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Ramon R. Lomeli
49 articles

Tamiya 1/48 scale Fairey Swordfish Mk. II

January 15, 2019 · in Aviation · · 28 · 5K

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!

Reader reactions:
10  Awesome

6 additional images. Click to enlarge.


28 responses

  1. Stunning Build, Ramon - absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations on the rigging - it looks very impressive! The colours and weathering are lovely too. Great stuff!

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. Hello Ramon,
    Beautiful model and very good photography.
    Regards, Dirk

  5. Nicely done Ramon, I like it.

  6. 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.

  7. Beautiful build...looks like it is straight out of a Robert Taylor painting.

  8. 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! 🙂

  9. Outstanding craftsmanship and photography, sir...well done!

  10. 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.

  11. 🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
    Very eye catching Swordfish Ramon and a very keen conversation starter.
    Nice looking rigging.

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