Hi guys! I just wanted to share a few WIP pics of my latest endeavor. This is a nice little kit with lots of detail, but still room for scratchbuilders to have some fun. 12 decal options (and these are not the Academy decals that give us nightmares - well printed, and I tested a few of them, and no problems whatsoever).
Added some brakelines to the struts and hubs using very fine solder. Had to scratchbuild the main gear actuator arms, as there are none provided →
Not much was needed in the 'pit. Just added some PE belts & harnesses, wiring for the IP, and a scratchbuilt gunsight mount. IP detail is OK, but the instruments themselves are just flat discs, so I drilled them out a bit and added some clear gloss to their centers →
The detail on the cockpit tub is nicely represented and just needed careful painting. Used Alclad II aluminum with a slight overspray of Tamiya clear yellow. The sidewalls were another story. No detail at all, and since so much of this will be visible, I decided to add some rib detail, a few boxes, and bit of wiring to dress it up →
Thanks for taking the time to look! Comments and critiques are definitely encouraged! [tup]
Mike,
Your work never ceases to amaze me! The subtle shading, weathering, and such on your cockpits and details always looks “right” to me. I will be keeping a close eye on this build, hoping to pick up some tips. [:D]
That is some awesome work there Mike. Totally amazing in 1/72 scale too! It makes me want to pull my 1/48 Tamiya Me 262 and start on it. looking foward to seeing more.
Soulcrusher[oX)]
Thanks much for stopping by, fellas! Your comments are very much appreciated! [tup]
SC, I really need to add another one of those Tamiya 262 kits to my stash. They are sweet! Built one when it first came out, but had to leave it behind (along with all of my other finished builds) when I made the move west. Figured they’d all be safer where they are instead of risking the 3200 mile trip.
Great Start Mike! You know this is one of my favorite planes and in my favorite scale. I’ll be watching this one very closely as well. [tup]
Thanks Dave! I know that quite well. Had a feeling you’d be stopping by! [;)]
Mike that is looking very sweet. Nice detail additions. Looking forward to the end result on this one.
Question about the underside interior. What color is it painted? It looks like RLM 02 or is it color shift inthe pic? From what I read when I did my Tam 262 these interior spaces were bare metal. Anyone that has more info, please correct me.
Excellent work so far Mike. Keep us posted.
Regards, Rick
Rick & Marc - thanks much for the comments, fellas! Much appreciated! [tup]
Marc, that part was tricky, and was open to personal interpretation after checking out my primary references, which were a) Aero Detail #9 - the Me262, and b) a site that I was told about by another member here (dragonfly), which contained some excellent detail pics. My interpretation of them was that the tub itself (with the exception of the center section) and both bulkheads were natural metal, along with the center bracing that ran front-to-back just below it, while the remainder, including the sidewalls, was painted RLM02.
You dare!! I know of another recently won subject that has your name written all over it.
Mike, awesome, my friend. And in 1/72nd [bow] Looking forward to the next installment.
…Guy
Thanks Guy! I’m glad you stopped in. Much appreciated, buddy!
The fuselage is nearly all buttoned up and the wings (minus the nacelles) are assembled as well. Did a dry fit, and the wing to fuselage fit is as close to perfect as it gets. This kit is making it easy so far. An online review of this kit said there were some issues with the fit of the nacelles to the wings, but I haven’t gotten that far yet. I’ll keep ya posted!