Finally, the Stuka

[Pantherman]

More masking and final top coat done. Very pleased with the result as no bleeding of colours. Little bit of touching in to do but it's coming together nicely.
Pantherman

Now doing the canopy masking it has already taken 5hrs and still the rear canopy to mask, then prime / paint all 3, then the final PE on the interior of the canopies......

Beginning to think I should have stuck with the armour..........no bloody glass.
Pantherman

 

[Down Time]

Be careful, that clear plastic is a glue magnet

 

[GaryG64]

Now doing the canopy masking it has already taken 5hrs and still the rear canopy to mask, then prime / paint all 3, then the final PE on the interior of the canopies......

Beginning to think I should have stuck with the armour..........no bloody glass.
Pantherman

Yes, masking the glass is a big 'ol pain in the booty. But it is nice to step outside our comfort zone from time-to-time.

Gluing was my downfall As it would cloud-up. Then I heard about using Future floor as a glue but I was unsuccessful with it. Next I tried white school glue which worked better. I still wanted a more secure "weld" so I dipped the canopies into a cup of Future, placed them on my nonstick mat to dry overnight. I used the Tamiya Extra Thin and that worked without clouding the glass first me.

 

[smokeriderdon]

Coming along great!

Couple plane tips. First. Leave every bit of landing gear, antennae etc until the very end if possible. Some kits you cant install the landing gear out of order, but where you can, WAIT. This saves a tremendous amount of effort in masking and painting. Also makes the model easier to handle without worrying about breaking stuff off.

The canopy. Once you mask it, put it in place, closed, prior to any painting. This does several things. First, it keeps your from having to mask off the cock pit. Second, it protects the inside of the canopy without having to mask it as well. The exposed framing is best done black first so it shows that from the inside and not the top color. So priming in black covers that. And the canopy colors will match the body perfectly on planes where the camo carries up over the frame.

Also, if you dont have pre cut masks, Parafilm works great for masking canopies.

Just some ideas to consider.

 

[Pantherman]

Coming along great!

Couple plane tips. First. Leave every bit of landing gear, antennae etc until the very end if possible. Some kits you cant install the landing gear out of order, but where you can, WAIT. This saves a tremendous amount of effort in masking and painting. Also makes the model easier to handle without worrying about breaking stuff off.

The canopy. Once you mask it, put it in place, closed, prior to any painting. This does several things. First, it keeps your from having to mask off the cock pit. Second, it protects the inside of the canopy without having to mask it as well. The exposed framing is best done black first so it shows that from the inside and not the top color. So priming in black covers that. And the canopy colors will match the body perfectly on planes where the camo carries up over the frame.

Also, if you dont have pre cut masks, Parafilm works great for masking canopies.

Just some ideas to consider.

Thanks for the advice, most welcome.
Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

Now doing the canopy masking it has already taken 5hrs and still the rear canopy to mask, then prime / paint all 3, then the final PE on the interior of the canopies......

Beginning to think I should have stuck with the armour..........no bloody glass.
Pantherman

Got quite a bit more done as I'm off work with Covid, although PE parts don't stay on the bench when you sneeze or cough!!

Got the top coats done and the decals, just got the canopy to finish and add. I will do some weathering but not too much as I like the nice new paintwork. I decided to do the version with the engine exposed which means you cannot fit the cowling afterwards. Decided to alter and fit one side of the cowling and have made up the rest so I can use it in the diorama.

Started on the figures, an ICM set. Loads of flash but I only paid £10 so got to expect that I suppose. Just waiting for some German air crew colours to arrive.

 

[Down Time]

Great updates, looks fantastic

 

[Pantherman]

Great updates, looks fantastic

Thanks

 

[GaryG64]

Got quite a bit more done as I'm off work with Covid, although PE parts don't stay on the bench when you sneeze or cough!!

Got the top coats done and the decals, just got the canopy to finish and add. I will do some weathering but not too much as I like the nice new paintwork. I decided to do the version with the engine exposed which means you cannot fit the cowling afterwards. Decided to alter and fit one side of the cowling and have made up the rest so I can use it in the diorama.

Started on the figures, an ICM set. Loads of flash but I only paid £10 so got to expect that I suppose. Just waiting for some German air crew colours to arrive.

That is looking fantastic, of course! Great detail throughout.

But that poor puppy has a rod up his backside, OUCH.

Hope you feel better soon. COVID sucks!

 

[Pantherman]

That is looking fantastic, of course! Great detail throughout.

But that poor puppy has a rod up his backside, OUCH.

Hope you feel better soon. COVID sucks!

Rodney, the pouch will be going for surgery shortly when he's had his coat dyed .
Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

Got quite a bit more done as I'm off work with Covid, although PE parts don't stay on the bench when you sneeze or cough!!

Got the top coats done and the decals, just got the canopy to finish and add. I will do some weathering but not too much as I like the nice new paintwork. I decided to do the version with the engine exposed which means you cannot fit the cowling afterwards. Decided to alter and fit one side of the cowling and have made up the rest so I can use it in the diorama.

Started on the figures, an ICM set. Loads of flash but I only paid £10 so got to expect that I suppose. Just waiting for some German air crew colours to arrive.

So the Stuka I'm calling done. Just got to finish the crew and built a diorama but will have to wait until I'm back on site as need to borrow some materials !!
Pantherman

 

[Down Time]

Outstanding job! Can't wait to see the diorama

 

[Pantherman]

Outstanding job! Can't wait to see the diorama

Thank you, most kind.
Pantherman

 

[GaryG64]

So the Stuka I'm calling done. Just got to finish the crew and built a diorama but will have to wait until I'm back on site as need to borrow some materials !!
Pantherman

Fantastic job, brother! Waiting to see the final masterpiece.

 

[Pantherman]

Fantastic job, brother! Waiting to see the final masterpiece.

Thank you.

 

[urumomo]

 

[Pantherman]

View attachment 100303

Thank you sir, im touched.
Pantherman

 

[Eagle-1]

 

[Pantherman]

So the Stuka I'm calling done. Just got to finish the crew and built a diorama but will have to wait until I'm back on site as need to borrow some materials !!
Pantherman

Finally got the paints for the figures. Also back at work and found a bit of insulation board that had a ruggedness to the surface I was after. Gave it a coat of (site) gray primer that the decorator was painting the door frames with so I borrowed his brush !!

Maybe lighten the base a little and play around with some bit's. Happy for ideas or advice on where to go with it.

The figures will be in 3 groups. Two working on the engine left side. Two just resting and feeding the dog on the right side. Then three officers in a group discussion behind the wing left side.
Pantherman

 

[GaryG64]

Finally got the paints for the figures. Also back at work and found a bit of insulation board that had a ruggedness to the surface I was after. Gave it a coat of (site) gray primer that the decorator was painting the door frames with so I borrowed his brush !!

Maybe lighten the base a little and play around with some bit's. Happy for ideas or advice on where to go with it.

The figures will be in 3 groups. Two working on the engine left side. Two just resting and feeding the dog on the right side. Then three officers in a group discussion behind the wing left side.
Pantherman

Very impressive!