Finally today was airbrush time for the colourful VF-41 Wildcat with Revell 99 Aluminium. I’ll leave it to dry thoroughly now and have another look tomorrow if I need to do any corrections before I take away the masks. But until now I’m happy how it looks …
Next step is now painting and installing the landing gear for both. I have my first model show this year in 3 weeks and hope to have finished both F4F by then …
Ryan, thanks for your faith in my skills! I feel honoured! That were also my concerns but as I said earlier, I have used Tamiya Tape for the upper curvature under Parafilm, which helped a lot. Though I have to do the expected touch ups here, it’s less than I thought. It would look worse without the tape …
There are further small touch ups on the green part and at the front of the walk ways, but nothing serious. All white stripes will get black borderlines which I’ll cut off the decals. Easier than painting but still a challenge, especially at the fuselage band …
HG, so far I have 4 models shows in my plans for this year (2 in Germany and 2 in France) but I’m expecting the invitation for another one in October soon. I could also go to some One-Day-Shows but I’m no fan of such shows. Too much hassle for a day. A whole weekend is perfect for me.
Ryan, I always try my best and with masking I guess I always mask a lot more than what is needed
HG, all shows are not so far away. One french show is in Strasbourg, which is only 90 km away, the other one is in Thionville, about 250 km from here. For our own show in May I have to drive 70 km one way. The distances in Canada are a lot bigger than here.
Just a small update today. Both Wildcats are standing on their wheels now. Though the landing gear looks fragile, it’s quite sturdy and was not difficult to assemble. While VF-41 is still waiting for the final touch ups …
Both look great so far Torsten. Although VF-41 is still my favourite, I love the blue paint and striped rudder of VF-3. Might change my favourite by the time you finish them. Good luck with the decals.
Noroc,
Dragos.
Thanks guys for your comments. Great to hear that you appreciate my work
Dragos, I’ll start with the deacls on VF-41 in the next days. The borderlines for the white stripes are a challenge and I’m a bit anxious I could screw them up. Well, I will see, I have 2 attempts (2 decal sheets)…
No stencils? No stencils! They must be ill at Eduard! How can they!
Okay, Butch O’Hare’s Wildcat is close to the finish line now! All decals on and sealed …
But I also noticed a mistake I made. I misinterpreted the construction plan and have painted the whole propeller blades in black, but the lower part should have also a metallic colour. Stupid me! So more work for me …
HG, thanks for your kind words. I guess the “f-word” you meant is freaking or fantasting, right?
As I mentioned earlier, I have used Vallejo 71109 Blue Grey FS35189 and 71298 Light Grey FS36357 for the camo from their USN/USMC Colour Set 71157.
Just an intermediate message from VF-41. All black borderlines to the white stripes are on now and it was easier than I had expected. Everything went well at the first attempt. Cut out the lines from the decals with a new sharp blade for my scalpel, 30 seconds in warm water and on the model. Very time consumpting work and I’m very happy with the result, especially how the fuselage band came out. Work of 2 evenings …
The decals still need to settle down a bit now. My goal is to finish decaling by Friday, so final clear coating can be done over the weekend.
VF-3 has got the final coating already and today I added the tiny tiny clear parts for the various position lights. Photos follow soon.
Torsten
Finally have the time to catch up on your twin F4F-3 builds. Both paint and decaling jobs are truly outstanding, as they are certainly up to your usual high standards.
Only the final clear coat and the position lights are missing now. Just added the machine guns and the pitot tube. Everything should be done this weekend …
Final coating was again made with a 70/30 mix of Revell Clear Gloss and Clear Matt. This time I left the transfer film on the decals as they do not disturb. I cut the film close to most decals so they are not really visible. Further I used a small drop of White Glue for the propeller as the shaft is a bit short. This is not a toy …
VF-41 has got the final coating today and will also be ready soon …
Well done.
They must be ill at Eduard! How can they!
