Stuart's Bench of Blunders

[Stuart]

Very nice, Stuart.

Did you spray or hand paint the Humbrol acrylics? They finish looks nice in your photos. How robust/not are they?

Thanks Ralph!

So these are all brush painted. The paints are okay but rather thick, so required thinning. The coverage was pretty good. They're no less or more robust than any other water based acrylic I've used. It's probably best to use primer, although I don't always. I've not had issues with masking tape lift, although they can scratch easily. They're okay after a gloss coat. ( I used Mr Hobby super clear from a spray tin).

I'd be happy to use them again if I can't get a Hataka, so I guess that says something.

[Stuart]

Nice Hurricane. What's the story with the 'oops!' on the rudder?

Nigel

Thanks Nigel!

I wish I knew actually, I'll have to look into it.

C130 binned!!?
Yikes!

Zvezda Hurricane, eh? One of those Snap-tite kits? Turned out very well. I built the 109F; quite nice detail.

Cheers,

David

Yep, old one binned, new one started.

That's the one, although I did glue it. I was pretty impressed with the fit overall and the detail. I'll take a look at the 109.

At last a completion! Good looking Hurri for the collection Stuart. It definitely suits the desert scheme.

Thanks Ben!

[Impisi]

nice Hurry

[Stuart]

nice Hurry

Thanks Martin!

[Lone Modeller]

Super Hurricane. The desert scheme does look good on single seaters.

[iggie]

Great result on the Hurricane!

[Stuart]

Super Hurricane. The desert scheme does look good on single seaters.

Thanks LM! I agree - I have a Spitfire and a P-40 to do in the same as well.

Great result on the Hurricane!

Thanks Jim!

[Stuart]

It's been a bit of strange week thus far - I lost one of my Grandmothers this week to sudden cancer, and although I'd not actually seen her for over 20 years, it's hit me rather hard. That combined with a rather flaky mojo - had me in need of a new project that I could just drop out of the world with and not have to think about too much.

So the other day I packed up the Hercky bird (which is now at the stage of needed interior paint) and the 1/48 P-38 I've been working on quietly - neither of which I have the head space for right now and have sat on it for a few days.

Last night I pulled these two out of the stash -



At £7 these are nice cheap kits, but don't let the shiny box fool you - these are very simple kits that I suspect are short run.



I mean, look at the glossy picture on the box and then look at the extent of the interior detail



So I had a dig through my bag of spare F-16 and F-15 bits, pulled out my plasticard, and got working on a new cockpit. Here's the F-5A. I've removed all the pins and sanded down the side walls and fitted a new cockpit floor - I'm just checking the height of the F-16 seat against the canopy. Next I'll build up some side panels and an IP - none of which will be accurate, but it'll look better than nothing.



Once I've got the F-5A cockpit done, I'll work on the T-38 (which I suspect is actually an F-5B).

Cheers.

[KellerModeller]

That's an interesting project, good luck with the old kits! But getting something nice out of an old kit is more rewarding than just gluing, isn't it?

[PGAS]

I agree with Keller. A successful build of an older or less refined kit is very satisfying. You also have a one of a kind kit in the end. I am looking forward to seeing how you deal with short run kits issues. Looking good so far though.

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother Stuart.

[Stuart]

That's an interesting project, good luck with the old kits! But getting something nice out of an old kit is more rewarding than just gluing, isn't it?

Thanks! I'm not sure if they're old, or just crap, but they should look close enough at the end to justify themselves, and I do enjoy scratch-building basic interiors and the like.

But that is true indeed, I do like trying to make old and simple kits look nice.

[Stuart]

I agree with Keller. A successful build of an older or less refined kit is very satisfying. You also have a one of a kind kit in the end. I am looking forward to seeing how you deal with short run kits issues. Looking good so far though.

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother Stuart.

Thanks Paul - that's appreciated.

Agreed, that is a fun part of it, to have a build that looks like nobody else's - even if it's just a case of robbing a few parts from spares to dress it up a little. I'm hoping to scratch-build some pylons for the F-5A, that's if I go with the USAF option - I am quite tempted by the Turkish one.

[Stuart]

Scratched up a basic cockpit for the F-5A - It's pretty rough but should look ok under some paint and through the pretty thick canopy.



With seat - I've also yet to install a control stick.



Cheers!

[iggie]

Sometimes going back to basics can be very rewarding, and I hope these two builds will achieve what you need in terms of headspace and enjoyment Stuart.

[Stuart]

Sometimes going back to basics can be very rewarding, and I hope these two builds will achieve what you need in terms of headspace and enjoyment Stuart.

Thanks Jim!