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.