Notícias

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 Autor
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 Autor
Yeah, that's correct. I had clear coated twice before sanding. 🙂

Harry Eder
Cool idea! Watching of course! 👍

Neuling
Excellent small scale dio! 👍

Robert Podkoński
Beautiful!

Dietmar Bogatzki
Agree with all above 👍

Bozo
Bonjour, je découvre l'ensemble de vos albums que je trouve excellent. Il y a toujours un détail qui fait la différence. Merci pour le partage et à bientôt sur Scalemates. Pour ce diorama en particulier, où est donc passé le petit lapin??

Laurent STANKOWIAK Autor
Bonsoir Bozo, le lapin est destiné à un autre diorama.
Je vous met bientôt d'autres scènettes

Rui S
Beautifully done 👍

Lebloge
Magnifique travail … effectivement, tout est dans le détail, qui est maîtrisé à la perfection ! Superbe ! 🤩

Michael Kohl
Another very impressive build of yours; defying its scale. I think it would fit the excellent models if you would choose a higher frame to hide the foam bord sides.

Robert
very nice...

Rui
I thought this was 1:350! 👍

Neuling
Another great ship!

Tom B.
Great build 👍 The Deutschland-class ships are interesting looking in all the "right" ways!

gorby
WOW, I thought it was 1/350 as well!

Christian Abraham Autor
Thanks guys.
Michael, that's an old build. Now I make the base plate Black. That's indeed better.

Ralf Topeters
Wonderful build! have one in the same scale from another manufacturer and would be pleased to get it just half as good as yours. respect! 👍

Landlubber Mike
Beautiful work, wow! Not easy to do at 1/700 scale. Fantastic job!

Christian Abraham Autor
Thanks guys

Guy Rump
Beautiful build. 👍

Nick Dragone
Beautiful job. I just started this same kit

DerMattes
Following 👍

Nicolas
Me 2.

Robert Podkoński
Me 3 🙂

Skyhiker
Good luck. I'm still not getting over my AMS.

Calvin Gifford Autor
^^ :-P

Thomas Kolb
Looks promising already! I will keep watching! And yes, AMS is no fun, sometimes these quick builds are what you need to enjoy modeling.

Calvin Gifford Autor
Well, at least I *THOUGHT* this was going to be a 'quick build'!! :-D

Maciej Bellos
Watching!

Sergej I
Looks good 👍 so far

Urban Gardini
Not getting AMS, how is that even possible?

Calvin Gifford Autor
:-D

Mark Sherwood
Cockpits looking good, Guillaume. I'm in.

Guillaume Blanchet Autor
Thank you Mark, the oil paint have done wonder with this cockpit.

Dave
I agree with mark, the cockpit looks good.

Ian Doody Autor
Just picked up the 15" 1/48 Space 1999 Hawk Mk IX Interceptor. Looks to be a very nice kit. Pleasantly surprised at the details, nice heavy plastic. I really wanted a big one of these, and this is the largest I could afford, so far it's well worth the money. Plus I bought it straight from the Gerry Anderson site, as it was cheaper than anywhere else. Thinking about scratching a cockpit interior for it, although in the show it didn't have one. Not sure what version I'll do, pre production, from the episode, or a custom version. But it'll be a fun build.

Ben M
Looks cool!

Ian Doody Autor
That's it for today, just basic construction of engine rocket boosters, sponson rockets and painted the inside black, can't be bothered to scratch an interior this time, I'll tint the windows yellow, for a moody 70s look.

David Taylor
Count me in.

Ian Doody Autor
Where I'm at so far, added the cockpit glass, slightly tinted. I'm painting anti flash black around the cockpit windows, as this seems logical.

Ian Doody Autor
That's me done for today, built and painted the Hawk's Nuclear reactor chamber and main booster rocket.

Ian Doody Autor
I lied, oddly for me I'm a bit addicted to this one. Fun so far, but now I need a break, not bothered about the obvious seam lines down the lower fuel tanks, as they get covered up by the pannier sponson booster rockets. more tomorrow.

Ben M
Paintwork is looking good

Gareth Lloyd
Thanks for the Like on my attempt at this Ian. Your's is shaping up to be way better than mine was (nothing new there 😁). Looking forward to see how you tackle the curve on the Orange section on the nose.

Ian Doody Autor
Added fuel pipework and thruster fuel supply to the underneath, and painted the basic colours for the front of the hull, and the cockpit. I'm painting the anti-glare in front of the cockpit, as without it the pilots would be blind in space, plus I think it looks better. Getting there.

Gareth Lloyd
Gorgeous! Did you use any masking at all on the Orange? Or, is your hand so steady to paint those curves that cleanly 😯

Ian Doody Autor
Yeah Gareth, just painted it by hand with a brush, same as they did on the filming miniature.

Ian Doody Autor
That's enough for today. Almost done, decals soon. Just the Solar panels, weapons and the side sponson booster rockets to go. Great kit, lots of fun to build.

Ian Doody Autor
That's me done for another day. It's coming along nicely, finished the solar panels, added some colour panel details, front scaffold stabiliser and added two lower thrusters. Still more to do.

Ian Doody Autor
Another day of painting finished, painted both side boosters, and the laser cannons. Only a few more bits to paint, then just tidying up the paint and adding decals.

Ian Doody Autor
Almost done, just Missile launchers, bottom lift thrusters, and some structural engine girder work left to do.

István Szücs
Great start, I'm watching!

Bill Newcomer
I am in for the ride too.

István Szücs
Yes, she looks good!

Christian W
Great result!

Bill Newcomer
Very nice result. How did the kit go together for you?

Kenneth Gifford Autor
Bill, The kit went together perfectly. As a matter of fact, there is no glue holding the body on to the chassis

Bill Newcomer
No body mounts? Better not drive it on a bumpy road LOL

Villiers de Vos
Flawless.

Bob Hall
Absolutely Beautiful. 👍

Christian W
Sweet 🙂 I like it.

gorby
Lovely depiction of Herbie!

nikfrost
Really nice!

Fauzan R.
Nice work! Can the eyes wink 😀?

Jan Peters
Love your representation of the Love Bug!

Robert Fuqua
Great work!

Landlubber Mike
This came out great - well done!!

bossy122
Did Herbie lose his beauty rims? That's funny. Lose all 5 or 6 like Bullit did.

Rui S
I like it, very much 👍

Bob Hall
Alright, looks awesome !

Teeage
Clean build, nice background too 💪🏼

Hovercraft
Мечта поэта

Christian W
Beautifully done!

Dominik Weitzer
beautiful!

Tim Hofstetter
Very good. Henry himself would have been proud.

What did you use for the painted chrome trim?

Neuling
An iconic automobile in very appealing presentation!

Denis Dogadov Autor
Thank you colleagues!
Chrome is made using ordinary food foil.
[img1]
[img2]

Tim Hofstetter
REALLY. Now you've given me something new to try. 😎

How do you adhere it to the plastic / paint?

Shar Dipree
Very nice.

Denis Dogadov Autor
Tim, There is a special glue for gilding.
It is better if it is alcohol-based. It needs to be diluted, quite strongly, with alcohol. If you do not dilute it, you will not be able to tear off the excess foil.
But it can also be water-based, diluted with water. The diluted glue is applied to the foil, after which it must dry. The foil will be sticky, like duct tape.
[img1]

Bob Hall
Beauty !

Matthew Goetz Autor
Fun Fact: The body color comes via dollar store fingernail polish. 🤓

Bob Hall
Gorgeous !

Nicolas
👀

Rudy Poseika Autor
Touch ups. Then clear coat then decals and more. No fit issues. Broke off the antenna. Put it back at the end..

Dave Flitton
I wish mine looked this good.

Naram
following

Robert Podkoński
Joining the party!

Rudy Poseika Autor
No work today... ice storm has knocked out power.

Rui S
I've also one beautiful girl, Border Collie 👍 One of the many reasons why I'm a slow modeler 🤔 😉 👍 The ice folliage, it's also beautiful 👍

Rudy Poseika Autor
2 days with out power and then some clean up and rest. Back at it now.

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Rudy Poseika Autor
Nearing finish. A little more weathering and then final clear coat(s).
Research shows the P47 streaking is on the bottom, and mostly oil and some exhaust stains.

Michael Kohl
Cool car you chose for your first project. Have fun.

Irineu Junior Autor
Thanks Michael! I've always wanted to build a rally car like this!
I'll try to keep that album updated.

Sam S
Taking a seat 👍🏻

Irineu Junior Autor
After applying primer: preparing for paint.

Irineu Junior Autor
Chassis painted with spray. I'll take the paint off the can and use in airbrush.
It will be easier to control the flow, mainly on the body.

Bozzer
I always enjoy a first build. Taking a seat. Anyone sharing popcorn???

Jv
Sure to follow
Bozzer you can have some popcorn 🍿

bossy122
Having done one of these recently, I will give you a heads up that the decals canbe a tad brittle, especially the big ones going across the doors. LOTS of softener needed. PS: beautiful seal point.

Jennifer Franklin
Following

Carlos Proença
Junior, beautiful painting. This is a rally classic. Good choice.

Irineu Junior Autor
Thanks, folks! I'll try to update frequently.
Good tip, @bossy122, thank you!
I messed up a lot with the panel line scraper, had to fix with CA and sandpaper…

Irineu Junior Autor
Display base acquired!

George Williams
Looking good so far.

George Williams
Looking good so far.

Irineu Junior Autor
Thanks guys! Keep on moving!

Irineu Junior Autor
Body painted, with airbrush and decanted TS-50. Next steps: decals and clear coat.

Irineu Junior Autor
Most of decals applied. Next step: gloss coat and finish.

bossy122
Do not use Tamiyas TS 13 clear. It will melt your decals.

Spanjaard
first build? it looks real good, keep at it 🙂

Irineu Junior Autor
Thanks @Spanjaard and @bossy122! I'll use X-22.

Jorge Ferreira
Well what can I say. Was it beginners luck or a skillfull modeller ? Those decals look great. I`ve build 4 and the decals were a nightmare. Congratulations. 😊👌

Stéphane Jayet
I would have loved my first build looking like this ! Well done

Irineu Junior Autor
Thank you Jorge and Stéphane! I've been building it at a slow pace, getting a lot of help from forums and videos.

George Williams
Looks good.

Irineu Junior Autor
Way to connect the rear spoiler, and getting ready for final assembly.

Irineu Junior Autor
Almost done! After messing up the yellow neon decal, I painted it and varnished it, ready for the final assembly.

Irineu Junior Autor
Finished at last!!! Ready to be exhibited along other models I'm going to build.
Thanks for your help!

Spanjaard
great job!

Rui S
A well done Classic 👍

Bozzer
Looks like a pro to me! Excellent job, Junior 👍

George Williams
Looks great.

Irineu Junior Autor
Thank you guys!
And I'm glad to hear it from you, Bozzer!
That motivates me to keep the hard work!

Jennifer Franklin
Very nice work!

Irineu Junior Autor
Thank you, Jennifer! Happy New Year!

Andrei
Cool!

Jennifer Franklin
A belated happy new year to you Irineu.

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

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

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

Ludvík Kružík Autor
Little progress on the model.

Ludvík Kružík Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
Jos and Michael, welcome!

Ludvík Kružík Autor
The fuselage halves are already glued together.

Jos Jansen
How's the fitting...?

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

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

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

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

Ludvík Kružík Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
The auxiliary fuel tanks are ground down.

Alec K
Very interesting way to make the auxiliary tanks 👍

Ludvík Kružík Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
@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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
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 Autor
Gripen is ready to be sprayed with primer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ludvík Kružík Autor
Gripen is ready for decals application. 🙂

Daniel
Beautiful work + you're really fast! 👍

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

Jennifer Franklin
The canopy looks amazing

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ludvík Kružík Autor
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.

Gary Victory
Nice start to your build Oláh.

Spanjaard
great job on those added details in the pits, and beautiful cockpit.

Jos Jansen
Great detail, already...following...!

Sergej I
Following! 👍

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

John
Beautiful detail work on the cockpit and bays. Great nozzle too.👍

Desert Marlin
Looks great! Following!

Paul Shearer
Great work 👏👏

Jennifer Franklin
Following, those decals are nice.

Shar Dipree
Look fantastic so far. 👍

Desert Marlin
This is a great looking rocket!

Ray Loch
Awesome detail, well done.

Oláh Mátyás Autor
Thank you, guys! 🙂

Rui S
Looking great 👍

Jennifer Franklin
The main wheel bay and weathering both look good!

Daniel Schlosser
Superb!!!

Oláh Mátyás Autor
Thank you so much! 🙂

Shar Dipree
Looks fantastic so far! 👍

Desert Marlin
Excellent weathering!

Rui S
Great work 👍

Guy Rump
Great job! 👍

Neuling
A masterpiece.

Jennifer Franklin
Beauty!

Cuajete
Nice collection, Robert 👍
Congrats!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you very much, Cuajete 😉

Mark
Every one is a little gem Robert. 👍 I think the T-bird is my fav.

Robert Podkoński Autor
You are too kind, Mark, thank you 🙂

Bruce Huxtable
That's a great way to always have space for just one more in your evolving collection 👍 Your friends and their children most be pleased as punch to have such lovely momentos of their visits. I bet your generosity is kick-starting new modellers' hobies 🙂👍

Alec K
Great idea to have built models on hand as giveaways, to infect a new generation 😄 👍

James C
Nice looking builds 👍

Rui S
Beautiful collection 👍

Peter G
Oh that is beeee-youuuu-tiful!

Peter G
I just started modeling in January 2021 and am enjoying how the more models you complete the less precious each becomes which permits more experimentation and play.

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you all, Mates, for your kind words.
@Bruce: In fact, one of these boys now assembles Zvezda 1/100 snap-fit tanks himself, and is eager to try more complex kits 🙂

Łukasz Gliński
Very cool. Love these kits too. Let me guess why my Komet is the same set and 'camo'? 😉

Robert Podkoński Autor
Hmm...difficult question it is, Łukasz 😄

Mike Siemers
Nice collection. Really like the Claude and the Gladiator.

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks a lot, Mike 🙂

Mike Siemers
Also good job getting the kids interested, we need more modelers. Can anyone remember those days of innocence when this was mainly a kids hobby, and you would get a new kit with your allowance, and build the kit in a weekend, and not a bunch of middle aged men spending hundreds of dollars, and weeks and months just building one kit

Bruce Huxtable
I can certainly remember trying to clean enamel paint off a cheap brush, on newspaper, and having no idea that thinners or brush cleaner even existed! So many memories of every single kit built 🙂👍

Simon Nagorsnik
Yes, nice collection full of beauties!

Robert Podkoński Autor
@Mike and Bruce - that's why from time to time I just need to assemble some kit not taking care about (too much) detailing and weathering, etc. 😉

Bernd Grün
Nice build, Robert. A good replica of that yellow wing flyer. Cheers!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you very much, Bernd 🙂

Rui
Your 'easy ones' build collection is kind like what I am doing with low-cost 1:72 kits to try out different techniques. Most of your builds are on my agenda. 👍

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Very nice collection, Robert! 👍

Guy Rump
Lovely collection Robert 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you all, Mates, very appreciated 🙂

Alex K
... and kudos for the latest addition, that lovely (and a personal favorite of mine) SG-38/Eton... 👍 👍 😉

bughunter
Lovely filigree glider 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
I am happy you like it, Mates. Thank you for your kind words!

Bruce Huxtable
Such a pleasure to look through your beautifully presented album, Robert.

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Bruce! You're too kind...

Bernd Grün
Very nice, Robert! Like them all! 👍😎👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks (again), Bernd 🙂

Bartłomiej Rusiecki
This glider is especially important to me because it reminds me of my childhood when my father made a flying version of it. You've done a very good job with it.

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you very much, Bartłomiej 🙂

Neuling
Nice ones!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks, Neuling, I feel honoured!

Andy Ball
I heartily endorse this approach!...what a good way to have a diversion and some experimentation...we scientists do it all the time, and it should be applicable to model making!
Excellent standards too!- despite the fact they're 'shake and bakes'...

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Andy, you're too kind!

J35J
A very nice collection with a building philosophy that inspires.
Great work!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you J35J, much appreciated 😉

Simon Nagorsnik
REally nice Leo!! Good work Robert!
How was the assembly and quality of the kit?
I plan to do the same, only in the version of the Austrian Armed Forces;)

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Simon, I feel honoured by your praise 🙂 The kit is simplicity itself, can be assembled in no time. Fit is just perfect - it is almost a snap-fit kit.

Simon Nagorsnik
Thanks Robert, good to know 😁

Henry Ch.
Very nice collection#

Robert Podkoński Autor
You're welcome, Simon, all my pleasure 😉 Thanks, Henry 🙂

Kyriakos Vafiadis
A really beautiful collection! You reminded me my childhood, when me and my uncle visited his good friend, he always had a nice little gift to give me. He was mainly worked with matchbox 1:76 kits. Thanks for sharing!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks for taking a look and your kind words, Kyriakos 🙂

Isaac Kite
Stunning presentation on the A5M. You've done the old workhorse proud.

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks for dropping in, Isaac 🙂

Jan Peters
Nice collection of tryouts Robert, I had somehow missed this album before?

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks, Jan 🙂 I just upload here photos of the newly finished kit from time to time...

Łukasz Gliński
Nicely done, what are your impressions of that Mazur printout?

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks, Łukasz, much appreciated 😉 Generally, printing is quite good - no visible layers and the level of detail is awesome (due to this I lost the tiny rear-view mirror to my carpet monster at the stage of removing the technological supports - I just did not notice it... On the other hand, a few technological supports touch the sides of the cabin - you can easily spot their remains - practically impossible to remove for me. Also the tarpaulin supports and benches are printed together in situ, what makes cleaning the whole compartment a bit difficult. (Of course, one could substitute these supports with pieces of wire... 😉 ). Tracks, wheels and their supports are printed as whole units as well. No transparencies, no decals, of course... Recommended! 😉

Łukasz Gliński
Sound similarly to my Jelcz 😄 Thx a mil

Łukasz Gliński
That Mustang looks familiar, show us the undersides! 😛

Robert Podkoński Autor
"mirror mirror on the wall...what the heck has gone 😉"

Neil
Nice work Robert! 🙂 I like the ethos behind the builds also 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks Neil, much appreciated!

Marcin Dudek
Cool Leopard... or two 😆 The whole collecrion is very nice 👏👍

Spanjaard
very nice collection (and idea), love it

Peter G
Quick and fun! I'm loving it.

Robert Podkoński Autor
Hi there Spanjaard and Peter! Thanks!

Bernd Grün
Very nice collection, Robert. Congrats mate! 👍👌👍

Mark Sherwood
A very impressive lineup Robert and I agree about the MiG 3. 🤘🥸🤟

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks Bernd and Mark, much appreciated 🙂

Patryk S.
Very nice collection you have there Mate!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks Patryk! 😉

Jennifer Franklin
That is a lovely collection, Robert; nice work!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Jennifer 🙂

Marko
hey Robert, very nice compilation and there are also a few really rarely seen models.
I also saw the trouble with the decals on the beautiful Buffalo.
I'm excited to see what else ends up on your table👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks for your kind words, Marko!

Kyriakos Vafiadis
beautiful additions!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Kyriakos! You've inspired me to finish the MiG-15 in USAF markings 😉

Bohrmann
Very nice inspirational collection. I enjoy browsing through the album. 👍👍
The model in photo 21 and 22, is this a Peugeot Char 1918 37mm tank in 1/72 scale ?

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Bohrmann, much appreciated. Yes, it is Peugeot Char (3d printed kit from Polish company: Peugeot Char 1918 37mm (Play..hnology) IDA-PMI0139B, 1:72))

Łukasz Gliński
What scale is that cool ornithopter?

Robert Podkoński Autor
It is a "Box scale" item, Łukasz 😉 No info on the box - some Mates here described it as 1:144 scale model...

Alec K
Nice Dune subject Robert 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Alec. I am not the fan of the story, but I needed to build something quick & easy...

Ben M
A char leger Peugeot 1919!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Indeed, Ben 🙂

gorby
Nice! I really like the Naleszkiewicz JN-1 tailless glider.
(Yes, I did have to look in your 'completed kits' to find out what it is. 😳 )

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Gorby! (I suppose most of modellers from Poland would not know it either 😉 )

Łukasz Gliński
The glider is really cool, recommended?

Spanjaard
that is certainly a unique model... i am sure gorby is already thinking about getting one already 😉

Alexander Grivonev
Wow, that glider is...something. Cool collection 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you all, Mates, for your kind words, I feel honoured 🙂
@Łukasz - on the one hand, this is quite a well-designed and detailed kit, and you even get pre-cut masks for the cabin transparencies. On the other hand - the whole cabin/fuselage part is made of transparent plastic, what makes fitting and glueing the interior parts a bit troublesome. Joining both halves together is tricky too, as the glue must be strong (and there is a risk of fogging when you use a CA glue). Decals have extensive carrier film, are very thin, and grab the surface immediately with almost no chance to correct the placement. Final verdict: recommended 😄

J35J
Congrats to another great build Robert!👍🏻

Alec K
Glider is indeed very cool. I wonder about its longitudinal stability…

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, JJ and Alec 🙂 @Alec - actually it was the main reason why there existed only a prototype of this glider 😉

Alex K
Thumbs up for the new (glider) addition... It just HAD to be a part of your collection! 👍 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Alex! (You know me better than I do myself 😉 )

Jennifer Franklin
Love the glider!

Robert Podkoński Autor
I am glad you like it, Jen 🙂

Cuajete
Very nice glider 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks, Cuajete! 🙂

bughunter
With another background the glider in pic 58 would look real! Clean work 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you very much, Bughunter! You are too kind to me.

Alex K
Now, dear Robert, after your latest glider... wouldn't it be great to follow up with this kit (that, not surprisingly, seems to be in your stash)? - Armstrong-Whitworth AW-52 (MikroMir 72-016, 1:72)

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks for your suggestion, Alex (and kind words 🙂 )... So many models, so little time... Yes, I have this kit on my shelf 😉

Cuajete
Robert, Count on me when you start it. I have it too 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
In the meantime I've assembled a wee Albatros in unusual livery. I hope you'll like it 😉

Łukasz Gliński
Wow, that's tiny 😮 Never understood the idea behind this fake USAF Albatrosses (or aren't they fake?)

Robert Podkoński Autor
As far as I know, this one was really tested by USAF at Edwards:
aftc.af.mil/News/On-..t-test-pilot-school/

gorby
Oh, nice! I didn't realise the Americans tested it.

Robert Podkoński Autor
This is perhaps the only Eastern-Europe developed warplane tested by USAF that was not the spoil of war (or a defector's plane)...

Jennifer Franklin
Very cool!

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Jennifer. Much appreciated 🙂

gorby
The latest addition in photo 74 looks great although I don't know what it's called. As you build some very obscure aircraft it might be good to give their name with the photos. 🙂

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thanks for dropping in, Gorby 🙂 As you wish... 😉

gorby
Thanks Robert, that helps. Now I can confidently say that I like the Japanese one which I can't pronounce. 😄

Robert Podkoński Autor
LOL 🙂 I needed to assemble a few 'easy' kits to ensure myself that I am able to finish a model (I am a little frustrated with the Lesher Teal...)

Cuajete
Very nice "Kisaragi" 👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Cuajete! Much appreciated! 🙂

Łukasz Gliński
Haven't been here for a while, the latest updates look very good. What is this Cadillac kit?

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Łukasz 🙂 It is a 3D-printed kit from Red Tank Miniatures (purchased at bargain price 😉 )

Marko
Hey Robert, great compilation in the usual high quality.
Very nice to look at.
The Little Albatross l-39 Trainer 1/144 is great.👍

Robert Podkoński Autor
Thank you, Marko. You're too kind... 🙂

Jennifer Franklin
The collection has grown some more; I like Kisaragi, although the alien tank is good too.

Nathan Dempsey
Following 👀

George Williams
Good start with the engine.

Guillaume Blanchet Autor
Thank you both! This is such a nice engine. I'm thinking of adding some more details before I glue it in the frame.

Łukasz Gliński
Interesting comparison, thx for sharing. Will follow 👍

Michael Kohl
Me too.

Harry Eder
I'll take a seat too!

Bas Tonn
Christmas is early this year 😉 Looking forward to both builds

Saeed Ezadi Autor
Thanks mate's for Joining me 🙂
Whats your idea regard the gaps in the avionic bay and airframe? How to fill it as it should not be any gaps

Harry Eder
For example you could make a frame frome Evergreen stripes!

Saeed Ezadi Autor
Thanks Harry. I think so

Adam Gudynowski
Any progress here?

Saeed Ezadi Autor
Hi Adam thanks for your interest!
After being 2 years away from hobby recently I started completing pending projects. Right now threr are four hasegawa Tomcats on my table. After finishing them I will work on A-10's and Ch-47.

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

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

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

Guy Rump
Looking great, following. 👍

Mona
looking forward to seeing more of this project👍.my uncle(5th SF) was in country just after TET and one of the few things he ever... spoke of more than once, was about riding on top of a M113 that rolled over a mine

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thank you Mona, that must have been a terrifying experience. The idea would be a fortified position in the Mekong Delta. I'm planning to build a sandback bunker and a piece of ricefield. The M113's will be stationary in a defensive position. Soldiers will be relaxed not knowing what is coming. But the layout is still evolving. Haven't decide the size of the groundwork yet. I'll be starting the diorama base soon... Will be continued 😉

Neuling
Looking forward ........

Spanjaard
vehicles look really good, looking forward the rest of the dio

Kim Branders
Love the dusty look.

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thank you Neuling, Spanjaard and Kim! I'm starting the diobase this week!

Mr James
Looking good Mathias. Lovely work on the M113's. What did you use as the 50 cal casings?

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thanks Mr James, I used simply the copper of an electric wire. An idea I got from lasercreationworld. It is a bit too narrow, but the overal impression works I think.

Rui S
The vehicles turned out great 👍

Thomas E.
Very nice looking vehicles, above all the interior; also the entire scene - I'm very curious about this diorama.

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thx Rui and Thomas E.! I hope it turns out as I am imagening it!

Mark Sherwood
Progress looks good Mathias, looking forward to the end result.

Michael Kohl
Following too.

Shar Dipree
Looks great so far. Following.

Pietro De Angelis
Great subject, good work Mathias!

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thank you for the support guys!

gorby
This is starting to look spectacular!

Thomas E.
completely agree with him!

Kim Branders
Knap Mathias.

Ben M
👀

Stuart Fowle
Looking good, following 🙂

Thomas E.
you may find this helpful (I hope so 🙂): data.opendevelopment..tnam-.compressed.pdf (5.11.2024)

Mathias Decommere Autor
Wauw! That information is very specific! Thanks!

gorby
I like the palm tree leaf. Did you make it yourself?

Mathias Decommere Autor
I did, another 79 to go...😅

gorby
Nice work. What did you make out of, paper?

Pietro De Angelis
Good "gardening" work then Mathias,
you will have all my comprehension!🤗

Spanjaard
more details about the palm tree please 🙂

Mathias Decommere Autor
I'm experimenting with a thermoplastic called Worbla. This leaf was manually made. Next try is to lasercut it. If this is possible, the possibilities will be endless!!

gorby
I've not heard of Worbla before. This is an interesting video about using it:
Youtube Video

Mathias Decommere Autor
I used it for my other artwork: instagram.com/artrop..gsh=OWh4c2Jyd2Vqamgy

Thx!

Mark Sherwood
Looking good Mathias, like the bag work on the outpost. 👍🥸👍

Spanjaard
nice yo see those old Verlinden being still usted in a dio 🙂

Rui S
Nice progress 👍 Keep it coming

CaptGPF
OMG - I'm so glad I saw this. The M113s are simply stunning! The Dio is really shaping up to be a killer as well - don't know how you havent\'t gone crazy building the palm leaves, but wow!!!!

Mathias Decommere Autor
@CaptGPF, thanks man! I cheated a bit on the palmleaves. I lasercutter the leafs in a thermoplast sheet, but there is still a lot of finalising to do offcourse. I don't think this method has been tried before... Also thank you Rui!

Spanjaard
cheated? i certainly disagree. you did a great use of what you have at hand. why should you buy the same stuff as aftermarket if you can make your own? 😉 great job

CaptGPF
Totally agree with Spanjaard - it's not cheating if you make it yourself. Making kits doesn't mean you have to suffer if a more efficient way can be used!

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thanks for the approval guys! Very excited to see the end result

Mona
amazing work ..mad skills, Mathias

Mathias Decommere Autor
Love your comment Mona!

gorby
Looking excellent so far. The palm trees are the most realistically modelled ones I've seen.

Pietro De Angelis
Beautiful and realistic palms, masterpiece!

Spanjaard
amazing job on thiae palm trees

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thanks for the encouragement you guys!

Rui S
Nice army 😉

gorby
It's looking very impressive.

Major Oak
Love it

Pietro De Angelis
What a show!

Mathias Decommere Autor
Thank you for the encouragement! Deadline is 27th of april...

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

Cuajete
Great, Łukasz!
I hope Italeri finally releases the one it announced.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Me 2, fingers crossed

Cuajete
But you have to be true to your hard kits 😛

Łukasz Gliński Autor
I don't like throwing them away 😉

Cuajete
You're right. I also think that all kits deserve another chance 😉 👍

Michael Kohl
No, not all. My Elite Fuchs will go to the bin and I am still pondering whether to send my resin Iltis down the same path. But this notwithstanding, I like to see what you make from this challenging base. I cross my fingers.

Erik De Smet
I think Italeri will wait with their kit till Lukasz has finished his model. That is Murphy's modelling law.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Damn, forgot about that, need to be quick then 😉

Cuajete
You are right, Erik 😄

Robert Podkoński
Watching, of course 😉

Maciej Bellos
Oh, that's a tough one. Watching!

Cuajete
Well done so far, Łukasz!
This promises a lot of work, but I know you're used to it 😛

Guy Rump
Looking good! 👍

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Well, I do my best to split the sanding sessions, so I don't get frustrated too soon 😋

Cuajete
Łukasz, be careful with the resin dust. Remember that it is very toxic and that it is better to use a good mask or to sand inside a bag so that the dust does not remain suspended in the environment.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thx, it's summer so I usuallly sand outdoor in the mask. But never thought of a bag! But why does the Chef's pleasure bag immediately come to my mind? 😋

Thomas Kolb
Looking great Łukasz! But resin is a b*tch, take great care avoiding the dust as the plague. Let me know how you manage working with superglue. For me, superglue and resin is the horror. It bonds in less than a second, so it's really just one shot to get parts *exactly* where they should be. No second chances.

Erik De Smet
Just some info for Thomas and maybe Lukasz: zap a gap medium ca+ does not dry in a second and Ammo ultra acrylic glue is a great alternative to ca for pe parts. It applies like white glue , allows adjustments and makes a strong bond after 10 minutes or so.

Thomas Kolb
Erik, thank you for the tip with the Zap A Gap! I know about the acrylic adhesives, but the bond is not very strong for critical joins and also the glue has a volume which affects the fit.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thanks Erik for the hint.
Thomas, well I don't like CA that much. I try to glue what I can with PVA glue or Kristal Klear. If it comes to big resin parts, that have to be strong I either use the black CA (need to finish the package) or non-stinking CA glue by Deluxe Materials. No matter which one, I leave it away for long to get stiff and to avoid inhaling too much of it.
For rigging I use the accelerator too, but not for strong bonds - it dries quick, but seems more fragile afterwards.

Andy Ball
Oh my, 2 projects on the go?…..hello

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Nah, usually more, up to 5-6 sometimes 😉

Andy Ball
@Ł you multitasker, you!

Mirko Römer
You're a brave man Łukasz! 🙂 Seems like you're talents pay off and it will become something very admireable in the end! Good luck!

Mirko Römer
And... check six, Italeri is coming! 🙂

Cuajete
Yes Łukasz... We want you to finish it, because according to Murphy's law, the new mold will not be published until the old one is not built... And many of us are waiting for the new one to be released 😛

Łukasz Gliński Autor
I'm one of you, waiting for the Italians and decided to speed'em up a bit by building this kit 😄

Cuajete
But it's not enough. I still don't see any progress from Italeri 😄

Thomas Kolb
Amazing work, I cannot but admire you enough for this superb effort.

Cuajete
Retaking the project?? 👏👏👏

Adam Gudynowski
Difficult stuff (!)

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thx, it was never stopped, it's just too hot at the attic nowadays 😉

Łukasz Gliński Autor
The weather deteriorated today and hence there's some progress.
That's how scale modelling works, isn't it? 😉

Cuajete
Good progress, Łukasz!... Make AMX great again 😄

Davide Tessari
Good job! With a kit like this you need a lot of willpower! My resin Amx from cunarmodel was a nightmare!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thanks mates. Actually the most needed elements are the filler and CA glue 😄
Always thought mine was bad, however the fit is quite good 🙂

Michael Kohl
nice progress. Looks like this is going to be a beauty.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
I do hope so 🙂
Btw. Does anyone here happen to know where I could source the replacement fuel tanks? They are missing in my kit 🙁

Michael Kohl
As this plane has quite a beautiful shape and looks even good on wheels you might even consider building it without any ordnance.

Davide Tessari
My kit had 4 fuel tanks. I have two spare if you want.

Moreno Baruffini
Wow!!!!! I miss this! Great job!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Welcome mates!
@Davide: let me see how it looks completed w/o tanks and if it's gonna be not nice enough I'll ping you. Mille grazie!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Not my best day today. Returned to the AMX only to find out there's a lot of sanding residue in the cockpit. Probably the result of the exhaust drilling 🙁
It needs to dry now before I can continue, will leave it for couple of days.

Andy Ball
Stay patient Ł, rewards will come….

Cuajete
I agree with Andy. No pain no gain, Łukasz! 💪

Juergen Klinglhuber
Agree with Andy and Cuajete - ....don't lose heart!!!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thank you for your support, it really helped me to come back to the bench and keep on wrestling the ancient AMX kit.
Cleaned the cockpit as much as I could and reattached the canopy. Then blended the rudder with fuselage using the miliput (my fav UK putty is not really scribable).
I was reluctant for years to try it, but I really like the way it can be flushed before drying using water and earbuds.
Today was the second priming round, most of the bubbles are gone, however some lines will need rescribing.

Cuajete
Well done, Łukasz!
Good restart 👍

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Gracias amigo 👍
Meanwhile I continue the cockpit-blending sessions (using miliput and water) and added the landing gear today.

Rui
Well it's starting to really look like an AMX now. 😎
Great job with what looks like a difficult kit. 👍
Looking forward to the finish project.

Cuajete
Looking so good, Łukasz! 👍

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thank you, glad to see you like it.
I managed to break front landing gear in 3 pieces and glue it back in the meantime 🙁
Today I also corrected the main gear geometry which was screwed a bit.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Started spraying today, lighter camo grey first. slight shading scheduled for the weekend.
@Davide: Is your droptank offer still valid?

S M
Nice progress! Finally painting phase😎

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Long awaited indeed 🙂

Moreno Baruffini
GREAT! Looking for more pictures 👍🏻 Hope that Davide will reply soon!

Cuajete
Looks great, Łukasz.
We invoke Davide for that voluntary donation from the droptanks (no pressure here... supposedly 😄) 😛

Patryk S.
Looks great! Very nice indeed!

Davide Tessari
Of course! It's still valid! I'll look for them this week! It's an honor to help with this project and then, if I remember correctly, when you finish your AMX, italeri will finally bring out the new mold!😂 Let's get in touch about shipping in private 👍👍

Cuajete
@Davide: That's why we are wishing for Łukasz finish his 😄
And also to see the final result, of course 😛

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Perfetto, mille grazie!
Of course I hope they will release it v.soon 😄
Believe me or not, the original decals are still working 😮 (did some testing over the weekend)
@Davide: writing to you a PM right away 🙂

Andy Ball
Nudging the right way, Ł…great colours!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
They have to be, shades from original instructions 😄 😉 😛

Marius
Looking very good so far! Resin kitd are a pain....

Cuajete
Those colors looks great, Łukasz! 👌

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thanks 👍 The vintage ones in particular Marius 😉

Michael Kohl
I really like how you handled those junks of crude plastic. Looks very promising. Keep up the good work and us posted.

Moreno Baruffini
Friends, Italeri just announced that: "In the 1:72 line we would like to highlight the release of the AMX" 🙂

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Indeed! italeri.com/en/article/816
Lovely, I feel my mission is close to accomplishment 😄
No need to thank me for that mates 😛

Cuajete
😂😂😂

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Morning.
Reinforcements have arrived, just half an hour ago 👍
Aside of the 4 😮 tanks I got couple of Sidewinders with rails, wheels and lots of other stuff.
Mille grazie Davide!

Andy Ball
Warheads for foreheads.
Good job, ongoing!

Moreno Baruffini
Super cooperation between Italy and Poland! Well done! Good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thx A.
@Moreno: not the first time in history, is it? 😄

Moreno Baruffini
@Łukasz . yes 😉 We have also this quoted in our national anthem 😉

Łukasz Gliński Autor
And vice versa 😄
In the meantime I started decalling, but I was unable to find anything I could use to scratch the tail markings.
The ones in the kit have wrong size and font, therefore I ordered new ones. That might take some time though.

Cuajete
Looking so good those new parts, Łukasz 👍

Łukasz Gliński Autor
They look grand indeed, however the FAB AMXs didn't carry such a modern Sidewinders while in the old camo. I have also finished painting the wheels already, so mainly the tanks will be used.

Ekki
Coming along very nicely!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thx mate, long time no see 👍

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Added the wheels today, starts to look like an AMX 😄
The panel line trenches make it look bit diecastish/Matchboxish, but it's resin, so it's gonna stay like that.

Maciej Bellos
Wait till you see the Marianna trench on my 48th scale P2V7 Neptune...

Looking good my friend!

Michael Kohl
I too think it looks good. I suppose I will get the new Italeri when it hits the shelfs. Thanx Lukasz for making this happen 🙂

Cuajete
I agree with the mates. I also think it looking so good 👍

Moreno Baruffini
Mamma mia! I totally like it! I don't know how, but the resin add a special touch to this "Tornado tascabile" 🙂

Andy Ball
Baby takes its first steps. Nice!

Villiers de Vos
Nice progress.

Bernd Grün
Outstanding build with great effort and skills. 👌 Congrats, Lukasz!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thanks for your positive replies, much appreciated. I started to think of not washing the panel lines, so they don't become more prominent.
I have to wait for the tail decals for about 2-3 weeks now as I don't want to re-glue all the bits, pieces and tanks all over again 😄

Mirko Römer
Take this Italeri! What a great result so far, wow!

Dean Harpster
Nice work! Resin kits certainly aren't very easy!

Moreno Baruffini
Uh! Wow! Finally with decals! Superb!

Guy Rump
Incredibly impressive, having recently started an aircraft with just a few bits of resin, I couldn't imagine doing a complete one! Congrats! 👍

Cuajete
Wow... magnificent result, Łukasz. I love it!
The end is near. This means that Italeri has little left to comply with Murphy's law 😛

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thx, seems like Italeri is still procrastinating (oh man, I know that feeling! 😄) while I'm adding all the tiny bits and pieces, mainly scratchbuilt of found in the scrapbox.

Moreno Baruffini
Super! In the meantime I've purchased a decals sheet for the Italian AMXs, but I fell that Italeri, as usual, will procrastinate again and again...

Cuajete
😄 😄 😄

Łukasz Gliński Autor
The tanks are there! All credits, thanks and kudos -> Davide 👍
I removed the masks and well, the sanding residue is still there - need to take a break to think how to fix it.
Aside of that (sigh!) there are only Sidewinders left (repainted currently) and the white antenna needs a bit of filling.
PS. Yes, I know the position lights are bit too big, but I'm gonna leave it.

Ludvík Kružík
Łukasz, AMX looks very good. 👍
Too bad about the sanding dust on the cockpit cover. Probably the only way to get rid of the dust is to carefully remove the cab overlay. 🙁

Łukasz Gliński Autor
So, I can either have a well blended dirty vacu canopy or a clean one with everything around destroyed - guess what decision I made?

Andy Ball
You did right, Ł

Moreno Baruffini
I agree with Andy. Keep it up!

Marius
Lukasz, it's sad that this happened, but not all is lost. Trust me, I am an expert in such disasters and last minute saves. I would personally try to fix the canopy in a way or another even with the risk of having to sand down some small areas around.
Before you try removing it (in case you decide on that) take first a very sharp blade and scratch/slice the paint just around the canopy contour down to the primer. Like this you can make sure that the canopy won't take additional chunks of paint and primer with it.

Is there any way to get a replacement canopy, like another vacuformed aftermarket one? I would definitely try looking for one.

Robert Podkoński
Brave choice! Keep it up, Łukasz!

Michael Kohl
I feel for you. I did not solve but ameliorated a similar problem by drilling a hole in the fuselage at an inconspicuous spot with connection to the cockpit. Then I instilled destilled water (so that no residues are left when dry) and flushed the inside more or less clean.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Many thanks for your support mates 👍 Very much appreciated.
I try to cover the cracks with putty and paint just to cover it. I have to admit I'm running out of patience towards this kit.
@Marius - theoretically I could try making one on my own, but that would require complete rebuild of the cockpit area, I don't want to do that again.
@Michael - I tried it, but the residue was bit sticky, perhaps because of its resin origin, dunno.

Cuajete
Somewhere (I think a fellow SM) I read that he did the same as Michael mentions, but with air instead of distilled water. Then that small hole is covered and a small touch up is made.

Cheer up, Łukasz!

Juergen Klinglhuber
A long way you have to go,...but you work it out,...👍. good luck on the last meters ! 👍

Marius
Lukasz, it is actually a visible and positive improvement. Don't forget how unforgiving these macro, close-up pictures are in 1:72. On top of that this was not an easy kit and the repairs around the canopy look good.
A 1:72 model should generally be looked at from a certain distance and I can't see any obvious imperfections at the canopy from a fair distance. Maybe some Future/Pledge on the canopy would even out some of the areas which aren't that shiny anymore.
Honestly, I wouldn't insist on any further repairs.

Congratulations on this beautiful model mate!

Robert Podkoński
I agree with Marius. Good job!

Cuajete
I also agree with Marius and Robert. Now looks better 👍

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Really glad to see you like it more than I do 😉
Uploaded the new pics, in order to deceive the beholders' eyes I added the line decals around canopy, so the wrinkles under the paint are less prominent.
The canopy is covered with the thin Chinese UV resin I bought some time ago, it covers scratches very well.
Sidewinders left, wish me luck that I don't break anything again, like the front gear yesterday.

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Nearly there - after few evenings of constant corrections of the Sidewinders I attached them today.
Preparing for the sunny photosession tomorrow, while the super glue on the front gear is drying yet again 🙁

Moreno Baruffini
According to me, it's BELLISSIMO!!!

Ekki
Excellent work!

Guy Rump
Great work! 👍

Ludvík Kružík
Great job. And the repair of the transparent part of the cockpit was done very nicely.

Villiers de Vos
Your repairs on the canopy were well worth the effort.

Juergen Klinglhuber
👍 👍 Well done Lukasz!

Michael Kohl
Congrats on the result. In case you should have forgotten how far you have come, take a look at pic one 😉

Cuajete
Łukasz, you've done an outstanding job with that mess of resin. A result at the height of a quality plastic kit. You can be proud.
Congrats!

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thank you mates. I do appreciate a lot that you like this build more than myself 😄
Added the promised pics today, you can see on the box the 1995 redenomination stickers, so the kit must be at least from 28 years old.
You can also see how bad the kit's geometry is 😛

Curatorm
Great work!

S M
Well done! You made it before Italeri 😎

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thanks mates
Indeed, the preorders are popping up lately in various shops. 😁

Villiers de Vos
Very nice work.

Andy Ball
Another fine addition from the pit of despair

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Thank you gents.
Your comments always make my day A. 😛

Andy Ball
And just to rub salt into those inflamed wounds, I note Italeri have announced their version….naturally not as build-able as yours!

Moreno Baruffini
Er voilà, it seems that Italeri followed you work ahahah!
[img1]

Cuajete
Good news, Moreno! Congrats for the purchase 👍
Łukasz can wait for the two-seat version to be released 😛

Moreno Baruffini
Didn't purchased yet 😉 just posted for those interested!

Cuajete
I'm sorry for the mistake, Moreno. So I wish you could get it cheaper 😛
Many thanks anyway 🙂 👍

Łukasz Gliński Autor
Postscriptum:
The white metal undercarriage didn't cope with the resin weight and one of the legs broke down.
So, I filled the gear bays, added a pilot and here it is in the in-flight mode on the classic Plasticart stand.

gorby
Looks even better in flight.

Robert Podkoński
I agree with gorby. Great job, Łukasz!

S M
Nice save!👍 Looks still very good!

Mark K
Excellent!

Ludvík Kružík
In the flight position with the landing gear closed, the AMX looks very good.

gorby
Very nice work and excellent weathering!