Airfix Hurricane IIc build - Part Four

Its just about done then. Eagle eyed viewers will no doubt notice a piece is missing (Clue at the end of the blog ) but I don't intend to do anymore work on this now.

I enjoyed this build because I learnt some new things and reaffirmed others.

1. Mr Surfacer 500 can be smoothed out with Isopropyl Alcohol which makes seam filling a snap.

2. Scribing panel lines is straightforward if you have the confidence. (See the first blog on this build)

3. Resin parts are fragile!

4. Small etch components will fly off your hobby table unless you first stick masking tape on the back of the etch.

5. Vacform cockpits make a real difference to a model and cutting them out only requires careful, patient scoring with a knife.

6. The tiniest of etch pieces are what make the difference in my mind. On this model the rear view mirror, antenna, pitot tube and cockpit handles really make this model stand out.

7. When spraying the model and putting on lacquer - light coats are the key. On this model I used Testors lacquer and I think t was too heavy. I'm going back to Tamiya clear coat on my next model,

8. When your model is all one color a pin wash is essentail to give it some depth. I used a very thin solution of Med Sea Grey and thinners letting it run into the panel lines from my smallest brush - 000.

9. After market decals are great. I'm looking forward to building a couple more Hurricanes in the future in different camo schemes.

10. Making antennae wire from stretched sprue was not as bad as I thought it would be. It took about 6 attempts holding some sprue over a candle to stretch it to make the piece I wanted. After cutting the thinned sprue to length the hard bit was gluing the ends to the model. Once that was done I used a hot screw driver blade to shrink it into shape (taughtened ). Neat stuff.

So here are the pictures.

 

 

.... and what's missing is the gun sight in the cockpit. One of those flying etch things!

Games Workshop interlude - The Rhino

As I mentioned in an earlier post my son is now in to Warhammer 40K. Consequently I have been painting some of his miniatures. Santa was kind enough to bring him a couple of larger models one of which is called the Rhino. I set about that one in quick order and just finished it so here are a few snaps of the project in progress.

I painted all the interior parts bone white before giving it a sepia wash. The control panel was fun using red, yellow, blue and green to create a neat looking panel.

Once the kit was put together it was undercoated white and then panel lines were shaded. In addition I put bolt gun metal patches in strategic positions to create a beaten up look after I had sprayed the main colour on.

Prior to spraying in Angels Green I put water on the boltgum metal patches and then sprinkled on some kosher salt. After this had dried I sprayed the model a couple of times with the main colour and then once dry I washed off the salt to reveal the metal paint underneath.

After that it was down to adding the details: lights, windscreen surrounds, the tracks themselves and then when it was all together I gave the whole model a wash in Flory's Dark Wash to accentuate the details. This was selectively wiped off with a wet paper towel after it had dried.

Last step, a couple of coats of gloss lacquer followed by a flat lacquer. This should stand up to being played with by my son. A reasonable gaming standard I think. I have to say these Warhammer models look great. I've done a few now for my son and have enjoyed painting them enormously.

Airfix Hurricane Mk IIc build - Part Three

A quick update. Obviously going with the night fighter scheme made painting very straightforward. Here you can see the model has been sprayed black. At this point I have also added the new etch antenna and the resin fish-tail exhaust.

The decals are a delight to use. They went on really well and look terrific. I used Micro Sol and Micro Set to apply them. They truly look painted on now.

The next blog on the Hurricane should be the finished article.

Airfix Hurricane Mk IIc build - Part Two

Nothings ever easy. I guess the new etch from Eduard is designed for the new Airfix Hurricane MkIIc/Sea Hurricane.

When I went to install the etch cockpit it fouled on the undercarriage molding in the wing. Frustrating. I therefore proceeded to "remodel" the etch somewhat. Not sure I was too successful but I have now buttoned up the model and it looks OK.

I did learn something new with the model. I've used Mr Surfacer 500 for gap filling. What I didn't know was that you can smooth it out with Isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing alcohol). I read about this in an Airfix Model World Article so I tried this out on the wing root gaps. It worked a treat.

Essentially all I did was put Mr Surfacer in the gap and along it so it stood proud of the model surface. I then gently wiped away the excess with a cotton bud soaked in the rubbing alcohol. This gave a really nice smooth join that needed very little sanding afterwards to finish it off.

The resin set had arrived so at this stage I added the new cannons, and the carburretor air intake. Not sure you can see it too well in this picture but the detail is great as is the etch screen that goes inside the raditor cowling.

At this point I had to decide on my colour scheme and decals. I ended up buying an Xtradecal set for the the Hurricane IIc. (Code X72-113).

This is only the second set of after market decals I have purchased and I am hugely impressed. The color sheets provide great information. I was really torn as to which scheme to go with. In the end I plumped for BE500/LK-A of 87 Sqdn flown by Sqn Ldr Smallwood in the summer of 1942. Its a night fighter all over black scheme with a yellow propeller boss. Looks great.

So that's where we are at. Right now I am fitting the cockpit front ready for spraying the model. More to come.