The Madhatter

hey everyone Thought I would post some pics of my just finished side project. I'm really happy with how it came out. As you'll see, I have elected not to cover it in decals - just a few to add interest Painted in SMS Paints Electric Blue as well as Tamiya and Alclad. I have a Version 2 on pre-order to go with at a later date Anyways, that's all the pics I took. I thought I had taken some of the interior but I was wrong. Too late to do anything about it but it's all good As always, thanks for stopping in and having a look Si

If i read that right, he basically created his own mitre box.

I was about to ask the exact same thing. Mitre box?

Hi all Well, I have finally sorted out my last remaining hurdle and it's onto the final stretch - more or less. Yep, I have finally sorted out my mounting device and at long last, I will be able to slip the ship on and off it's mount (I'm not sure how many times I would want to but for transportation this will be invaluable) all I have to do is attach the sleeve onto the bottom of the ship and we're good to go. I've got it so I have 4 separate power lines which I will be able to distribute to hangar bay lights, engines, superstructure and floodlights. It's by no means pretty but it works which is more important. The wires will travel down the back side of the armature into the base. Once I have the last bit of wire covered, I'll paint it all black As I said, not the prettiest stuff ever but I had to make do with what I had Anyway, that's it for now. As always, thanks for looking Si

Aweome start Tom and in my fav scheme for an F4: sea camo. I'm going to have to check DXM out some more decals in the JASDF line. Do you know if they do 32nd scale as well? Im thinking Aggressor F-15. I have the Hasegawa version of the F4 which looks like it could use some of those exquisite Quinta Studio decals. Might have to get me some of those.

Finally, a new 1/350 Scharnhorst will be available! Its a yay from me for sure

The closest thing to a kit of this is the Dragonfly or hornithopter kit from Industrialmechanika but they are much more organic looking than the one in the pic above. Ive built the Dragonfly and loved it. I had often wondered where the inspiration for that came from and I'd forgotten all about these craft from Dune. Im still in 2 minds as to whether or not I watch Dune. I found the original to be quite boring. Cool effects but the story is a tad dull for me.

That is an incredibly dynamic dio you achieved there. Brilliant work!

the effect is a lot more subtle in the plastic than in this photo

Looking awesome there Alex! Maybe you could have painted the roundels which would make weathering easier? Regardless, this is one amazing example of an F4 in a scheme other than a throwback to Vietnam

thanks Brett I gave it a filter coat and it looks much better now. Just need to add in panel lines and some washes and we're good

Thanks guys for your thoughts. I will do a filter to knock it back despite quite liking it as it is. I'll keep that look for another ship

Well, the experimental masking is done and the results are here. There are some panels which require a paint touch up because - as feared - the paint was too thin for the masks and ran under them in places. Lifted the paint off in others. Over all though, I am pleased with how its turned out. I'm still debating whether or not to run a very thin filter coat over the whole area to tone down the enhanced panels. I still have small detail painting, washed and dry brushing yet to go, so the look will change even more but what do you guys think? Should I leave them like they are or run a filter over the top? Those longer roof panels are on back to front, so ignore those and yes, I did see the tape I left behind which has since been removed As always, thanks for stopping in and having a look Till next time

Thanks guys Probably 3 or 4. I'm keeping the paint really thin so as not to loose any details

Hey everyone Some people have been wondering what kind of approach I'll be taking to painting, so for those who wanted to know, I took a couple of pics which should help answer it. I'm going to spare everyone the boredom of taking shots at every stage and just show you the first one. You'll get the idea from that. Needless to say, the painting process might take longer than first thought. As this is as exciting as it gets, the next update should see these panels finished - or very close to it. It's going to be a lot of fine masking which I hope actually works. These photos also help me to remember where I placed all the masks..... As always, thanks for stopping in and having a look Si