discussion My 1st build 1/48 Tamiya Douglas A-1J Skyraider

[Guest]

G'day all went out shopping with the wife today for a new TV and we happened to walk past a model shop so the Mrs decided to treat me to a 1/48 Tamiya Douglas A-1J Skyraider. Might be biting off more then I can chew considering I had heaps of issues just working out what the right paint codes were. Apparently the ones on the instructions were codes for spray cans and I am planning on painting it with a brush and of course the codes for spray cans don't match the codes for the jars of acrylic paint. Fingers crossed I've got them right will go shopping for paint tomorrow, I will post some pics as I go along and I'll apolloguise now for the newbies questions I will be asking as I put this together. Cheers Wayne

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Hi Wayne, give this a go mate Colour charts. It's nice to know if you've got the right colour for the job, infact i'm never off there lol. Looking forward to the Skyraider too.

Have fun, John

 

[yak face]

Hi wayne , looking forward to the skyraider, one thing though- are you planning brush painting with tamiya acrylics? If so DONT!! they airbrush beautifully BUT are impossible to brush satisfactorily.If youre wanting to brush paint and use acrylics then id recommend vallejo or maybe even the games workshop(citadel miniatures) paints as they are so much easier to use. THe tamiya acrylics are ok for brushing on tiny areas but any larger and the paint starts to dry as youre brushing and lifts the paint youve just put on, you could maybe get some retarder from an art shop to add to them but to be honest id try the alternatives first, hope this helps cheers tony

 

[stona]

There's your first bit of good advice Wayne,hopefully it's saved you a bob or two. If you are not sure of any colours feel free to ask here. Someone will point you in the right direction.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice guys I will see if the model shop near my place stocks Vallejo paints think I've been able to work what the right colours for the camo are.

This is a Big learning experience for me and I'm enjoying it so far.

Cheers,

Wayne

 

[Guest]

Hi Wayne,

Only been a member myself for a few weeks but this place is a mine of friendly information, been given some great tips already.

I'm making a Tamiya kit too but the Spitfire MkVb variant. I made the mistake of buying Tamiya paints and it's true that their brush paint awful if your doing anything over small detail. I went for Xtracrylics for the brush and found them alot easier to apply and being water based you can thin them to flow a little easier.

Don't worry if you've bought the Tamiya paint though as I'm sure you'll end up with an airbrush soon, I tried one and was hooked, and they go on lovely with that.

A steep learning curve with loads of gadgets to try.

Good luck with the Sky Raider.

Colin.

 

[Guest]

Don't tempt me with the air brush Colin, think the Mrs is going to regret buying me the Skyraider LOL. Oh well it will keep me busy once I start it, because we live in a small unit the Mrs has laid down the law and I've gotta finish the diorama for my 1:18 scale Diecast model cars first might get into that tomorrow and kick that out then start the skyraider thurs or fri.

Didn't get the paint today had to go for an eye test to order my new glasses today, going to get the paint tomorrow.

 

[spanner570]

I only brush paint, and I use Vallejo Model Colour and Humbrol Enamels for detail.

Don't go over to the 'Dark side' mate, it's far too fiddly and expensive!!!!!!!!! lol

Cheers,

Ron

 

[Guest]

Got a start today decided to start off with the easy bits so spent a couple of hours putting the bombs and rocket pods together, still got a heap to do though before I start on the cockpit, I think the hardest thing about this model is going to be deciding on how to arm it so many rockets and bombs and such to choose from, probably enough to load 3 or 4 planes.

 

[Guest]

will watch this with interest, as the skyraider is one of my all time fav's. it's also on my to-do list

good luck with the build.

lewis.

 

[Guest]

got more of the weapons built today then started on the cockpit, went to the model shop today and got the paints but being a bit of a dumbass i forgot to take the piece of paper with the paint codes on it so had to guess got home and found I now have 3 jars of paint that are the wrong colours so going back tomorrow to see if they will exchange if they don't I will just buy the right paint. Watching a tamiya mozzie on evilbay at the moment so my next model is already planned. My dad's back in hospital (3 time in the last 5 weeks) so i wont be able to do as much on the model( ihad planned to have it together and ready for paint by next weekend.

 

[Guest]

Well progress at last will post some pics tomorrow, got the cockpit interior painted and the fuselage and wings put together hopefully tomorrow will get the rest put together, not looking forward to painting it realised today when I was painting the bits i did I am hopeless at painting. Hopefully will look semi decent when it's done I'm pleased so far though considering it's my first model in 20yrs. I've decided to just put the pilot in with bluetac that way I can take him back out and try and do a better job when i get a magnifying glass.

 

[Guest]

Got the preshading done today hopefully get the paint job going tomorrow will take some pics once it's finished..

 

[Guest]

Wow can't believe it's taken me so long to finish this model, well I only started working on it again a few weeks ago as I'm stuck at home in a leg brace.

Got most of it together and the painting done just need fix touch up a couple of bits and fit the decals. Not the worlds greatest paint job to be honest it's crap but done by hand with a brush got another 2 models on the way so will finish this one this week and start the next one.

 

[Guest]

Nice looking Spad Wayne and not bad for a hairy stick finish!

 

[Guest]

thanks mate, got a couple of noob questions now I'm just about upto decaling it.

Now I some stuff called carr's transfix I bought the paints the shop owner suggested I use it to put on the decals after they're on the model to help stick properly.

I've also been reading about clear coating models but have also seen that johnsons floor polish mentioned as well.

My understanding is I need to paint the whole model with clear coat before I apply the decals to give them a better surface to go on.

I gather once the decals are on I put on the transfix, when do I use the floor polish or do I really need floor polish at all.

Also once the decals are on and dried do I then paint the model with clear coat before I weather it?.

Sorry about the stupid questions

 

[Dave W]

You don't really need 'Johnsons Kleer' floor polish.We only use it because it works out a lot cheaper than the little bottles of clear gloss varnish.You need to give the model a coat of gloss clear before applying the decals.If you put them on a matt finish they won't settle properly and the carrier film will be visible.Which looks horrible and ruins the look of the model.After the decals have dried coat them with some more gloss varnish to protect them during weathering.Now you can weather the model.After weathering give the model a couple of light coats of a good quality matt clear coat.If you are brush painting you might only need one coat to cover the model.I would strongly recommend using Vallejo matt clear if you can get it.It gives great results every time.Its acrylic but you can paint it over enamel or acrylic finishes and just wash your brush in water after.

The method above is how I finish my models.Other people may do it differently.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that Dave I'm only painting in acrylics

 

[Guest]

Just about finished only have to give it another coat of clear and stick on the canopy will post some pics once I've done this. I am stoked by the way I did the decals normally I suck really bad but these ones turned out not too bad.

 

[mossiepilot]

A cracking looking Skyraider Wayne, better than my first efforts.

Lets see it when all complete.

Tony.