Thread started by bmlaureau
Brendon Laureauadded a new photoalbum.
5 22 March 2020, 20:34
Nathan DempseyNice work so far 🙂 I love this variant of the Mirage F1 as the retractable refueling probe gives it a sleek appearance.
29 March 2020, 15:50
Sebastian MeynerGreat work on a not great kit! And hey....it's a SA Mirage...following this one for sure 👍 🙂
21 April 2020, 06:32
Brendon LaureauThank you Sebastian Meyner & yes not the best kit. However with patients, determination & a lot of test fitting before glueing I've had very few fit or gap issues or problems.
21 April 2020, 19:19
Urban GardiniLovely build mate and I like the presentation. A white LED lightening up the afterburner flame from the inside would make it even better, especially in low light.
11 July 2020, 10:55
Urban GardiniAny pit falls with the kit itself? I've got the Italeri boxing of it and plan to do a Frogie in the Balkan conflict.
11 July 2020, 10:56
Rui SWell done model, Great base. Original presentation. Very Good 👍
P.s. I think if you crop photo 75, it will be spectacular. you will not regret this tip 😄😉 no need for Photoshops.
11 July 2020, 12:38
James CThat is an awesome way to display the model 👍
Do you hang them on the wall like a picture?
11 July 2020, 21:59
Brendon LaureauUrban Gardini I had considered adding an SMD but this would have the wiring visible through the afterburner flame, so therefore did not go for that option.
Regarding your question of the pitfalls or problems with the kit: this is the old ESCI kit & the newer italeri kit has been updated in detail. In particular the extra ejection seat, the added insert of the exhaust nozzle with afterburner details, refueling probe & some extra stores. Another noticeable difference is the panel line details on the ventral & dorsal sides of the fuselage are a lot more defined on the italeri kit. The quality of the plastic is way better than the brittle stuff that ESCI used back in those days.
No major fit problems, just lots of test fitting the fuselage halves & wings & work slowly when applying glue - you shouldn't have any major issues.
11 July 2020, 22:21
Brendon LaureauThank you for your compliment James C. Yes this is mounted into a picture frame. I removed the glass that came with the frame & used it as a template to cut a piece of clear acetate/Perspex. After determining where the flame/tube will be, I drilled out the hole using a hole-drillbit & sanded the edges smooth. I then light sanded both sides with 600 wet sandpaper & wiped clean with IPA - this gives a slightly hazy / blurry look that you sometimes see in aerial photos. Paste your desired image facedown using PVA glue around the outer edges & a little around the circular opening. Stretch the page out by forcefully pressing your hands from the inside to outside edges to minimize folds or creases of the image & places a good stack of books on top to dry for at least 12 hours. Once dry flip it over to the side that will be displayed & cut out the opening using a sharp cutting tool. I then airbrushed black around the edges where the frame meets the Perspex to blend the frame with the background image.
The rest is a matter of inserting the flame & attaching the aircraft to that. Warning do this in stages so as to give the glue or in my case epoxy enough time to set & cure so as to minimize movement & stresses of weight of the aircraft.
11 July 2020, 22:49
