Tomek

I'm still amazed how good the painted pattern looks on the cowling. I wouldn't have thought about using for this effect buffable metalizer . Brilliant! Love the weathering! Superb build!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for this one! Sending your way some good vibes:) Looks like a very good start, Hubert. Model on!

Yup! The paint definately helped! Can't wait for more colour though Keep us updated, Martin. Pleasure to follow.

The turret looks mighty good, Martin! Will look better with some paint on it!

I didn't think you could up your game after what you showed us with your Mercedes D.III. I was wrong, Wolf. This is even more amazing, and it's not even finished! Tons stuff to learn! Thanks for sharing!!!

Looks super cool, Zak. Nice detailing!

Time to start a new project ... The Cub has to wait a little bit longer. I promised this one to a friend, and I don't have much time, so I'll be trying cut corners whenever possible. The idea is to take a paper kit, improve it if desired and feasible, and replace more time consuming details with plastic parts. I'm thinking specifically about using Wingnut Wings Mercedes D. IIIau engine, Gaspatch Spandau 08/15 machine gun and Gaspatch turnbuckles. This ought to save me some time (or that's what I hope will happen ). Problem is I don't have any experience with plastic models - this will be definitely a challenge. I hope I'll get some guidance from you guys. I got myself Matt77 repaint of Marek's design available at Ecardmodels store. The kit is quite detailed, but I would like to raise a bar a little bit higher for myself. If I'm going to use "ready" plastic parts, I might as well spend some time improving other areas of the model, right?. The first order of things will be to simulate better bare plywood section of the fuselage. I started with the nail lines visible on the plywood. The tests revealed I need some adjustments - it's bit challenging to add anything that spans between the parts as they are unfolded in 2D form. The next step was the plywood itself. The first attempt was actually done by mistake. I wanted to print wood grain on the reverse side of the parts to make the fuselage skin double sided. I grabbed some plywood textures out of the Internet, stitched it to cover larger area and put a sheet with the printed parts into the printer. As it often happens to me, I put the wrong side up, and ended up overprinting the wood grain texture on printed previously fuselage skin parts. The effect was quite interesting: This could be a very easy solution in some of the cases. Here though the color came out too dark, especially if one compares with this photo (source Jagstaffel 5 by G.K. Merrill, vol .1): Back to the drafting board. I'm thinking about redrawing the parts and the panels of the plywood in the kit and filling them with my plywood textures. Let's see if I can figure it out in Corel... I started work on the engine bay bulkheads. The kit proposes very simple solution: I used the kit's bulkheads as a pattern for my own version: These also may need some adjustments as I'll be trying to fit them inside the fuselage. I feel this will be a one step forward, two steps backwards project...

I couldn't say it better than Budman. Mark, your persistence, patience, attention and joy of research is exemplary. The results speak for themselves! Love what you have done so far. Great details!

I'm so happy to see this project proceeding successfully, Peter! I must say though that the paper kit role here is more and more minimal, as you improve, hack and detail your work. But that's all good! Love your work man!!

Thank you Harvey. Mark, pictures don't tell all the truth about the model. You too generous. I'm glad you like it, though!

Kevin, thank you very much! Martin, thanks! I still have a lot of work on basic techniques. I'm really relieved the project is done and I can move on to something else. Loic, I really appreciate it! Peter, thanks for the compliments! I wish I could see your work in person one day. Maybe some occasion will arise. Planning to attend any contests in the area? Not so laud Gil! I would like to keep my pretenses But seriously, I'm glad you like the Chaf. Means a lot. There is plenty of room for improvements, and I hope I can model better.

Few close-ups: That's it!

Loic, Mark - thank you for your kind comments! Ufff! The Chaf is finally done! What a relief . I wish you could see me gluing the last part - I was happy as a 3 year old. It was good experience overall. I learn few things, had plenty of setbacks (I stop counting how many times I had to reattached parts). The tank even survived two drops! The kit itself has it's shortcomings, I added few more, but in the end I think it looks decent. Thank you for all of you who chipped in with your advice, encouragement and positive feedback! Nothing was ignored. Even if I did not follow some of your suggestions, I will try them next time for sure. Time for pics! <a More to come in a second....

I don't see a lot of reasons to be so hard on yourself, Mark. The engine looks very good to my eye! Nice trick with braided sheathing. Looks super convincing on thicker lines! Will try to remember that. More please!

One of the best Corsairs I've seen. Looking really sharp and vicious with this weathering! Oh man, can't stop ogling her! Fantastic build, Matt!