Revell 1-48 scale Spitfire MkXVI

[Jack L]

Looking pretty good in my opinion Neil. Certainly looks like a nice smooth paint job.

I have found I can only get one thing at a time right...Masking the camo, letting me concentrate on nice thin coats so that the pre-shade shows through, OR getting a good (for me) freehand camo with nice neat borders. I can't seem to do both. If I am concentrating on the freehand, I paint too heavily and the shade disappears.

[topgazza]

Personal approaches but I don't do preshade as it takes over the spraying of the topcoat. I prefer a nice clean job and then try some panel lines and weathering. Minimal amount of course in my book. But thats a nice build Neil

[Guest]

What a complicated business, but the results are well worth it Neil.

[scottie3158]

Neil,
Very nice work so far. The paint looks good.

[Neil Merryweather]

Well, it took me a while but I finally got to the decals.

I did give the ‘pebble dashed’ areas a tickle with some 1200 wet &dry and another coat of Klear and I just about got away with it.

I don’t do planes very often so I have re-learn the techniques of Micro Set and Micro Sol every bloody time. I have some notes I made from a U Tube video years ago so it’s not too much of a strain on the brain cells, but it must be nice to not have to think about every single stage of the process.

The answer is, of course, to make more planes more frequently, but I have so many other interests and not that much spare time when I am at work. That said, A) I am not at work at the moment and B) I’ve just signed up for the Battle of Britain GB, so I shall probably do another plane for that.

So here are the decals




There were some very lumpy bits around the serial numbers on the underside which kept the concentration up, but I got there in the end.

I apologise (especially to Ron) for including the untidy bench in these shots, but I know I am in quite exalted company…………

Thanks for looking in

Neil

[Guest]

the techniques of Micro Set and Micro Sol

There’s a technique to them? I just liberally paint the area the decal is to go with Set, then apply the decal, blot it down with a soft cloth and equally liberally apply Sol over it.

[Neil Merryweather]

There’s a technique to them? I just liberally paint the area the decal is to go with Set, then apply the decal, blot it down with a soft cloth and equally liberally apply Sol over it.

believe me, I didn't even know that!

[colin m]

I‘ve broken my ‘One Job at a Time’ rule

Stunned - I don't know what to say.

[yak face]

Looking good neil , cheers tony

[Ancientmariner]

Looks great Neil, quite inspiring, have to add a Spitfire to the list as I've never built one.
Are you varnishing before masking to prevent lifting?
Think the top coat looks great personally.
James

[Neil Merryweather]

Looking good neil , cheers tony

Thanks Tony

[Neil Merryweather]

Looks great Neil, quite inspiring, have to add a Spitfire to the list as I've never built one.
Are you varnishing before masking to prevent lifting?
Think the top coat looks great personally.
James

Thanks James.
No I didn't varnish before masking.Just before and after the decals.
Next step is a pin wash and weathering.
cheers
Neil

[Mini Me]

Hi Neil, Just had a complete read through on this. Great job so far and I think the camo came out the "Dogs" you know whats!
Looking forward to your wash and weathering. Rick H.

[Neil Merryweather]

Hi Neil, Just had a complete read through on this. Great job so far and I think the camo came out the "Dogs" you know whats!
Looking forward to your wash and weathering. Rick H.

Hi Rick, thanks for that.

Well, your wish is my command, Oh Master!
And HEeeeeeeERE's the wash!

Not my finest hour photographically , but the plain background should please someone......
This is a bit better

I used a home-made pastel-based sludge wash I learned from U-Tube years ago.
The plan is to give another coat of Klear and then use an oil wash and maybe some powdered pastel for the weathering. Unfortunately, this looked very weathered at first but I had to clean almost all of it off.
In retrospect, I think next time I'll use an oil wash for the panel lines and the sludge wash for the weathering.
So, fingers crossed, eh?
Thanks for looking in
Neil