SPA Modeler

kahunaminor wrote:

KennyX wrote:She’s looking absolutely lovely. Also/ when I read “Painted double chevron markings” I got really excited. That intrigued me. I’ve been enjoying this build so far, but that’ll have me paying double attention.

Thanks Kenny,
Sorry to disappoint but the “double chevrons” I have are incorrect size, so it will be back to decals. Maybe next time!

Regards,

No problemo, amigo! Gotta do what works!

kahunaminor wrote: Thanks Kenny,
Sorry to disappoint but the “double chevrons” I have are incorrect size, so it will be back to decals. Maybe next time!

Regards,

Um...………...yeah. You can't use the word disappoint in this build anywhere Kent. This thing is looking TOTALLY awesome bud.

You are far too kind.

Plan b with the “double chevrons” swings into motion. I had a friend over and explained the to tall masks. He looked at me, looked at the decals, looked back at me and said, “It’s two parallel arrow heads and you have the decals as a template. Well within your skill set methinks.” Lightbulb moment. Stand by Kenny, there may be a Santa Clause play.

The masks have been placed and the areas for the white ‘weeded’ out. I think I still need to adjust the port underside on a little as it is skied. The rest I am happy with but will check using the photos for fidelity :




















Regards

Progressing with masking the markings. I learned from my P-51 build where I placed the mask outer mask, sprayed the white then covered the white and sprayed the blue left a sort of white halo around the blue. So this time I figured any mask that had a complete one colour outline, like the white of the swastika, could be done in a similar fashion. Placing the outline in the correct position and spraying the entire interior of the mask. Then replacing the internal pieces so they sat right and then weed out the black. At least that was the theory, right? Those boundaries that were multi coloured needed to be done individually. Have I confused you yet? So it was place mask, weed the required section, paint, wait.....wait....replace masking, weed the next section, paint, wait.....wait....extreme wait and then remove. You get the idea:













Some touch ups here and there but pretty pleased. The black and white looks very stark but will be toned down. The cold hard glare of the camera shows up all the flaws that the naked eye misses. Double chevrons and bar to go:









Oil cooler flaps and flaps added to the wings:








Regards

Those came out great!

speedgraflex wrote:Honestly, I am confused, but the results appear good! So did you offset the mask to create the borders? Thanks in advance for putting up with me. Cheers.

Thanks mate,

The masks are precut. In the case of the swastikas with border, there are three sections:
the inner black swastika shape;
just outside that is a thin white border that fits flush against the inner piece;
and both of these fit into the large external piece. Once placed this piece does not move as it is the external border of the mask.

The theory is that you place the whole mask in position in one piece (easier said than done but not impossible). You then weed out the vinyl or tape from the area you want to paint. I should have gone from the inner out I think. Remove the central piece and paint the black and let it dry. Replace that in its position and weed out the thin border piece and paint it white. Allow to dry and you can then remove the lot and you should have a perfectly formed marking. I think where I went wrong is I removed both internal pieces, painted it all white then tried to replace the thin vinyl to cover the white border, leaving the black interior. I was not as accurate in replacing the mask and some black has got in between the gaps. “Mind the gap.” Still it’s a learning curve!

Regards,

Nice work on the markings!

Wow, those looks really good.

Thanks guys,

I have been laid low with a chest infection this past week so no spraying. I have been working on the double chevron masks using old school measurements, angles and Tamiya tape. I photocopied a couple of copies of the decals so I wouldn’t damage them and marked up the double chevrons. It takes a few goes but I think I have one that looks good. Ruling the lines was throwing out the cutting so I went back to putting the points with this nifty ruler that has holes in it. Easier to see the cuts and adjust as needed, not entirely foolproof thought as some additional tape required. Now to replicate it for the other side!









Hopefully, I will have more soon. I just need to pick up my lung from the floor!

Regards