Perfection!

[ojays]

When we build our kits be it aircraft, armour, boats, vehicles etc., most of us tend to make as per out of the factory. (weathering aside)


Recently I saw some photo's on a military aircraft forum of my favourite modern day aircraft, the A10


Thunderbolt (warthog) and was surprised at the number of dents/rippling etc.


The photo's were taken by 'Jonathan Haylock' a regular contributor to the site in question and gave his kind permission to use them.


The nose cone dents are apparently caused when aerial refuelling, and the flaying nozzle misses the chute.


I also saw some photo's in a recent military magazine of Typhoons (Hawker), taken during the battle of the bulge. The invasion stripes were very crudely applied and even strayed onto the cannons.


Just makes me wonder why we try so hard to be perfect!!!


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[Alan 45]

It's a good point but I think it's a personal preference thing , I like to weather but that's because I like to see them all grubby and the other is my skill level at making factory clean is rubbish

[ojays]

I too love the weathering side of building, my point is the subject under the weathering tends to always to be unblemished.


Unless of course it is a scrapyard or crash scene.


I recently had the chance to go aboard a warship that was visiting Hull.


I was surprised to see that although the structure was a mass of separate panels welded together, they were considerably warped and pitted under the paint.


Unless of course this is the British Navy's cheap method of stealth technology !


Gregg

[Ian M]

I think the question is how many people can be chuffed to "tin can" a whole air frame. It is a valid point though. People mucky up the finish; oil, dirt and dusty. Scratches and chips everywhere but the skin of the airframe is a fresh as the day it left the factory... Hmm I feel a challenge coming on.


I have seen one aircraft kit given the canning treatment, it was a bare metal Mustang and it looked very good indeed.

[Alan 45]

Ah got ya gregg , I think it's a scale thing , from a distance the object whether plane ship or tank looks smooth and unblemished and that is why so many do them in a factory clean look

[eddiesolo]

Problem is scale Gregg, trying to mimic ripples and dimples can be very difficult even in a 1/32. I agree though, many things in real life are not what they seem, even new ships etc are essentially pitted and rusted even after just a few weeks. A vessel that is 50 years + with expansion, corrosion, vibration etc certainly not factory fresh.


Si

[Guest]

Yes I have noted this as well Gregg. Even museum pieces have the dents.


Recently a Lynx (Fleet Air) landed on the grass in front of the flats. Loads of dents etc. Also good deal of oil around the joints. But the machine despite the dents looked in fine fettle. I chatted to the ground engineer and he was obviously , the way he chatted, very proud of the Lynx. Come to the conclusion if you want to know about an aircraft etc the ground staff can fill in on most except the flying bit.


Problem is If you depicted all that they look like then they would probably look a bit ridiculous over the top. I suppose the difference is in real you are looking full size and unless you get up closish they look real good.


Looked at lots of Merlins (RAF) during building mine. I saw so many in a real state and thought not most would not believe they could get into that state and they did.


Laurie

[ojays]

I can see your points with regard to scale being a factor, as I can only build larger kits now as my fingers don't seem to work the same anymore.


It was a build thread on a foreign modelling site, that attracted me to have a go at a submarine build 1/72 scale (large for Naval Kits.)


His techniques to get the realistic finish he wanted, were so impressive.


I will never be able to reach his standards, but his build log was so full of interesting ideas it tempted me have ago.


Below is just a small sample of his work. Photo number 6 is the real thing, his work I feel is spot on.


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