Welcome,

I started this build when it was first released in 2007/08 and then shelved it for whatever reason. It has languished on my shelf of procrastination since then and when I finished the Defiant, I vowed to do one of the kits that lay languishing. I decided to do this as it was amongst the oldest kits there and I felt in a good place to be able to tackle it.

Pulling the kit out, I took stock. I had almost completed the construction as the cockpit was finished and installed, the wings were on and the Quickboost engine had been installed into the starboard nacelle.The RLM 02 I had used back then was the Vallejo Air grey/green and it really looked too dark then and still does but it was staying. I had decided to close the forward gun bay and the nose had been cemented into shape and roughly sanded. The kit wheels are incorrect for a C model, so the Aerocast AM wheels had been partially painted and marked P and S. They have now been masked and the brass details added, awaiting a coat of black.

The engine nacelles had been attached and the well known gap addressed with filler (I think it was Vallejo acrylic filler) as well as the gaps on the underside wing joins. All in all it looked a bit rough and ready and probably reflected where I was, mindset wise, in 2007. The canopy had been taped over, the gaps taped and the kit put onto the shelf.

I set about tidying up the seams, removing the steps created by hasty gluing and alignment on the wings and getting rid of all the basic errors.

I finished off the MLG bays with the remaining kit pieces, Eduard PE and some styrene. I then completed the lower gear assemblies, fitted the brake lines and shot Aeromaster RLM 02 on all the interior surfaces except the cockpit. It is much lighter than the Vallejo Air and a better representation IMHO.

The engine nacelles were cleaned up and the lower inlet pieces fitted. The majority of the piece sits on panel lines except the curved section at front which is smooth. So out with the sanding sticks and Mr Surfacer. The exposed engine had a little more detail added with some more piping to go. The position lights on each wingtip were removed and the location defined. I will add some CMK position lights later on.

The MG15 was assembled from kit parts, PE, resin and a lot of luck. Naturally after this photo the rear gun sight was flung to the far corners of the earth and a replacement has been sourced. The DF antenna is made of two loops but produced as a single part. Judicious use of an RB ultra fine saw and a lot of luck resulted in an equal split down the middle to crate the two rings.

I am still to settle on a scheme but I am leaning to the night fighter scheme (L1+DH) from the kit or one of Falck's early birds from the AM Techmod decals. The canopy sections have been dunked in Pledge (Future) and are drying and the PE details for the closed section of the canopy are being assembled.

Thanks for checking in and some pictures to follow.

28 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Hello again,

I have been working on a lot of little items, wheels, MG, props and spinners. I enjoy these detail work type of items. What I was actually doing was avoiding the final filling, sanding, riveting and scribing. Once I had done the peripheries there was nothing but to dive in head first! Having completed those tasks it was time to mask up and lay the first underside coat of Aeromaster RLM65. I had a central seam reappear on me so I had to do some remedial work with Tamiya Extra Thin and some clamps on the fuselage sides which fixed the seam. I also missed a seam on the port nacelle. I have a few more touch ups to do such as the rear of the nacelles so I took the opportunity to let it dry before I will retouch the paint shortly.

16 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Bitterly cold so not much work, despite copious amounts of "loft insulation". I have touched up the RLM 70 areas and awaiting the paint to cure before masking. Out of interest, I did conduct a little colour experiment for RLM colours 70 and 71. I used Aeromaster, Modelmaster, and Humbrol enamels. The difference speaks for itself. L to R: H71; AM70; MM70; MM71; AM70; MM70.
The Aires exhausts got a coat of Gunze Burnt Iron 76.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Houston, we have camouflage! Not sure why but the RLM 71 dried darker in some areas. Possibly due to the fact I touched up the rear area with a different batch? Who knows, who cares? The MLG had pins inserted and holes drilled to add a better strength and alignment.
Happy with the end result. Still have a wash to go but I will gloss coat the entire build and then add the washes. Heretic, aren't I?

Thanks for looking.

16 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Welcome back,

I had a few issues with Photobucket which have now been resolved. Progress has been consistent with the decaling now complete, the engine has been detailed and smaller assemblies prepared for final construction. The Techmod decals proved difficult in that they are not inclined to move once placed and are very prone to shattering. I did some research and apparently they need a good pool of water or Microset beneath them and even then they can be unforgiving. I managed to use most of them but some were beyond redemption and the kit decals were used. The QB engine is nice but lacks some plumbing. I have added the most obvious bits out of lead wire and plastic rod. I am pretty happy with the engine. The QB exhausts coat a couple coats of AK Interactive Exhaust was over the burnt iron basecoat.

26 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Just a quick update. The Flory wash has been applied. I then set about adding the DF and "clothes line" antennas.

Regards,

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

No matter how many times I tried to convince myself, "silvered decals do not worry me", it was never going to end well. I cut some Tamiya tape masks for the serials out of some pre loved tape. It appears the silvering is mainly confined to the RLM 71 as the darker RLM 70 is not as noticeable. Maybe something to do with Humbrol paint? Who knows! Not too bad, if I say so myself. The port wing insignia had also silvered so it had to go. Surprisingly it came away with a piece of new tape (after two coats of matte varnish) and I masked the balkankreutz.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks Greg,

I look at it as a learning experience. Who am I kidding? It &$@$& me to tears!

I added some bits and bobs. The MLG doors and the PE retraction cables. The remedial work on the silvered decals has both good and bad. The balkenkreutz is finished. Port serial came out well with some minor lifting. I think the final matte coat will sort that out. Starboard side will need another go.

6 attached images. Click to enlarge.