Hello gents,
Thanks very much for dropping in. Yes, it’s all looking very, er… cockpity. There’s a little more to do, such as adding the Quinta details to the circuit breaker box behind the ejector seat, and placing the joystick. Even so, I think the end is in sight now, for this part at least. With the cockpit tub and ejector seat just pushed into place, you get an idea of the finished look.
I’ve been reflection on using the Quinta 3D parts, and I here’s my personal experience in case you are going to use them too:
The level of detail is extraordinary. It takes some magnification to appreciate the smaller details, and from naked-eye viewing distance they really do add a busy feel. From that point of view they’re a step up from, say, coloured photo-etch or a combination of moulded plastic and decals.
The colour sometimes misses vertical surfaces, for example there are buttons with a red top but white side. You can see the same inside the dials too.
The vinyl material sticks well with PVA glue. I used PVA on all the parts even the smallest. The only exception was a tiny handle where I used CA instead. No problems either way.
The parts behave like a thick decal. They are very flexible, floppy even, and sit very well on smooth surfaces. The same flexibility applies to the small details of course.
Parts can break, particularly those with thin sections. I had a couple of pieces fall apart - maybe it was me being ham-fisted - but the vinyl is definitely more fragile than plastic or PE.
They take oil washes well. The shiny surface really helps oils to flow around details, and oils will tone down the shine once dry. I found this helped to integrate the Quinta parts with the painted areas. I didn’t try acrylics, but I think water based products might bead up on the shiny surface, so maybe a varnish first would help.
Finally, the fit. Generally it is very good and matched well to the kit parts. Even so, in places where dials but up against each other at an angle, the dense detail can actually prevent a good fit. Some trimming was needed.
So, would I use them again? Honestly, for my style, I probably wouldn’t. I really enjoy painting and weathering, and while there’s no doubt that the Quinta detail is phenomenal, I didn’t find the process satisfying. I also had to compromise my plan to go big on the colour modulation in the cockpit, just to end up with a coherent look. I’m not saying this is a bad product - the opposite is true - but for my preference I want to use paint techniques more.
Here’s a look:
