James' "Shed"

[Softscience]

Not really the image name, but I simply was looking at Hrubisko's recent batch of firebrands right before I saw your posts :D


How do you like the Magna kit?

[JamesPerrin]

How do you like the Magna kit?

I wrote a reply a couple of weeks ago but forgot to post, sorry.

Magna kits are old school resin kits, solid or partial hollow main parts, basic cockpits (seat, console and stick). Vacform canopies with white metal undercarriage legs etc. The later ones come with decals. All have "typed" as on a typewriter, instructions with half tone side profiles. AFAIK all are British Post war types, mainly focusing on FAA. Many are the only choice for prototypes or one off marks. The later kits are still available. Original produced in the UK production moved to Spain ( presumably as the owner retired there) but very recently they have taken over by Aircraft in Miniature (http://www.aim72.co.uk/page6.html;) Collectakit and Hannants stock them.

[JamesPerrin]

... as far as modelling is concerned at least. I actually finished some kits this year!

Airfix Male Tank - started the year with a bit of outlier for me
http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13185;



Waku Yak-15 - a hangover from the completely unproductive 2015
http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=319&t=11537;



Matchbox 1/72 Sea Harrier - how many times can one drop a built model!
http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=343&t=13593;



Matchbox 1/76 Challenger I - oh the tracks!
http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14363;



Dragon 1/144 SR-71 - I was most pleased with the finish on my "matt black" SR-71
http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=14326;



KeilKraft 1/72 Greenline T
http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=14765;



Happy New Year!

[jssel]

Nice work and great effort James.

[celt]

Well tidy models.

[ShaunW]

Happy New Year James and all the best to you and yours for 2017. That is a really great collection of 2016 builds!

[Dazzled]

Nicely done James. They're all great but the SR-71 is my personal favourite

[DavidWomby]

Looks great. I'd be interested in your comments on the build as I have a small stash of Magna aircraft (but not the Firebrand).

David

[skypirate]

Great variety and quality of output for 2016, James.
Best wishes for 2017!

David

[JamesPerrin]

Thanks guys, this year I've a lot on my plate so modelling is at some point going to be taking a back seat, so I pressing on with what's started and nearest to completion. So top of the heap is the Firebrand.

Masking of the underside was done just before Christmas and over the holiday I did some tidying up and filing of magazine articles and pulled out the Aeroplane Database article on the Firebrand. I had refiled it as there was nothing that was not in the Warpaint however when I put them side-by-side I realized that the profiles in the Warpaint have the EDSG and D Slate Grey camo colours the wring way round. You can clearly see in the photo that the cockpit area is EDSG. I made a permanent note, though if I do an earlier mark I'd better recheck.



The top got a coat of Xtracrylix D Slate Grey which some lightened painted added to the centre of the panels. Now normally I would break out the Blu-Tac and mask up the camo pattern which would have taken and hour in itself. Instead I choose to attempt my first freehand camo (bar Luftwaffe mottling). I don't trust Xtracrylix for fine work as they are too likely to clog/run and so switched to GS Mr Aqueous Color as this can be heavily thinned and is not prone to runs. Their EDSG is actually a bit too dark and so lightened it up a bit, probably a 60/40 Tamiya X-20A/paint mix. I'm normally use neat IPA with GS but wanted the extra help of the retarder/flow enhancer that is in the expensive Tamiya stuff. I dialled the pressure right done (~7psi) which even with the .5 needle in my IWATA Revolution CR allows me to paint very thin lines ~2mm. A smaller needle size would probably make them tighter but that's not a luxury I have. Cue some serious concentration as I often masked the wrong colour never mind working from an inverted camo scheme.

With the pressure low and the paint nicely thinned spraying wasn't a problem, seeing what I was doing was. EDSG and D Slate G are tonally close and the glare from my lamp or just seeing past the airbrush meant I had to keep adjusting my position for the best angle. Anyway it only took half and hour and used miraculously little paint. After marking the edges I filling in using a swirly pattern, which gave me the blotchy look I was after. Again I further lightened the mix and went back over the centres of panels.



They appear to been quite mucky beasts so after decalling a some heavy weathering will move in from the North

[celt]

I think the Royal Navy colour scheme looks good on anything,well tidy Firebrand.

[Softscience]

Wow, James! I love what you're doing with that firebrand kit. Some really nice builds from 2016. The male tank and Yak look really good.

[ShaunW]

Nice one, that is a great piece of freehand camo work.

[DavidWomby]

Great result. I may try my hand at that approach to camo, James.

David

[Stuart]

Great looking builds for 2016 James - that Firebrand looks superb as well.