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Ryan Elliott
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Williams Brothers 1/32 Gee Bee Z

May 15, 2019 · in Aviation · · 17 · 2.7K

This is my most recent model to cross the finish line. The Williams Brothers Z. The kit build was straight forward, and built OOB, with the exception of engine details being scratch built. The hard part was painting. The model was extensively prepped, then primed with white. Next, the scalloping demarcation lines were painted with MM gloss red, and the lines masked off with thin strips of tamiya tape. The yellow was then laid down, followed by more masking. Finally, the last coats of black were sprayed, and then a few coats of PFG were used. One before decals, many after to seal them in, and develop that high gloss "titaninine" finish!

"Pevee, I've flown a plane or two in my day! NOT LIKE THIS ONE YOU HAVEN'T!" Certainly my most challenging model yet, requiring that the movie 'the rocketeer' be watched multiple times for motivation! Hope you guys like it. Questions/comments Welcome and appreciated!

Reader reactions:
9  Awesome

14 additional images. Click to enlarge.


17 responses

  1. Fantastic!

    The engine is gorgeous, as is the paint scheme.

    It's absolutely beautiful, Ryan!

  2. Welcome aboard, Ryan...nice presentation.

  3. The hours paid off, she’s beautiful. Love the diorama and the pack of Beemans. The whole screen reminds me of the “Rocketeer”, which I also enjoy at least once a year.

  4. Thanks guys! Jeff, that was my intention with the outdoor photos. Put the model in a real enviroment. Glad you all like it!

  5. Really nice job, Ryan.
    I'll have to watch that movie in the near future. By the way, did you put a piece of Beeman's on the rudder?

    • No, because "that's fresh paint, damnit!" I actually thought about doing something to represent the Beemans on the tail, but as my Z is the real 77V and not the rocketeer airplane, no Beemans for this one! Thanks Gary!

  6. Very nice! Those high-gloss, wicked paint schemes are the hardest to pull off so well. You accomplished it!

  7. Beautifully done! looks great.

  8. Nice late day photos. I do think the color scheme looks best at sunset!

  9. That’s a lot of tape! Great technique for the pinstripes! Nice photos, too.

  10. wonderful...love it

  11. 🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
    Nice work Ryan. Very nice engine detailing. Very apt on the painting scheme … good work. And the small diorama set it apart.

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