1/48th Mitchell II - Allied Advance and Defense of the Reich WWII.

[Airframes]

Thanks chaps, and I've been slacking again !
It's been another hot day here, so I've been making the most of it - hot sun is a rare commodity over here !
Tried spraying the first coat of primer earlier this evening, but the room was so warm, the paint was drying almost before it hit the model !
I'm going to have another go when it cools down a bit, later tonight.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Looking good Terry.

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Jim.
Still haven't done the primer - still very warm and 'muggy', and I'm still a bit tired after the new meds on Friday. Tomorrow is a free day for me, and conditions are set to be a bit cooler, so rather than rush tings, I'll get as much dome as possible tomorrow.
I'm doubtful that it'll be finished by the extended deadline though.

 

[Airframes]

B*ll*cks !!
Hit a snag - when handling the model to spray the primer coat, I heard a 'clicking' noise, which, after investigation, turned out to be the joint along the underside and rear of one of the engine nacelles, the one which had split open when drilling the holes for the fuel vent pipes.
The previously applied 'Milliput' filler had cracked along part of the length of the nacelle, and where the wing trailing edge joins the rear overhang, which I hadn't noticed until the primer went on. I now have to remove the hardened putty, re-fill the joint, and sand flush once the putty has cured - more bl**dy delays !

 

[Crimea_River]

Sh!t happens. Nothing you can't handle.

 

[Airframes]

Yep, but it's bl**dy frustrating, just when I thought I was making some visible progress.
I'll have to be really careful when handling the model, as the weight in the nose is substantial, enough to make the wings flex when holding them !
The last thing I want is for a wing to come adrift, or worse, snap off !

 

[Wayne Little]

take it real easy Terry, sure don't want things falling off now....

 

[JKim]

It's better to find out now than later! You'll be on-track in no time Terry!

 

[Airframes]

Yep, getting there. Those cracks have been repaired, and checked by giving them a quick, brushed coat of primer.
I'm about to spray the proper primer coat, and with the heat here at the moment, it might be dry enough to get the first coat of the (faded) Olive Drab done later tonight - pics later, if I can get it done.

 

[fubar57]

Looks great Terry, shouldn't take long now

 

[Wayne Little]

bring it on...!

 

[Micdrow]

You can do it Terry, slow and steady my friend

 

[Airframes]

Thanks all !
I finally got around to spraying the primer / underside colour tonight - every time I was about to start over the last couple of days, something or someone interrupted me, and I didn't want to start spraying only to have to pause in the middle of painting.
The paint is drying at the moment, so as soon as I can get the model moved slightly, into a better position for photos, I'll take some pics and post them, hopefully later tonight.

 

[Airframes]

Here's the pics.
The model has been primed, with an extra coat on the underside acting as the Neutral Gray camouflage colour. The paint went on beautifully, mixed from Humbrol No. 27 Ocean Grey and Matt white, using the spare, cheapo airbrush i bought recently, and I hope to get the Olive Drab sprayed tomorrow.

PICS 1 and 2. Before spraying the primer, holes were countersunk in the rear fuselage spine, and on the tops of the tail planes, to simulate the blue position lights, and these will be coloured and glazed during the final stages of the build. A further countersunk hole has been added just aft of the astrodome aperture, where the white navigation light will be, and holes have been drilled for the antenna wire lead-in, and for the IFF antenna on the underside.
PICS 3 to 5. How the model looks in it's grey primer coat.

Given I get the OD sprayed without problems tomorrow, I'll try to post some pics, but I'm going out to a party at the Ex-Servicemen's Club, celebrating our Queen's Birthday, so I might not get the pics done.
Of course, the Queen didn't come to my Birthday party, but I won't hold it against her, and at least this is a good excuse for a knees up !!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Micdrow]

Sweet Terry, she will look awesome once you get her completed

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Wojtek and Paul.
I haven't had time to spray the first OD coat, but the extra masking has been done, and I'll get the paint on tomorrow.
The real aircraft had a faded and patchy OD finish, with darker patches where the original serial number on the fins, and the US 'Stars and Bars' on wings and fuselage, had been painted over, and I want to try to replicate this as closely as possible.
Consequently, the sequence of spraying needs to be correctly planned and executed, and the spraying itself will take some time - so I don't want to rush things by trying to get part of it done before going out tonight.
All being well, I should have some pics some time tomorrow.

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work so far Terry!

 

[Wildcat]

Looking great Terry!

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Hugh and Andy.
A the last minute, I didn't feel up to going out to that party, so I stayed in, had a bit of a kip for a couple of hours, then started on the first stage of painting the Olive Drab.
I'll post pics in a few minutes time, when I can move the model.