Стрічка новин

DerMattes
Watching 👍

Brandon H
Welcome aboard!

Brandon H
I was incredibly fortunate to be able to purchase an example of my dream car last year. (Luckily I have modest taste.) After spending the summer and fall repairing all of the neglected parts of this truck, I'm now familiar with it inside and out. Now it's time to build a scale replica, and there's no excuses for inaccuracies! This will also be my first ever fully 3D printed model. (Mostly 3D printed anyway, more on that later...)

Nathan Dempsey
You're pulling at my heart strings Brandon. I had '91 Cherokee Limited so I'll follow this with great interest.

Pepe
Looking

Spanjaard
certainly following this one.

Brandon H
That's awesome Nathan! This will be a passion project for me for sure

Brandon H
Pull up a seat boys! Charging forward into unknown territory on this one!

István Szücs
This... I MUST watch it! The real one is also interesting!

Bozzer
I'm jumping on this too. I'm loving my Anycubic Proton Mono 4K, but I also want something with a larger print bed. My Wash and Cure machine, is a game changer!

Ben M
Watching, I've been enjoying building 3d printed models. It allows me to enlarge my stash without leaving the house to go to the hobby shop.

Brandon H
Exactly Ben!

Bozzer, I got the Wash and Cure combo from Elegoo with this printer, and it's a massive improvement over my previous system (which was a cheap jewelry cleaner, and shiny stock pot, and a grow lamp from Amazon)

István, I've got big plans for the 1:1 truck in the future... but this build will just be replicating how it exists now, in 2024

Michael Kohl
This will be fun to follow.

Brandon H
Working on pulling the styrene parts together now, since I'm still waiting to uncover the 1:1 reference

Nathan Dempsey
Exciting. I'm going to need a build log on the real one too.

Brandon H
Haha, I'll be sure to sprinkle in a few updates as I get back to working on the 1:1 this spring

Nathan Dempsey
Come back down to Florida. We will let you work on it year round 😂

Karl R.
Looks great already, I have no clue on how you're going to be able to replicate the clear coat like that. To replicate clear coat the has big chips (like seen in early 90s Ford) just paint the model sand it real fine like 3600 or something. Put masking tape over the area where you want the clear coat to be gone at, and clear coat the model let the clear coat completely cure and then peel the tape off. But for thin clear coat like this I have no clue. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Brandon H
Thanks Karl!
Haha, I'm excited to see what I come up with too! I'll probably go through a lot of test spoons, whenever I get back around to this build!

Bozzer
May I suggest, experimenting with PVA? I've never done it, however, with practice, you may be able to carefully pick it off? Just an idea, mate???

gorby
Exceptional work so far Alec.
You're going to show us all up again aren't you? 😉
(Come to think of it that should have been a statement rather than a question. 😄 )

Alec K
Thanks Gorby! Not my intention, just sharing my modeling joy in my characteristic pedantic manner 😄

bughunter
Finally a new project from Alec 👍 Watching for sure!

Bernhard Schrock
One of my favorite prop classics! Please a seat in the first row! Excellent start. I'm curious for more scratchbuilding especially flaps & co. 🙂

Cuajete
Very nice job so far. Following!

Alec K
For such exulted following, I better up my game. Welcome to the show mates, I'll try not to disappoint.

Michael Kohl
My kinda stuff. I am in too.

Łukasz Gliński
Bigly yuge indeed 👍

Finn
Looking really good and looking forward to see more!

Andy Ball
excellent and useful build tips....didn't know about acrylic glue....thanks for sharing the build!!

Alec K
Thanks for checking in mates, and thanks for the kind feedback 👍

Erik Leijdens
Nice to see another project form you, Alec. Great start. Looks like the Neptune need a lot of extra detailing.

Nathan Dempsey
Can't wait to see the finished kit.

Jakub Fiala
Very nice work in the cockpit, Alec 👍 I'm looking forward to see next steps. Also, i'm surprised how big this bird is 😮

Alec K
Thanks gents! Erik, you are right, the additional details will make it a nicer build but it's noteworthy how good this kit is after so many years. And yes Jakube, it's a BIG bird 🙂

Bernhard Schrock
Alec: they were several colors schemes used on dash 7. Which scheme intend you to build?

Alec K
Hello Bernhard - I really like the later schemes of Light Gull Gray with white fuselage decking. I came across several renditions of BuNo 147967's scheme (see my project's banner) and as long I figure out the markings (specifically, what kind of decals I will need to make myself), this will probably be the one.

Oliver Zwiener
Really wow - take a seat !

Alec K
Welcome Oliver! I have added info about my fun time with Plus Model's flaps 👍

Cuajete
Good progress, Alec 👍

Ludvík Kružík
Really interesting project. I believe that in your rendition it will be another exceptional model. I will definitely follow this build 👀

Dave
A lot of work ahead, but it seem that you have it worked out before hand. Nice

Bernhard Schrock
Excellent start on the wings. Watching for next steps. 🙂
P.S. is #PJ 12 in gullgray & white you choice?

Alec K
Thank you all for looking. Bernhard, PJ 12 it is, for now 😉 🙂

Maciej Bellos
Watching!

Cuajete
Wow... great job so far 👍

S M
Wow! Must follow!

Alec K
Thank you friends 👍

Ludvík Kružík
Alec, your modifications to this kit are great. 👍 I just don't understand one thing. Is there any reason why you didn't simply weaken parts 62-65, 66 and 67 from the inside and then glue the Eduard parts to them?

Jakub Fiala
This is a pleasure to watch 👍 As usual 🙂

Alec K
Welcome Jakube 👍

Ludvíku: A fair question regarding a choice I myself questioned. I though the Eduard parts were too thin (the formed reinforcing metal structure on the interior of the doors seems quite deep to my eye). Also, the front wheel bay door structure looks different than the Eduard interpretation. All that said, I think thinning the kits' parts and adding styrene strips would have been easier. Cheers 👍

Konrad
Amazing!

Ludvík Kružík
Thank you for your reply. I don't mean to disparage your work in any way. I knew you had a reason. I just didn't know what it was.
The result looks very good. 👍 Especially considering the actual size of the parts in 1:72 scale. It's obvious you take great care with all the details. I wish you a steady hand and a good eye throughout the build of the model and look forward to seeing the progress. 🙂

Alec K
Completely understood, I knew what you meant 🙂 👍

Daniel Klink
Most impressive Alec.. That Metalwork is awesome!
Love the outcome so far👍

bughunter
Exactly Daniel! A joy to follow 👍

bughunter
A drawer like this is indispensable! The search light is beautiful!

Guy Rump
Great modelling! 👍

Alec K
Thank you mates! Frank: I imagine you and others will relate 🙂. Recently I was going through my "keep for just in case" items and failed to get rid of much. Most of such items do not occupy a lot of space, it's much harder to justify keeping junk that does 😉

bughunter
That it also a fact: if you don't used a thing for years and drop it in the bin one week later you will need it! That is caused by Murphy's law.

Alec K
😄 😄 😄 👍

Alec K
Greetings mates! Contrary to what you may be thinking, I have NOT been screwing off and AM actively working on this, just veeery slowly. Here is an update on my labors.

Cuajete
Good progress, Alec. Looking so good 👍

Ludvík Kružík
I'm watching this with great interest. I am always amazed at what can be done on this scale. 👍

Alec K
Thanks much guys. This gives me strength to keep plugging away at this beast 😄

Erik Leijdens
Impressed by your build, great scratching and use of "household" materials.

Alec K
Cheers friends. Just so you don't think I gave up on this beast, here are some progress pics. This project has been a MONSTER but it's progressing, despite my every effort to screw it up.

Ronan
Very nice so far 👍

gorby
Remarkable Alec! Your attention to detail is jaw-dropping.

Michael Kohl
Very fine build log with loads of fixes. I thoroughly enjoy it.

J35J
Great progress, detail level is outstanding.👍🏻

Nicolas
I'll take a seat and watch.

Alec K
Thanks gents for stopping by and for your kind comments. It's always a pleasure to read those 👍

Jennifer Franklin
I love your journaling, so much to learn from you, following 👀. Your work is amazing.

bughunter
Great that you continued to work on this bird and uploaded new pics....
But, have you deleted all old pics and uploaded new ones? Normally I check the date to see, where the news are, but here _all_ pics are of the actual date 🙁 But some were definitely not new for me.

Clement
Wow, this is trully impressive. I admire your scratchbuilding ability!

Alec K
Thank you friends for your comments and support, very appreciated.

Jennifer: I am glad you like my ramblings. I realize I get into the weeds, but I always enjoyed others sharing their progress in detail and it has helped me great deal with my own modeling journey, so I am trying to do the same.

Frank, you are correct. There was a discussion some time ago about the preferred sizing of images for albums and I realized mine were pretty small, so I decided to re-upload the old pics in higher resolution. The teaser in the album marks where new work images begin. I hope it's not a big faux pas to do this as I plan to upgrade some of my older albums this way.

bughunter
Thank you Alex - the new bigger picture size is for sure a _good_ reason to replace them 👍
There was also a discussion in feature request that replacing pictures by better ones do not trigger a notify. So this can be done behind the scenes without bother anyone..

Jakub Fiala
Hello Alec. I'm glad to see you back here after some short break 🙂
That new vacu canopy looks great 👍

Alec K
Díky Jakube, glad you stopped by. This thing WILL be done this year… 😄

Cuajete
Great job, Alec. I'm glad to see you again here 🙂

Alec K
Thank you Cuajeye 🙂

Lochsa River
a master class....

Alec K
Finally painted something on this bird that will be visible on the outside. Cheers!

Michael Kohl
A pleasure to follow you on this journey. Sprue goo bubbles are a problem I am familiar with too and is doesn't have to do with stirring. Unfortunately I cannot provide an alternative theory why this happens. Maybe someone out there can enlighten us.

gorby
Good grief you've put an amazing amount of effort into those flaps!

Ludvík Kružík
Alec, good progress! 👍 I admire the precision with which you create the details of the model. My admiration is all the greater because your model is in 1/72 scale.

The bubbles could have been caused by a chemical reaction between the sprue material and the solvent, or between the plastic of the model and the "plastic slurry" during drying (similar to adding yeast to dough), but that's just my guess.

Zbynek Honzik
Alec, what a no-compromise project! Very inspiring! And fingers crossed that the wind doesn't get out of your sails. 👍🍀

Alec K
Hmm, interesting observations regarding the sprue goo bubbling, thanks for commenting on that Michael and Ludvik. Ludvíku, I think there is probably something to your theory. I just bought some dissolved putty from GSI and have high hopes for it.

Gordy: "good grief" about sums it up…

Zbynku, thanks for the encouraging post 🙂

Jennifer Franklin
great job replacing the messed-up canopy

Bernhard Schrock
Alec: I am very happy to see that this great project continues. You solved the canopy problem very well. I suspect that your self-made part is clearer than the one from the kit….🙂.
Great details on the wheel bays & landing gear, which is also movable! I am looking forward to further progress.🙂

bughunter
Great and careful work again!
May be your sprue putty layer was too thick? The extra thin glue need a way to go out. So it is may be better to work in thin layers and give the glue the chance to left the plastic.
I'm also not a fan of normal putty, but I used some days ago the Tamiya Light curing putty (I wrote about in my Swallow project). I like it! But also there it is recommended in the manual to use only thin layers up to 2mm. If you put light on a thicker layer it will get too hot inside and create bubbles. But as this hardens quickly with UV-light it is no problem to apply additional layers.

Cuajete
Wow... fantastic job so far 👍

Alec K
Thank you mates. I think the canopy was the correct decision, the thickness alone makes it so much better. Silver linings…

Bugs, I think you are right about the goo. I did glob it on pretty thick, forgetting all my school chemistry 😄. Thanks for the advice as well, I'll have to look up that Tamiya light curing putty.

Marius
Alec, such a gorgeous aircraft which I also want to build. I got dissapointed to find out that the Hasegawa kit has raised lines and I wasn't yet willing to do the effort you are doing now.

Outstanding work, I admire the dedication you're pouring in this project. Thank you for recommending some scribing tools, mine got old and blunt and needed new ones.
One question: why use the saw for scribing? What is the advantage?

Thomas Bischoff
I missed this thread completely - outstanding work! Landing Gear, Cockpit, Flaps and much more just makes me feel like a beginner.

gorby
Amazing work Alec!

Alec K
Thanks you guys. Thomas, your work looks rather advanced to me 🙂 👍

Marius, this is my first scribing/riveting project on the entire model and I really enjoyed the process. Regarding my use of thin saw blade: on curved surfaces like the sides of a fuselage, I find it difficult to use the UMM scribers. It's hard to describe, you just have to experience it. To get a nice even panel line with the scriber, I apply several passes at low pressure. This is hard to do when you are following a curve because the scriber's "angle of attack" relative to the surface is important and must be continually maintained as you move the tool. Saw works much better and produces a comparable result. Cheers!

Michael Kohl
I can only second Alecs arguments. Particularly if you have a panelline which was interrupted- by sanding for example - the saw can use the still existing grove as a guide much better than a scriber can.

Gary Kitchen
Wow. What an odyssey of a build log. So detailed and painstakingly explained. Thank you. All aboard for the remainder of this journey.

Łukasz Gliński
Dat rivets look great, watching with envy. 👍
Thx for the Dymo tape hint, I have to test it, all these fancy modelling scotch tapes seem too thin for my taste.

Alec K
Thanks Gary, welcome to the odyssey. We should hit port soon 🙂

Łukasz, Dymo tape is pretty good and readily available, but couple words of caution: its adhesive is very aggressive and tends to leave residue on smooth surfaces, and it's not very "bendy". It sticks to Surfacer fine and comes off the same, but I had it peel off paint on smoother paint finish. The Carving Guide Tape (HIQPARTS CGT-6MM, No) is a better option IMHO but not sure how easily available.

Łukasz Gliński
Thx for the additional info. The transparent ones don't work for me at all - my eyesight is too poor 😉
But I think Dymo could be good for the basic rescribing, even before surfacer.
For the later corrections I have these green semi-transparent one, but its edges are not thick enough for me to do the long straight lines:
mojehobby.pl/product..-Edged-Tape-3mm.html

Clement
What an impressive work! Your dedication to the project is inspiring.

Nathan Dempsey
Great build log. Some very useful information on scribing too.

Jakub Fiala
Very nice rescribing, Alec 👍 . As for dymo tape, I have the same experience as you.
Its nice to see, you are using Hauler products. This company is located about 500 meters from my home 🙂

Alec K
Thanks Clement and Nathan!

Łukasz - for sure, give it a try. For straight scribing, I like a firmer wide tape to keep the "straightness" and Dymo tape works great for that. It's also nice and thick for guiding the scribed. My only complaint, again, is that the adhesive sometimes stay put.

Jakube - thanks for encouragement. Do you mean PlusModel? Or does Hauler makes their PE? Either way, I am jealous 🙂 👍

Jakub Fiala
Alec, i mean Hauler ( scribing template on your pic#110). They really make their PE. I saw it with my own eyes 🙂

Alec K
Oh yeah, sorry! Got it. I have many Hauler PE sets (as well as their kits) in my stash 🙂

Ludvík Kružík
Alec, the longer I follow your work on the model, the more I like it. The care you take with all the details is admirable. 👍

In the time I have been building my models, I have come to the same experience as you. For restoring panel lines on curved surfaces of the model (like the fuselage), a razor saw is best. It's exactly as Michael Kohl writes a bit above.

To transcribe the lines on the model I use (among other things) rulers, which I made from an ordinary rolling ruler metal tape measure. I cut strips of different lengths from it. These strips are flexible and adapt easily to a curved surface. For even more flexibility, the strip can be cut lengthwise into two narrower strips.

Marius
This has turned in a very helpful thread with all the discussiond about scribing. I would like to share my own method for irregular surfaces. I'm using tape for electrical cable insulations together with a pointy tool. The tool is normally aimed at scribing access panels or doors, but I use it for larger panel lines too. Check photos #36 and #38 from this album:

MiG-23BN - Iraq - 1982 | Album by Redicus (1:72)

Alec K
Great techniques Ludvik and Marius, thanks for sharing 👍

Łukasz Gliński
Interesting ideas, thx for sharing 👍

Cuajete
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing 👍

Alec K
Managed some progress, engines are on the wings. Getting close to assembling this beast and finally painting.

Cuajete
Wow...I can't believe what a huge improvement you are making to this tool. Looks great!

Alec K
Thanks Cuajete. The beast finally has wings and received a coat of paint. The saga continues...

Ludvík Kružík
That's great progress. The beast is coming to life. 👍

Bernhard Schrock
The painting results are looking great!

Michael Kohl
It certainly does

Tony Cooke
Phenomenal!!

Alec K
Thanks very much! Neptune is now decaled, very happy with how that turned out 🙂

gorby
Nice work with the decals Alec. I looks great.

Robert Podkoński
How did I miss this master-class modelling tutorial? From now I am definitely following this talent show!

Alec K
Thanks gorby. Robert, thanks for stopping by 🙂 👍

Gordon Sørensen
Great work on all the detail you added to the Neptune, Alex! Looks fantastic!

Cuajete
Great painting job, masking and good job with the decals 👌

bughunter
Once again, this will be a dream of a model!

Ludvík Kružík
Alec, it's admirable what you've done with this model. It looks fantastic. Fingers crossed that you manage to finish it successfully. 👍
The finish line is very close. 🙂

Alec K
Thanks all for leaving encouraging remarks. It's indeed getting close and chances for me screwing it up loom large: weathering is not my forte…

Jennifer Franklin
It's looking great Alec! You can do it.

Mark D
Great subject, great work! 👍

Maciej Bellos
Looks beautiful! Take your time, don't rush things!

Alec K
Thank you mates, I'll do my best 😄

Oliver Zwiener
Klasse Ding !!!

Alec K
Danke Oliver!

I am in the final stretch on this one. Just some final weathering and it should be done. Cheers!

Michael .
Following

Gary Victory
Lovely build and progress Alec.

Mark Medwell
This is an amazing build... those main gear bays! I can smell the oil and fuel as if I was standing inside them on a pre-flight walkaround.

Cuajete
Wow...

Pietro De Angelis
An impressive quantity and quality of work, masterpiece by photoetchs and scratchbuild, congrats!

Skyhiker
Somehow I came late to this show...

Ludvík Kružík
Alec, you're doing top-notch work. The very fine and precise execution of all the details adds to the convincingness of the model. It's really hard to believe that this is a 1/72 scale model. 👍 👍 👍

Bernhard Schrock
A true masterpiece! I have looked at the current, new photos three times. And will definitely do it again. Great great great! Detailing, cleanliness, implementation and painting! 🙂🙂🙂

bughunter
Yeah, I can only sign the last comments! Your careful preparation to allow a clean mounting pays back now 👍
Last week I saw a finished model of this kit at a local club meeting and it reminded me of your build.

Zbynek Honzik
I fully subscribe to the above comments. 👏👏👏

Alec K
Thank you mates for your kind and encouraging feedback. This has been my longest continuous project to date ( too long imho). It's interesting to note that this 1972 tooling still has life in it (based on how many, even today, continue to be built). Certainly not comparable to today's fare, overall it's a very nice kit. Just have to finish few details as I plan to bring it to the IPMS-USA annual contest next week. Cheers.

Bernhard Schrock
Alec: Enjoy the exhibition. If I were in the jury, it would be the first place for me just because of the initiative and the skills in scratch building🙂. In my opinion, it is not really art to replace the half the model with brass, resin and 3D, but to create a masterpiece from a 50-year-old kit. 🙂

Alec K
Thank you Bernhard for your kind comment, I really appreciate it 🙂. Getting a prize would be nice (I am as vain as the next guy), but I keep my expectations low. IPMS-USA judging focuses on build quality and execution, and my skills are not strong in this area. If two models are tied from this perspective, then the more complex one wins, but if there is a clean-built Neptune with no errors but no modifications next to mine, they win. A lot also depends on who shows up (I.e. the models on the table).

I am looking forward to the show as it's a great time to see many great builds in person, chat with fellow modelers and support the hobby. A big plus is that it's close to where I live, so no vendor room limit for this stash hoarder 😄. I will post pictures from the show when I get back.

Ludvík Kružík
Alec, I think the chances of success are good. Maybe luck will smile on you. In any case, I'll keep my fingers crossed 🙂
... whatever the outcome, enjoy the show!

Maciej Bellos
Loss for words. The Neptune looks superb. Fingers crossed!

Looking forward for the show photos.

Cuajete
I hope you get the well-deserved award, Alec 👍
Good luck!

Alec K
Thanks very much mates. No pressure... 😄 😄 😄 Ludvik is right, I will need some big smiles (hopefully not laughs) from Lady Luck. I have uploaded the final WIP pics, finished build and show albums hopefully by end on July.

gorby
This has been a remarkable build to follow, absolutely stunning work mate! If this doesn't win best in show the judges should get better guide-dogs. 😉

Marius
Hats down Alec, a true masterpiece. One of the most attractive and special models I have seen here lately!!

Michael Kohl
I can only agree with Marius and Gorby. I enjoyed following your build immensely. And I will strive to come closer to the cleanliness of your construction, which is impressive.

bughunter
What a marvellous finale 👍 Hats off to your perseverance!
Good luck and have fun there 🙂

Neuling
An amazingly clean and detailed build!

Alec K
Guys, I really appreciate your really nice comments. I just realized I started this project back in June 2022 and worked on it pretty much continuously since then (with the exception of few months during this past winter). To date, the largest project for me in all aspects. I am in active recovering now (just finished a mojoreset OOB 🙂.

Arrived at the contest yesterday and there were already many worthy builds in my category on the table, so I will be surprised if I even place. So many great modelers out there! The show promises to be a feast for the eyes (there are 2500 registered entries with many more walk-ins expected). Cheers!

Cuajete
Great job, Alec. Fantastic result... I love it!
Congrats!

If this project is not a winner, it is because the judges have had to think a lot to give the prize to someone else. But for the Scalemates colleagues this will be a clear winner in all aspects. Good luck!

Guy Rump
Great build! 👍

Nathan Dempsey
Good golly that's a fine finish!

Alec K
Hello friends. Lady luck got drunk and the Neptune received first place in the "1/72 large twin engine aircraft" category 🙂

For those interested, here are links to a selection of pics from the show:

Aircraft: IPMS-USA National Convention 2024 | Album by Pardubak
Military Vehicles: IPMS-USA National Convention 2024 | Album by Pardubak
Figures: IPMS-USA National Convention 2024 | Album by Pardubak
Dioramas: IPMS-USA National Convention 2024 | Album by Pardubak
Other (Ships, Automotive, Sci-fi, Misc, Venue): IPMS-USA National Convention 2024 | Album by Pardubak

Michael Kohl
I'd say Lady Luck was sober and good mooded. Congrats and thanks for this ambitious, informative and extremely clean and precise build thread. I enjoyed it very much.

Zbynek Honzik
Congratulations, Alec! Lady Luck didn't get drunk, she stayed completely sober, because you deserve that first place! 😀🫵👍

gorby
Nothing to do with luck mate, purely down to your remarkable modelling skill. Fortunately the judges recognised that. Well deserved award Alec. 🙂
Thanks for the links, I'll enjoy having a look thought them later. 👍

bughunter
I can only sign what gorby said 👍 Congratulation - well deserved!

Robert Blaschke
Tomu hovorím modelárčina. Narobíš sa ako kôň a nakoniec 95 percent práce nie je vôbec vidieť. Ešte aj tá konštrukcia krídel nad klapkami je zospodu, skrytá normálnemu pohľadu 🙂
Ale inak úchvatná práca a nádherný model. 👍

Maciej Bellos
Congrats!!!! Well deserved and no luck at all, but a reward for all the tremendous effort put on this kit.

Spanjaard
arriving late to the party, but what a trip .. . amazing job everywhere, stunning patience, planning and execution. certainly no luck involved in getting the award, truly deserved!!

Ludvík Kružík
I can only agree with what those before me have written.
The honorable and precise work on this model has been deservedly appreciated. Congratulations on a well-deserved victory! 👍👍👍

Bernhard Schrock
I'm looking forward to it with you! The referees appreciated YOUR OWN performance.🙂

Pietro De Angelis
Nothing else to add,
only congratulations!

Michael .
Congratulations!!!

Cuajete
I totally agree with all mates. It is a well-deserved award and the judges have appreciated it 👍

Congrats. Enjoy it, Alec!

Oleg Smilyk
Wow,masterpiece ,thanks for the sharing!

Nicolas
Congrats, well deserved. 👍

J35J
Congrats Alec! Top performance, enjoy!👍🏻

Dieter Bihlmaier
Amazing!

Jakub Fiala
Aleši, tohle je prostě nádhera! Gongratulations to very well deserved award. I am looking forward to see final pictures.

S M
Congratulation!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Łukasz Gliński
Well deserved, joining the congratulations

Alec K
Mates, thank you all for your very kind words and support, it means a lot. This build was sucking the lifeforce out of me so it's nice to see it turned out pretty good. I was amazed how much more effort a bigger model takes (I have a whole new appreciation for large scale builders). Going down the detailing rabbit hole did not help, but that's just the OCD acting up… 😄

Few finished pics are now uploaded. I am having a helluva time fitting this thing into my photo booth, so more will follow once I have time to make some modifications. Cheers!

gorby
WOW! Absolute stunning result Alec. Beautiful photos as well.

Robert Podkoński
Awesome model. Well deserved prize. Congrats!

Skyhiker
Alec, great job and congratulations! In the future instead of using ridged rod for static dischargers, which can easily break off, you would be better off using brush bristles, preferably pig hair, but it depends on the scale you are doing. They are strong and flexible but keep their shape if they are touched. They are also great for antenna.

S M
What a beauty!

Alec K
Thanks mates. The wire static dischargers are indeed problematic and I managed to knock them off already. Good idea with the brush bristles, thanks Skyhiker 👍

David Taylor
Nice.

Finn
Master class!

Christian W
I laid my hands on this cool truck for six hours now and I'm not that big fan so far. The instructions are not that precisely with showing the wholes, which have to be added. So I had to graph the cabins to see, whether the locations are right for the side moldings and tanks.
Then I tried to fit the hood. That sucks a lot. After scribing and sanding a lot of material it still fits not good. Yesterday I quit it so far.
Maybe another try today.

But hey: when it is done right, it will look great.

Nigel Chapman
I've heard a few truck kits can be like that. Perhaps the chassis is a generic part over several kits? Good on you for your perseverance

Villiers de Vos
Nice progress.

Dominik Weitzer
here it is 🙂 . keep it up. italeri are sometimes bad if i remember my Scania i built loooong time ago.

Christian W
Thanks mates! The frame looks like a basic thing. I'm sure, they use it in several kits. On the inside are a lot more holes to open if needed. At the rear end, you have to fit in a kind of tail, which has to be shortened first. This two parts are definitally designed for more kits. Or the white parts on the frint end: they are added to take the hinges of the hood.
We will see. I will bring this truck to an end. Stock build, but it will be done. At latest in December this year 😉 I'll pull through. no matter how.

Bozzer
Well, I couldn't scroll by this build. I'm definitely onboard!
So, yes, it's a generic chassis. They're nearly all, basically the same, on the American trucks. Taken from the Freightliner FLC, and as you said, just with bits added on and removed. I have the newer version of this. What I found is, the hood lines up with the side skirts, but the rear bracket, looks kinda stretched forward? I haven't found a fix for this yet? I have been thinking about some gentle heat, and a little bending? I also got carried away with the handrails, and opened up too many holes. So, I'm now looking for an extra handrail. I have many Italeri truck kits, but these rails, I've not come across before? I'll get there though. Currently, she's awaiting decals, but other builds have taken precedent, and my new cave building, has halted all modelling. I have to admit though, Italeri instructions are very hit and miss! Before opening up anything, remove the parts and attempt a dry fit first. The beauty of this forum is, we all help eachother. Another tip for these chassis is, to definitely make sure that they're built square. Italeri don't really give you any leg room, for error. Everyone has their own way, but I use Lego bricks. Always guaranteed a perfect right angle, with Lego. Wedge one side and leave the chassis to set. Advisory note though: Don't glue the chassis to the Lego! On my next truck build, I'll add the Lego trick, to my Hints and Tips Album, so you can visualise what I mean 👍

Christian W
So what! The hint and tipp with Lego sounds a good one. In fact, it is tricky to get everything lined up "freestyle" like I did it. Up to this building steps, I laid the frame plane on my table and mounted one part after the other. I don't know how to describe this. I took my time for it because I know, that when I glue fast (quick and dirty 😄), the whole truck won't sit properly on the wheels and the body could be twisted.
so far everything looks straight. The frame lies flat. But I have the impression that the front end of the frame is slightly warped towards the passenger side. If I press it slightly towards the driver's side, the hood fits better. I will definitely correct that.

Christian W
The drama continues. Actually, I wanted to built in the axles (plural!). But I only got the front axle done. As soon as I glued the spring packs together, I had the impression that it wasn't symmetrical. Since there are no other mounting aids, I left it as it is. I assembled all the parts of the front axle and onto the springs. It was clearly visible that the axle is now at an angle. So I sanded down all the fixed points of the axle and corrected it. In retrospect, I might have corrected the spring packs on the frame. Hm. Maybe I'll cut that apart again.

Kyle DeHart
Stopping in to watch!

Dominik Weitzer
sounds you have a good run on that Bro :-D

Bozzer
This one, is definitely fighting you buddy. I can assure you though, I think that you just got unlucky this time. If you keep struggling, I suggest that you contact Italeri? Their customer service, is very good. You only pay for shipping, and even though they do things a little different, they're always happy to help? I once had a set of scratched chrome tanks, and they sent me the parts, shipped to the UK, for €7. These days, I'd just strip and use Molotow, but back then, it was a life saver 🙂

Jonathon Herring
Will be watching. Tempted by this kit. Don't have a freightliner in the stash yet. It's either this or the COE with its massive seam filling. I do love day cabs so.......

Christian W
Welcome on board, Lonathon 🙂 This truck was a gift of my mom and it is the kind of trucks, I like a lot. It looks so massive with the skirts and this big wind deflector on the roof.

@Boozer ... Good advice. On some building steps im really not sure, whether I put the parts wrong together or misunderstood the instructions or changed them after picking them up and turned the e.g. frame not from up to down. I always cut the parts for each step of the frame and lay them onto the instructions sheets like they are showed on it. Then glueing them together and put them on the main part. Regular stuff. Routine. I think 99 percent do that.
It is the first time that I have so much issues. I don't know why. So far the chassis is done and it can sit on its wheels.
I decided to have the chromed parts black at the chassis.

Bill Newcomer
I have 5 different Italeri kits in my stash. I have not yet tackled any of them. Following to see the hurdles involved.

Bozzer
@ Bill. Mainly, the instructions can be misleading, so dry fitting before drilling any holes, is a must. And the later kits, I found the chrome parts, more greasy than normal? A good soak in detergent sorted that out, and a general wash with a sponge. And some of the cab assemblies can be a bit tricky. Painting the cabs, involves thought. I usually paint the interior, then build them completely. Mask up the windows and then paint the exterior. But everyone has their own way? I'm happy to watch Christian, battle on with this, and assist where I can though 😉

Christian W
When I see the different parts of the cab, then I know, what's awaiting me: another lot of dry fitting. The conclusion of the roof is stupid because the uper frame of the front window leads 5mm into the flat part of the roof - up to the area, where the lamps will be mounted. That is one spot to work on.
Also the sleeper. The roof doesn't line up to the side walls exactly. I don't know, where I will fix that. Sand down the roof edges and losing the bolts and rivets or fit the side walls to the edges and fill up gaps.
For the cabine and sleeper I think there is now other way around to work with them like you'll do on planes. Finish the interior, glue everything together (and the windows have to be mounted from the inside!), mask it and then work on the gaps or edges and paint everything as one big piece of body.

For the chassis I easylie can follow the advise: dryfit before drilling - with all the parts, which will be needed afterwards.

Bozzer
You have to use your eyes, to correctly line up the sides, with the front of the cab. I definitely don't recommend sanding anything. However, the location tabs, are definitely off. For the cab, I always use Revell Contacts Cement. It just gives you more time, and a decent weld of the plastic. I can hear the superglue guys shouting, already, but it's never worked for me, on an Italeri kit, cab? I tend to leave the roof until last, then touch up anything, from the top and the sleeper entrance? Obviously, dry fit the roof, at all times. The western star cab, and a couple others, have a joint on the roof. I've filled this, as we always do, but I've been told that it's a seam, that's very life-like? Still seems strange to me though? For some reason, I couldn't find any reference information on this? If any truckers out there can confirm that, I'll be grateful for any pictures? I just don't think that a joint, in this location, is a wise move, for any vehicle roof?

Jonathon Herring
@ Bozzer. I have noted that Tamiya extra thin cement creates a brittle connection on my MPC Mack DM800 . I am constantly reconnecting parts that my ham-handedness tends to abuse to unfastened freedom. I am now trying Lacquer thinner, Tamiya airbrush cleaner (test the chemical makeup to see if the difference helps) then I will try MEK or other products. I have been reenforcing my joints with superglue. I'm worried that seams may appear over time. MEH
@ Christian W. it's nice when someone recognizes our joyous hobby. It's a real goose for me when anyone gets me kit (no matter how many are in my stash!). I'm 55 and it still tickles me. I always build in sub assemblies, tack it all together with blue tack or tape, to assure proper alignment (about a hundred times it feels like) disassemble, paint, reassemble, find the part that flew off or find the part i scratch built because of the flying styrene acrobatics, etc.
It's a ;labor of love, right? Sometimes, I can't believe I still have any hair.

Bill Newcomer
My go to is still Testors red tube. Strong bond but requires patience. I glue two parts, set it aside. glue two others set them aside. Sometimes I use Testors window maker to wick in after the fact to add strength. Occasionally I will mix Plastruct Bondene with Testors red to thin it down and give it more "bite" due to the added solvent.

Christian W
Today I got to my beloved Frightliner. I want to come to an end so I took my rattle and and fillered it. After inspecting all the parts I saw a lot of shadows in the plastics. But I decided to let it dry and take the risk to paint it. I'll go for metallic paint. So I've done it a couple hours later.
So far I'm satisfied with it. Now let it dry and looking forward for clear coat.

Martin Oostrom
Grab that truck by the neck and show who's boss!
I like the blueish silver. Or is it silverish blue?

Bozzer
In summer, I love to paint outside. The natural light, shows everything. That's why my new cave is having 4X 600x600mm LED panels, to light up the sky. I'm also thinking about under shelf lighting, where my bench is.
Your colour looks perfect, Christian 👍

Villiers de Vos
Great paint colour.

Kyle DeHart
Bluish silver I think Martin. Lol. Either way that's a great looking color on this truck.

Christian W
I do, Martin! I show him, where the frog has it's curls *lol*

For the color I used an anthrazite. I think the bluish shine if of the blue sky yesterday.

Thank you for the motivation! Yersterday a looked at it late in the night and saw some shadows of the plastics. We will see, how this comes out after a layer of clear coat. In the end the decals will cover the tracks. Hopefully 😉

Dominik Weitzer
my condolences - i'm working on a truck too and we are not the best friends. nearly it become to an airplane and learn how to fly...

good work, fast step forward!

Christian W
Sticking the painted parts together to get the first look. All right. I think, I'm good with that. Maybe I'll paint the wind deflector again.

Bill Newcomer
Dominik, Semi attempting to be an airplane... Now that is funny!

Christian W
I have to bring this Truck to an end. I painted the lower bodyparts Anthrazit semi gloss. As soon as it is dry, I'm going to complete it.

Bozzer
Well, hopefully things go well and I'll get to see it, before I get on the plane to America? If not, I'll catch up with you guys, stateside. Good luck, my friend, and happy building 🙂

Christian W
Uh! I'm among to get it done in November. I think I won't make it this month 😉
Deadline for it is at least the first week in January.

Have a good flight!

Christian W
Some little detailing (and for me a huge step): body and sleeper sitting on the chassis.

Martin Oostrom
This is some very nice work mr W. A big difference with the cab and sleeper on

Christian W
Thank you 🙂 There are some things, I'm not satisfied with. For example: Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the shadows of the plastic out of the paint. This bothers me more than I thought. I feel like this all came out over time. After the last clear coat I didn't notice it so much. Now I just have to get through it.

Either way: I'm starting to like the truck 😄
Wait until this big wind deflector on the top is mounted. That thing looks hugh.

Nigel Chapman
If you do not say anything then no one will know! The colour choice is spot on

Bozzer
I gotta admit, when I see a flaw in my paintwork, it eats away at me. I have to agree with Nigel though, if you don't point it out, nobody else will see it.
I have lots of stuff shelved, mainly because of paint blemishes, runs, reactions and even the dreaded hair!
She looks great mate, keep going.

Jonathon Herring
We hobbyists are our own worst critics. I know every inch of the build I'm doing at any given moment and could point out all the bad. I try to not let it stall me but, it does happen. Just as long as I can see a solution or a compromise, O can keep going😏

Christian W
You are so right. Often you have every piece in the fingers. Fit testing, painting, fittesting, correct some paint spots and so on so you know every part like the pockets of your pants. At the end, when the work is done, it looks like a completed picture. Every little piece fits together. That's it. But still you know your issues. But that is also good to improve your skills. Not everything is bad.
Fir my side and to be honestly: I can't remember when I built my last truck. I know, it was another golden Frightliner but I don't know, when it way. At least it was mord than 20 years ago. There I'm sure about.

Nevertheless. Through the last hours of buildjng, I like the truck. We are friends 🙂 If is on a good way.
Today I glues some smaller parts. I try not to hurry nig to mess up with something. Another lesson learned😄

Christian W
btw: the color choice is still a challenge. Mostly then, when you go on a research through the web. And then you notice a lot of things, which aren't right molded ect. But then I compromise with it. In this case I didn't find any FLD with this highpipes. Somehow. Also the cabin to the sleeper and the wind deflector were without any gaps. Everything smoothly filled. Great. Yes, o thought about to modify mine but I didn't as you can see. Maybe in another 20ish years🙂

Bill Newcomer
I too, was approaching the its got to be perfect stage, on my builds. I finally let go of that. I began to just simply be happy with the best I could do at that particular stage. Maybe someday we will accomplish the "Perfect" build but, for me, it shall be awhile.

Christian W
Totally agree. The latest kits I'm building only for me. Silently in my mans cave 😉 This week I did two rstaurations nearby the two Trans Am and this truck. Sometimes you need a little success during boring porcesses.
Those two restaurations will be posted soon.

Kyle DeHart
I agree completely. I stray far, far from perfection. I certainly try to do my best with the hope that one day I may build one that I am truly happy with, but until then I still have my fun. This is looking really nice Christian.

Jonathon Herring
I love the color choice. When it comes to color matching, being a military modeler, I prefer to select the color I want. The amount of hullabaloo over OD green or Russian 4BO could last a lifetime. Was a Mack Superliner painted Valiant Green? 🤷‍♂️ Maybe? I like the color so, in my universe, yessir. Plum purple? Yup. Some colors I just won't do (personal preference). I would rather chase the "perfect" paint job. Like you said,though, perfect is elusive. I try to learn something new with every build, which the best older rereleases provide in droves. One of the reasons I rotate my shampoos and ground my produce when they are bad.
As long as I'm building, even-my disasters, are a learning experience. Just my 2 cents ( of which my account is now overdrawn )😭

Bozzer
Maybe we should all start an album called "Cock ups and bloopers"? Lol, I'd love to see some of your screw ups and corrections! I know that I have had a few, in my recent years of modelling. I'm dreading moving my shelf of doom builds, because there's parts everywhere! Lmao, it's gotta be crazy, or I wouldn't be doing it 😉

István Szücs
This interior color looks fantastic with this metallic gray exterior! Great work so far!

Jonathon Herring
I'm in Bozzer. Got plenty to share. Shelf Queens, damages, mishaps, and glue bombs galore. Everything from absolute skill fails to horrible kits.They need a home too. I have no shame ( I was married once, once! She spent enough time telling me what I have, am, and will have screwed up)🤨

Martin Oostrom
Bozzer, something like this? Evolution of skills. | Album by Mahoo76

Nigel Chapman
Brilliant Bozzer, I'm up for this. Have you started already then?

Bozzer
Lol guys! If I have to start this off, I will do, soon as I get home. I may just have to visit the Mack Museum again first though? I need more reference pictures, for some of my builds.

Jonathon Herring
Looks like we put Bozzer under fire. Well, if anyone can get this going, it's you Bozzer. You are prolific on this site, and also extremely helpful, personable, and humorous. Take it as a compliment, this way it won't hurt as much as you pull it all together. Your a Star🤩

Bozzer
Lmao Jonathon. I don't mind sharing my shelf queens with you guys. My main issues are usually paint, although I think that I've lost/misplaced some parts, of my A-Team van? I also have some interesting fun builds, that have stalled, simply because I started a "help" build. Those are usually started, to assist another builder, with an issue they're having with their build. And I definitely love doing research into other people's issues. If I can help, I'll do my best to do so. However, when it comes to dislikes, in my builds, it's gotta be decals! When I built my Scania, the decals were very "Testing!"

Bozzer
Oh, for any of you guys, who live near an Ollie's, have a check amongst the shelves for some bargains? I've started a new album for my hauls and bargains. $20 for the GMC Coke Truck, has gotta be a no brainer. They also had a few cars/trucks too

Christian W
You are crazy and creative in one 🙂

First: thank you for the kind word to this build. Yesterday I did some more on it and "exciting as I was to get all the chrome parts on it and not thinking about what I'm doing", are the most parts on it. There are 9 parts left to completion. But - there is the big but: I missed the decals to put on. That is very stupid. So ... Hm. I was happy, that the last parts went on without any issue or shouting on it - I had a pretty good run 🙂 Ok. Then the truck won't get the decals for now. Surely I'm thinking about, how I can bring them on at the end. Maybe with some more cuts? I don't know.

Then to you, Bozzer: "Cock ups and bloopers". This will be the perfect home for all my "in progress" without galleries here on scalemates or those gluebombs, which went into my shelf or kits (cars/trucks) which wanted to try whether they can fly.

Kyle DeHart
I could hop in with an album of an entire slew of hideous builds. From my childhood, some have survived and I don't have a shelf of doom because I force my way through everything. So that leads to some less than thrilling results. LOL. Especially early on when I was just getting back into this hobby. Also Bozzer, good shout on the Ollie's. I went about a week ago? They had no tractors but I picked up the Coke Fruehauf van and the 36' city hauler box trailer for 19.99 a piece. Selection is wildly varied between locations so check them all out in your area.

Christian the truck is looking great. Perhaps you can cut some templates out of paper and adjust them accordingly to if they will fit? Then just use the template to cut your decals to shape? Just an idea my friend.

Christian W
@Kyle ... I didn't thought about to draw a template / copy of the decals! That could work and sounds a lot more easy then use the decals itself and point out through hours where to cut etc. Good idea!

Dominik Weitzer
comes really well together . Better than mine *lol* .

Bozzer
Nearly ready for a trailer 🙂 Just be mindful that in the USA, the trailers are mainly twin axle and have 4 wheels per axle? The only time I've seen Tri axle with super singles, have been on dump trailers. I'm sure that if I'm wrong, one of the guys will correct me, but from my own personal experience, that's all I've seen.
Let them truckers roll, 10-4!

Martin Oostrom
Tadaa! Almost there.

Kyle DeHart
Bozzer, a month ago I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you. But about 3 weeks ago I saw a short conex with a tri axle setup tooling around the interstate. Have never seen one before or since so I don't know if a company just had a random one of if they are just new here or what. Maybe it was just a guy with a tri axle conex. Not sure but it was very odd.

Bozzer
Now that's very interesting. I've gotta keep my eyes open for that! There's a strange trailer, parked up by me, and I'm gonna have to get some pictures of it. I need to get myself a tape measure first though. I also picked up some cool pictures of a Mack B 61. It's in a bad way now, but it's still pretty.

Kyle DeHart
I thought it was very intriguing. What sort of a trailer is it that's near you?

Jonathon Herring
In my neck of the woods (New York) some tanker trailers have tri-axle, but not super singles. Those tires are generally on truck rears and/or box trailers. I have seen tri-axle low boys, which a modern lowboy kit would be most welcome, with both lift/tag axles or a flip up rear bogie. Also, for the fun of it, there are dump trailers around here with so many tag axles that another set wouldn't fit. I'm gonna start taking pics for a reference album. Been buying and searching for tag/ lift axles and have many so a dump trailer is in my future 👌

Bozzer
kitformservices.com/..-and-suspension-sets

Bozzer
Just for you, Jonathon 😉

Bill Newcomer
I see a lot of tri-axle Conex trailers and 4 axle flatbeds. The flatbeds usually have the forward axle single tire and lifted. Sort of like what I did on my flatbed build. I got the airbag tag axle from Auslowe.
Great Dane Extended Flatbed | Album by musclecarfan (1:25)

Christian W
Uhgh - there is some cool stuff pn that page @Boozer

Bozzer
Christian, there's some awesome stuff for Euro trucks, and I believe that they're catching up on the USA stuff. From time to time, I pick up their older stuff on eBay, etc. Sure, it can be expensive, but it all makes for interesting builds. And since I've been in the states, I've got some awesome ideas!

Bozzer
@Bill. I love that extended trailer! I have one of those in my stash. I have several friends in the states, who drive big rigs, and they share some of their cool loads with me. I get to see some awesome stuff! I have a Nooteboom lowloader in my stash, and also a bottom dump trailer. I can't wait to get them both built, and show them to you guys 🙂

Christian W
A small written update: on 1st of November last year oO I completed the truck. Since then I didn't touch it. That means, the decals aren't applied too. I don't know whether I grab it someday after the summer. Nevertheless I have to take some picture for the gallery.
Some last words to the front bumper: again, it doesn't fit properly. On one side it doesn't line up with the hood "for miles". So I put small palstic pieces between the frame and the bumper to line that up smoothly.
At the end it is on it's wheels and I'm glad to made it. It looks good enough for me. It's somewhere between ok and pretty good. Room for improvement is given 😄

Bill Newcomer
Christian, glad to hear you have (nearly) crossed the finish line. Now with the experience under your belt, what are the items that require correction. I have the flat top version reissued in 2002 and would like any relevant info you are willing to share.

Christian W
I'll try my best and keep my experience as a secret *lol*

What I'd like to double check on this build are the parts for the front axle. I'd like to figure out, why I had such big issues with it. Did I messud up something? Are the instructions wrong? That are some question, I'd like to go on the ground.
I did a lot of dry fitting. The most issue was the lineup of the hood. I thinned a lot of out to get it closed and fitted to the side panels too. At least I drilled out the hinges of the hood to get it closed well.
Also dry fit the side panels to the cabin and sleeper. The distance from them to the whole cabin was different on both sides.
At least the fitting of the front bumper to the hood. My bumper stood nearly 2 milimeters behind the grille on one side. I filled the gap with plastic sheets between the bumper and frame.
For the rear axles, these "shoes" are misleadingly marked in the assembly instructions (it was not clear to me where they belong - see picture 11) and also the cross braces on the differentials. Otherwise the frame didn't cause any problems or it wasn't bad at all.

I spent a lot of time to line those parts up properly. That was the biggest challenge. In the end, I have to say that I have visually aligned all the body parts. The front axle could be installed at the end so that the axle is nicely centered in the wheel arches.

When you start your Truck, I'll watch it definitaly. The chassis / frame should be the same. Please pay attention to the partnumbers of the same looking parts. I guess, I mixed some up. I have to I think because where else can the issues come from? One for the end: you have to drill out holes in the frame for the side panels and fuel tanks. I drilled one side twice. Don't know how that happened but it happened. The fuel tanks have to be on the same spot what makes sense because of the mounting point of the side panels 😉

Bozzer
I have the same issue Christian. I'll try and get some pictures at weekend.

komoras
HobbyBoss painting schemes are suggestive at best, so to say...
Having them suggesting RLM66 on Luftwaffe camouflage, where the RLM75 should go...it's enough for me to look elsewhere.
Go with the other sources on the internet, I would suggest looking up more multiple sources.
And as far my RAF knowledge goes, after the Battle of Britain this camo combo was not used anymore, but I might be wrong.

PS. "Oark earth" shoudl say enoguh... 😄

Duster_d
Komoras, I can assume that they (HB) were guided by this: airliners.net/photo/..9-Spitfire/0843874/L

komoras
soyuyo.main.jp/spit5b/spit5be-1.html

I think this one sums it up best 🙂
Both is correct, depends only which one you want to represent - pre-august 1941 or post-august 1941.
(Thus concluding, my BoB related comment is wrong) 🙂

Nicolas
I'll take a seat.

Alex K
Me too...

Łukasz Gliński
Interesting, couldn't find any trace of DE/DG on Polish Mk Vs.
I know of Mk Is and IIs being repainted in Polish squadrons, but I'd assume this one has been repainted into DG/DG before being delivered to the 317th.
Still, there's no proof.
Very cool to see you added the undercarriage covers, what a silly mistake by HB 😄

Duster_d
Łukasz, I was guided by these photos. If the guys from Duxford had painted a real Spitfire like that, then why can't I paint a model in such a scheme? 🙂
airliners.net/photo/..tfire-LF5B/7392151/L

Łukasz Gliński
Sure you can 🙂 Keep it up 👍

Ian Doody
Ebay gluebomb restoration project. Stripped the built parts down and cleaned them up.The beginnings of paint up. So much more do. But fun bit next, painting metallics by hand, and weathering it.

Ian Doody
Just started to block in the aluminium tub colours, only added a watered down acrylic brown/black wash. Now I wait for it to dry, then ink wash, aluminium layer, then varnish, then another light brown wash.

Kyle DeHart
Off to a quick start. You'll have it looking great in no time.

Ian Doody
First ink wash, just to put some life into the aluminium. I'll dry brush another metallic layer over this, then varnish, the do some more washes. Not a quick process, mainly due to drying times, but it looks really good.

Ian Doody
That's it for today. Still very early stage, second ink wash. It will become more subdued as I continue with layering the aluminium. This is an acceptable beginning though.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice weathering.

Jv
Taking a seat I am interested in how you strip it down I bought a few glue booms myself and not sure how to get the glue of

Ian Doody
That's it for today, and for now on this project. I've lost inspiration and desire to work on it, so back in the box, until I feel inspired to do it again. Just not feeling it, and I don't want to muck it up. Added a varnish layer, fitted the foot pedals and fixed the hole in the tub wheel bay cover.

Ian Doody
Back to the big Ferrari. The cool thing about 70s Tamiya kits, is they gave you buildable tools. It's a screwdriver and wheel nut wrench. Nice.

Ian Doody
Not a lot happening at the moment, I'm doing a lot of sanding, glueing small parts, changing bolt heads on the rear of the gearbox and brakes, as these will be seen. I'll add and swap out bolts on the black crossmember, suspension brace, as its also quite noticable. Also drilled holes in the e haust brackets, for the retention springs, Just a quick dry fit too. Even unpainted the engine is an impressive piece of hand-built model engineering from Tamiya.

Mark D
Following this one! (Have the same one waiting (with a little less glue)

Ian Doody
Scratch built the rear brake air intake cooling scoop bracket. Mad? Me? Probably 😂 there is no line down the middle, it's the crappy silver plastic. It makes dark marks appear at joins and sprue attachment points. I'll putty over the intake, then paint it to look like the clear fibreglass, suitably weathered, with a piece of tape to lesson the amount of air reaching the brakes, just like on the real thing. Exciting things ahead 😉

Ian Doody
And, yes I'm going to put in brake lines.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress.

Ian Doody
That's it for today, just blocked in some colour, weathering and extra details tomorrow.

Kyle DeHart
Looking good Ian!

Ian Doody
Weeeell, that's all for today. I'm knackered. Pretty good progress, I've almost finished the 312T's Transverse gearbox, added the plumbing, detail and weathering paint, painted the brake airscoops, added nuts, and painted the suspension crossbeam. Only the anti-roll bar and a bracket still to fit. Bloody good fun that was.

Ian Doody
I think this might turn out rather good.

Ian Doody
As always, doesn't look like I've done anything at all today. Finished off the anti-roll bar and brackets, made a start on the left hand side suspension lower arm, swapped nuts out for better ones, wheel mount, drive shaft and shock absorber, also made a start on the rear wing mounting bracket and battery holder.

bmod
Definitely pulling up a chair to watch this one come along. 🙂 Looks great!

Ian Doody
Not a huge update, as I've had a few days away from modelling. Finished the coil springs on both sides and the right upright and drive shaft. Haven't got to finishing the anti-roll bar yet, as I'm changing the support rods for thinner wire, so it looks more in scale. More soon.

Dominik Weitzer
looks great!

Ian Doody
Back to working on the Tamiya 1/12 1975 Ferrari 312T. Today was just to get reacquainted with the kit, remember where I was, what I had planned, and where I'm going. Tested the fit of the rear wheels and tyres, everything is just friction fitted so far, a long way to go yet. That's how good Tamiya kits are, even forty eight year old kits fit together so well. Work will continue tomorrow with the rear anti-roll bar system, as im making the connecting rods more in scale. This is going to look awesome finished.

Villiers de Vos
Welcome back at the bench Ian.

Ian Doody
As usual not a lot new to see. With one thing or another I've been busy with other things recently. But back to the rear of the 312T. Finished the gearbox, and rear suspension, anti-roll bar adjusters. Replaced the kit parts with pins, for a finer appearance.

Ian Doody
Sloooow work continues on the 312T. The Ferrari Tipo 015, 2,992 cc (182.6 cu in), flat 12, naturally aspirated, engine is a mini kit in itself. Its going to be a complicated, Spaghetti wiring job, there's twelve wires for the fuel injection and twelve wires for the electrical ignition system. Then all the water and assorted pump plumbing. but it's going to look very cool. I am going to add a few things here and there, and I've sourced some air funnel mesh guards. Also I'll be assembling the Octopuss exhaust system of twelve pipes too. Proper Italian plumbing nightmare, but it is a Ferrari lol 😆 all this is just dry fitted for now.

Kyle DeHart
Going to be a stunning powerplant.

Ian Doody
Mixed bag of modelling today, shook sticks at a few different kits. As winter is approaching, looks like I've got Ships and F1 cars in my future. I've been putting the Ferrari off for months as I worked through my Sci-Fi backlog, soo work will commence on the 1975 world championship winning F1 car, my birth year. Doing the bodywork air-intake mod, and scratch building the fibreglass valve covers, plus adding a lot of missing details, wiring and plumbing, swapping nuts n bolts, scratching the accelerator assembly, and spray painting the final bodywork for the first time... a lot to do, but it'll look very cool.

Kyle DeHart
Excellent. It's definitely going to look very cool.

Ian Doody
It has been a whole year since I touched the 1975 Ferrari 312T, omg 😲 finally put paint down on the main case of the Flat 12 engine. More soon.

Ian Doody
Ferrari 312T Tipo 15 Flat 12 engine. Only made a tiny bit of progress today, first pump and hose. More weathering to come. Then fitting all the pipes, electrics, rear transverse gearbox and suspension, and the exhaust system, that all pretty much needs to be done at the same time.

Kyle DeHart
Lovely work Ian!!

Ian Doody
Making a start on the big 70s F1 GoodYears.

Kyle DeHart
Love it.

Ian Doody
Making a start on painting up the first three exhaust pipes. I'm going for a 1980s Tamiya Catalogue, Francois Verlinden look. Painted to my personal taste, there's more than enough pristine, sparkly builds out there.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice effects on the engine.

Bozzer
This is a very big kit, buddy. I have two. I plan to build one, after Christmas. I hope you have, very big shelves.

Ronald Birl
Pick this up for a great price. I'm adding to the collection in storage, hopefully I'll get to it one day soon.

Bozzer
I had to build a new man cave, to store all my stash in. Now I just have to build them, lol

Roland Sachsenhofer
With these pictures I open the book report on Roden's Junkers D.1: I tried to extend the interior with some steel wire, the seat belts are from Eduard. For the detailing I downloaded the very interesting building instructions from Wingnut Wings for the large D.1 in 1:32, which is quite helpful if you want to have a good documentation as a basis for detailing. I'm also going to realise one of the WW variants, which I immediately liked: all in Dural/ NMF with only a minimal set of markings.

gorby
Nice work so far. Looking forward to this. 🙂

Michael Kohl
Auch da bin ich dabei.

Roland Sachsenhofer
I'm very pleased - appreciated!

bughunter
Watching!
I have done the short fuselage already, I hope one day I can do the long one too.

Is the engine painting finished? I can recommend the WNW manual for this, still available on WNW page.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thanks for the tip - it's definitely a good one! The printed WNW instructions are next to me, so I want to use a little oily black on the top of the engine and add a little "brass"... But not only WNW instructions, also your excellent work is my reference.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your words, appreciated!

Roland Sachsenhofer
The fuselage of the D.1 is now closed, the only thing to be careful of was not to damage the corrugated sheet metal joints. A related issue arises with the leading edges of the wings: in my opinion, the prototype shows a continuous line around the leading edge.... this will be difficult to depict: I will try to get close to this with careful sanding and the same amount of reworking with a scalpel.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Now it worked with the upload of the pictures!

István Szücs
My favourite plane from the Great War-era, I'm watching!

bughunter
Yes to clean the wing seem is not that esay. I must admit I used also wings from another kit after I was not happy with the first try. I have both the long and short fuselage kits and the wings are the identical. But that shifts the problem only to a later date, when I will build the long one. A new Part PE set is waiting too 🙂

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your words, mates! - I completely agree that this is not an easy topic! My approach, which you can see started here, is to work on the front edge of the profile with a triangular file. I didn't even try to bring the corrugated sheet metal runs of the top and bottom together - that would be far too small for me - but simply used the file edge many times.... Well, in my opinion it looks at least a little better now than before, so I'll try to make it a little more precise....

Roland Sachsenhofer
The Alclad metal colours mercilessly bring out all the flaws and imperfections, especially when everything has already been trimmed to a high gloss in preparation for applying the decals like here! The Wingnut Wings instructions describe an effect called 'tiger stripes' on the wing sheeting, which I recreated using various aluminium and dural colours.

Robert Podkoński
A little late, but joining the party!

bughunter
The stripes are great - can be noticed, but both shades still looks like aluminium which it was.

Christian Abraham
Great build so far

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you very much, mates!
The opinion on the 'tiger stripes' really really pleases me in a very motivating way!

Guy Rump
Following. 👍

David Taylor
Watching.

Roland Sachsenhofer
That is appreciated as well! 🙂

Villiers de Vos
Very nice detailed work.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your comment!

Ludvík Kružík
Roland, your model looks very good. I really like the interior of the plane and the engine. Also your rendition of the corrugated sheet metal looks very realistic. 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Ludvik, thank you for this comment, giving me a push to get the finishing steps done!

Dietmar Bogatzki
Wieder ein Meisterwerk von Roland 👍 hau rein 😉

Roland Sachsenhofer
Ich sage herzlich dank für den ermutigenden Kommentar! 🙂

Roland Sachsenhofer
A few steps closer to a finish: working with Roden decals is always an adventure, happy end not guaranteed! The whole thing is spiced up by the corrugated metal nature.... Well, this is the result; I will of touch up up the unclean parts with a brush, but on the whole it will stay like this - now for the signs of use and wear!

bughunter
Brave, brave - with good results 👍
I hadn't even tried those.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you! 🙂
The Junkers D.1 is slowly approaching its final appearance - and that didn't work out quite as well as I had imagined! But what the heck, there are some nice things, like the turnbuckles or the two MGs from Gespatch; I'm also happy with the solution for the typical Junkers handles and footrests: a thin, glued-on metal rod was covered with finely cut Tamiya tape as a ridge. Well. I am satisfied with this overall impression.

Ludvík Kružík
As the work progresses, Junkers grows in beauty. Thanks to decals and small details the model looks better. 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your kind comment, Ludvik!

Christian Bruer
Klasse 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
The Junkers D.1 from Roden is now finished, in a way my corrugated metal test run for the somewhat larger Junkers F.13 from Mikro Mir. There are enough problem areas - and also a few insights into how I can proceed better with the F.13, but even so I am surprised by the 'photogenicity' of the little fighter from the last days of the First World War! The markings, which are limited to the bar crosses and two '11s' on the rear of the fuselage, come from the Wingnut Wings documents; they show an aircraft from October 1918, i.e. shortly before the end of the war. Remarkable (and also a reason for my choice) are the 'tiger stripes' due to different metal panelling on the wings, which show up in the right light. I hope you like the pictures, I really enjoyed building it!

Robert Podkoński
Looks like a real one! You're a wizard, Roland!

gorby
Remarkable result! As Robert said it looks like a real one.

Nick Dragone
Excellent build and photography. It would have taken me months to build this. Nice work

David Taylor
Brill.

Villiers de Vos
A fantastic project. Thank you for sharing.

Villiers de Vos
Off to a good start on a beautiful graceful subject.

DerMattes
Watching

Nicolas
Following

Guy Rump
Following. 👍

Transall NG
The main difficulty with this kit is the fitting of engines.
Other big problem is the missing of rear engine ventilation : did not find any solution to correct it !
Good luck !

Alberto
Thank you for the warnings, I already had the idea to do engines completely open, now I think that is a good idea. What do you mean with rear engine ventilation?

Transall NG
There are 14 sloys on each nacelle, 7 each side, that were made on Jumo 004B to prevent the deposit of oil and fuel leaks and so to avoid fires on the ground.
Very curiously, Airfix forgot them !!!
There are no 262 perfect representation at this scale yet ! And each have their qualities ! Now i mix them...

Łukasz Gliński
True, engine nacelles are a pain in the... kit 🙂 Following too.

Transall NG
SLOTS, not sloys !!!

Alberto
Thank you for the info, probably i will go for engines totally exposed without fairings. i have to build the surface under the wing with milliput and 3d print the engine

Robert Podkoński
Watching with interest!

Transall NG
Nice solution yo an ugly problem... 🙂

Jan Peters
Pulling up a seat too 👀
I do like the airfix kit, but it is a bit simplified in some areas.
Where did you get those engines from?

Alberto
I bought the files from cult3d and 3d printed it with a resin 3d printer, if you search jumo004 you'll find the files they are very cheap. I also slightly modified the model for better printability in 1/72 scale.

Spanjaard
nice printed engines, looking forward the rest of the build

Arda
Beautiful work

Villiers de Vos
Beautiful work.