Softscience Labs 2.5

[Dazzled]

Nice work on the Defiant. Looking forward to seeing the Corsair finished to the same superb standard.

[Softscience]

I often find myself in the situation where side projects end up becoming my main focus (it even happened in my career, and in my love life too ).

On Sunday night, I decided to paint a few pieces of the Airfix Wildcat while I waited for some putty to dry on my corsair.

The kit was coming together so nicely that I just kept at it. Before I knew it, I had a completed interior


and then got the fuselage together. I didn't pay close enough attention, and missed that the complex landing gear carriage has to be installed before the fuselage is assembled, so I installed it piece by piece, through the small opening at the bottom. It was tricky, and took required some careful maneuvering, but I got it to work. I imagine proctologists operating in much the same way!



A few more pieces here and there, and some base painting, and this is where I'm at tonight. The closed canopy is simply a mask. I have already masked the open canopy pieces, and applied an enamel bronze green.



I'm currently very excited by this project. This is as close as I get to a blitzbau!

[skypirate]

I installed it piece by piece, through the small opening at the bottom.

You are not alone!
I have carelessly or enthusiastically (bypassing steps) put myself in that position a few times!

Looking good!

David

[Stuart]

Ah, so that would be your Wildcat gaff. At least you got it sorted, It's looking really good.

[ShaunW]

Oh wow, a great start to a surprise side project! Nice save with the landing gear - such construction errors are easily done and quite often not so easily saved, guess how I found that out! Looks like you going for the wings folded option?

[Softscience]

Looks like you going for the wings folded option?

Wildcat doesn't look great with folded wings, but I've waited years for manufacturers to offer folded wing options in 1/72, so I'm not going to pass this up.

This kit isn't as plagued by any Airfix foibles (weedy, soft parts, sloppy canopy frames, strong panel lines), so I'll probably get a few more. One to convert to an FM-1, and another to a F-4F-3, both of those will have their wings out.

[Softscience]

Moving right along. Tamiya paints free-handed.

[ShaunW]

Very nicely painted Ralph. I have one of these kits in the stash which was kindly gifted to me by Sir T and intend to build it with the wings folded. I feel that I should have at least one naval aircraft in my collection with the wings folded and this is a modern kit that provides the option and is quite well detailed, thus cutting down on the usual additional work that is often required to produce the same results with a classic kit. Most builds of this kit I have seen though have been finished with the wings spread.

[Ural]

Very good work in the Wildcat! goodness you can put the landing gear piece by piece!!

Which colors did you use for it? they look very well!

regards

Henry

[Softscience]

Thank you.

All colors are Tamiya. Bottom is xf-20 75% and xf-2 25%

Top is xf-18, xf-2 and x-14

[Softscience]

[PaulBradley]

Nice!

[ShaunW]

Oh my, that looks really good.

[Stuart]

That's coming along nicely!

[Ural]

this looks really really good!!

doesn´t looks 1/72! looks even much bigger!!