Cycling Guy

Thanks both! I actually found what I was looking for via Air Corps Library for the P-40 (a plethora of engineer drawings) and the DH Mosquito (diagrams galore).

I never knew this existed but this has been what I’ve been looking for for so so so long. Thank you so much.

Well this is excellent work and inspirational.

Hi Everyone, As my 109 build draws to a close, I’m planning my future builds with the goal of adding scratch built details with a focus around the cockpit and engines. Can anyone suggest some references for the following airframes: - Curtiss Hawk 81-A-2 (GWH kit) - DH Mosquito Mk VI (Tamiya kit) - Me262 (Trumpeter Kit) - Macchi Mc 202 Thank you so much ahead of time.

Your methodical approach is something to behold. I just bought another Corsair to build mainly out the box to try this approach.

Hats off to you. Nothing better than taking a leap of faith and having it work out how or better than you wanted.

Thank you! I think my technique can improve, but I'm struggling with lighting. I have enough, but at times its hard to see how the layers are being built up. I'm going to try some things out, mainly a diffuser, and see if it helps. I do use an HP-C+ for the mainstay of my work. Over the last two days its been working like a dream. I also have a HP-CS in 0.5 for the thicker stuff like VMS varnish, and a Micron that I'll likely use for the mottling.

I couldn't wait to throw on the RLM74 so I added them to the wings and horizontal stabilizers, leaving the mottling and fuselage camo for next week. I masked around the wing root, nose, and tail with masking tape to guard against overspray. Some still managed to creep through, but I have to touch up some portions of RLM76 anyways. To get the camo down on the wings, I used "floating masks". When I say, floating masks, I used card stock (heavy weight index cards) cut to shape, and held in place with tamiya tape with some of the tack removed. These give a semi hard edge and feels a bit less robotic than using plain masking tape to create an edge. There is some overspray in some locations, but this will be corrected when I spray highlights of 74 and 74. I do have a question The ZM painting instructions are vague. The mottling looks to be a mix of RLM02 (small amount compared to the others), RLM74, and RLM75. Is this a correct interpretation? Any other information would be helpful!

Hi Everyone, I began painting yesterday beginning with a black primer consisting of Mr Surfacer 1500 and Mr Leveling Thinner mixed in a 50:50 ratio. I followed this up with white mottling using the same Mr Surfacer mix, but in white. Apologies for not photographing this step, but you probably get the idea. I began by apply MRP RLM76 on the underside to get a feel for how the paint is flowing out the brush and making adjustments to the pressure as I go along. I typically apply a couple light layers over the entire surface then build up each panel, but I was getting a grainy texture in some area that necessitated 3000 and 4000 grit wet sanding between some layers. It’s been very humid lately so to ensure I wasn’t taking on water, I needed all the water taps: the compressor water tap, in line water tap, and “lets me safe” water tap, were used, but gave rise to some higher than anticipated head pressure loss relative to the gage, making painting a bit more difficult until I figured out why I wasn’t spraying well. I haven’t painted a plane in decades so I’m just diving right in. After getting a solid base down with some of the variation showing through, I added about 10 drops of MRP White to what was about 1/3 the paint in my Iwata HP-C+ and highlighted the panels in either a cloudy or streaky fashion. After this I freehanded MRP RLM75 in the areas they would roughly be in. Luckily there is mottling in the camo along the fuselage so I wasn’t too concerned about overspray. I Felt that this was a good place to stop so that I can let the paint set before masking the edge of the wing root, applying RLM74, and then highlighting both 74 and 75. There are some other areas that’ll require some more grit removal, but I’ll wait until tomorrow to get at it. Lastly, I primed the figure that was included with the kit. I’ll paint it when I want to take a break from painting the aircraft or weathering. As usual, thank you for tagging along.

I'm a bit surprised you haven't written a how to book yet.

Phew! I was going to start making some of my own next week. You save me the headache. I will gladly stop whatever build I’m doing to build this. This has been on my wish list for the longest.

Anxiously awaiting you to do F-16 cockpit panels

Im currently designing some 3D print replacements for the cockpit panel with Anzy switches. I don’t know when I’ll finish - I just need to dedicate time to it.

Thank you for the kind words and motivation! Lets hope my ability to paint doesn't disappoint!

I noticed it on the inside frame but not so much on the outside. I burnished it down well, but I might as well seal it too or replace them if I start to see lifting.

Thabks for the kind words! Let’s hope I can maintain the momentum throughout paint.

I am at the finish line with the main portion of the build. I haven't gotten to this point in about 15 years and I'm excited and a bit anxious; taking my time so I don't mess things up. Some things to note The masks included with the kit aren't an exact match to the cut out. I'll have to use some masking fluid to get full coverage. Masking the cockpit is going to be interesting. I haven't figured out how to do this in a robust way. Once the upper surface of the radiator flaps have set, i'll mask them off with a combination of tape and sponge. I need to assemble the canopy with armored glass + frame - then attach to the kit. I'll leave the tires, bay doors, exhaust pipes for the end Up Next: Primer and pre-shading!

Excellent work. It feels like this one came together so quickly. I think I’ll be working on the Ki84 after all.

Thats incredible to learn and terrifying to hear too. One of these days I'll buy an actual plane and fly it...when I win the lottery.

I’d like to get one of these as soon as they come to a shop in the United States.

Thank you so much for the information. I think I may be better served started with the Curtiss Hawk 81 or the P-47D bubble top

Hello everyone! I am in search of reference material for the Ki84 Hayate. I would be most interested in cockpit images or plans to give scratch building a go. Thank you in advance,

Same! I think I will order that set when it comes out!

There are definitely additional parts - I believe they will build to a G6 (like the 3 part canopy, different tank between legs, floor plate, nose panels, and more), but I can't say for sure. Checking some of the sprue shots might give you an idea what to expect.

Thanks, Tom! I think bringing builds to life is what brought me back to the forum. I was hesitant because I am a much tougher critic with respect to my work, but at the end of the day none of that really matters unless I want it to matter. Stay safe out on the bike! I've been riding / racing since I was a kid and am lucky enough to work in the industry.