MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
- JamesPerrin
- Looks like his avatar
- Posts: 13695
- Joined: April 5th, 2011, 8:09 pm
- Location: W. Yorkshire
- Contact:
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Well I was getting a bit anxious towards with two hours to go, thankfully I had decided to pick a simple scheme similar to that on the box art ( which the kit doesn't actually offer! ). I wanted to do the X-4 in an NACA scheme didn't like the ugly calibration markings on the side. I had a nice pic in Jay Millers book which showed it all white and without any stencils markings. I think this must have been when it was first handed over from Northrop to NACA.
Gloss white is always a challenge in itself, the grey then white primer worked in that I got a good even base coat for the Appliance White, however try to paint such a small model with a rattle can led to some sets backs with paint pooling and running. The short-run nature of the kit provides it's only challenges but I balanced that against the small part count. The other issue was using PVA to fix the canopy, I really didn't need to as the glazing is set in a large rectangular door. The PVA dried very slowly and so was still moving around when trying to blend the part into the fuselage.
In total it would not have taken me much more time to complete the model as normal, maybe actually less as I would be doing other things while stuff dried. And that was the biggest challenge, having the time for joints and filler to cure properly before working on them.
It's been and interesting and rewarding experience. Thanks for tuning in guys and your support. Also a big thanks for Abbie who hasn't asked me to lift a finger for the last 24 hrs - I'm sure that will change shortly though
Gloss white is always a challenge in itself, the grey then white primer worked in that I got a good even base coat for the Appliance White, however try to paint such a small model with a rattle can led to some sets backs with paint pooling and running. The short-run nature of the kit provides it's only challenges but I balanced that against the small part count. The other issue was using PVA to fix the canopy, I really didn't need to as the glazing is set in a large rectangular door. The PVA dried very slowly and so was still moving around when trying to blend the part into the fuselage.
In total it would not have taken me much more time to complete the model as normal, maybe actually less as I would be doing other things while stuff dried. And that was the biggest challenge, having the time for joints and filler to cure properly before working on them.
It's been and interesting and rewarding experience. Thanks for tuning in guys and your support. Also a big thanks for Abbie who hasn't asked me to lift a finger for the last 24 hrs - I'm sure that will change shortly though
Classic British Kits SIG Leader Better to fettle than to fill
(2024 A:B 5:2) (2023 13:8:7) (2022 21:11) (2021 15:8) (2020 8:4:4)
(2024 A:B 5:2) (2023 13:8:7) (2022 21:11) (2021 15:8) (2020 8:4:4)
- lancfan
- Avro's Rivet Rhapsodizer
- Posts: 8763
- Joined: May 2nd, 2011, 3:55 pm
- Location: Nelson, Lancashire
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Brilliant model James, well done, I must have one of these myself.
David.
David.
David.
If you forget the past, you may lose the future.
If you forget the past, you may lose the future.
- splash
- Senior Service Rotorhead
- Posts: 13828
- Joined: May 1st, 2011, 11:02 am
- Location: Somerset England
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Well done James on an excellent build.
I have really enjoyed following this build, I wish I had your skills to write such a descriptive blog, whilst building the kit in such a short time scale. Seeing your build makes me want to build one of the British tailless a/c like the DH Swallow.
Regards
Splash
I have really enjoyed following this build, I wish I had your skills to write such a descriptive blog, whilst building the kit in such a short time scale. Seeing your build makes me want to build one of the British tailless a/c like the DH Swallow.
Regards
Splash
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Very nice completion, James.
You make a useful point re one-colour schemes and white. Compared to, say, Olive Drab, white wouldn't be my first choice.
Regards,
Bruce
You make a useful point re one-colour schemes and white. Compared to, say, Olive Drab, white wouldn't be my first choice.
Regards,
Bruce
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
A very good looking model. A short-run kit in a blitzbau is a gutsy move. Well done.
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale
- TimJ
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
- Posts: 4292
- Joined: May 1st, 2011, 12:54 am
- Location: Oldbury, West Midlands
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Great build James, well done.
2020 A:35 B:18. 2021 A: 51 B:25 C:21 2022 A:63 B:23 C:11 2024 A:9 B:4 C:15
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Great job you've done here james, and all white! very well executed and in no time...
2012 A:02 B:29 C:00
On the bench : Buccaneer // B-52D // 1/48 Lancaster
Coming up : Spitfire XIV (SKGB)
On the bench : Buccaneer // B-52D // 1/48 Lancaster
Coming up : Spitfire XIV (SKGB)
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Awesome work James. Very nicely done.
All the best.
Greg
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Brilliant! You're a better man, than I, Gunga Din...
bestest,
M.
bestest,
M.
-
- Active Participant
- Posts: 517
- Joined: May 1st, 2011, 3:49 am
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Brilliant work, that looks really nice.
Re: MPM 1/72 Northrop X-4 Bantam ** FINISHED Aug 22 13:40 **
Missed this due to having been camping at the coast. You've completed a plane not often built, and to a good standard in the time. The only problem with it which can see (and you've already commented on it) is the canopy seam. Well done!
I'm a mostly full-time modeller put a part-time poster....