Splash's Airfix 1/76 scale Cromwell ***Finished***

[splash]

Alan, when I built mine I painted the wheels and tracks separately on the sprues, assembled and painted the hull and fitted the wheels and tracks afterwards, touching in where needed.

David.

That sounds like a cunning plan that could work

[chrism]

Alan, when I built mine I painted the wheels and tracks separately on the sprues, assembled and painted the hull and fitted the wheels and tracks afterwards, touching in where needed.

David.

That sounds like a cunning plan that could work

It does work! it is how I work all the time.

[splash]

As I'm not sure how the paint in the pots supplied will adhere to the raw plastic, so I have given all the parts a wash in warm soapy water, I know you are supposed to always do this, but I very rarely do

The next thing to do whilst the plastic dries is to transfer the paint into empty tamiya paint jars and add so thinners.

[splash]

The first problem of the day was the paint, I had to thin the paint down 1:6 paint to thinners to get it thin enough to spray carrying out a test spray show the paint will cover but will require several light coats to stop orange peeling.

As for the kit assembly, Airfix has got the procession fit spot on, I can't see this kit requiring any filler.

[rob_van_riel]

I had to thin the paint down 1:6 paint to thinners to get it thin enough to spray

That about matches my recent experiments with various acrylics and IPA. At that ration, you should have enough for the multiple thin coats you mention, so I guess it all balances out. What did you thin them with?

[jssel]

Good morning Alan. On board and watching. Thank you for the paint information. Good luck to you.

[Old_Tonto]

On board and watching Splash. Interested to see how those paints spray as I have a mountain of them.

[iggie]

Nice watch!

I have found that acrylics need way more thinners than you'd think to spray; 3:1 thinner to paint being the least, 5 or 6:1 being typical...the little Airfix starter pots can last for ages used this way!

[splash]

I had to thin the paint down 1:6 paint to thinners to get it thin enough to spray

That about matches my recent experiments with various acrylics and IPA. At that ration, you should have enough for the multiple thin coats you mention, so I guess it all balances out. What did you thin them with?

I'm using "Mr Color Leveling Thinner 400" .

The tank body has gone together with no issues and I have cheated slightly by using Tamiya NATO Black to spray the wheels before I spray the wheel centres green.

[ShaunW]

Great start Alan and this is a great looking kit. I've never used the Airfix starter paints but I am aware that just about everyone seems to chuck them away! I treat acrylics the same as enamels for airbrushing and thin them to the approximate consistency of milk, making sure the paint and thinner is thoroughly stirred, test spray on my old F-4 airbrush queen and adjust the paint:thinner ratio/compressor pressure thereafter if required. Although my methodology might seem to be a bit hit and miss it works for me!

[Old_Tonto]

Although my methodology might seem to be a bit hit and miss it works for me!

Thats the same way I work Shaun.

Any more progress Splash?

[splash]

Although my methodology might seem to be a bit hit and miss it works for me!

Thats the same way I work Shaun.

Any more progress Splash?

And the same for

This paint needs a surprising amount of thinners, in the end I have added enough thinners to fill a 10ml Tamiya paint pot and it now flows on max pressure with out spluttering









After one coat

[Old_Tonto]

Looking very nice mate. Some lovely details on that kit and a great idea cutting a circle out of the masking tape for the wheels. I'll remember that one.

[splash]

Time out for lunch.

[jssel]

Some proper blitzfood. Very nice progress. Just a note here: I have been trying Vallejo Model Air paints and my first attempts appear similar. Model Art goes on right out of the bottle.