Tamiya 1/32nd Mosquito FBIV - build!
Discussion
Right - built the 'kit' engine now - as supplied in the Tamiya box - this one will be hidden by the panels, so don't need the full detail, but I thought it would be good to compare the Tamiya Merlin and the Eduard one, which will be on show. The tamiya one is still superb...\
Tamiya tell you to leave that bit of sprue (bottom frame) on while you are building - I forgot on the top one!
You won't see any of this, but I'll still make it look nice
Joined with the previously prepared parts - all fits perfectly...
So now she can finally sit on here 3 wheels!!
Still gotta do exhausts...but panels will fit nicely...
Lots of stuff to work on obviously, but last big job is the canopy - a part that received universal praise in the reviews when the kit first came out....
Tamiya tell you to leave that bit of sprue (bottom frame) on while you are building - I forgot on the top one!
You won't see any of this, but I'll still make it look nice
Joined with the previously prepared parts - all fits perfectly...
So now she can finally sit on here 3 wheels!!
Still gotta do exhausts...but panels will fit nicely...
Lots of stuff to work on obviously, but last big job is the canopy - a part that received universal praise in the reviews when the kit first came out....
I made the bomb bay gun that comes in the kit - the Eduard one is in the model...
Canopy - multi-level this one - after masking, you spray the interior colour on the outside, so it shows through, then the outer colour over the top of that! Throw some PE inside as well, and it looks amazing - with an interior framework also built onto the model...
Tamiya supplies masks, but not die-cut which is a pain - Eduard do...
I used the tamiya ones to fill in the centers left by the Eduard ones - if that makes sense!
'Inner' color - cockpit green...
Followed by outer colour...
Some of the camo green goes over the cockpit...making sure it lines up!
Had to weather the visible strips!
Slight seeping removed with Windex on an cotton bud...
Now the frame...
Dipped into Future/Pledge to clean off the canopy - worked a treat...
Eduard extra PE set has a nice frame for inside the canopy...
Tiny PE parts within...
Dry decal on the top (with film on in this shot)
Just placed in to position, so not seated properly...
Right - bit of a break now - I'm relocating back to the UK, so all this has to be packed up for a few weeks - no idea how - then I can finish and photograph properly - so close to the finish as well!!
Back soon....!
cheers
Canopy - multi-level this one - after masking, you spray the interior colour on the outside, so it shows through, then the outer colour over the top of that! Throw some PE inside as well, and it looks amazing - with an interior framework also built onto the model...
Tamiya supplies masks, but not die-cut which is a pain - Eduard do...
I used the tamiya ones to fill in the centers left by the Eduard ones - if that makes sense!
'Inner' color - cockpit green...
Followed by outer colour...
Some of the camo green goes over the cockpit...making sure it lines up!
Had to weather the visible strips!
Slight seeping removed with Windex on an cotton bud...
Now the frame...
Dipped into Future/Pledge to clean off the canopy - worked a treat...
Eduard extra PE set has a nice frame for inside the canopy...
Tiny PE parts within...
Dry decal on the top (with film on in this shot)
Just placed in to position, so not seated properly...
Right - bit of a break now - I'm relocating back to the UK, so all this has to be packed up for a few weeks - no idea how - then I can finish and photograph properly - so close to the finish as well!!
Back soon....!
cheers
Wow - almost a year since last post! Sorry about that - back in the UK, and unlike the MFH Brabham BT52 model, this lasted the trip back home - so really need to finish it now!
I've started painting the figures, as a way to ease back into it and while I was figuring out how to power all my USA-purchased equipment, such as the airbrush! I'll upload the images, and carry on....good to be back!
I've started painting the figures, as a way to ease back into it and while I was figuring out how to power all my USA-purchased equipment, such as the airbrush! I'll upload the images, and carry on....good to be back!
allegerita said:
Fantastic work. I am far behind the talent, skills and patience to be ever able build something similar. The canopy is very well executed and looks like a real one.
However, would you mind 1 point of criticism?
Absolutely no problem - 1st plane/military - I'm learning at every stage!However, would you mind 1 point of criticism?
allegerita said:
I wouldn’t want to make any comments on your astonishing work so I had to think hard about what I wanted to say in 2017. After reviewing the photos I think it had to do with weathering and washing. I am an advocate of the “less is more” philosophy and try to keep washing and weathering as subtle and realistic as possible. I saw some pronounced streaks on the fuselage around the canopy, which I probably wanted to question at that time.
I have the 1:24 Mk1 Spitfire ready to start with, so I will follow your build with interest.
That is quite alright allegerita - part of the reason to post on here and other forums is to learn from other skilled modelmakers - I fully agree that one of the skills with weathering is 'when to stop' - this is the first kit I have ever attempted any sort of weathering, so very much learning as I go. Since I started this, I have seen many examples of different styles - one I particularly like is the 'faded' look I have seen a lot of recently.I have the 1:24 Mk1 Spitfire ready to start with, so I will follow your build with interest.
The finish on this model stems from using oil washes - the ver close up pictures probably exaggerate the actual effect....in reality the look is 'dirty' - and I have tried to replicate air flow - a bit like a grubby plane that has flown through rain...it isn't finished yet - got to add exhaust etc.
I have chosen the models I have started (since I re-visited the hobby from childhood) have been chosen to learn different skills - so I have a WWII bulldozer I have started in order to try chipping/rust etc...
On this kit, I re-visited the cockpit a little to make it less 'dirty' - some I can't change now, and skills I have read about/developed since I started this model will have to wait until the next one!
About time I updated this thread!
Amazingly - I've finished the model! I can't wait to be settled enough to set up a proper 'permanent' man-cave modelling table, but right now I am still semi-permanent, so modelling has taken a back seat for a while - but I HAD to finish this beauty, as I was so close...I did sneak the Airfix 1/24 Spitfire build in, which I built for a friend - I already posted that on here.
I'll update the build process first..
Amazingly - I've finished the model! I can't wait to be settled enough to set up a proper 'permanent' man-cave modelling table, but right now I am still semi-permanent, so modelling has taken a back seat for a while - but I HAD to finish this beauty, as I was so close...I did sneak the Airfix 1/24 Spitfire build in, which I built for a friend - I already posted that on here.
I'll update the build process first..
Thanks mate - appreciated....
So, where was I - the Mossie made it back from New York ok, but has been sat waiting for the final touches - fitting the canopy, tail fin, exhausts, props & final weathering touch ups etc....and some crew! I'd left it too late to add any crew into the cockpit (I wanted everything visible and not blocked - of course, once closed up you can't see anything anyway) - but there is a pilot posed to climb the ladder into the cockpit, so I may well use him. Never having painted any figures, I painted all of them while I did the 1/24 Spit pilot.
First layers of colour...now adding some depth. Gloss will be removed at the end (matt)
At this point I took some new shots in the photo cube...just testing!
Engines have no detail paint at this point - or exhausts...
Also got a few shots of things that will soon disappear!
So, where was I - the Mossie made it back from New York ok, but has been sat waiting for the final touches - fitting the canopy, tail fin, exhausts, props & final weathering touch ups etc....and some crew! I'd left it too late to add any crew into the cockpit (I wanted everything visible and not blocked - of course, once closed up you can't see anything anyway) - but there is a pilot posed to climb the ladder into the cockpit, so I may well use him. Never having painted any figures, I painted all of them while I did the 1/24 Spit pilot.
First layers of colour...now adding some depth. Gloss will be removed at the end (matt)
At this point I took some new shots in the photo cube...just testing!
Engines have no detail paint at this point - or exhausts...
Also got a few shots of things that will soon disappear!
I added a bit of shadow to the canopy...
...although I seem to have not taken any pictures of that!
I bought one of those plywood frames to hold the plane while I work on it - a bit flimsy, but I recommend it - saves damage from fingers etc, especially when working on the underside. At this point I was touching up chips etc where paint had fallen off some PE bits...
It can be adjusted for different sized models...
Props were next - I had left them as I did not want to damage them. Although I painted and 'weathered' the hubs, they won't be seen (of course!)
I did add some 'chips' to the leading edges of the blades, and add some 'streaks' - but kept it quite subtle.
Next it was the exhausts. I used some of that 'buffing' Humbrol paint which I had from years ago, oils and some rust 'powder' - no real planned combination, but it came out ok!
...again, some of the shine was taken back later.
Almost forgot the mesh guards that are on the air intakes!
I used graphite pencils and some wash to add depth to the engine that would be on display...this is a 'finished' shot...
I had to tweak the multi-part canopy a bit to help it fit - the internal frame was a little high and was stopping the clear bit from fitting easily, so I had pried it off the model, and shaved a tiny bit off the frame so it sat a fraction lower - then I glued the canopy itself on with white glue.
And that was pretty much it!
I took lots of 'finished' photos and only after taking these did I realize I had missed off one part - the windscreen wiper!! (now added)
Now I just have to figure out how to display/mount it. I like the idea of keeping it clean, but it needs something, so maybe a grassy base....then what - I don't know! No where to display, and the joy was in the building for me, so maybe sell it? But then again I like the idea of displaying it with the 1/32nd Lancaster (HUGE) and a 1/32nd Spitfire and Hurricane!
Finished photos next...
...although I seem to have not taken any pictures of that!
I bought one of those plywood frames to hold the plane while I work on it - a bit flimsy, but I recommend it - saves damage from fingers etc, especially when working on the underside. At this point I was touching up chips etc where paint had fallen off some PE bits...
It can be adjusted for different sized models...
Props were next - I had left them as I did not want to damage them. Although I painted and 'weathered' the hubs, they won't be seen (of course!)
I did add some 'chips' to the leading edges of the blades, and add some 'streaks' - but kept it quite subtle.
Next it was the exhausts. I used some of that 'buffing' Humbrol paint which I had from years ago, oils and some rust 'powder' - no real planned combination, but it came out ok!
...again, some of the shine was taken back later.
Almost forgot the mesh guards that are on the air intakes!
I used graphite pencils and some wash to add depth to the engine that would be on display...this is a 'finished' shot...
I had to tweak the multi-part canopy a bit to help it fit - the internal frame was a little high and was stopping the clear bit from fitting easily, so I had pried it off the model, and shaved a tiny bit off the frame so it sat a fraction lower - then I glued the canopy itself on with white glue.
And that was pretty much it!
I took lots of 'finished' photos and only after taking these did I realize I had missed off one part - the windscreen wiper!! (now added)
Now I just have to figure out how to display/mount it. I like the idea of keeping it clean, but it needs something, so maybe a grassy base....then what - I don't know! No where to display, and the joy was in the building for me, so maybe sell it? But then again I like the idea of displaying it with the 1/32nd Lancaster (HUGE) and a 1/32nd Spitfire and Hurricane!
Finished photos next...
Cheers guys - it is indeed massive! I have the kit but waiting to hone my skills before tackling that (and a bigger desk!)
I'm learning, so all this is 'first time' stuff - one thing I realise is that you can watch as many YouTube videos or follow builds as you like, but when you try it it seems much easier - it is just that first step. I know that sounds easy to say, but I do believe it is true. I'm a designer, and I sketch - when you start you follow lots of people, watch their style etc - but if you try an d'copy' that style exactly, it never looks as good - use them as a guide, and find your own style - much better...
The biggest skill in weathering is knowing when to stop - I know I have gone a bit 'dirty' on this and the Spitfire, so my next one will be a little less...
I do like the Tamiya Panel Line Accent colour - but hard to get in the UK (ebay works) - yes, you can make your own with oil paint and thinners - but this is consistent and has a little brush (like their cement bottles)
In terms of oils, I have just used either normal artist oil tubes, or the ones that AK or similar do - good quality is best as it is smoother - then I have mixed with non-odour thinners to make a wash - in the case of the main fuselage/wings this is - I've brushed it on (scary) roughly AFTER decals and satin or gloss clearcoat, then I have wiped it off again with a t-shirt. Or use q-tip and thinners for detail stuff.
Detail 'smears' I dotted a tiny bit of oil paint, then dry brushed in the direction I wanted. I'm liking the oil because it gives you time to use it, and you can remove with thinners and start again - BUT this is just the way I have used so far - lots of techniques to learn.
I'm learning, so all this is 'first time' stuff - one thing I realise is that you can watch as many YouTube videos or follow builds as you like, but when you try it it seems much easier - it is just that first step. I know that sounds easy to say, but I do believe it is true. I'm a designer, and I sketch - when you start you follow lots of people, watch their style etc - but if you try an d'copy' that style exactly, it never looks as good - use them as a guide, and find your own style - much better...
The biggest skill in weathering is knowing when to stop - I know I have gone a bit 'dirty' on this and the Spitfire, so my next one will be a little less...
I do like the Tamiya Panel Line Accent colour - but hard to get in the UK (ebay works) - yes, you can make your own with oil paint and thinners - but this is consistent and has a little brush (like their cement bottles)
In terms of oils, I have just used either normal artist oil tubes, or the ones that AK or similar do - good quality is best as it is smoother - then I have mixed with non-odour thinners to make a wash - in the case of the main fuselage/wings this is - I've brushed it on (scary) roughly AFTER decals and satin or gloss clearcoat, then I have wiped it off again with a t-shirt. Or use q-tip and thinners for detail stuff.
Detail 'smears' I dotted a tiny bit of oil paint, then dry brushed in the direction I wanted. I'm liking the oil because it gives you time to use it, and you can remove with thinners and start again - BUT this is just the way I have used so far - lots of techniques to learn.
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