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quang

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Everything posted by quang

  1. quang
    No, Mike. I guess they’ve got the old Matchbox engraver out of retirement and put him at work on the fuselage. Do the panels overlap on the real thing? I have to check out.
  2. quang
    Thank you. Glad you like it. To paraphrase a wise man: don’t trust a decal without a photo Here’s the area in question. Dry-fitted without extra care. It does make sense. Nevertheless remember the painter artist’s old principle: farther= darker, nearer=brighter. Thank you for your comments, Cheers, Q
  3. quang
    PAINTING THE COCKPIT Hot on the heels of my recent experience in painting Amelia Earhart and Lydia Litvyak busts, I decided to adapt my painting style to the cockpit. The ‘regular’ aircraft modeller way is: first apply the local colour (in this case the Italian version of zinc chromate) then give an overall wash of diluted paint to bring up the details. The figure painting way should be: first determine a source of light (in our case, direct sunlight coming from overhead a.k.a. zenithal lighting, into the pit) then paint each component accordingly. Thus the bottom of the pit should be darker than the sides. Accordingly the areas nearer to the cockpit opening should be lighter. That is what I tried to achieve. The 3D effect is accentuated by adding false shadows and highlights with a brush. Oxygen bottles were code-painted blue The 3D-printed instrument panel is a welcome initiative but only slightly better than the regular plastic moulded panel with traditional decals. Intricate details on control column needs careful brushwork. Side panels in situ to check out the lighting effect. Right side wall attached. Note how the relief and lighting are taking effect. Pigments to dirty up the cockpit floor That’s it for now. Comments and questions are welcome. Thank you for watching. Until next time Cheers, Quang
  4. quang
    This is model-making. This is not making magic
  5. quang
    I’m well aware that the Border is a different mark from the Kotare. What I meant is this: if I were persuaded that Kotare produces the best Spitfire kit around, why don’t I wait until they release the variant I’m looking for instead of wasting my time discussing another brand and more over another scale? Ah… but it’s only old grumpy me.
  6. quang
    There we go again. You got the Kotare, so why bother with the Border?
  7. quang
    Just trying to revive the urgency of our early days, John. Not that I can because I lost my innocence a long, long time ago…
  8. quang
    I made this 1/48 Series 1 some years ago but can’t remember how I did it. Aah well…
  9. quang
    Definitely. Thanks Dennis
  10. quang
    This is why this hobby is so much more than sticking plastic… although some of us have the secret pleasure of letting the unsuspecting world believe that it’s otherwise
  11. quang
    That Cameo apparatus works wonder! Most of all when you find new use for it
  12. quang
    Some new pics on Italeri website…
  13. quang
    You made me realize I’d have to slow down a little bit. Thanks Mike! I’m still wondering how the tube was attached to the fuselage. Some drawings show it flush. Others show a gap.
  14. quang
    Well, it DOES matter to me. The stock kit only offers the armoured windscreen and also the ‘tropical’ sand filter. Which is unfortunate as my first intent is to make a series I version during the siege of Malta. For sure I can always modify the stock windscreen and build an early air intake from scratch… Still I need some good info about the ‘regular’ air intake. Until I get it, I’m still considering.
  15. quang
    Everything on this build will be OOP… except for some home-brew bits. Wheels on the mend
  16. quang
    Everything is on the photo I posted. Hopefully things will be clearer when the cockpit is finished. Anyhow I spent an entire evening working on the cockpit. Suddenly the kit appears not so much as basic as it appeared at first sight. Main components completed and ready for the paints… Rather intricate control column Typical kidney-shaped foot rests…- Even the cockpit lights are included… All stock items except the oxygen tube I made from guitar string Typical gap beneath the head armoured panel PE buckles on back cushion 4-part seat stand needs nerves of steel Until next time, Cheers, Quang
  17. quang
    As I actually started building the kit, I discovered that it’s more detailed than a cursory quick glance at the box contents makes us believe. Indeed it’s not as refined as the new generation kits (Border, ZM, etc…), but it’s accurate, complete and as good a canvas as a Hasegawa kit of the best vintage (hello Tolga)
  18. quang
    I don’t think so. Everything related to the chain links is on this single page. The great majority of the PE parts deals with surface details (flap actuators, fuel caps, intakes, … ) which are legion on the Macchis. Contrary to the new gen model makers who concentrate on delicate mouldings with intricate details, it appears that Italeri chose the opposite, giving us accurate but simple, rather basic plastic parts complemented by a host of tiny, additional surface details in plastic and metal etchings. It’s a rather interesting approach. We’ll see in practice how it turns out. The styrene used by Italeri is pleasant with perfect (to me) hardness, correctly moulded while not extra sharp like Border or ZM. I gave the sprues a coat of Mr Surfacer 1200 before separating the parts for a quick fit-test assembly. The parts were stuck together using masking tape and blue tack. The fit is excellent all around without noticeable gap. I found the ‘deflated’ tires unrealistic (or rather ridiculous). Guess they’d look better with a bit of Milliput. The 5-part cowling fit admirably, hopefully a good prospect for displaying the model with ot without the engine. That’s it for today. If you have any comment or question, don’t hesitate. Cheers, Quang
  19. quang
    I agree Paul. The crackled effect is rather well done. What I don’t like is the rounded edges which give the impression of a padded cushion. Nevertheless I’ll try to make the most of it. May be it’s not as bad in situ. It’s only my first impression and first impressions can change, right?
  20. quang
    We resume our walkaround tour with the clear parts. Commendably clear and reasonably thin but only one option given: the late armoured windscreen The acclaimed and ‘modern’ 3D printed IP with that padded ‘faux’ vinyl look I hate so much. Ah well… A fine fret of photo-etching -for once really useful- including the clinky chains (circled in RED) so favoured by our SM fans . A full page in the instruction booklet describing the whereabouts of said chains. The cockpit is well-appointed. Seat looks good, along with armoured side provided in PE. Some miscellaneous bits and bobs which the Folgore lovers will appreciate… To be continued…
  21. quang
    The guy who did the wheels ought to have the wheels on his own car deflated.. Having said that, they don’t look so bad when the two halves are glued together. Nothing that an ounce of Milliput can’t arrange
  22. quang
    The kit is much smaller
  23. quang
    Just what I meant
  24. quang
    Actually, the chains were less prominent than we modellers think. Their use was just to maintain the padded cushion (behind the pilot’s parachute) in position.
  25. quang
    Please don’t. I’m currently test-assembling it. Will let you know the result, of course
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