Dang goobers! Real funny… [;)] Everybody knows it’s one milimeter to represent every 72 miles. duh
I gotta agree with John here. I build in alot of different scales, but mostly 1/72. Those kindof seams are seen in lots of different scales. Depending on the kit, you could buy a 1/32 scaler and find gaps and/or seams that are more difficult to deal with than those.
My best advice is to use a thin liquid glue (I prefer Ambroid) and make sure the two sides of the seam are kept well alligned as they begin to solidify. (It looks like the surfaces are alligned pretty well in your photos) On seams that are on a rounded surface like a fuselage spine, I like to use the kindof padded sanding sticks that you can find in the cosmetics aisle of any drug store or K/Wal/Super-Mart. (They tell me they’re for sanding and polishing fingernails - but I know better !)
There is usually detail that has to be re-scribed on this type of surface after sanding - regardless of scale.
Is that the Academy 1/72 Corsair ?
Chris
From a 1/72 guy:
Despite what some people will tell you, doing 1/72 really isn’t a different skill set from larger scales. Some paint schemes may require some practice with an airbrush, but that’s true of any scale.
It looks like you’re doing the Tamiya Corsair there. If you’re careful, this kit really shouldn’t require any filler. Dry fit and use a good quality glue like Tenax and the seams will be virtually invisible. At the most you should only have to run some 600 grit along the seams just to clean them up a bit.
If you’re just starting out, be patient. A lot of this stuff comes with time. I look at stuff I built five years ago and it embarrases me how bad it is. If you stick with it and learn from your mistakes you will improve, I guarantee it.
That being said, 1/72 is not for everyone. It has a lot of advantages but if you think you need to get into a larger scale to enjoy the hobby (and this stuff is supposed to be fun) by all means try out a 1/48 or 1/32 and see if it suits you better.
Thanks everyone for all the great comments. I will continue to press on with this kit and hopefully turn out a decent first project. I will definitely take more time and try all the stuff that everyone has talked about. I think I just rushed into this a little too quick. I guess you don’t learn if you don’t mess up right!
For those who asked, it is a Tamiya kit. It actually fit together really well, but I didn’t take the right steps in correcting some of the areas. Shaving off some of the small areas with the backside of the xacto knife has proved to be a good technique. One that a couple of you pointed out. I’ll keep working on this scale because I do like the size. Thanks again everyone. I’ll keep you posted on the progress.
It won’t help you on your present build, but for the future: I always fill the gap at wing roots and horizontal stabilizers with a mixture of diluted white glue, with a little detergent (dish soap) added. This is done after the wing is glued and set, using tube glue like Testors. After the white glue mixture dries, you can clean it up with a damp q-tip or small rag. Once the aircraft is painted, the seam is hard to see, and you don’t have to worry about sanding. I learned the technique some years ago in the pages of FSM. It takes some practice, but it does work. I hope you don’t give up on 1/72. It’s a great scale to work with.
I also agree about the use of an optivisor. I’ve used one for years, and wouldn’t build without one.
I am still in the “rookie” category; 1/48 as my first efforts in a/c, 1/35 in armor. I did build two 1/72 scale armors… ugh… one ok, one bad… decided to spend more time learning the craft then tackle the smaller scales. As I progress, I find myself adding less glue, sanding less, masking more… in short, I have gotten slightly better from experience. I am now doing a 1/700 scale destroyer with PE; spent one night building in which I touched NOTHING - everything I put together was either at the end of a moist toothpick or picked with tweezers. In short, practice with those old (and great) 1/48 revell/monogram warbirds and the smaller scales will become easier.
Modern jets at 1/72 scale are about the same size of many WW2 birds at 1/48 btw, in terms of shelf space…
Ditto to the dude that reccomended mr surfacer - I no longer use any other filler for 72nd scale models. It s a super thick laquer that comes in three “grits” of fineness’s 500 (use first - very thick with larger particles, then 1000 and 1200. use a super fine brush (I like to run a little laquer thinner in the seem first) and gently dab and bush into the seem, let dry (it will shrink) and then apply more - highly controllable, no fuss filling. test your skills on Academys rockin line of WWII birds - cheap, accurate and good looking OOB with every level imaginable of aftermarket goodies.
I don’t like the 1/72 scale either. That’s why I don’t build in that scale very often.
Burt,
You’ve gotten some good advice. Maybe I can add something.
I have to chuckle a little when folks say 1/72 scale is small. I build 1/700th scale aircraft carriers. Now, it isn’t quite the same thing, as 1/72 aircraft, but 1/700 is small.
One thing that I’ve tried to translate from 1/700th to larger scales is working with a bit of a delicate touch. This comes with practice and experience, but when sanding a small scale, you aren’t sanding a piece of furniture. If you think you need a medium sanding stick, use a fine one. Also, if you haven’t gotten one, get yourself a flexifile. This wonderful little tool holds a piece of sanding tape and makes it much easier to keep from flattening curved fuselage seems. It doesn’t take long at 1/700 to flat the bow curve on a ship. And that shows up on a small scale something fierce!
As others have said, you’ll get it, and fuselage seems don’t get any easier at larger scales. Everybody has to deal with them.
Try a lighter touch. It may take longer, but it is easier to manage. Besides, it is always easier to remove material than it is to put it back once it is gone. Eventually, you come across your own technique and be passing your ideas to others.
Mostly, just have fun.
Mike
Burt,
I haven’t read every reply in this thread in detail so forgive me if someone else mentioned it already.
Have you considered 1/72 jets? They are larger than WW2 aircraft and cheaper then 1/48 scale jets. I’m thinking of doing one myself so. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Jeff
Burt,
Every reply to your question makes sense and should be considered in your decisions on what path to follow in the future. But you have a kindred spirit in me; I’m a “rookie” for the fourth or fifth time (I have been building plastic kits for more than 50 years with large lapses scattered over that time). I still build virtually all 1/72 even though the Mark-1 eyeballs ain’t what they used to be mainly due to space limitations, but also to keep to the relative size of the aircraft.
If I may share one of my shortcomings with you, hopefully to keep you enjoying the hobby, it is that I expect too much each time I start over. When something doesn’t come out just right the first time, I get frustrated and what was fun becomes a competition or, worse yet, a chore. That accounts for a good number of my lapses. But when I accept that I need to run up the learning curve as I build, each time gets easier, gets better, and more fun. In whatever scale you choose, accepts its benefits and limitations, and enjoy what feels right for you. As for me, great detail is not necessary; All it needds is to look pretty good from a reasonable distance and my imagination does the rest.
Keep pushing forward. Each completed model will be a learning experience. HAVE FUN!
Thanks again guys for the pep talk. It sounds like just about everyone has been where I am at and that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I am determined to get over these hurdles and can’t wait to get this first model under the belt. Again, thanks for being my RMSG (Rookie Modeler Support Group). Ha ha.
Thats what we are all here for. On a side note, I remember finishing my first build for a GB. (Corsair GB) Was it perfect? Hell No! Was I really feeling good about it? Hell yeah I was!
All I can say is just punch through it and look at every mistake you made and try and resolve to not make so many on the next one.(notice I didn’t say make no mistakes)
DO NOT try and judge yourself against the experts here. I did that briefly on my return to the hobby and was so frustrated, I almost quit.
I’m looking forward to your completed build.
Happy Modeling Bro.
Regards,
Jeff