discussion ICM 1/32 AH-1G Cobra (early production)

[Guest]

They do look good. I suppose they’re made in much the same way as Archer Fine Transfers make their Surface Detail™ (don’t forget the ™!) weld beads, rivets, casting marks etc., which I understand are printed (somehow) as resin onto decal film.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Barry
Those decals do look excellent. PVA or Gator Glue is water based and is easily cleaned up and allows some wriggle time for accurate positioning. A good choice.
Jim

 

[BarryW]

They do look good. I suppose they’re made in much the same way as Archer Fine Transfers make their Surface Detail™ (don’t forget the ™!) weld beads, rivets, casting marks etc., which I understand are printed (somehow) as resin onto decal film.

There is no decal film at all with these Jakko.

 

[BarryW]

I have a gorgeous new girlfriend staying with me who bought me the Tamiya 1/48 Tomcat as a Christmas pressie, she actually takes an interest. Definitely a keeper…. Yesterday she took a sneaky photo of me at work on my Cobra….

View attachment 441441

 

[Guest]

There is no decal film at all with these Jakko.

No, I suppose if they are applied as solid slabs of resin, all it takes is to glue them to the paper directly, with no need for film. Archer’s transfers do need it because soaking off individual rivets would quickly get to be a chore

 

[Jim R]

By 'eck Barry. A pressie and shows interest. Definitely a keeper. I have had mine nearly 50 years and the interest showing bit is still rather hit and miss :rolling:

 

[Ian M]

You hit the jackpot there then Barry.
My misses is of the "oh that's nice" or " " with a lifted eyebrow. She don't mind the aircraft, quite likes the Boats, but armour.... meh.

 

[BarryW]

No, I suppose if they are applied as solid slabs of resin, all it takes is to glue them to the paper directly, with no need for film. Archer’s transfers do need it because soaking off individual rivets would quickly get to be a chore :smiling3:

It is a soft vinyl rather than resin Jakko.

 

[BarryW]

By 'eck Barry. A pressie and shows interest. Definitely a keeper. I have had mine nearly 50 years and the interest showing bit is still rather hit and miss :rolling:

I have known her for over four years, a 6' tall mid-west American who has lived in the UK for around 10 years with the body most 20 year old girls would envy.... I am very lucky.

 

[BarryW]

Some more pit subs done
View attachment 441522
View attachment 441523View attachment 441524

I applied a brown pin wash and dry brushed with metal powders.

View attachment 441525
View attachment 441526

 

[adt70hk]

Coming on very nicely Barry. Those 3D cockpit details do look the part.

As she does show an interest, perhaps your girlfriend would like to have a go at a build and blog it on here?

 

[Jim R]

Hi Barry
Looks great. Those 3D decals look superb.
Jim

 

[BarryW]

I have cemented some panels to the side of the fuselage and put the rotor mechanism inside before cementing the fuselage.

I departed from the instructions, after a test fit, and left the cockpit out, for now. It will be easier to fit later.

View attachment 441700

In the photo below you can see that I have not cemented the front of the fuselage as this will help me add the pit later.

View attachment 441701

I did this because the location for the pit is not very precise and it will be awkward to get it exactly in the right place before closing the fuselage.

 

[BarryW]

Just did a test fit of the cockpit. Pretty much spot on.
View attachment 441838

Not installing it before cementing g the fuselage halves was the right thing to do.

I will be doing some work on the seams, filling and sanding, before cementing the pit into place and then joining the front of the fuselage.

 

[BarryW]

I have decided to spray a black primer before fitting the cockpit. I am concerned about the joins and the primer will help accentuate any issues. To that end I am adding some parts now that won’t be vulnerable later including the bottom fuselage panel. I will not be cementing the front inch or two so I leave some play to help fitting the fuselage.

View attachment 442013

This stage of seemingly endless joint checking, filling and sanding is the part of any build i least enjoy but it is worth taking the trouble.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Barry

This stage of seemingly endless joint checking, filling and sanding is the part of any build i least enjoy but it is worth taking the trouble.

If you want the quality results you get then it has to be done - unfortunately.
Jim

 

[BarryW]

Another quick update.
I have also worked on a few more sub-assemblies shown below while filler has been drying….

View attachment 442015

These too will be primed when I do the fuselage.

 

[BarryW]

A couple more progress shots. The cockpit is in. I have a few more internet parts to do in that area. Beautiful fit and doing it after the fuselage was joined is definitely the best way to go. I also fitted the nose and a section under the pit. As you can see these are not yet primed.

View attachment 442255

I also have prepared and primed the rotor assembly.

View attachment 442256

 

[BarryW]

Armour panels added to cockpit and a few other additions.
View attachment 442479

 

[BarryW]

I have been attaching other small and larger detail items including the skis.
there is a towing attachment and wheels that could be fixed to the skis but I have decided not to display it that way, skis only.

I realised that the Cobra sits fairly precariously on the skis and it’s stance will be helped with some weight in the nose. Ideally I would have put the weight inside the front gun turret but it was already fixed in place so I just had a small space on the nose. The good thing is that even a little bit of weight will help as most of the extra fittings are ahead of the ski legs. Indeed it might ‘sit’ properly even without any extra weight but I want to play safe and it can only help.

I put a wad of thin sponge material into the nose and soaked it in pva glue to keep it in place and ‘catch’ the weight granuals stopping them from shaking down into the body under the fuselage floor. Then I poured in the liquid gravity being careful not to overfill the hole and impede the fitting of the transparency. When I did than I tipped a little c.a. glue onto the LQ where capillary action turned it into a solid lump and fixed it to the walls.



here she is now. I must get on now with the canopy construction This is not the best engineered area of the kit and is a little reminiscent of limited run kits with no positive locations Fingers crossed I will come to that fresh tomorrow having today finished applying masking to the transparencies