Tamiya 1/48 scale Fairey Swordfish Mk. II
Hello iModeler! This kit was a gift from my lovely wife, and It was a total joy to build! I used a Quickboost resin exhaust pipe and EZ line for the rigging. Paints are Vallejo Model Air shot through my Sotar 20/20. The rest is scratch or out of the box. The backdrop is also a Christmas gift from my lovely wife. I think I still need to tweak my camera settings but every shoot is an education. Anyways thanks for looking - Cheers!
Stunning Build, Ramon - absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations on the rigging - it looks very impressive! The colours and weathering are lovely too. Great stuff!
Thanks Paul!
This is lovely! If I may ask - what paint did you use for the brass part of the engine cowling?
Thank you Boris! For the engine cowling, first I sprayed it with Testors Metalizer Aluminum. When that was dry, I then sprayed a mix of Vallejo Brass and Gold over it. Not too heavy, just enough to tint the Metalizer underneath.
I repeat it: very good build, colour finish, weathering and rigging. Great details-the details make it! One question: what is your rigging method?
Thanks Michael! For rigging I used EZ line https://www.amazon.com/Line-Simulating-Wires-Charcoal-Black/dp/B00P2QVH0E and some quick setting CA glue. First, I drilled tiny holes with a pin vise on the outboard section of the wings where I wanted to anchor the lines. I dabbed a bit of CA glue in the hole, then inserted the EZ line and allowed it to dry for a few minutes. To determine the length of my line, I measured the distance from anchor point to anchor point, then I cut a length of EZ line about 10% shorter than that. EZ line is REALLY stretchy, so cutting it 10% shorter assures that I will have tension on the line when it is installed. Once the first bit is nice and secured, I dab a bit of CA glue into the other side where I have also drilled a hole, then insert it and hold it for a few seconds and that's it!
Thank you very much, Ramon! Your elaborate description/instruction alleviates my fears building a biplane. I got some in my stash and I think I will start one pretty soon./BR Michael
Happy to help, and I look forward to seeing your first biplane. Cheers!
Awesome work!
Thanks dude!
Really cool.
Thanks!
Hello Ramon,
Beautiful model and very good photography.
Regards, Dirk
Thank you Dirk!
Nicely done Ramon, I like it.
Thanks Tom!
Quite impressive! A beutiful model of an uncommon plane.
Personaly, I find the Swordfish a beautiful plane and you built a model to its level.
Thanks!
As other members have asked, can you tell us more about the rigging, please?
Thank you Manuel! For the rigging I like EZ line https://www.amazon.com/Line-Simulating-Wires-Charcoal-Black/dp/B00P2QVH0E . Its very stretchy and extremely forgiving once installed. Below is an example from a previous build of mine. I just drill holes where I want to mount the line, cut a length 10% shorter then the distance between the two anchor points, install with CA glue on one side, and when that is dry, I dab glue in the other hole, insert and when that is set, it is done!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Beautiful build...looks like it is straight out of a Robert Taylor painting.
that is very flattering, thanks Jim!
Fantastic build, expecially rigging. I have never venture into buliding planes because of fear from rigging
Excellent model!
Thanks Djordje! Rigging looks intimidating, but it is actually very simple. You just need a good set of tweezers, a pin vise, some quick setting CA glue and string or wire of your choice. Personally, I like EZ line because once it is installed, I dont have to worry about breaking it off from handling the model. The only other thing after that is patience. It is not difficult but it is a bit tedious. However, once you finish your first rig, you will have confidence in doing another. Give it a try, you will be glad you did!
Outstanding craftsmanship and photography, sir...well done!
thanks Craig!
A real beauty! I love the Swordfish - and with all that ordnance on it, it looks like the precursor to a Skyraider! Love the paint and weathering work - great realism.
Thanks Greg!
Very eye catching Swordfish Ramon and a very keen conversation starter.
Nice looking rigging.
Thanks dude, you are very kind!