I immediately realised that everything was so small that I would be hard-pressed not to lose any pieces, so I tried hard not to worry about that...
This version of the Airfix kit has a few different pieces you can use so, like a different mount for the seat and a choice of aerial masts etc, so I actually did look at some photos and try to stick to making as early a plane as I could. This seat mount was better for the PE pieces, so I used it instead of the 'normal' one.
Probably the most stressful bit for me was getting the fuselage halves together without breaking anything, so I put that off and left it like this for a few days!
In the end it went together OK, and I have been practising using filler too, so more practice was welcome.
Possibly the trickiest bit for me was the gun sight, which required me to cut a tiny bit of plastic (I used a bit of an un-needed part) and some 'film' (I used a tiny bit from a pack of mince pies)...
I took this photo to show the brake lines that I painted copper to make them stand out more, but actually now I look at it, all it shows is how janky my paint-job was! You can barely see the brake lines on the model now it's finished anyway!
Decals applied and paint slightly cleaned up...
The decals went on really well, I was quite pleased - I've been using Micro Sol/Set for the last few models and I have noticed a major difference.
This was after I messed up the matt varnish and managed to rescue it - there was a lot of white residue on the surface of the model, I used some IPA (cleaning alcohol, not Greene King) to gently wipe it and it actually worked. I don't quite know what I am doing wrong, but I think it's a combination of factors and each time I mess it up it's not as bad as the time before. Although I don't always mess it up and I'm not quite sure what the difference is yet... Never mind.
Just need to add some wire for the aerial mast and then I'm done.
Comments
11 31 December 2023, 00:08
gorby Very nice work! The cockpit looks exceptionally good.
Make sure the varnish isn't too cold when you spray it and shake it very well - particularly if it's a spray can. I've had problems in the past with it going white when it's cold.
31 December 2023, 09:27
David Goodchild Thanks for that, I appreciate it - I think you're right, I do use spray cans and I've got much better at shaking (too lazy before) but I have to go to the shed and do the spraying, and although I've got a little heater I put on for a while beforehand, it's a shed in December, so it's not that effective, will try something else next time and see what happens!
31 December 2023, 09:59
Spanjaard amazing detail on that cockpit, it really looks beautiful
31 December 2023, 10:11
gorby In the winter I put rattle-cans in a sink of warm water for about ten minutes before I use it. It works for me.
31 December 2023, 10:26
David Goodchild Thank you so much, and yes, I was thinking about a sink of warm water, so I will try that! Happy New Year all....
1 January, 00:03
Album info
When I did the Hurricane with the lights, I originally intended to also use an Eduard PE detailing set, but quickly realised that it would be stupid to try to do both on the same kit, when I have done neither before. I returned to the PE idea in the run-up to Christmas, and I think I've realised that at this scale it's a lot of work for something that no one can really see, but it was fun and I learned a bit, mainly from all the mistakes I made! Never mind, I really like this decal scheme and despite messing up the matt varnish, although not so badly this time (and I recovered it better than last time too), I did enjoy this a lot. The only thing I regret is not realising until the end that I can't fix the canopy open as it just pops off, so I'm just going to leave it and move on...
gorby
David Goodchild
