*** 'Nick' the Dragon-Slayer - DNF ***

[Miss-Stang]

Looks really good Martin!

Looks like you can handle 'blotching' very well indeed The patience of a saint!

[jssel]

The blotching was really worth the effort. Looks fantastic.

[Molly-new]

Agreed with all above.

Someone should manufacture paint pens for these camo schemes.

Now that would be a good idea.

[Martin R]

OK, a bit more touching up of grey, green, yellow and white, followed by painting of the canopy framing and a couple of coats of very thinned light grey to tone down the blotching and we are here:



Unfortunately, I also tried the Hinomaru decals last night and, unsurprisingly, they broke up a bit. Consequently, this build will not be finished in the timelines as I now have to source some AM Ki-45 decals (rarer than hens' teeth - I've looked). Tonight I will do some final touch-ups and paint and add some small pieces and that's me for this GB.

Thanks for letting me play. If you get a chance to build this kit, then I'd encourage you so to do. It's a nice kit of an attractive aircraft, and it has some interesting paint schemes. Just make sure you dry fit things, particularly the cowlings!

regards,

Martin

[Clashcityrocker]

That really is a nice scheme. It will only look better with Hinomarus.

Nigel

[DH-Drover]

You could always cut a stencil.

Dai

[Martin R]

You could always cut a stencil.

Dai

Good point, Dai, the only problem is the rest of the decals are equally crook (there is a tail design, some numbers and arrows). Admittedly, I could try to cut stencils for all, but I doubt my ability to do a good job.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.

regards,

Martin

[Miss-Stang]

Wow, now that's looking really nice Martin!!

It'll look great with the decals on it, shame about the first lot. Brilliant work

[DavidWomby]

Shame about the decals but the build and, especially, the camo are great.

David

[Stevehnz]

Martin, have you thought to try http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/product ... ecal-film/ film on your kit decals, its the go for rescuing those old & suspect decals & works pretty well in my experience & from what I've seen on line as well. For some more Hinomarus, Techmod among others do a sheet of them for pretty reasonable money too. I love your blotching, it looks fantastic & seeing how I've one of these in stock, I'd welcome some more info as to how you did it?
Steve.

[Titan]

Shame about the decals Martin but bravo for the work you have put into it so far, it looks stunning.

Regards
Mark

[Martin R]

Miss-Stang, Steve, Mark,

Many thanks! Your words are a great encouragement.

@ Steve,

I am happy to expand on what I did with the blotches, although there's not much to say: draw on random coloured blotches in pencil on semi-gloss finish; spend 3 hours filling them in a number of times with Tamiya IJAAF green and a tiny brush, but not worrying too much about the edges on subsequent coats so they look slightly lighter; let the green dry, then put some very thinned light grey acrylic over the top as a filter with a wide flat and stiff brush.

Thanks for the tip about decal film. I did think about ordering some but, inevitably, I left it too late and thought I'd chance my arm without it. Anyway, the majority of the decals shattered, so that's that. I'll leave it until I can source some new ones.

regards,

Martin

[Stevehnz]

Thanks Martin, when you put it like that, it doesn't sound too daunting. I think I could manage that.
Steve.