Royal Scots Greys - Part Two

I started these boys back in the summer. The Folland Gnat got in the way amongst other things so I was pleased to finally say they are done.

To show them off I made a movement tray/display base from 1.5mm plastic card.

I listed the paint scheme in the initial blog on these so here's the final pictures. Hope you like them.

Comments always welcome.

Airfix Hurricane Mk IIC build - Part One

The model I am using came as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight set. I was inspired to get stuck in to this due to a recent article in Airfix Model World (AMW) by Alan Price - Issue 21. I also recalled an earlier article in Issue 3 by Len Thomson so both of these are on my bench.

I obtained a detailing etch from Eduard through Squadron.com as well as replacement vacuform cockpits. In addition I am waiting on a bunch of resin detail parts from Valiant Wings publishing. Neat little set that contains a new prop, wheels, exhausts, gun barrels and a few other items.

Once the etch arrived I quickly realized if I was going to get this right I needed some reference pictures so I now have a copy of Hawker Hurricane Walk Around number 14 by Ron Mackay et al.

Getting stuck in the first job was to scribe panel lines in place of the raised detail on the kit. Alan Price describes how to do this in a short piece in AMW 15. This was my first time and I was thankful for his guidance. It is actually straightforward. You need a tool to  scribe with. I got mine at my local Hobby shop, Maplewood Hobby. You then need various edges to guide your tool over the model. I had most success with a small steel rule and a flexible steel template. The picture below attempts to show the results on the lower wing. I guess the main point here is you are not trying to dig a trench. I found three light passes was sufficient to start. Then after lightly sanding the edges of the lines and any remaining raised detail away  I was able to re-scribe the line and finish up with a recessed panel line that should show up well after painting and weathering.

With the panel lines scribed I have turned to the cockpit and the Eduard Etch. This is the third kit I've used etched parts on now - the Vixen being the only one I've actually finished. I just get anxious. All the top modellers make it look so easy but to me it requires major concentration. So here's the parts I've made up so far. The cockpit has been sprayed with Humbrol 78 and I've added parts to the seat, made up the cockpit framework, built the instrument panels and one of the cockpit sides.

Next up is to study my references so I can finish the cockpit.

As always any comments are always appreciated from fellow modellers.

What next?

At the end of my last post I mentioned I had made a start on my Airfix Lancaster. well that didn't last long. Somehow it just seemed to big a task for right now so I started messing around with other projects.

I got well down the path with a Games workshop Mumak. Impressive kit but it needs a lot of filling sanding and re-scribing to make it look anything like ready for display.

I think one very important point to make about htis model is that it is essential in my mind to pin all the pieces to be glued to the main body: ears, tail, tusks, trunk should all be pinned otherwise theywill undoubtedly get knocked off at some point in the future.

Once the joins are gone and the other parts pinned in place though painting is relatively easy.

The model was first base coated in Dark Sea Grey. This was applied with an airbrush. Next came a heavy wash of ink mixed from Black and Devlan Mud. Excess ink was removed with a dry paper towel so that the ink stayed in the folds of the model only.

After that I went with successive dry brushing layers of London Grey (VJ) and Fortress Grey (GW) finishing with a mix of Fortress Grey and Off White (VJ).

Tusks and toe nails were all base coated Bone white (VJ) and then got successive layers of Scorched Brown (GW), Bestial Brown (GW), Snakebite Leather( GW) to represent the cuticle aresa. I final light wash of Gryphonne Sepia (GW) blended it all together.

The Saddle and wood and basket work on the back are in progress - not sure when I'll be done but here's the beast as it stands so far.

While all this was going on I was also finishing off my Scots Greys from the summer. They are all painted now and just need their bases done so more of them later. I also painted more Warhammer for my son, Did a battalion if Union Infantry using the Army Painter method and got started on a Scots War band for my Saga game. Phew.

And if all that wasn't enough I got bored with everything and decided I really need to build my Airfix Hurricane Mk IIc so that's what's next ... and this one I'm going to finish, honest.
As always I would love to hear from fellow modellers. Here comes the Hurricane.