** Martin's Mediterranean 'Merican - Just Made it. Phew! **

[TobyC]

Lovely looking Spit in colonial colours

[Martin R]

Many thanks for all your positive comments.

It does look a bit different in 'Merican colours.

I have over-decalled the stars and bars with replacements from 1/48th Tamiya kits. The white bits look much more - er, white. With sufficient -sol and -set, they've gone down quite nicely. Stencils are also on. I'll let everything dry tonight. Tomorrow, klear and weathering.

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Thanks again for the nice comments.

OK, I admit that I am not as far advanced as I wanted to be. However, I was really not happy with the finish on the decals. After quite a few thick brushed coats of klear I hadn't really been able to kill the matt surround to the decals, and the surface had become contaminated with dust, etc. So, I took the surface back down as far as I could with 4000 micro-mesh and then re-coated with a couple of thin coats of klear. I'm now much happier with both the decals and the surface finish.





I apologise that the pics are probably a bit same-y , but I think you will be able to see the improved colour density of the national markings, some of the stencilling and, by the reflections, the glossiness of the surface. I'll let that cure now, then some oil washing will be completed tomorrow.

Thanks for looking.

regards,

Martin

[BlohmWolf]

Ho ho ho, thats looking great.

[Chris]

She looks real good Martin.

[Clashcityrocker]

Looking good.

Nigel

[DazDaMan]

Looks great, Martin!

[lancfan]

Very neatly done Martin.


David.

[Martin R]

Hi folks,

Since my last photos, I used the enamel paint dot technique on the gloss surface (dot blobs of oil paint randomly over the surface in the contrasting colours that you wish to 'stain' the original surface, then 'feather them out' with a wide flat brush dipped in thinners and then wiped nearly dry). I have made good use of this technique in the past, which gives a subtle random effect to blocks of camouflage colour. However, in this instance, when I blew a coat of satin varnish over the top it nearly disappeared. Oh well. No harm done, at least.

I then unmasked the canopy and some dust and crud had adhered to the inside. Ho hum. Nothing for it but to remove it - carefully. This was done, the canopy was cleaned and a new coat of klear is currently curing. I'll touch up the framing freehand tonight and then reattach it. I'll also try to emphasise major panel lines and control surface hinges with thinned Tamiya smoke, add the undercarriage doors, aerial, pitot, etc. then call it done.

As this is a presentation model, the extra time I'm having to take is necessary to get it as 'right' as I can.

[DazDaMan]

Just flicking through the latest Flypast magazine, and on page 97 there's a side profile of "Lonesome Polecat"!

[Martin R]

Just flicking through the latest Flypast magazine, and on page 97 there's a side profile of "Lonesome Polecat"!

I'm guessing it'll have white codes?

[DazDaMan]

It did, yeah.

[Martin R]

It did, yeah.

Oh, pooh!

Never mind. I'm not changing it now.

Here's how the thing looks at the moment, with the canopy cleaned, kleared and repainted and attached with white glue (and, temporarily, with tape). I have highlighted the control surface hinges and some of the removable panel lines with Tamiya Smoke.





I should have the thing finished by close of play tomorrow. Still, I'm not stressed if I don't.

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

OK, so the canopy looks OK, some exhaust staining has been added, nav lights painted and undercarriage doors, Pitot and rear view mirror fitted. I'm therefore calling this done - although that port wing root does look like it could do with some paint chipping at some point.







I'm quite chuffed with how it's turned out. I hope my colleague likes it, though. I will probably put some sort of base together in due course.

Thanks to all those who followed the build and posted encouraging comments from time to time. They were appreciated.

regards,

Martin

[DazDaMan]

Very nice, Martin. Gotta love that Otaki kit!