- The Airfix Tribute Forum -

BAC · Posted: Thu 24 Jan 2008 14:25 pm Post subject:

I'm about ready to add the instrument panel decals but the kit ones are old, yellowed and they will probably be a bit 'papery' when I go to apply them.

So I scanned them, tidied them up a bit and got rid of the yellowing. I also cut away the Israeli decals as they arn't needed, and added a few extra 'Stars and Bars' and instrument decals. Trouble is I wasn't very economical with the decal paper. I printed the whole lot off on both white paper (to get the decals with white bits) and clear (for everything else). I should have just printed the 'Stars and Bars' and the instrument panel decals on their own on the white paper -this would have saved some paper. Ah well next time.

However the decals have come out quite nice and they have had a few coats of Halfords clear laquer to seal them. Compare them to the old ones.

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Loll · Posted: Thu 24 Jan 2008 14:39 pm Post subject:

Digs · Posted: Thu 24 Jan 2008 23:40 pm Post subject:

They do look really good. What resolution do you scan them at and are Moire patterns a problem? And what sort of printer do you use?

I have some decal paper on order, a freebie scanner (a cast off from my other half's parents

) awaiting installation. Unfortunately the inkjet printer has gone to the junkyard in the sky (well actually, it'll be heaved into the decaying WWII bomb shelter at the bottom of our garden at the weekend...).

Paul

gerry · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 07:01 am Post subject:

I have not looked yet at the decals on my kit, but since it came from an 'antique' shop, I suspect the same might apply. You have certainly found a great way to remove the yellowing. I really must get into printing my own.

BAC · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 16:09 pm Post subject:

BAC · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 16:11 pm Post subject:

Cockpit section done and the panel decals went on fine too.

Amazingly the pilots actually fit the seat and their feet reach the pedals.

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If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!!!!!!!!

Digs · Posted: Fri 25 Jan 2008 22:52 pm Post subject:

BAC · Posted: Tue 29 Jan 2008 09:25 am Post subject:

It's all going together quite well. The cockpit and rear interior parts are fitted and the fuselage is together with no problems -just a little filler on the seems was needed.

Next was the engines, these are quite complex moldings and because of that I've had to do both a bit of building and a bit of painting together. If I had just built and fitted the engines it would be difficult to get a brush all around the parts to paint them.

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If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!!!!!!!!

BAC · Posted: Fri 01 Feb 2008 12:17 pm Post subject:

I've done a little bit to the rotor blades. They are nicely molded with good detail.

And work continues with the rest of the body. I'm concentrating with the front section as it makes the model easier to hold. Once the rear rotor is fitted I'll carry on painting the fuselage. There's not too much to do now. Just to add the rotors, a bit of paint, decals then a final touch up here and there.

There's something in the layout of the engines of this beast that reminds me of another beast....

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Lair/3028/tim_as_darkness.jpg
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Ratch · Posted: Fri 01 Feb 2008 15:35 pm Post subject:

Neat work

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gerry · Posted: Fri 01 Feb 2008 16:40 pm Post subject:

Great progress - I am now well and truly lagging behind due to a combination of the day job and my foolish attempt to open all doors. That has meant attempting to make seats, slowing down the whole operation even more. I might make mine a little less pristine, but I am quite a way off paint yet.

dancho · Posted: Fri 01 Feb 2008 16:58 pm Post subject:

That's looking very fine indeed. What colors did you finally decide to use? They look accurate to me!

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kitnut617 · Posted: Fri 01 Feb 2008 19:29 pm Post subject:

BAC · Posted: Tue 05 Feb 2008 12:51 pm Post subject:

It's all done!

In the end the colours I used were ;

H116 US Dark Green
H117 US Light Green
H118 US Tan
H28 Camouflage Grey (for the undersides)
H27 Sea grey (interior)
H33 Black (cockpit, rotor blades and other details).

I must remember the camouflage colours as I'll use the same again for other USAF SE Asia aircraft.

All in all this is a good kit. The parts fit was generally very good with just a little filler needed.

My homemade decals didn't quite work out. The instrument panel ones were fine but I think I overdid it with the Halfords Clear Laquer. When I went to trim the decals the laquer pinged off therefore when dipped in water the colour ran. So I used the kit decals which went on okay with a little silvering which was almost cured with setting soloutions. The bits that were still silver were touched up with the green/tan paints then 'Kleared'.

Here you go.....................

Cheers!
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If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!!!!!!!!

farmroad38 · Posted: Tue 05 Feb 2008 13:16 pm Post subject:

Looks superb Brian! Did you bend the blades at all, or is that just how they've settled?
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Adrian

Loll · Posted: Tue 05 Feb 2008 13:27 pm Post subject:

gerry · Posted: Tue 05 Feb 2008 13:38 pm Post subject:

A fine factory fresh finish - I am having rather different experiences with the fit of parts, but it will come good in the end as long as I don't rush it. Nice to see the rotors drooped. The only manufacturer I know that has a built in droop are the helicopters by KP (and they look great). For the others, I have always had to bend them by running a ruler along them, rather like bending cardboard. The ony problem with the built in droop is that it makes it more difficult to fold the rotors back! Those rivets don't half show up in the tail view. Since I am now seriously considering a two tone grey Marines version, the effort of rubbing them down is becoming a serious proposition. But how much conversion work is needed?
Anyway, great to see this one done so well. It's always nice to have a pathfinder, even if it is jolly, green (and tan) and a giant.

Ratch · Posted: Tue 05 Feb 2008 13:55 pm Post subject:

Nicely done Brian

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

feanor · Posted: Tue 05 Feb 2008 14:00 pm Post subject:

Ayup Bri...

Another good one !

The Thud will make a nice companion...

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BAC · Posted: Tue 05 Feb 2008 14:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks people!

Adrian, the blades were bent a little.

Cheers!
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If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!!!!!!!!