Academy 1/48 P-47N Thunderbolt
This was a fun build! I've never had much luck with Academy's decals, so when I found the cool Hawaii ANG sheet, I was set.
Although maybe basic by some standards, I think the cockpit builds up nicely after a wash and drybrushing. Same with the engine.
Had a few fit problems, particularly the gun inserts on the wings, as well as a seam that needed some putty on the bottom of the fuselage. But nothing too difficult to deal with.
I don't like shiny bare metal finishes, as I don't think they look real. So I toned this down with a semi-gloss coat, and then weathered with graphite pencil in the panel lines that is then scrubbed with a stiff brush to add tone to the surrounding areas. There's some gentle application of washes and Tamiya weathering kits as well.
Mike
14 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 22, 2020
That's a great result, MIke! Your weathered NMF turned out terrific. Nice to see an Academy 1/48 Thunderbolt being built, turning out beautifully; I don't recall to having seen many built.
All the best!
Tom Cleaver said on May 22, 2020
Very nice Mike. The weathered aluminum finish is very realistic.
John vd Biggelaar said on May 22, 2020
Great job Mike, beautiful weathering I have to say.
Tom Bebout said on May 22, 2020
Good looking Jug Mike. Nice job on the NMF.
Rick Reinbott said on May 22, 2020
Nice one, Mike; you can't go wrong with a Jug! Nice weathering and the decals look great as well.
Robert Royes said on May 22, 2020
Terrific Thunderbolt! I've had bad luck with academy decals myself.
Emberson Fedders said on May 23, 2020
I'm very interesting in how you did the panel lines. You mentioned a graphite pencil? Was this a particular sort? Did you just sharpen it into a very fine point? And what sort of stiff brush did you use afterwards?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm looking for a simple technique to highlight panel lines and this sounds like a technique that I could do with my limited materials!
Tony Prince said on May 23, 2020
A nice used, slightly worn finish Mike. I've not seen an Academy T'bolt built before & this looks really good. I do like your weathering technique as well.
Bob Bailey said on May 24, 2020
Well done, Mike. Hated to see the photos end. Great work all around.
Mike Licari said on May 26, 2020
Thanks guys! I appreciate the comments!
@embersonfedders, it was indeed just a standard No. 2 pencil sharpened to a very fine point.
The brush was just an old #1 paintbrush with the bristles cut down (I use these to apply all sorts of weathering stuff like the weathering kits from Tamiya or pastel powders, etc.). The more you cut off the bristles, the stiffer the remaining brush is going to be, so I have a few that I've made of somewhat varying lengths/stiffness.
Hope this helps!
Mike
Emberson Fedders said on May 26, 2020
It helps a great deal and I appreciate you getting back to me. I'm keen to try this method on the Spitfire I'm currently working on. Again, thanks!
Greg Kittinger said on May 27, 2020
Nicely done - and I agree with "shiny" NMF finishes. Yours looks great!