Heller - Hawker Tempest MkV

1
March 1, 2023
Bought the cheapest portable airbrush I could find on Amazon, just to see how it all works.
2
March 1, 2023
For some reason this kit want's you to paint almost everything black in the cockpit.
Since I'm mainly building this kit to try out the airbrush I went ahead with following the instructions.
Some paint where it was not supposed to be, but that won't be visible later anyways.
3
March 1, 2023
4
March 1, 2023
Really bad photo, but maybe you get the idea.
Think it turned out alright since I have never used an airbrush before.
5
March 3, 2023
Really poor fit on the wing, don't know if I made a mistake or if the kit is to blame.
Corrected with some putty.
6
March 3, 2023
Ready for paint!
7
March 3, 2023
An attempt at preshading, there is definitely room for improvement!
8
March 3, 2023
Actually didn't turn out too bad...
I have to figure out why the texture of the paint is so grainy though.
9
March 4, 2023
This time the paint went on a lot smoother!
10
March 6, 2023
Masking done! Used bluetack and tape.
11
March 6, 2023
Painting done! Can't wait to peel of all the masking!
12
March 6, 2023
Masking removed, this is definitely a technique I will use again for camo paint schemes.
13
March 7, 2023
I decided to go with the "Newchurch Wing" color scheme, not sure If this is a good idea but I figure it's a good opportunity to work on my airbrush skills.
14
March 7, 2023
Note to self: Do not paint white over dark color... Took forever to paint.
15
March 8, 2023
Stripes painted! Some paint managed to leak under the masking tape, some touch up needed.
The black and white pops out a bit too much I think, hopefully some weathering can tone it done a bit.
16
March 18, 2023
Forgot to do some updates along the way on the rest of this kit.
I had some really hard times completing it.

- The right landing gear broke off and had to be glued back three times.
- I broke off the antenna and then lost it.
- Teared one of the decals, also lost the small red dots that are supposed to be in the circles on the sides.
- The rear wings has fallen off and had to be glued back a few times.
- The front wings glue seam has opened a few times.

This is the first time I tried to do some weathering, think I did a bit much, also looks a bit messy.

Considering all issues I think it turned out alright in the end.
Learned a lot of new skills along the way anyways.
Also very happy about my cheap airbrush, works better than expected!
17
March 18, 2023
18
March 18, 2023
19
March 18, 2023
20
March 18, 2023

Comments

23 1 March 2023, 21:01

Roy McKay
Cool. What type paint are you using? On the hunt for a cheap airbrush that can handle enamel....

1 March 2023, 21:40

Robbie
Watching, Not on what you are building but how that Airbrush works. I picked one up not too long ago but have not used it.

2 March 2023, 00:42

bossy122
Does the airbrush clean itself? Still looking for the self cleaner.

2 March 2023, 01:06

Sebastian Ågren
@Roy: I have been using Tamiya acrylics so far, no idea how it performs when using enamels.

@Robbie: As a complete airbrush beginner I think it works pretty good so far!

@bossy: I use Vallejo airbrush cleaner and som cotton buds and household paper.

2 March 2023, 06:58

bossy122
Yeah, that's how I clean mine too. Or I just soak the whole damn thing in 91% alcohol, then clean it. Either way: pain in the ass.

2 March 2023, 09:33

Robbie
In comment to your latest post the grainy texture I have heard called Orange skin. Air pressure too high and paint not thinned enough. Not sure that AB you can control air pressure but do recommend thinning the paint a tad more. This is why I wanted to follow your post.

Cheers

3 March 2023, 21:29

Sebastian Ågren
@Robbie: Thanks for the tip! I thinned Tamiya acrylics about 40% paint to 60% thinner. I tried setting the needle so that only a little paint is allowed out. I read in a guide that you should aim for the paint to look somewhat wet when applied to the model, which mine didn't.

3 March 2023, 21:32

Robbie
Hopefully some of the more Air Brush pros will chim in. But I might thin to 50-50, and do light what they call 'misting' Again a lot of this is based on the behavior of the air brush. I got this AB just for the fact it did not have a cord and I can take it out to the back patio or garage to do mostly primer or basic colour blasts and did not have move a compressor.

3 March 2023, 22:04

Michael Jonker
That camo looks pretty good!

7 March 2023, 13:23

Sebastian Ågren
@Michael: Thanks, I just ruined it by painting over half of it... Going for the Newchurch Wing paint scheme, hope it works out in the end.

7 March 2023, 21:41

Michael Jonker
I have the same observation about paint coverage on the Fieseler Storch I have on the bench. Only difference to your white is that I have a very dark green. I think it is more the pigment than the shade that determines coverage. I am using both Tamiya Acrylics and Vallejo air, and they both have advantages / disadvantages.

8 March 2023, 12:22