Mr. Tank's Wild Ride (finished Ta 152H-1pics)

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
21

Rick, please DO NOT get Pix going about Tamiya!
It breaks my heart every time I hear one of my favorite modellers speak ill of one of my favorite companies! [;)]

22

Another stunning build Pix.

Karl

23

outstnading work Pix

Thad

24

Thanks Rick, Brian, Karl, and Thad !

Rick - my collection is purged of all things Tamiya.

Brian - out of respect for you, I won’t launch into one of my anti-Tamiya tyrades. [:D]

Glad you like it, and thanks again !

25

Museum-quality work, Bill. I’d like to ask you to take a moment and explain your exemplary airbursh technique for the top color mottling. Are you using low pressure with a small opening at the tip? Something otherwise? Think it can be done with my single-action Paasche, or am I lying to myself? Do tell!

26

Hmm I might be wrong, but I doubt it could be done with a single acton passche.

Oops, forgot to mention (but it goes without saying) OUTSTANDING build pix!!!

OK, just a question, (don’t launch into a tirade now [;)]) what do you have against Tamiya kits? IME some of their airplane kits are amazing (like the 1/72 fw-190 a3)

27

Thanks for sharing Pix. It is your usual outstanding work. I’m looking forward to your P-40(no pressure)

28

Thanks ModelNerd, Tankmaster, and Ron !

ModelNerd - I use a Badger 150, which is a double-action airbrush. Differences between airbrushes, compressors, paints, and thinners prevent me from saying “mix to this ratio, and use this much pressure.” You need to fine tune your airbrush to paint the thinnest line possible without overspray. I use Model Master enamels and their airbrush thinner, mixed to about 50:50. My pressure is about 9 psi, and I spray from about 1/4" away from the surface. I practice spraying lines before I paint, and make adjustments when necessary so that I get as thin a line as I can before moving it to the model.

Tankmaster - my standard resopnse to Tamiya is “Oversimplified, Overpriced, and Overrated.” I can only speak of their 1/48 kits. The compromises they make to make the kit suitable for beginners leaves them less than appealing to me. They don’t provide a challenge for building to me, so I can’t learn anything when I build one of their kits. The only challenge left is painting, so why pay more for something that can be done on any kit? They’re just not suitable for my tastes and preferences.

Ron - I’ll be starting the P-40 in a week or so. After I get the Monogram P-61 and Airfix Mosquito assembled and ready for paint, I’ll start the P-40 and Hs 129.

Thanks again !

29

NICE job pix! You made that Dragon kit look astounding… as usual!

30

Thanks Jonj !

I feel that all of the kits originally produced by Trimaster are astounding. They need more care and attention when building one, but their detail and accuracy can’t be beat.

Thanks again !

31

Just curious, how long did it take you to complete this model? It seems to me that you work pretty quickly (in calender days, that is). Notwithstanding, excellent build.

32

Beautiful work as usual Pix - interesting comments about Tamiya. Just goes to show not all things suit all people and we all have our own preferences. May you continue to turn out your masterpieces irrespective of manufacturer! Looking forward to that Mosquito!!

33

Thanks TJ and Simon !

TJ - I’m disabled, so I get to spend 30 to 50 hours a week at the bench. I didn’t keep track, but I estimate that there’s at least 150 hours in the build. Most of my projects take about 100. With the extra detailing in the engine, cockpit, and wheel wells, it had to have been more.

Simon - if we all liked the same brand of cereal, there would never be any of it on the shelf. I’m in the middle of scratchbuilding the Mossie’s wheel wells, pics in a while.

Thanks again !

34

Pix, I hear what you’re saying about Tamiya. If I want to go for a huge superdetailing project I never go for Tamiya, because i want to get something out of it. I usually pick Academy or Revell.

That not withstanding, I still love Tamiya. [:D]

35

Tankmaster - it was their Swordfish that put me over the edge with their kits. At that price, you wouldn’t think it’s a “beginner’s kit,” but it can be built with almost no aquired skill. I think that they want to be too many things to too many people, and the compromises show. I think they price them depending on how much the market will bear, rather than cost plus a modest markup. I’ll bet they would feel no guilt if they could sell a three-piece kit for $100.00 !