Bell X-1 Revell 1/32

Starting a new one…

I think it’s going to be a very striking model with the bright orange paint job. I love the detail on the pilot. I am just getting back to the hobby after a long absence, I am still very low on the learning curve. One day I hope to be half as good as you. I see you use Taniya extra thin liquid cement, so that is one thing we have in common. I also like how you use the toothpicks in styrofoam to hold the small parts. What do you use to stick the parts to the toothpicks? I did a quick search and found Loctite Fun-Tak mounting putty. I wonder if that would work?

Yeah it’s this light sky blue stuff sort of like Silly Putty, but without the bounciness.

I love Tamiya extra thin! Be sure to keep a fan blowing!

Fund it! Look for “Blu-Tack Reusable Adhesive”. That’s what I got, from Amazon

Thanks for the info! I am looking forward to watching your progress on this historic plane. And I think I will pick up other good tips along the way.

More progress

Engine XLR-11

Cockpit

Taking shape very nicely!

Finished priming, put together main body and wings

filling in seam

Not quite perfect

Starting painting…

Looking good Jim! Nice close-up photo work too! [Y]

Would love to have a phone with a camera in it. Have to depend on using the wifes phone whenever I can steal it away for a few minutes.[;)]

Stay safe.

Jim [cptn]

Base color…

Apparently this is supposed to be FS 12300

So I’ve used a mix of Tamiya orange X-6, yellow X-8, and a little sky grey, then another coat of the same with a touch of red and orange to darken it up, and maybe 2:1 or 3:1 thinner:paint ratio. Still working on this.

Working on decals. Is it just this model, or are Revell decals really flaky? These seem really random in how they stick to the surface or get tangled up, etc. Not fun at all. And then once on, seem super fragile in terms of durability. Worst behavior I’ve encountered so far from various kit. First Revell kit.

Done with decals, next up weathering and panel lines… why on earth did Revell make raised panel lines over so much of the model???

The orange paint job looks amazing! I am truly envious of your skills. I can’t wait to see your weathering and panel lines. What is your method for raised panel lines? I have a Monogram F-4 and Revell F-105D on deck, they both have raised panel lines.

I did some panel line work, and then stopped to switch to another model, just needs some more weathering/details and then I’m calling it done.

I don’t honestly know how to handle the raised panel lines, I’d love to hear from others on that one.