Is there something that people absolutely hate about building warplanes? I know, I cringe everytime I see the cockpit and all the bracing that needs masking. I absolutely hide under the table. I do it in small sections over the course of the project. This way, when the plane is done, it is done. I am now looking at the Stuka from Hasegawa I just bought and am under my desk now in fear. How many braces are there in this cockpit. THat is almost why I would prefer building bubble tops over birdcage corsairs, even though the bircage, when it is all said and done is so cool.
The second thing I hate is the landing gear assembly on corsairs. So many parts and so tedious. Looks awesome when done but a lot of work.
I will generally begin a project with the intentions of doing the cockpit and whatever details that will be visible, first, but it seems when I do that, I burn-out on that particular project. Then I will take down the model I was working on a couple weeks ago, and work on it until I start getting in a hurry… then… the process starts all over again.
In another thread, they were talking about how many projects we work on at the same time, and for me, this is how that is accomplished.
When I was younger, I could turn a plane out every day and feel pretty good about them, but along the line I have come to appreciate adding detail, which consumes time, thus leading to burn-out. So I guess we must all strive to find a happy medium, where detailing and learning may continue. “Pixilator” said something a while back that made more sense than anything I’ve heard for a long time… about how we’re not perfect, if we were, there wouldn’t be any need to go on. For me, the prospect of learning/applying some new technique creates the challenge… which creates the motivation. (then we move on to the next kit)[:D]
By the way, I have seven projects in limbo at this time.
Frank
Hey NSCLCCTL;
Have you ever tried Liquid Masking?, it’s a lot easier then to cut & paste the strips of tape for the canopy framing, and it’s comes out more crisper and defined, also the liquid masking also cleans the Clear Styrene
Save your sanity - buy Black Magic Masks. I first experienced these when i did the FW-189A with it’s massive greenhouse then used a set on a Monogram B-29. These things are real life savers. On my current B-17F to E I’m trying out Fast Frames masks and they seem to be pretty nice also. I resort to tape and liquid frisket as a last resort but I spend a lot more time on the fun stuff now.
… nice “189” Swanny!! [bow] That’s in the top three of my favorite period aircraft You made that greenhouse look real, which is no small task, thanks for the picture!
I do not enjoy masking canopies, but the decent results I’ve acheived with Frisket Paper have pulled me through the effort of masking an He-111 cockpit “greenhouse” - in 1/48 scale.
I used to hate canopies, all that masking, cutting it to size whilst not leaving scratches…it was becoming a real problem. I found what works for me is using a liquid mask. I take a blob of the stuff and gently guide it into the canopy frame with the brush.
I know lots of people who don’t like this method, but it works for me.
I too would have to say Masking Canopies…Ive tried liquid,tape…still hate it havent tried Swannys idea though…where can I get some…never even heard of the stuff until now.
