the names Dave, and this is my first model. I’ve always been interested in WWII hardware and my buddy introduced me to modelling a couple months ago.
Let me say I have a lot more respect for modellers now than I did before, the clean look of the vast majority of the models i’ve seen on thsi site is incredible and I obviously have a lot to learn.
I have a Paasche Airbrush VL…which I need to learn to use properly…as evident by the area around the nose. I’ve learned a lot about assembly which I will definetly use in my next model, either a Revell Spitfire or P51.
im getting married on saturday and money is going to be tight, so hopefully i’ll be able to put what I learn to good use when I can afford better quality kits.
any tips welcome(especially for painting the steel framing around the cockpit canopy)
I don’t see any thing to laugh at. It’s a very nice A/C. Hope mine turns out as well when I get arround to it. Thanks for the pics and reminding me I have one burried in my closet some were.
Your B-25 looks great, especially for your first model![:D] Definitely nothing to laugh at. I too enjoy WWII hardware, and those old Monogram kits are still some of the best, in my opinion.
There are numerous ways to paint those dreaded canopy frames. I’ve used the precut masks before with good success. I usually use those by Cutting Edge, although Eduard makes similar ones. A lot of people use tape, especially the tape made by Tamiya, for the canopy. It’s a pretty basic process: Just tape over the canopy and use a sharp knife to carefully cut away the tape that’s on the framing. I’ve yet to use this technique, since I’ve had such good success with the pre-cut masks (which are quick if somewhat expensive), so I’m sure others can be more descriptive in the technique. A product called Parafilm is used in a somewhat similar method, although it can take a bit of trial and error to get used to it (I wasn’t able to figure it out too well). Once masked, just spray away with the airbrush (just remember to mask the inside of the canopy to avoid overspray!)
Did you have fun?
That is all that matters
Great looking model.
Carry on. Look forward to your next one - build a P-51 or a Spitfire - everyone does- or so it seems.
Cheers
Sharkbait
Geez Dave, that’s nothing to laugh at, nice work. I shudder to think about the finish on my first model.
For masking of clear parts I use either a combination of a new blade in my Xacto knife, Tamiya tape and Humbrol Maskol, or pre-cut masks. I have used both Cutting Edge and Eduard and that both worked great.
Hey man great job [tup][tup][tup][tup][yeah]. That is a great start. Stay with the monogram stuff til you have a few under your belt. Make sure you are having a good time, when it gets frustrating, put it down and take a breather. Good job on the paint, to learn your Paashe better use it on every posible part. I airbrush as much of a model as I can. Do you have a compressor??? if ya do make sure you have a regulator on it… adds another dimension to your experience.
Masking takes practice, dont expect good results for a while… youll have to cut your teeth there but its worth it.
Looking forward to many more builds from you.
Dave you did a good job on that Mitchell for your first time.Were you have the darker shade of paint to the light paint gives me an ideal for a build.I don’t know if it was on purpose or by accident but were you have the darker and more glosser paint at shows on field repairs.This happen alot and the machanic did not care if the paint was faded as the rest of the plane.So you gave this old dog a new ideal for a build.So be proud of your work as it always is a piece of art.
As for your canopys you can use what is called micro mask.This stuff is liqiud tape and is pretty good.You can find this at any arts and crafts stores.Digger
No laughing here either. She looks great!!! Especially the the glass nose. For a first time build it looks better than what mine would look like.
Congrats on your wedding too. Don’t worry about affording the “Higher Quality” kits. IMHO the “high quality” of the kit is the end result.
I have seen some builds of the same subject that one kit costs $12.00 and the other has cost $45.00-$50.00 and there was no real differance in the end results.
Great work, Dave! A quadrillion times better than my first efforts, for sure!
The only general tips I can offer in addition to those already given would be to work on getting your straight lines straight (check the yellow around the cowlings and the tips of the props, the silver on the wheel hubs, etc) and refer to the instructions and your reference materials often during construction, painting, and decaling (to avoid such things as that upside-down national insignia on the fuselage!).
Don’t worry, it all just comes with practice. And you are definitely off to a great start!
Looking forward to seeing more of your work, Dave! [:D]
Not too shabby Dave, especially for the first model. That’s not the easiest build in the world to start with and other than a slightly upside down star she looks pretty good, much better than my first or even second. I see that my cohorts have already offered several good pieces of advise and the only thing I would add is about the use of putty. I see a slight gap at the outside edge of the engine nacelle seam (a common problem with Revell) and suggest reading this article … http://www.swannysmodels.com/Seams.html
Keep up the good work, I’m looking forward to seeing your next project.
Hey, Dave!!
Welcome to the forum, mate!!
And why would we laugh or give you a hard time about your model?
I WILL tell you this - it’s a HELL of a lot better than my first serious attempt…and remember - your NEXT model will be even better than your last!
Keep having fun - and don’t forget that if you have a question, just ask! That’s what we’re all here for. And no matter how dumb you think the question might be - remember that the ONLY dumb quesrion is the one you DON’T ask!!
Welcome again, Dave.
it looks as though you have a fine start. the stuff that caught my eye has been addressed so let me say good start and looking forward to the next one.
congrats on the wedding. may you both enjoy the time you spend together. and may that time be long.
Dave, I’m with the rest of the guys in that I don’t see anything at all to laugh at. We won’t go into all the mistakes I made on my first dozen or so, suffice it to say that your first efforts are infinitely better than mine were.
Learn from your mistakes, remember that everything matters (from the smallest detail to the largest), and make the one you are working on better than the one you just finished. But above all, just have fun and enjoy yourself. This is, after all, a hobby.
Word Up…welcome to modeling Dave. Nice first build - can’t fault you on anything my man.
[#welcome]
If you enjoyed the fun (and aggravation) of modeling, then that is all that matters. As with any hobby, the fun is truly in learning new things and applying them to your next project.
