Well here it is this is my first AM kit I built and thought it was really hard and a big challenge but turned out to be very highly detailed. It was also my first time using Squadron(white) putty to fill seams which worked out well. This was my second build for 2008. thanks for looking [:D]
All comments Welcome.
Hey Drew,
Wow, she sure turned out well… If you do not mind, could you explain more why this particular kit was challenging and what areas did you find hard? I kind of know what you mean b/c I built a few other aircraft by AM but some of us here have not…!! So in all speak up…!! Laughs
Also as for markings, was this an option they gave you or did you decide to paint it that way? Just asking… What type of gray did you use?? It looks really nice.
One thing I really did notice, the canopies look really good. Did you use a tooth pick by chance?[;)]
You are getting better by the build… Hang in there, your doing just fine… Thanks for sharing Andrew.
Flaps up,
Mike
Rangers Lead The Way
Nice work Andrew- very nice looking Vindicator!
That canopy has a lot of framework! Takes patience, I bet. Nice job on it! [:D]
Nice one, Andrew. Having build that kit, I know what you mean…it’s not their easiest, but it is a good example of the fine engineering that (at least at one point) had me thinking AM was the top model maker in the world (another discussion entirely). It’s amazing to think that the Vindicator was a front line dive bomber just before the War broke out. Nice job on yours…it should sit proudly in your display area.
Looks good Andrew. Not an easy build, but you did it well.
Regards, Rick
Oh Mike… I thought it was a challenge cause of all the parts everywhere and the kit came with PE seat belts to which I never worked with. I also used and express mask for the first time[:D] And The Markings are real. It was Tamiya XF-20 Medium Gray.
Sounds like quite the challenge Andrew, but you overcame them all! Nice job on a demanding build.
Nice build on a not so shake and bake kit.
thad
Andrew,
Very nice work, indeed! I think your canopy work is outstanding - that is a difficult job even with pre-cut maskes, and you nailed it! One small suggestion, on your next build, you might consider a black sludge wash on the engine, it brings out the detail with a tiny effort. I will be looking forward to seeing additional builds from you, you have a great talent there! Keep up the great work and thanks so much for sharing!
Brian [C):-)]
I’m building the same kit, except in yellow wings prewar scheme. Yours looks good, as the kits is a bit more of a challenge than I excepted. My only advice is that I notice that your decals shows silvering, did you gloss coat it with something before applying decals? That would minimize any chance of silvering.
It’s a nice kit, and builds into a lovely model with some extra care. The main bugaboos of the kit are the sink marks in some not so easily accessible areas, a few subtle snafus in the cockpit framing fit-especially in the stern area, tricky fit of the wing to fuselage joint at the underbelly area, masks that DO NOT fit properly (much too small to cover the window panes properly), and a few niggling errors in the instructions regarding parts fit and parts numbers.
I built mine in the Midway USMC No. 2 scheme, and it turned out wonderfully. I’ll have to take some photos and post.
Thanks everyone for the comments[:)] Waikong- I didn’t put a gloss coat on before But I will next time.
Brian- Sorry I dont know how to do a sludge wash I know what it is and sounds like a good Idea.
raptor, sludge washes are easy. In fact, you could probably still do one. Depending on which type or paint you used, clear coat it and use a sludge of the opposite type [ie-acrylic paint, use an enamel sludge]. For the sludge, I like to mix a little flat black, a little brown, a lot of thinner, and a bit of dish soap. Mix it up and brush it on so it flows into all the cracks and crevices. Then, if you have to, use a damp Q-tip to wipe off ay that stays on the high points. Its great for engines and cockpits. Really adds some great weathering and realism.
very nice job on the vindicator, specially the canopy! good job… I think I have some bookmarked “sludge wash” pages, I know Swammy has one… hang on…
http://www.swannysmodels.com/Weathering.html
and Wingnuts’
http://wingnutmodels.com/Washes.html
hope it helps!
GO BIG BLUE NY GIANTS!
Nice work Raptor! [tup][tup] I don’t see one of those built very often. Thanks for the look.
thanks razor, dave, and viper for the comments[:)] I dont know about the wash I saw it looks good but I kinda like my planes to look like they just came out of the unless they’re long time aces. Again Thanks
Okay Rap! Nice build of a beautiful a/c! Good to see one in War colors.[tup][tup]
I have a question about the molding, I think. Was not the SB2U a half metal/half fabric plane?
Your excellent build appears as though it was all metal…nose to tail. I thought they were fabric fuselage aft of the wings.
If anyone can correct me…please do. This doesn’t take away from that great greenhouse though! (I hope)
Nam
Thanks Nam. I have no Idea what theyre made of I dont know too much about that plane.
Nice build, I’ve never seen a Vindicator in that paint scheme before, looks good!
Well that made the build all the better! Didn’t know…didn’t care! Nice job!!!