1/72 RAF P-40 North Africa Airfix
Hi Everyone,
Well it's been a couple decades since I built an aircraft so I decided to give this simple 1/72 Airfix kit a whirl and see if I can relearn some techniques. I love the P-40 especially in desert camo scheme.
It's OOB except for the cockpit belts and I will be putting some aftermarket tiny (and I mean tiny) formation lights on it. Oh, and the decals are from EagleCals.
My first time working with lacquer paints and they seem to be pretty predictable, durable, and lay nicely. Although I think my airbrushing needs some improvement.
Still have the shark's mouth decals to apply which I expect to be a little challenging . Followed by the final bits and pieces, and some weathering to call it done. I'm okay with it, but I think what I have learned will help me with my next aircraft build.
I will post some final reveal pics in a few weeks. I don't get much time to model. 🙁
Cheers!
Some excellent progress and your skills are definitely there, Brian @brianbart
This P40 will look amazing in the end.
A small note, you might consider adding your work in progress in one of the "groups" and once your build is finished put it in the headlines. Groups is a great place to start a project and post updates if you have some. Much easier to update the progress and nice to read for the people who are following it.
Thanks John,
I am new to the site and I will definitely check out the Groups as a way to post in-progress builds. Thanks for tip! 😁
Excellent work, Brian! Top notch spray work.
Thank you John,
A 1/72 aircraft is a pretty small area to paint. I struggle sometimes with masking, proper paint thinning, and air pressure.
When you are close to the build you see all the “boo boos.” Pics are sometime very flattering. Ha! I’m my worst critic. 🧐 I appreciate the feedback.
There are so many nice 1/72 kits out there now. I’ve been doing more and more of them myself.
Does anyone experience shrinkage on seem lines over time? I use Tamiya thin then I sand seems until they are gone and rescribe panel lines. Then after a coat of paint a day or two later I can see a faint seem line in spots that I was sure were sanded and polished away.
It's always a problem for me Brian, my FB 40 Mosquito in the DH 100 GB is one example, welcome to iModeler.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Not a complaint, but since it's been awhile since you did a model, it's unlikely you knew this - so put it to use with your next model (like Lay's potato chips, bet you can't do just one 🙂 ). US aircraft used by the RAF generally had RAF seatbelts, which are visually different from US belts. If you're buying Eduard photoetch belts, look at the air force they're for (Everybody was different).
It looks like you still know how to "ride the bicycle." 🙂
Hi Tom,
Point well taken. Aircraft are a bit out of element as I am an armor guy typically. You can’t underestimate the value of research which is half the fun in my book. Appears I missed the variations in seatbelts. Usually I do a fair amount of research which I didn’t do with this build.
Thanks for the callout.
Brian
Lays potato crisps are awful, try Walkers or Smiths.
Desert schemes are also high up on my list, Brian (@brianbart). The pre-shading seems to have worked very well with your great-looking camo. Which lacquers did you use?
Thanks George!
I used Mr Color. I know lacquers have been around for awhile but I never gave them a try. As an armor guy I always stuck with Tamiya acrylics. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Excellent progress, so far, Brian! As @johnb said, putting your work in one suitable group will be a win-win situation.
Thank you Spiros. As far as the groups go, how does it work? Do I find an appropriate group in which to participate or create a group? Looking for some advice as a greenhorn here! 😁
I love this kit and all its different schemes. Your build is coming along very nicely!
Thanks for the encouragement Felix! There are definitely a ton of schemes from the European, African, and Pacific campaigns. It’s just a cool looking bird!
Everything looks just right; the paint, decaling, masking and shading all seem spot-on.
Welcome back into the fold!