[:I]Here it is. My first model. It’s a 1/48 Monogram A6M5 Zero. The biggest challenge for me was airbrushing. Hawkeye thanks for the tips, I used a coloring book and it has helped a lot, only wish I had done that before I painted the plane.[sigh] Oh well, live and learn. The kit didn’t fit together all that well so there are seams. I wasn’t quite up to painting the canopy so it looks a little blah. Please let me know what you think and any ideas or ways I could have done better. KU
Looks real good for your very first. Great job! [tup]
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better then my first kit. But I would like clarification, first kit ever, or first kit since you were a kid. Either way looks great from where I am sitting, and dont feel bad about the canopy you will find that drives pretty much everybody crazy…except maybe swanny or manstein those guys are machines.
hello Haligan, first let me say thanks for sharing. the first plane is in many ways the hard one to show but I think you’ve done a wonderful job! good stuff here. I really like the finish on this model,you’re decals look really good too.( that was my hang up on my first model ) The most important thing here is did you enjoy the experience? I sure hope you did I’d like to see more of your work! As for the technical stuff, looks like a clean build, no major seams from what I can see. The canopy catches my eye but don’t worry about it, thats a big step and imho is always a job in it self. I would encourage you to try it next time though. you may also want to read up on panel washing…Its a bit daunting but well worth the effort, plus there are a bunch of really great people here who would love too pass on their knowledge, tips, and tricks. cough…swanny cough,cough.But… its also important to remember it your artistic lisence, make it the you want it to look. well done and thanks for sharing… take care and have fun! mark.[#welcome]
I agree! My first was a total glue bomb with no paint!!! Two thumbs way up![tup][tup]
Nice looking Zero.
My only comment would be to challenge you to go back and try painting the canopy. If you are using acrylic paint, you need not fear making perfectly straight lines. Once the paint is dried, go iver it with a sharp toothpick and clean up the edges. A wooden toothpick will not scratch the plastic.
Besides, each time you do something (airbrush, file, assemble, etc.) you’re improving your own skill level.
Anyways, nice looking model. The airbrish work looks great.
Nice job for your first model. The canopy really should be painted. I know it’s a tough task on a Zero, but the only way to learn is to do it.
Regards, Rick
Well, first let me say [#welcome] , and a very impressive job, I must say!
Your airbrush work is VERY good, you have a natural talent for it, I believe. You mention seams, but I fail to see any obvious ones, so you have done well there, as well. Your attention to the little details (like the guns) shows that you have patience and a good eye for this hobby. I agree with Rick, if you possibly can, take a run at the canopy. Dip it in Future first, when it’s good and dry, mask it with a good tape or masking fluid (like Micro Mask), use acrylic paint and you will be surprised at the results. If disaster does strike, just drop the canopy in Windex and everything will wash right off, no harm and no foul. You have done a very credible job here, thanks for sharing and I hope to see lots more of your work in the future!
Brian [C):-)]
Looks a heck of a lot better than my first model. Keep up the good work. Here is a link to doing canopies that might be helpful. http://www.swannysmodels.com/Canopies.html
Just to add what has already been said, Great work for your first model[tup][tup][#toast]
I would give a shot at the canopy also.
PM inbound
Roy
Great looking first build. Go ahead and tackle that canopy. If you screw it up beyond fixing it you can always get a vacuform canopy from Squadron.
Thad
Great Job! For a first model you did great with an airbrush. My first was handpainted[:(!]urrrg, and had tons of gaps. My first model was actually a car but I’m into airplanes now[:D]. I’d love to see more models from you.
Oh! one more thing. If you could find a viynl mask for your zero it would make masking easier. Otherwise try scotch tape. You can see through to cut along the line with an x-acto knife or razor blade.
Thank you all for the nice words and encouragement![:)] Last Priest, this was my very first model, I never did any as a kid. My brother and I were more Lego & Star Wars kinda kids.
The seams that you never saw are on the bottom of the Zero, notice no pics of the bottom.[:-^]
Wildcard2, the decals did give me trouble. The pics don’t show it all that well so I took a close up. No matter what I did I could not get that Himomaru to pull down. All the others worked great.
I have to thank everyone for giving me pointers on the canopy. After looking into it and going to the LHS and picking up some paint I gave it a whirl.
It looks soooo much better![:D] I couldn’t or wouldn’t have done it without the help. Thanks for pushing me to do better!
Katie
One more thing…The problem I had with airbrushing was overspray. Again, no pics of the bottom so you only see some of the problem. I have been working on that and when I bought the paint for the canopy I picked up a Spitfire that I hope to post top and bottom pics of.
K
Way to go, Katie. [tup][tup].
You see, you’ve already improved! And now you’ll have a little more confidence on the next model.
I’m looking forward to the Spitfire.
You’ve done a great job on the Zero- very nice! Ask questions- folks here are really helpful as you’ve seen, and it’s a fun place to learn!
And 10,000 bonus Ninja points for choosing a Spitfire! [:D]
The canopy makes it look so much better. You should be very proud of your first build.
Roy
Very, very nice, and I am not just being polite! Your first model and you already have figured how to post a photo?! You are already ahead of me, congratulations. The canopy frame work is great, keep it up.
Daywalker helped me post the pics. I would never have figured it out on my own.
Thanks again for the kind words everyone!
K