At last! You can get it in Moscow - KLEAR!!!!!!!!

[Guest]

Alright all.

Sorry for my absence recently, i had an interesting visit to Irkutsk by Lake Beikal in Siberia. Beautiful place. No model shops though. ... only GULAGs.

Anyway, yesterday i was wandering around Moscow (got back on Friday) looking for a particular model shop everyone seems to be harping on about. I found it planning not to buy anything but came out having spent about 40 quids worth. You guys will seriously laugh at me now, but behind the seemingly under-nourished sales assistant there was a bottle of this Johnsons Klear. Knowing how this seems to be like an indespensible product for most modellers, i asked to buy it. The bottle wasn't for sale but they would pour some in a small 100ml medicine bottle for you for EIGHT QUID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, i parted with EIGHT quid because there are no similar products available in Russia. I've looked everywhere.

I've almost finished my Tamiya Wespe. I christened it with Klear and the result is superb. All i have to do now is put the tracks on and add a bit of wash and decals. I bought a matt base to mix in with the klear for a matt finish once it's finally complete.

And for my old mate Patrick, yes i have recently opened the box to the Mossie as my next project.

Good to be back on the forum

Paul:dancing2:

[Guest]

Welcome back Paul,

Well, that's eight quid well spent in our eyes mate! Congrats on the find. Honestly, if you're struggling for some, I could always post some to you if your allowed to post liquids that is. Just PM me with your address and I can mail you it.

Chris

[Guest]

lol well done Paul, both for finding the Klear & for starting the Mossie! Can't imagine why the Russkies would want floor wax for it's intended purpose though! Can you get windolene there to clean brushes up with? And as Chris said, let us know & we'll get a few bottles to you, can't pay 8 quid a time-or a business arrangement where you undercut the competition! Patrick

[yak face]

hi paul,glad to see you back , EIGHT QUID ,for a little bit? whos controlling the supply,the russian mafia?!!!seriously though they probably realise that its only going to get scarcer now its out of production so theyre making a quick buck (rubel?) while they can. You say youre going to add a flat base to get a matt finish, which flat base are you planning to use? if its the tamiya one ,be careful you only need a tiny bit or it dries with a white bloom , I tried to mix a flat varnish using klear and this stuff- after loads of different ratio mixes i still wasnt happy , either too shiny or cloudy white ,so i ended up using vallejo matt instead . Hope you have better luck than me , cheers tony

[Guest]

You're all angels lads!

Yeah Tony, i have the Tamiya flat base and the guy in the shop said also watch out. I'll do my planes with a satin finish but a shiny tank looks a little, well, completely wrong. I have a few Zvezda models to practice on first. I'm slowly switching over to Vallejo but my g/f told me to use up all i have first - so unfair!

Yeah Chris and Patrick, i might just take you up on the offer in the very near future. Windowlene you can buy here or something similar. I've definately seen that about. One of the problems is, when i go shopping, i try to recognise the packaging. I know a lot of Russian but many product names change from language to language. You can recognise Mr Sheen in any country by the "biggles" looking character

As for the Mossie, loads of progress, i've read through the instructions so far I'll open a blog page and keep track of the progress. There are two issues on my mind: firstly, unlike tanks planes don't allow much room for cock-ups and secondly, the cockpit requires so much detail which i fear won't be seen. But a part of me says that i should fo a 100% job

By the way, if you are able to send clear, i can return the favours. I heard some people saying it's hard to find the large bottles of Tamiya enamel and acrylic thinners (250ml size and only 3 quid per bottle). I can buy them both here and send them over. Interesting enough i often use Tamiya enamels and they're great, again any requests and i'll send some over.

Cheers all

Paul

[Guest]

Hey Paul, I wouldn't completely discount the idea of at least a slight sheen on a tank or other vehicle-matt model paints are often too flat to my eyes & lose a little of the 'metal' look. I'm actually tempted to paint a tank like you would a car model, all gloss finishes & shiny bits with a wacky paint-job!

I might take you up on the offer of the thinner. I can't even get the tiny pots at my local shop (and you always realise that you've run out after closing time!) & being a little wary of using strong solvent-based stuff like Mr Color thinners, it's all getting to me!

Deffo go for the 100% job on the Mossie! Even if people can't see it, you'll know it's there. Much better than that nagging feeling when you know that you've left bits off, even one's that aren't visible.

Patrick

[Guest]

Yes mate, that's exactly it - that nagging feeling I've been trying to improve my skills over time bacause the Mossie is something close to me. I lived right next to the Mosquito Museum in London Colney and once saw one flying overhead on display for the museum before it crashed at an airshow. A very sad day.Anyway, my airbrush skills have come on leaps and bounds and i'm ready for it.... I'm talking as if i'm about to undergo a perilous expedition ))

Next time i pop into the model shop i'll pick up several bottles of thinners then and send them over. The 250ml bottle lasts forever so it seems

Paul

[Guest]

lol starting any kit is a voyage into the unknown! I've opened boxes, had a fondle of the sprues, read the instructions & then put it away again! Writers, sculptors & other such creative persons talk about needing their 'muse' to help them find inspiration- we're just the same!

Cool with the thinners-just let me know how much & how to pay and it's sorted!

Patrick

[Guest]

Don't worry about the cost mate. We can do an exchange. Actually, three things i need would be a bottle of Klear and raw umber and burnt sienna oil paints for washes. I can send you a some bottles of Tamiya thinners as well as enamel ones - the enamel thinners works really well with Humbrol enamels. I like and will maybe change to the Vallejo range but i have about 60 bottles of paint to get through before i stock up

Paul

[Guest]

That sounds a good idea- I'd only want the acrylic thinner coz I've heard worrying things about using my cheapo airbrush with strong solvents.

Patrick

[yak face]

hi paul, i know how you feel about the mossie interior,when i did the revell beaufighter in 1/32 i started out to correct the cockpit and observers position , but after getting the datafile book i ended up scratchbuilding the full interior even though it cant be seen, it just seemed the right thing to do .If i hadnt id only have regretted it after , just make sure you take loads of pics so everyone(including yourself!) can see whats hidden inside, I did that but lost them all when the hard drive on the old laptop fried DOH!! Looking forward to seeing the mossie get rolling, cheers tony

[stona]

I've heard worrying things about using my cheapo airbrush with strong solvents.Patrick

Any airbrush may suffer from strong solvents. When I "deep clean" mine I use laquer thinners (VERY hot stuff) so I disassemble them and remove the little seals and washers.I only do this rarely or if a problem develops. My oldest brush is even starting to lose some of its chrome!

Looking forward to seeing the Mossie. I've heard good things about it.

Steve

[Guest]

Interesting Tony, i've actually got the Tamiya Beaufighter 1/48 as a project somewhere down the line. I'll definately take some pics of the interior and i think i'll be a lot more satisfied knowing i've given 100% rather than cut corners. I'm really looking forward to the Mossie project and will post regularly on my progress.

Steve, i'd be heart broken when my airbrush begins to die. After every modelling session, i completely dismantle it and give it a thorough cleaning with a drop of grease to prolong its life.

Cheers lads

Paul