Caricature Kit S-B *** Open***

[JohnRatzenberger]

The Caricature Kit Shared Build Workbench is open.

The procedures, sign-up, and queue management are in the GB/SB Chat.

As said, this is new, we may need to refine things - any questions or problems, ask away at the chat link above; this thread is for modeling.

Thanks, Steve & John

[flakmonkey]

Thanks John.

Well, I will go first. Now, a minor problem has reared its head, namely upon opening the Meng Tiger II box I appear to be short of a lower hull and a track.

Very odd, I am sure they were there last time I looked.

Anyway, in the interests of expediency I have ordered a secondTiger II kit which shall arrive tomorrow, and in the meantime there really is no reason not to begin with what I have. I think what I shall do is start with the upper hull and turret assemblies, and dive more or less straight into painting.

Given that I haven't even decided on a camouflage scheme yet, this will be... interesting.

I have a few things I need to do today, and so shall commence hostilities this evening.

[flakmonkey]

As previously threatened, I have made a start on the Meng World War Toons Tiger II.

Obligatory sprue shot:



This evening's objective is to make some significant proghress on the upper hull and turret. Which I have done.



Although this is a "snap kit" I have chosen to use cement in certain areas. I have used Mig Ammo standard cement, which is really lovely. I do enjoy using the Mig Ammo range. I have also drilled out the MG-34 muzzle. There was really no need to do this but I wanted to try out the new set of drill bits I have just received, which are intended for use in CNC machining centres for drilling out printed circuit boards. I am very pleased with them.

I have given everything a thorough clean with IPA, and shall get some Vallejo surface primer on, shortly.

Still not decided on a camouflage pattern.

The kit itself is beautifully moulded and engineered (it's a Meng!) and it does feature the anti-jabo armour plates on the engine deck, which were fitted to prevent an errant Typhoon from turning your very expensive Tiger II into a static exhibit.

So far, so good.

[AndrewR]

You can never have too many:




Spitfire Mk V by the look of it.




Nice artwork, Tamiya paint call-outs, decals AND stickers for our old friends 303 (Polish) Sqn. RAF.





Two sprues of khaki-ish plastic, with wheels and prop on a black sprue. Very Matchboxesque.



It might be an eggplane, but they have the gull wing Must be a seagull egg.



Restrained engraved panel lines. Reasonable interior detail. Two alternative instrument panels, one flat, for decal or stickers, and one with raised panel details, which I will be using. The only negative thing is that the exhausts are moulded on, rather than separate pieces.

The wings take about 5 minutes to assemble. Perfect snap-fit, no glue needed.






I'm painting the interior, so I should make more progress tomorrow.



This should be fun.

[flakmonkey]

That looks lovely, Andrew. Great choice. You can never have too many.

[flakmonkey]

Achievement unlocked, as I have the upper hull parts largely constructed and in two very thin coats of Vallejo surface primer.



Vallejo surface primer has its idiosyncracies, and really does like to be left to its own devices for 12 hours after applying, so I do try to plan my sessions around this requirement. It is, however, self levelling and is as tough as boots as long as you have thoroughly cleaned the plastic. i like to use IPA for this.

The gun barrel is worthy of note; a single piece slide moulded item that looks very effective.

I have, for the time being, left off the tools, towing cables, exhausts, and commander's cupola assembly, but this is now ready for paint in tomorrow's evening session. I shall be starting with Olivgrun, and I have settled on a camo pattern which I think will look pretty good on this wee beastie.

[AndrewR]

I am a big fan of Vallejo primer too. I like the choice of colours. The sand colour is a perfect undercoat for yellow or orange.

[Clashcityrocker]

A very nicely moulded pair of kits.

Nigel

[AndrewR]

A very nicely moulded pair of kits.

Nigel

The Tiger Model is a very good moulding, and I wish they did a correctly scaled Spitfire!

[AndrewR]

An hour at lunchtime. Cockpit painted and assembled. I used the raised instrument panel, and picked out the dials in black, then drybrushed silver on it. Good enough.






The only thing you don't get are seatbelts, but as we're going for an OOC (out of carton) egg build, I won't worry about that.

Adding the interior, rear wheel and prop takes about a minute. All push fit. I haven't used any glue so far!











Good push fit on nearly everything. Problem areas:

Droopy ailerons
Wheels not locating on undercarriage
Join line visible behind pilot's seat
Very slight gap at wing roots.

A little filler and glue should sort this out.

[flakmonkey]

There are, presumably, no seatbelts as the pilot on the real thing would have been a "push fit" onto the seat

Looks nice, Andrew.

[AndrewR]

There are, presumably, no seatbelts as the pilot on the real thing would have been a "push fit" onto the seat

Looks nice, Andrew.

[iggie]

Both the ongoing build are looking very good, egg-stremely so in fact

[flakmonkey]

This evening's goal is to get the camouflage pattern on the upper hull, turret, and rear armour.

I have applied a coat of RLM80 Olivgrun as a start. It looks like a second coat will be needed.



This will be a two colour camouflage pattern, RLM79/ RLM80, but a slightly unusual one.

We also now have a lower hull and a pair of tracks. It would be nice to get all of those in primer this evening. For the rubber band tracks I shall use a rattle can stinky primer, which will bond better to the vinyl material.



I foresee much masking fluid, blu-tak, and tape in my immediate future.

[AndrewR]

Pity about the rubber tracks, but maybe link and length on an egg kit is asking a bit much!