was a very pleasant change for me. As soon as I found out that there was a decal set for this livery, I knew I would definitely build this aircraft. 😄

This week unfortunately my work obligations did not give me free time to work on the model. I only managed to apply decals for the AIM-120 rocket adapters.
I also ordered a set of AIM-9 rockets from Eduard. The rockets in the Italeri kit are inaccurate and modifying them would basically amount to making new rockets.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
After a short break, I continue working on the model. Gripen has all decals applied and repainted with clear coat. Now it's time to work on illustrating the operational wear and surface contamination.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Today I did weathering and minor surface damage to the aircraft.
... and I also glued all the racks.

Thomas Haberl - (TH SCALE MODELS)
Turning out great Ludvik 👍👍👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Hi, Thomas.
I'm so glad you like the weathering. I did a little experiment. Instead of traditional oils, I used Agama patina powder. I was pleasantly surprised. The powders work very well. Unlike oils, using patination powders is easy, fast and accurate. And if something goes wrong, the applied patina can simply be washed off with a cloth or cotton swab dipped in clean water (with a little detergent if necessary). 😉

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm sure I won't get to work on the Gripen today. So at least I took two photos of the Gripen in daylight with the auxiliary tanks temporarily installed. I like the result, the painted add-on tanks nicely complement the special anniversary livery of the aircraft. 🙂

Alec K
This will be a beauty 👍

Guy Rump
Looking great, following. 👍

Jennifer Franklin
Looks amazing!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Alec, Guy and Jennifer, thank you so much for your kind posts. It is a great support for me to continue working on the model. 🙂

Michael .
Love the decal work.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Michael, thank you.
All decals used on this kit are from Czech manufacturer of modelling accessories JBr Decals. I think he did his job perfectly.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I'm kind of running out of free time lately. Every time I think I'm finally going to get around to building a model, something creeps in. So at least I bought a few accessories for my models, including a set of Sidewinders rockets from Eduard. The ones in the Italeri kit didn't work out so well. 🙁

Rando
Thanks for the nice look at Eduard's Sidewinders, I'm going to have to buy some for my Hasegawa jets that have none eventually. Glad to know they come with a jig too! And I hear ya on the free time thing, my Mosquito probably would have been done weeks ago

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Rando, if you are concerned with the various suspension armaments, check out Eduard's site. Eduard offers quite a wide range of rockets, bombs and other armaments in various scales.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I spent time this afternoon making the main landing gear legs. I also finished the nozzle.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
I have modified the appearance of the landing gear wheels and am continuing work on the landing gear legs.

Robert Podkoński
Landing gear looks awesome, Ludviku! When finished, your model should stand on a mirror surface!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Thank you, Robert. I've only finished the front landing gear leg so far. I started with it because it's the most complicated. Filling the "tubes" on the main landing gear legs will go faster. Compared to the front landing gear, they are almost wiring free.

Building the finished model on a mirror base is a good idea. However, I have a slightly different solution. The model will be placed in my display case of finished models on a glass shelf that is approximately eye level (of an adult). If you lean slightly forward, you can see the bottom of the aircraft with the armament and landing gear due to the glass shelf.

Alec K
Great progress 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
After a break I resume building the model again. I'm adding hydraulic and electrical wiring to the main landing gear legs.

bughunter
Was your break due to a visit of the Mosonshow?
Your lastest work on the model parts looks nice!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Bughunter, thank you for your kind contribution.

My break was due to a much less fun thing than attending the Mosonshow. A colleague and I have rented a space where we have offices. At this point, our lease is up. We had to find a new place and prepare to move. We already have the offices, now we have to move in and get everything ready to work in them. So there will be more breaks.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
After this afternoon, both landing gear legs of the main landing gear are complete.

Cristian A
OMG this is so satisfying to watch!! Great model, you are super talented 👍🏼

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Cristian, thank you for your compliments. I appreciate it.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
The first part of the wiring and hydraulics in the main landing gear shafts is in place.

Jennifer Franklin
Looking amazing! I love the detail of your work.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Jennifer, thank you. I appreciate your kindness.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
After a forced break, I'm back and resuming work on the Gripen. 🙂

Ludvík Kružík 著者
In May last year, Gripen had an accident. During careless handling, the model fell off my desk. Several small parts broke off and the glued joint on the underside of the nose cracked. This accident threw me for a loop and I had to take some time to get back in the mood to continue building the Gripen.
And now it was time for me to continue building.

Alec K
Ah, bad luck. Glad you got your mojo back and bringing this beauty to the finish line 👍

DuperScale
Oh man, thats hard. Hope you can finish the gripen.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
DuperScale and Alec, thank you for your support. As they say, everything takes its time. Yes, the successful repair has given me my mojo back. 🙂
The home straight is in sight, but there are still a few details to finish. I'm looking forward to finishing the colorful "bird" and putting it in the display case. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful Czech Gripens.

CaptGPF
I think everyone here has had their fair share of accidents - my worst one was when my cat decided to play with my A-10 and send it "flying" into the ground!

That repair looks fantastic! I can't even tell where it was damaged! It's great to seeing you recover from this mishap, especially after the beautiful work you put into it!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
CaptGPF, thank you for your kind words.

The aftermath of the crash has been repaired, but I still need to finish highlighting the lines and shading the panels on the repaired bow.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
One more step closer to the finish line.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Today another small shift in the work on the model.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Another small piece to the "puzzle".
It's the little things that (thanks to their small size) give the most work.

gorby
Fantastic detailing!

Jennifer Franklin
The wheel bay wiring and canopy detonator cord, as well as the cross brace, look amazing.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
gorby and Jennifer, thank you for your kind comments.

Ludvík Kružík 著者
After this afternoon, I can again report a little progress. 🙂

bughunter
I assume the hydraulic cylinders in pic 172 will work 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Ooooh, yes, that would be very cool. But I'm worried there's no hydraulic pump small enough to work. 😄

Vincent
This project looks amazing! Good luck getting it to the finish line!!!

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Thank you, Vincent!

I only had a little time today, but I still moved my project one step closer to the goal.

Shar Dipree
Great work so far! 👍

Ludvík Kružík 著者
Shar Dipree, thank you for your kind post.
________________________________________

After this afternoon, the Gripen has (almost) finished the front landing gear.

Alec K
Solid and steady progress Ludvíku, I love it 👍

Alec K
Taking a seat. A much anticipated kit!

Hans-Jürgen Haag
👀😍

Łukasz Gliński
Me 3, I have to follow that for the same reason 👍

Cuajete
Me 4.... It's a new tool, by Andy Ball. I can't miss it! 😛

Andy Ball 著者
Oh no, I leave the site for a few days and attract onlookers! 🤣….will post some shots soon…the detail's good so far for 72nd….

Dave Flitton
Watching!

Lorraine Lin
I guess the observer may need some massage treatments on his back and neck after each mission🥹🥹🥹 following

Andy Ball 著者
@Lorraine, yes - these planes weren't built for comfort….champagne for every successful mission return though?….

Łukasz Gliński
Neither for comfort nor much for the safety, weren't they? 😉

Andy Ball 著者
I think one of the worst RAF planes for relative combat losses to number flown? Slow and defensively weak. I never built this as a kid, so intrigued by this offering!

Cuajete
Andy, despite this, it will look great in the display case 😉
Nice interiors 👍

Andy Ball 著者
Cheers Cuajete, your pleasant comments always welcome!!

Villiers de Vos
Coming along nicely Andy. Booking my seat.

Dave
Let me find a chair for this one. I don't know if helps any but I find in a pitch painted tamiya masking tape works well for seat belts.

Nicolas
👀

Andy Ball 著者
Good evening Villiers, Dave and Nicolas…
Dave I admire your comment on seat belts but one has to keep the global wine industry going with a foil capped harness…photos to come!

Andy Ball 著者
Thanks Nicolas and others, just put some more progress shots on this project. The fit is up there with Tamiya and very intricate detailed parts. Similar to the Hobby Boss Sunderland. But clearly the best Battle in 72nd

Robert Podkoński
Somehow I missed the beginning, but from now I will follow your build-log with pleasure and interest, Andy 🙂

Alec K
Nice progress Andy 👍

Cuajete
Following!
Intake is not closed in final stretch?

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

Michael Kohl 著者
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 著者
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 著者
Thanks WhiteGlint

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

Łukasz Gliński
Missed this one so far 🙂

Michael Kohl 著者
You are always welcome Lukasz.

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

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

Guy Rump
Great job, congrats! 👍

Robert Podkoński
Great job, Michael!

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

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 著者
Welcome mates. Happy to have you around.

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

J35J
Great start!👀

Cuajete
Well done so far 👍

Michael Kohl 著者
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 著者
Moin zusammen Thomas und Nicolas.

Michael Kohl 著者
...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 著者
@ 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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
Thanks mate

Christoph Kunz
High End Modelling. 👍

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

Michael Kohl 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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!

Jennifer Franklin
I like the red headdress; the pump on the barrel looks nice, and I'm getting excited about the completed dio.

Michael Kohl 著者
Thanks Nick and Jennifer for the heads up. I finished preparing the base and should be able to put things into place within the next days.

Cuajete
I agree with Jennifer 👍

Michael Kohl 著者
Thanks Cuajete. Little by little I inch myself toward the finish line.

gorby
I'd like to see how this turns out. The tank looks excellent.

Neuling
Looking forward too ..........

Rui S
Great paintjob 👍 deserves better photos 🤔

Michael Kohl
Mee to. Yes the tank is very well done.

gorby
The figure painting is remarkable!

Mr James
I agree with Gorby

Rui S
Brilliant 👍

Shar Dipree
Looks fantastic so far. 👍

Michael Kohl
Oh. You are going for more than one tank. How many?

Hubert K 著者
Michael, I have space for three tanks on the shelf 🙂 But I would gladly make four.

Adam Gudynowski
Following

Alberto
Great comeback to modelling!

Aleksandar P 著者
Thanks!

Shar Dipree
Beautiful MiG-31. The MiG31 really comes into its own just by showing it in flight with the right flight angle. Fantastics.

Mr D
Brilliant job Aleksandra nice shading work, great aircraft. 👍👍

Eric Thornton
Super! Looks great in flight 👍

ZHOU Kun
Nice and clean build!

Neuling
Excellent work which deserves more picures!

alessandro magrelli
Absolutely stunning

Giannis Kaltapanidis
Oh WOW! Such a badass!

Kesa Tiho
FINALLY!!! THE GODS HAVE BLESSED US!!!

Jennifer Franklin
Oh, very nice, those pieces will fit!!!

Jakko ‌
"Removing seams from roadwheels the Jakko way." Thanks for the shout-out 🙂

Though TBH, I find it takes about as long as clamping the wheel in a vice and scraping the seam down — the lathe is less effort but not really a timesaver, IMHO. Could be that's down to my lack of lathing skills, though.

Ben M 著者
It took a long time but it's fun. Not every day I get to use a lathe.

Lorraine Lin
Wow! Tanks and cafe girls😁

[img1]

Ben M 著者
As the kit is missing many parts, l will try 3d printing / scratchbuilding the missing parts. My resin printer isn't a very good one so it can be hard to get things to print correctly.

Jakko ‌
Quick tip: you don't need to take photos of your screen — press ⇧⌘4 instead 🙂

Ben M 著者
There is a lot of work to do to remove the supports. I did a quick and dirty pass on one side and it fits perfectly!

I scaled running gear and tracks from a 1:56 stl by 175% to get to 1:32 and it fits properly.

Ben M 著者
I got the tracks from here: cults3d.com/en/3d-mo..early-prod-july-1941

Jennifer Franklin
Very neat, love the 3D printing.

Ben M 著者
Jakko: Youtube Video

🙂 🙂 🙂

Ben M 著者
All missing parts 3d printed by upscaling from 1:56 to 1:32. Suspension and tracks won't be glued on til after painting. Same with radio antenna as I'll just break it off if I add it now.

Marcin Dudek
👀 Wathing

Rui S
I see you manage to do 3d printing 😮 lucky you. The tracks and bogies look wonderful 👍

Jennifer Franklin
Pretty soon, with 3D printing, the only limit will be our imagination.

Jakko ‌
That, and the time and effort you want to put into learning how to use the software and the printer … Both of which are what's kept me from wanting to do this myself 🙂

Ben M 著者
Got kind of an acceptable gloss pink outcome. Respect to the car builders I see on here who put down perfect gloss coats!

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Ben M 著者
Painting the one part track and suspension takes a lot. I have literally worn out one brush so far, scrubbing in all the nooks and crannies.

gorby
Pink tank! Got to follow this build. 😄

Ben M 著者
This is more fun than painting everything green.

gorby
Nice. I like the military issue picnic blankets as well. 🙂

Mark Sherwood
Like it, like it. Down to the leopard print blanket. Aerosmiths Pink is now my earworm. 🤘🥸👍

Jakko ‌
Can I downvote that for mentioning that godawful song? 🙂

Mark Sherwood
Oh, I don't know it has a certain resonance too it. 🤘🥸🤟😅🖖

Jakko ‌
That's part of my problem with it 😛 I don't like it AND it sticks in your head …

Mark Sherwood
Welcome to my earworm along with The Bird is the Word (thank you Family Guy 😫😵😵‍💫) I do find playing Motorhead at extreme volume seems to help. . . . . Pardon? 🤟🥸🤘

Darren
Even though a 1:72 scale tank doesn't need to present as much detail as say a 1:35 scale kit, it's nice to see these smaller kits coming with PE parts... Arguably the smaller kits benefit more from being able to render finer but representative details in something other than injection-moulded plastic... Keen to see how this turns out!

gorby
The composition of paints is so complex a chemist would probably be the best person to answer that question. Tamiya is alcohol based and in theory shouldn't be mixable with water based and definitely not enamel paints. If the other brand is alcohol based I can't see why it wouldn't work, but I suggest experimenting before you try it on your model.

Rando
Gunze aqueous should work, same base as Tamiya. I mainly use both of these paints, no reason why you couldn't mix them

FoxTrot64 著者
thanks for the info, I mainly ask this because my Tamiya XF-2 white have a habit of become dry and chocky. my latest pot I only bought 3 months ago and it already gone bad

Amenofys
I have mixed Ak, Vallejo, and Green stuff world without any problem. I use wáter as solvent with tamiya XFs always without any problem too.

gorby
Fortunately in a significantly less tropical climate, Tamiya paints stay usable for years. You could try adding Tamiya thinners or a small amount of Tamiya paint retarder to the jar to see if that helps.

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

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

Danny Ray 著者
@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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
@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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
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 著者
@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 著者
You're very welcome amigo

Danny Ray 著者
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 🙂

Danny Ray 著者
I think it's because I'm thinking I can put every part in place then use extra thin. I used to apply glue BEFORE placing the part as a kid. Do you glue before for some parts and only glue while in place if you can do that from the unseen side as it were? Like inside a tank for example and the part being on the outside. Also Like the seams of the hull for example?

I am still enjoying building but I seem to be very slow. I just cut a few parts from the tree, sand them down then add a few then stop. I rarely sit for hours at a time. Just half hour here and there while tv is on. 🙂

These 65 kits (yes 65 now but definitely stopped buying. For now 😂 ) are gonna take a loooooong time! 😳😂😂😂

Danny Ray 著者
One more quick question. After handling the model for weeks, it's obviously covered in grease from your hands, do you wash the model before spraying? Like wipe with a little soapy water? It's gotta help the painting, no?

Jakko ‌
I glue some parts by putting glue on first, others by putting the part in place and then flowing glue into the seam. It largely depends on whether I think it will stay put ot not without glue 🙂

As for washing it: if the first coat is going to be paint that is alcohol-based, a lacquer, an enamel, or anything else with a solvent in it stronger than water, there's almost certainly no need to wash off grease etc. Which is to say: I can't remember ever doing it, and the only paints that have given me trouble on bare plastic have been water-based acrylics, especially airbrush-ready ones.

Clair Greenwood
Like Jakko, it just depends for me on the particular part and how it positions before I even decide which glue to use.

For the wash I absolutely give a nice warm bath with Dawn dish soap to my parts before painting, Im a sweat hog so my hands get all kinds of sweat on the parts, probably a bit of tobacco breath too so they get a nice wash n dry, then paint away with usually acrylics.

Danny Ray 著者
To be honest Jakko, I only have acrylic paints, even the primers I have are acrylic so I'll probably do the same as Clair and give this one a bath. I didn't with my first 1:35 build a Tamiya Panther (I should add some pics but it's awaiting its 2nd coat of gelbraun and the olivgrun and rotbrun too) and it looked like it might've struggled to stick in a couple of small areas due to what was probably greasy fingers. I did buy some latex finger glove things. But they'll take about an hour to put on! Each finger. 😳😂

Jakko ‌
It can't hurt to wash the model, certainly. Well, as long as you're careful not to break any bits off, anyway 😉

Danny Ray 著者
Well, there is that of course Jakko. Knowing me, it'll probably end up just adding more glue to the surface somehow. I'll use the wrong toothbrush. One loaded with poly instead of fairy liquid. 😳😂

Jakko ‌
If you apply glue with a toothbrush then I think we've just located the problem 😉

Danny Ray 著者
Hahaha. Actually, I use a toilet cleaner brush. I find toothbrushes don't allow quite enough poly to get on 🙂.
Can I ask you an unrelated question? I know I have literally asked your advice on hundreds of occasions (no exaggeration. You have the patience of a modelling saint). I know I said I was gonna stop buying kits but there are 3 vehicles I love (one was one I discovered reading the book you wrote Tanks at Westkapelle) the LVT-A4 (is that the one with the cannon on top and MG at the back? That one. And 2 aircraft. The A10 Warthog and the P38 Lightning.
I know you did tell me before but it'd take ages trawling thru your previous replies. Do you know a decent kit of any of them but in particular the LVT? I really want one. Watched 2 documentaries last night. One called Hell in the Pacific and it had LVTs as they landed on Guadalcanal.
The other documentary I watched was set in your local area (or relatively close by). Isleer or Ismeer lake? It was about an Avro Lancaster that had been damaged by flak in Germany and as it flew over the Netherlands to the coast it was picked up by a luftwaffe night fighter and it came down with the loss of all 7 crew. But the Dutch authorities in 2023 built a dam around the crash site, drained it and recovered the bodies so the families of the 3 missing could finally have closure. I think it's great your country shows its thanks and respect all this time later!

Jakko ‌
In 1:35 you only really have two options: AFV Club has an early and a late LVT (4), while Italeri has a range of them (those were also sold in Revell boxes, BTW). The AFV Club kits are much better detailed but harder to build, the Italeri ones are simpler to build but have a number of mistakes. Also, you can probably get two Italeri LVTs for the price of one AFV Club one.

For LVTs in the Pacific, any of the above will do. For British ones in Europe, though, you want an LVT (2), LVT(A) (2) or LVT (4) kit, and if you go for the AFV Club one, the early type, not the late. None of these include the 20 mm Polsten gun, though. LVT-2 Amtrac (Italeri 6462, 1:35) LVT-(A)2 "Saipan" (Italeri 6470, 1:35) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (Italeri 379, 1:35) Water Buffalo LVT-4 (AFV Club AF35205, 1:35)

As for the lake: you mean the IJsselmeer 🙂 That's quite a way from where I live, but I had heard of it, yes.

Jeremias H
Nice work! To get a smooth finish with green stuff, you can use a tiny bit of vaseline. It makes it easier to flatten and doesn't stick to your shaping tools anymore.

Darren 著者
Thanks mate! It's been a long time since I used it to sculpt Steel Legion gloves onto Cadian models, so thanks for the reminder! Must keep that in mind next time a fat but brittle sprue connection wants to dork me and destroy my parts...

Dave Flitton
Watching!

Sergej I
Looks superb so far, please share more! 👍
I have a Super Galeb resin kit planned for this summer

Robert Podkoński
Taking a seat too!

alessandro magrelli 著者
Thank guys. I'll try my best.

Bernd Korte
Very interesting!

Martin Weinpold
Great!

Przemyslaw Sroczynski 著者
It's just the begining
Plans are for all Zumbach fighters - Model Maker decals

Robert Podkoński
Great idea! Watching with pleasure.

Nicolas
Following

Łukasz Gliński
Looks very nice already 👍

Michael Kohl
It does

Finn
Following

Michael Kohl
Following with particular interest as I collect bits and pieces right now for a diorama to commemorate the effort of polish fighters in the RAF.

Robert Podkoński
Fantastic job, Przemek! Looks terrific!

Rui S
Excellent work 👍

Przemyslaw Sroczynski 著者
Thx mates.
I'm not so happy about results - had to use acrylic varnish (Model Master) and it was last time for this one, you can see whitish deposite specially on dark colour. You should remeber to stick to good one that you were using, Mr Hobby in my case.
The second one is that i had to use Sparmax Beattle with Ammo Matt Shadows, all of this due to home conditions.
Overall i think i could do better, lesson for the next build.

Neuling
Maybe in your opinion you could do better next time, in my opinion this is a very beautiful build.

Łukasz Gliński
Very nice finish anyway 👍

Mark K
Very nice!

Bob Torres 著者
Thank you Mark K!

Cortex
I like it!

Bozo
Another gem with an old and difficult kit. Congrats

gorby
Sometimes the camera orientation code overrides the display orientation – I'm not sure of the details.
If you go to 'Manage' and then 'Advanced options' you can change the orientation of your photos.

Liane Lonesome 著者
Thank you, thank you, thank you! W/o your advice I would never get the point "Advanced options". Haha, cool! Thanks a lot! ♥

gorby
Lots of people have problems with this, which makes me think the orientation process should be easier or more obvious. 🙂

Liane Lonesome 著者
*laugh* yes, it should be bit more obvious or the upload script should "upload as is". But that is not in my area. You can do that! ^_~

Thomas Bischoff
I'm in - nice show 👍

Sergej I
Looking good 👍!

Rich K.
Awesome work! Learning a lot from your posts and looking forward to the final result!

CaptGPF 著者
Thank you everyone!

@Thomas! Looking forward so seeing your Douglas build!
@Sergej- your F-35 is looking good! I heard that was a bad kit, but didn't realize it till your post!
@Lorraine - Your builds are always amazing! Using a laser cutter to create your latest Spitfire is brilliant!
@Rich - looking forward to seeing another dual build with you and your wife!

Dietmar Bogatzki
Fantastic start Capt. 👍

CaptGPF 著者
Thank you Dietmar! I plan to have the maintenance hatches open on this puppy, but not as impressive as your cut-out Millenium Falcon!

CaptGPF 著者
Sloooooooow progress, the main painting is done, now onto the munitions!

Paul Moore
Will be watching eagerly!

Rui S
Looking Great 👍

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress.

Sergej I
In photo 24, are you following a reference with the yellow de-icing surface? I thought they were only yellow on slats...

CaptGPF 著者
Thank you Paul for the notes on the A-6!

@Rui - watching you Mariupol build with interest!

@Villers - love your cars, and watching your Maharaja edition with great interest!

Hi Sergei - I referenced it from the paint schemes in the instructions and checked the photos on the internet - and most of them have the yellow de-icing on the leading edge of the wing roots. After taking a closer look, seems like I missed the tail! 😀. Will work on that as I start the weathering. 😀

Adam Gudynowski
Great

Desert Marlin
Looking very awesome!!!

David Taylor
Looking good.

Neil
Agreed! 👍

Paul Moore
CaptGPF,
The build is looking great. As a former A-6 pilot, the only time you'd have both sets of flaparons up and speed brakes out would be on landing roll out. Just so you know. And at times I adjust my builds just because I want to show some various capabilities that interest me. So I get it. But I thought you might be interested in that just in case you had something else in mind.
Paul

CaptGPF 著者
@Adam - I love your Aston Martin - can't wait to see the final result!
@Desert Marlin - I loved t-your SUFA, Can't wait to see the Ra'am!
@Dave - would love to see your Falkland builds before I start working on my small armor kits
@Neil - don't know how you pulled off that Revell Tomcat, but you did it!
@Paul - I had originally planned to make this n in-flight Intruder, but the Hasegawa pilots wouldn't fit at all, so I opted to have everything flared out and open as if it was undergoing maintenance. Would these be realistic?

Desert Marlin
Thanks! The Ra'am is my Summer build!!!

Paul Moore
CaptGPF,
You bring up a good question. During maintenance, there's no telling what configuration you could find! Then of course there would definitely be various panels open. In this case, probably a lot. And of course there wouldn't be any ordnance on the aircraft during heavy maintenance. It's funny for me, sometimes if I'm doing a historical aircraft on a particular mission, it's really important for me to have all the details (down to the BUNO - Bureau Number), and other times I sort of want to show the capabilities of the aircraft. For example, I'm currently doing another aircraft I flew (S-3B Viking). I'm doing it with a buddy refueling store on the left wing (we almost always flew with that) and a Harpoon on the starboard wing. I personally NEVER saw a Harpoon on a "Hoover", but it was an important capability the Hoover had. If it was going to carry a Harpoon in a conflict, it most likely would carry two Harpoons. So is my configuration "realistic"? Probably not. But I'm doing it for a reason. And of course It's my model! At the very least, it's nice to be able to tell a detractor, " yea, it's not "realistic", but I wanted to show off the capability of the aircraft and I think it looks cool". Just my opinion. And the build looks great.

Neuling
Top build in cool presentation!

Brent Caughy 著者
Air cleaners were created by cutting and stacking Evergreen sheet styrene and then sanding and painting. I came across this idea from another builder of the same kit online from a post from a few years back.

Yngve N
I'm joining in 🙋🏽‍♂️

Yngve N
Lights look very good 👍

Neuling
An iconic automobile. Well done!

Christian W
Unisual car 🙂 I'm on that.

Darin Schneider
12 year old me thinks this is the most awesome thing ever!!

Neuling
Very nice!

Spanjaard
interesting idea 🙂

Neuling
It is!

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 著者
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 著者
@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 著者
@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 著者
@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 😉

Bozzer
I'm loving what I'm seeing.
Honestly, my expectations were high, but you've done this "stock build" with the right amount of cheeky adaptations. It's not a clever, "this is what you do", it's more of a, "this is the correct way, to make it better"
And like all your other builds I've followed, the MS touch, is fully endorsed 🙂

Christian W
Super build so far! Attention and hopefully you can fix it: your licensplate at the front belongs to the rear. At the front you only have one round sticker after the letters UL (it's the city of Ulm in Baden Württemberg). The upper *round* sticker is from the TÜV (Technical Inspection Association), which means a road safety inspection. It's attached to the back.
If there were a hexagonal sticker (AU - emission test), the license plate would be for the front. But since 2010, hexagonal stickers have no longer been used.

MS K 著者
@Bozzer - Your compliments made me feel good. 😉
@Christian W - Really? I didn't know license plates had that kind of meaning.
I just picked a pretty one and stuck it on without thinking much about it.
I guess I'll have to change the front and back later or cover it with another decal, thanks for the clarification.

Robert Podkoński
Fantastic work!

Goldman
Amazing model! Beautiful color combination and overall outstanding build

Andre Louis
Congratulations! Truly an amazing model.

Rui S
Another Great build log and Beautiful model. As always 👍

István Szücs
Goddamn, it's beautiful! Awesome result!

Michael Kohl
Thank you for an enjoyable ride. Nice model too.

MS K 著者
Thanks everyone~ I'm always grateful for your support and encouragement 😄

Bozzer
The question is..
Will this be your last truck, or the first of many?
But seriously, considering you were out of your comfort zone, did you enjoy building your beast?

MS K 著者
It was too big and the outer shell was divided, so there was not enough workbench space.
There were many times when it was difficult because there were no instructions on the attachment location or assembly order in the manual, and it was very stressful because the paint did not adhere well.
However, I think the assembly was quite fun.
And I want to make an Actros Grand Prix Edition and decorate it side by side. 😛

Neuling
Very beautiful model!