2x Bf 109 F-4 (1/48)

[Guest]

the swastika should get a white outline but I'm not sure if I will be able to pull that one off :thinking:

I would kind of expect there to be two sizes of mask for that, a larger one for the white and then a smaller for the black. Are you sure the two swastika masks are exactly the same size? (Technically, it should also have a black outline around the white, so three sizes of mask, but I doubt you could get them all lined up correctly in this scale.)

[Steven000]

Thanks for the comments!

Yes I don't think I'll give the white outline a try, should have started with white before masking...

Would be a lot easier if they included the swastika's in the decals again. Could save a lot of precious time on the bench...

I just ordered a small decal sheet for future Luftwaffe planes.

Kind regards,
Steven

[Jim R]

Hi Steven
Coming along really well. The masking has worked well - very neat. That masking putty does tend to slump on vertical surfaces. Quite a problem as it means you have to work quickly - certainly can't leave it while you go for a cuppa :tongue-out3:
I'm enjoying this :thumb2:
Jim

[rtfoe]

Hi Steven, your plane skills haven't left you after 20years. Great build...just don't know how I missed this. Just went through the pages and seen the first time use of that putty...looks like slime from Nickelodeon. Blu-tac is what I use up till now.

Engine detailing... :thumb2: Dashboard dials...:thumb2: Decal masking...:thumb2:

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

Would be a lot easier if they included the swastika's in the decals again. Could save a lot of precious time on the bench...

You can buy decal sheets with nothing but in different sizes.

[colin m]

Brilliant work Steven. Stretched spruce is something I just have no luck with. I end up producing yards of the stuff for just an inch or two of usable sprue.

[Steven000]

Stretched spruce is something I just have no luck with. I end up producing yards of the stuff for just an inch or two of usable spruce.

Yes it's something you need to try a few times indeed : D, you need to heat it, but not overheat it, it should be just warm enough to pull it hard about 20-30cm. I find it doesn't work with 'soft' sprues like ICM, and you should try to heat the sprue about 1cm in length, so not exactly at 1 point if that makes sence...

Hope you'll be able to produce some thin wires :thumb2:

Cheers, Steven

[Guest]

Brilliant work Steven. Stretched spruce is something I just have no luck with. I end up producing yards of the stuff for just an inch or two of usable spruce.

I've had much better luck with hot glue. A blob on a coffee stirrer etc, touch it with another and stretch away.

Seems much more controllable but obviously no good if you don't have a gun.

[Lee Drennen]

Steven. That’s looking sweet great job on the masking at one point it looked like it was in a cocoon lol

[colin m]

heat the sprue about 1cm in length

That might be my problem. I use a heat gun which applies a lot of heat over a bigger area.

obviously no good if you don't have a gun

A glue gun Andy ?

[Steven000]

That might be my problem. I use a heat gun which applies a lot of heat over a bigger area.

Yes in the older (armour)kits they always showed a candle for making the antenna, the candle-trick still works for me so I keep using it. I heat about 1cm in the middle of the sprue, (I turn it around like a chicken) then the plastic turns shinny/melted and then I turn it away from the flame, and give it a good pull...

[Guest]

I use a cigarette lighter to stretch sprue — mainly so I don’t have to keep a lit candle around all the time I’m working with the material. The trick, IMHO, is mainly to try different kinds of sprue and different lengths of time heating it.

[Guest]

A glue gun Andy ?

Yes. I'm lucky to have one from previous hobbies but I'm sure not everyone does.

[Mini Me]

very handy tool...everyone should have one.

[flyjoe180]

Fantastic stenciling Steven