discussion Gary's Academy 1/48 scale Wildcat F4F-F

[gweller]

After a bit of work this morning I think I have rescued it enough to be worth going further. Once everything has a good chance to dry I'm going to varnish it before proceeding with the detail work.

 

[Jim R]

Coming together really well. Cockpit and engine have wonderful detail. It is indeed a shame that a lot won't be seen.

 

[Steven000]

Nice progress Gary, looks like you fixed the painting issue well

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Great recovery Gary.

 

[gweller]

Thanks chaps! Yes I was relieved it came out reasonably ok. Going to varnish it first to protect the finish before going further.

 

[gweller]

Tried to add a bit of weathering and sone panel lines before proceeding further. Not sure it was a great success... I'm still struggling with all that sort of stuff, trying to get the balance of making it show without over doing it a screwing it all up! I would have liked the areas around the panel lines on the fuz to be less dirty, and the lines more sharply defined, still next time better!

 

[gweller]

Decals and a coat of matt varnish now added. The white antenna on the fin is a scratch made replacement for the kits after I managed to break it off while doing the decals despite the fact that I had protected it with a strip of foam packing.

 

[Steven000]

Looking good Gary

 

[gweller]

Thanks! I'm a bit happier with it now than I was at first, after applying the weathering. The decals and the varnish have toned it down a bit.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I'm a bit happier with it now t

I would be too, thats looking really well Gary.

 

[flyjoe180]

Looks great Gary

 

[gweller]

It's approaching completion (and hopefully I'll be able to post so photos of it over the weekend) with the exception of the antenna wire. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to use. Fishing line?? Thin needlework thread of some kind?? Anyone got some suggestion??

 

[Steven000]

Fishing line?? Thin needlework thread of some kind?? Anyone got some suggestion??

I used thin needlework thread for many years, but then bought one time 'ammo .02 rigging wire' which I like very much, it stays a bit elastic so the wire don't start to sag over time.

 

[gweller]

Excellent! Thanks Steve, going to order some ASAP.

 

[gweller]

So very nearly there! Just need to add some small decals, do a few touch-up and when the rigging wire arrives finish of the antenna. I'm reasonably pleased with it, although it could be a lot better in a few places. It was certainly a bit different to the 1/72 fast jets I have been building lately, and this was my first 1/48 scale job after coming back into the hobby. Hopefully I can apply the lessons learned on the GB Spit!

PS the canopy framing looks terribly in close up.... it's a lot better in real life, honestly

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

it's a lot better in real life, honestly

I dont know what it is about photographs but they show up every fault. The amount of times I have put up completed photos of a model and then noticed a fault that had eluded me throughout the build. That is a beauty Gary, looks amazing well done.

 

[Neil]

Good job Gary, I think the weathering looks subtle and effective, rather underdo it than overdo it. I may need to invest in the rigging wire too.

 

[gweller]

I dont know what it is about photographs but they show up every fault. The amount of times I have put up completed photos of a model and then noticed a fault that had eluded me throughout the build. That is a beauty Gary, looks amazing well done.

Thanks Steve! At least having now taken the photos I have a chance to see what is wrong and try to correct it,

 

[gweller]

Good job Gary, I think the weathering looks subtle and effective, rather underdo it than overdo it. I may need to invest in the rigging wire too.

Thanks Neil. Weathering is for me still one of the most difficult parts of the build. There is something that goes against the grain in dirtying up a model that you have just done your best to paint as neat and tidy as possible. Think I will give it a miss for the Spitfire build and pretend it's a museum exhibit....