Okay so this is my second attempt at model building. This one took me about 3 weeks working with painting and glueing… What do you guys think? Suggestions, comments and advise welcome!
Not bad for your second build. It would look a lot better if you paint the frame work on the canopies and other window pieces. I would also suggest more lighting when taking photos. What scale is it?
I just noticed that your U.S. markings on the fuselage and the wing are upside down.
Also, the rudders are upside down.
Okay so stuff I have to work on…
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Better lighting when taking pictures
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careful with the decals to make sure that they are the right direction
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the rudders, i did notice that but only after i had glued them in place. I might go back and try to fix that, but then the decals would be upside down two.
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go back and paint the frame work on the windows. I need a better paint brush for that.
Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate that. Helps with working on the next one that I will be trying. Any other suggestions?
You might be able to fix the decals. If you didn’t seal them with clear cote afterwards then you might be able to brush water over them to loosen them allowing you to turn them around. Before you do that you may need to try and find some decal setting solution to help them adhere again. Once they’ve dried and then been re-wetted to loosen them from the model they may not stick as well. Setting solution will help them to stick better. I use MicroScale decal set. If you have a local hobby shop ask them about it or any other brands. This is a suggestion, though. It might not work.
As far as painting the canopy frames you can get masks for a lot of different aircraft models just for painting the canopies. You’d have to check around to see if any are available for your model. But, at least you can look for those masks for future builds. You could make your own, although it would be a little more tedious, by using low-tack masking tape and cutting it to fit the windows on the canopy. Just some more suggestions to help you out.
If this is only the second model you’ve ever built, you’re heading in the right direction. My advice would be to slow it down a bit and really focus on the basics, because this hobby is all about repetition of those basic skills. Dry fit everything and double check your instructions and references before commiting it to glue. Really learn to disect your instructions and take the time to question things - what is this part and why/how does it go there? Above all, don’t get frustrated. Everyone makes mistakes, but we learn from them and each build gets a little better as a result. You’re doing well there, so keep at it!
Looks better than my second model. Nice work.
Really good advice here. If I can make a suggestion…, before you start your next model, do some Google searches on the subject. It’s amazing how much information and photos are available on the web. It is excellent reference material that you can take advantage of to make your projects more enjoyable. For me, a lot of the fun of this hobby is learning about your subjects before I start to assemble the kit. But first and foremost is to have fun.
Don
This is only your second build? My second build had more glue on it than plastic! oh, and paint? I didn’t start using paint until my 4th or 5th model. so I would say you are well on your way. As you build more you will learn more. So don’t get frustrated just stick with it, and if you need help we are all here for you. And above all have fun with it!!
The decals on the wings are upside down too. The gallery section of www.hyperscale.com are great references and FSM magazine is a great teaching aid. As are the other mags. For window frames you can get tiny brushes at an art supply store, then use acrylic paint. Let the paint dry a little then gently scrape/rub off the paint that goes outside of the frame. Use plastic or wood to rub, NOT metal. And don’t wait too long or the acrylic will get too hard. It might take 2-3 coats to make it look even and deep enough. Masks are great, but expensive. Keep it up. Soon you’ll be airbrushing Alclad and snipping photo-etched.
Indeed. Nice work! [Y]
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
Besides ebay, where can get some replacement decals for this particular model? I want to correct my mistake but in doing so, the decals currently would be ruined. Where could I find some?
Any hobby shop would have aftermarket decals. You can get just the insignia from the aftermarket