I really like this build. Your cockpit work is always very crisp and detailed.
Outstanding job, Jerry! Really nice finish. The He111 is one nice looking plane, and your model is a fantastic representation.
Mark
[:O]Wow! Jerry that is jaw-droppingly fantastic! [bow][bow] The glazing looks flawless, as does the rest of the build, very nicely done painting and weathering. Thanks for sharing this one with us,
Great job my friend!!! I like the cockpit, ad yes I know what you mean about working with very very tiny PE parts jejeje (I finish a special hobby FMA Pucara in 1/2 a few months ago)
regards
Jeremias
Thanks again everyone. i’m not sure I’ll attempt another 1/72. My eyes are still tired.
Jerry
Superb build Jerry! [bow][bow] I did that build myself a couple years ago and I know what you mean about the tiny cockpit PE parts. Those throttle levers were murder on the eyes. Congradulations on a great build.
Nice build, Dragonfly!! Beautiful!
Question on the masking. I’ve read before about people using frosted scotch tape, though I’ve never used it. I had a horrible time with Bare Metal Foil and pre-cut masks before settling on just plain old masking tape. As you said, using tape is tedious, but it works for me. Sometimes it can leave frays or be a little stubborn in the corners when trying to cut a sharp point or round edge. I was curious what methods you’ve tried and why you like scotch tape.
Thanks
Hi Dave…thanks! I’m glad you like my bomber. All the techniques for masking canopy’s are tedious. I think I’ve tried just about all the them for masking canopy’s, and yes, I’ve settled for Scotch Magic frosted tape.(not the regular). At first, I thought Bare Metal foil was best for me cause I love how it settles over the framing and conforms to curves. It’s just a matter of burnishing it down and drawing around the exposed framing with a #11 blade. Easy peesy, Japaneesey. The draw back is …it’s tough to remove and leaves glue residue. After that stuff is on for a while, you have to scrape it off with a toothpick which runs the risk of scratching the plastic and it always shatters into little pieces. It works but it’s a mess. The pre-cut masks I tried didn’t fit well and you end up with tape as well. Frosty tape, on the other hand, seems to work best for me. It’s similar to using BMF but usually comes off in one piece and leaves very little residue. If it does, just moisten a Q-tip in a little mineral spirits and give it a gentle swipe. The tape works great…just apply a piece that’s a little bigger then the window you want to cover and smooth it down. The framing will now be very visable under the tape especially if you hold it up to a light. Take a new #11 blade and carefully, with light presure, cut around the framing. Once I start to cut, I do not lift the blade. I simply turn the piece as I continue to trace the framing with the blade. the framing acts as a cutting guide.
Anyhooo…it’s still not a joy…but that’s what works best for me. It took 1 hour to completely mask the He111. Hope this helps,
Jerry
Jerry, I use the same stuff when I mask canopies. I burnish it down with a teflon-tipped tool that I made specifically for that purpose, then I further burnish the edges with a soft lead pencil. Makes 'em easier for these 49 year-old eyes to see. [;)]
HAAAH!! Gotcha!! Mine are 55
Jerry
Wow, your He 111 is gorgeous! (if an He 111 can be called gorgeous… lol). Your cockpit looks outstanding, your dry brushing really paid off. I’m also very impressed with the masking job you did on your canopy! [bow]
I agree with your sentiments on the panel lines, but it in no way diminishes the quality of the work you did, great job! [8D] [tup] [tup]
Thanks dragonfly,
The residue is the exact same reason I hated Bare Metal Foil. Same thing for the pre-cut masks, they never seemed to fit just right, or for me, sometimes would lift up on a curved surface. I use masking tape or tamiya tape the same way you described with pretty decent success, but I may have to give the old frosty scotch tape a try. I think it may actually cut easier than masking/tamiya tape. Even with a new blade, the little tiny ridges on masking tape can sometimes lead me astray just a bit and it can be a tad thick when trying to pick out the panel lines.
You’re correct…the frosty tape cuts very cleanly with a nice sharp edge. I love it!
Jerry