I'm slowly working on sanding/polishing out the joins on the fuselage while trying not to obliterate the surrounding panel lines which makes for slow going.
The fit has been pretty good, but I found that the circumference of the nose cone is slightly larger than that of the fuselage where it attaches to.
Will update the album when there is a little more to see.
I'm about 90% done cleaning up the fuselage join now, and not far off giving it a coat of primer.
To break up the tedium of sanding and polishing, I masked off the canopy and attached it along with the wingtip tanks. A test fit of the landing gear shows that it's not a tail sitter either thankfully.
It's been a very nice kit to assemble, and has 3x colourful marking options with which to choose from... which I still haven't decided on yet.
I acquired this kit along with quite a few other aircraft kits several years ago, second hand after the original owner passed away. The son listed the entire stash in batches of 2 - 3 kits on the local trading website at very reasonable prices that were too good to pass on.
Was a little sad to see where comments and notes were made in the instructions... but he had never got around to making a start on it. I only hope I can do it justice.
30 November 2021, 17:16
Sebastian Meyner Knowing your work James, I'm certain you will do it justice! 🙂 👍
30 November 2021, 17:23
James C Thanks for the vote of confidence Sebastian 🙂
I finished working on the joins so gave it a shot of black primer yesterday, followed by a gloss black undercoat today. Will give it a day or so to fully cure, before I begin with the natural metal finish.
I was quite happy with how the initial base coat of aluminium turned out, but not so happy with the masking of the differently shaded panels.
I had intended to do the fuselage as well but decided to cut my losses.
5 December 2021, 18:15
Robin (WhiteGlint) Metal colours are looking great! Nice paintjob, James.
It's my 3rd attempt at a bare metal finish, but first time trying to apply different shades.
I gave it a coat of clear gloss this morning, and hope to apply a panel line wash tomorrow ahead of the decals.
5 December 2021, 21:39
Daniel Klink Delicious interior and great progress James 👍
Decals are about 90% done with just a few more assorted stencils to apply.
Tamiya decals have a reputation for being quite thick and difficult to get to settle down, but these appear to be working out quite well, despite my concerns about their age.
10 December 2021, 16:55
James C I finished applying the decals this morning as well as permanently secured the landing gear and wheel bay doors etc. Will give it another clear coat tomorrow to seal the decals, before removing the canopy masks and applying some finishing touches.
11 December 2021, 04:07
Robin (WhiteGlint) She's coming along nicely. Metal surfaces, yet colourful.
A very good kit by Tamiya, with no fit issues whatsoever, and with a very nice selection of decals for the marking options. They were also perfectly sized as well which was great to see, unlike the rubbish Italeri release with their kits.
The kit offers the choice of displaying the canopy closed or opened (including an optional pilot figure)
The flaps can be positioned up or down, as well as the air brake opened or closed.
You also have the choice of building it with or without the iconic wingtip mounted fuel tanks, as alternative wingtips are also provided. Ordinance consists of either a pair of bombs or an additional pair of external fuel tanks. Lastly, you also have the option of installing a pair of JATO pods as well.
My first attempt at a metal finish with different shades of aluminium.
I used Vallejo metal acrylics... ("Aluminium", "White Aluminium", "Dark aluminium", "Duraluminum" and "Jet Exhaust" sealed with Alclad clear gloss and clear matt to seal the paint and decals.
It didn't turn out as clean as I had wanted, but something to keep practicing with I guess.
Murad ÖZER Colorful jet, lovely build.
i didn't expect vallejo metallic paints could look this well honestly that was the real surprise for me. big huge kudos to you! 👍👍👍
13 December 2021, 01:35
Simon Nagorsnik Really nice pics and very good work👍
Like the colorful design- just fantastic!
13 December 2021, 04:52
Jan Peters Excellent result James, the NMF turned out great👍🏻
Neuling Beautiful result! Finish and colors are very attractive!
13 December 2021, 09:30
Nathan Dempsey That's a beautiful build James. Inspiring.
13 December 2021, 11:40
James C Thanks for stopping by and commenting guy's; as always, very much appreciated 🙂
@ Murad - I was going to use AK Extreme metal paint, but only had Aluminium & Dark Aluminium with which to play around with. I went with the Vallejo acrylics in the end due to them already being opened, and having more varying shades with which to apply.
While it's far from perfect, It has given me a bit more confidence to tackle the F-86 Sabre or P-47 Thunderbolt? for my next NMF project... next year 😉
James C
Sebastian Meyner
Simon Nagorsnik
Murad ÖZER
Robert Podkoński
