BUILD UPDATE 4.2 HOBBY 2000 1/72; NAKAJIMA J1NI-2 GEKKO/IRVING. LAND OF THE RISING SUN WEEK
I hope you enjoy this video. I am currently off work for 12 days and have decided to try to complete 10 models in 10 day, i have chosen my Japanese collection of fighters and other small aircraft to complete this project, i shall also be consuming various Japanese snacks, treats and sweets and of course be enjoying some Japanese drinks. I have a model collection/stash of 33-40 1/72 Spitfires which i have been building badly for the amusement or to the annoyance of my fellow KZheadrs, As my competence levels increase i am looking to take on different and more complex models. As a novice modeller my intention is to learn the various assembly techniques and skills required, especially that of painting, so as i can produce half decent looking models, I concluded the best way to do this is to start with something simple, personally i think the best way to learn a new skill is repetition; try, try and try again. Hopefully by completing these 33 Spitfire models i will learn a few tricks of the trade. Whilst doing this I am also hoping to improve my VERY basic KZhead skills, so far just uploading these videos has resulted in tantrums of titanic proportions, yes unfortunately i am also techno-phobic.
Follow me on my novice modelling journey whilst I try desperately to overcome my midlife crisis. Questions and suggestions always welcome. Please like and subscribe and follow me on my ride!
Everything featured in this video has been paid for out of my own pocket. I am not endorsed by any person or company mentioned in this video.
The Gekko is looking great ! You mentioned about canopy painting. What I have adopted on process now is if the kit comes with masked pieces for the canopy. Fabulous. If not for Plan B I might see of I can buy some. Plan C is to cut your own but that is very tricky indeed. I cant do this so I use some mask oil or carefully paint the canopy. When dry I use a cocktail stick to careful scrap off where I have gone over. Thanks again Dean.
Thanks Dean. i think i am currently doing something similar to what your are doing "paint and scrape" using a cocktail stick, i am putting a cut along the glass where i want the removal of excess paint to start/end. i have 12 spitfires my "dirty dozen" speed built kits that are all canopyless that i think i am going to sit down and try a variety of different procedures on. i have seen the canopy mask but they are a bit expensive for what i still consider to be practice kits, perhaps when i up my skills i will have a go at them. Mask oil?????? not heard of that, i have some Humbrol Maskol, same/similar thing?
Another good build, Andy. With regard the canopy masking, with twin engine aircraft with birdcage canopies, it would be worth investing in an aftermarket masking set like Montex. Dark finishes can be very monotonous-with these small scale models you could try drybrushing a medium grey pastel in the centres of the panels to make them pop. Seal it all in with a spray of matt clear.
Thanks Jeremy, i am going to revist my speed build "dirty dozen" kits (remeber them LOL) on my next days off and finish them, i have the gloss & matt varnishes so will practice that procedure on a couple of those, then will do these "rising Sun" birds. In a few weeks i intend to then have a go at the various weathering processes, again probably using the "dirty dozen" kits as test beds.
Looks good..I paint all my cockpits by hand and then use a cocktail stick that works for me
LOL why didn't i collect Jet fighters. The cockpits are a bit of a pain in the butt.
This aircraft would have been a conversion to a night fighter from a reconnaissance aircraft so the rear canopy area was modified on the production line or as a field modification, so your real deck would be fine with the add on look - It may blend in when you put a varnish coat on for the transfers - I tend to use a gloss varnish to stop silvering followed by flat to unify the whole aircraft - I think this is a Fujimi kit from the 1990s nice to see it get a fresh outing.
Hello there @digitalcareline and thanks for watching, LOL so i was right to leave it off but wrong, i think it was in the blurb that it was originally a recon, i am a bit disappointed about my error as it kinda spoiled it a bit but plenty more to fantastic plastic to do. It is a bit of a looker, will be varnishing it when i have finished all my Japanese builds. thanks for the info.
I'm very much in the beginner mistake and learn stage myself but it is still all of the fun.
Gotta be honest i am starting to think that the beginner /mistake stage is the most fun
Hi Andy. Blimey your keeping me busy tonight. I think that the Gekko is looking good. I think that shade of dark green looks good on that kit. The glazing problem. Well I did tell you about Humbrol Maskol,its made to do glazing. Just paint it on the glass avoiding the frames. Then paint the frames, once dry gently peel off the Maskol. You can also use P.V.A. glue in the same way. I told you that you had inspired me to build that 1/144 Mig 21 that I have ,well tonight I did the glazing interior colour by hand. Tomorrow I will do the exterior colour (black). So you think that you have it hard eh ? 1/144 is f#$ckin small. But the toothpick way works or carefully scraping it with a scalpel blade works too. Wheels, I usually paint the hubs first in the desired colour then I put them on small sticks and turn them in my hand while holding a brush to them with black. Ah failing to follow the instructions, believe me mate we,ve all done it. Its called being lazy,cocky,stupid. Hey join the club. Overall you have done a good job so far so don't beat yourself up. You can still save this one. I have in the past found one of my old aircraft kits from my youth and then completely rebuilt it with scratchbuilt additions, an old Airfix Typhoon and Sunderland come to mind, now they were some work. But the results were great. Many hours of workand they weren't the only ones. So stick at it and your skills will improve, you had to learn how to walk before you learnt how to run, don't tell me. You can't run ? Anyway be proud of what you have done so far, you have gone off at a mad pace but now you are learning to slow down and things will get better. Well done so far,good luck.
Thanks Brian it looks nice apart from my novice errors LOL. Well the instructions ha trying to build a kit to instructions is the easy way but i am leaving parts off to get to paint them or keep them out of the way of the painting so it not an excuse but comes with the territory i guess. good luck with your 1/144's that is a size i will not be looking to have a go at LOL.