Tamiya 1;48 Mosquito

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[ATTACH]45064.vB[/ATTACH][ATTACH]45065.vB[/ATTACH]I built the wings earlier and slipped them on today. A pretty good fit with just the minimum of filling required. I dont think there's much more I can till its had a coat of paint. The canopy is masked etc. so I expect it will progress swiftly along now. I'll probably post a photo later. I've been playing with the camera trying to get the settings right.

Here's a quick photo for Buttonman. I didnt know whether to post it in the completed section, Roman's photography thread or the biggest mistake you've had with a model thread. I loved building this but my biggest mistake was leaving my stuff with grandson when I went to the toilet. On my return two minutes later he had painted my Thunderbolt in a thick black wash. It was like tar! It has taken me months to get it off and there is some damage to the kit which I am putting right bit by bit.

Hopefully these are better photos which will help when I post the next Mossie ones.

Keith

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Hi Keith.

What software are you using for your pictures? Something is stripping the "Exif" data (details of how the photo was taken) and without this, it is harder to help. Adobe's "save for the web" does this as do some hosts.

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I use Corel Paintshop Pro x2. How does the picture look to you? Is it still blurred? I used an f stop of 32 so there should be a good depth of field. I did edit it for colour and brightness but thats all. I was thinking about changing my photo software because it crashes fairly regularly so it might be opportune moment to do it now. Thanks for your input Roger. I'll never know unless someone tells me.

Keith

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Any news on this one Keith?

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I havent done anything noteworthy since my last post, Roger. A bit of an impasse, really. I'm come across a seam I'm not happy with which shouldnt require too much work. I'm hoping to get back down to it this week though. I'm still working on the photography side as well. I dont want to post if they arent worth looking at.

Keith

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Difficult without all the detail Keith . Couple of things may improve.

The cockpit photo. As said before I suspect that you are outside the focus limit of the lens ie to close.

The overall of the aircraft picture. The silver is causing havoc as it is so reflective. Two things may help. Do away with direct lighting on the subject. Bounce light off a white ceiling or white card placed at the side. The old trick was a white umberella.

The other is if you have a gamma adjustment in your amour in the software try using this to enhance the lighting of the photo. Much better than using brightness & contrast as gamma has a relatively even effect.

As you have a NIKON I suspect they have a free editing programme for download. I got with my Olympus a first rate easy to use (except the filing system or is it me take your pick) editing process. Takes from importing to the camera through editing & including printing. They are always up dating the programme with improvements.

Laurie

A great aid is a polarizing filter as this does away & is adjustable reflections but is not any good for metal.

If you have a UV filter try this. Also good idea to have it fixed permanently as it will protect the camera lens.

[Guest]

Polarising filters work best in sunlight and UVs are of very little use on DSLRs as they have UVs built in.

A simple but effective photo manipulation program is available free here. Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing

If you are using a flash try setting your camera to manual, F8 or 10 at 1/120 or 1/180 seconds. I do not have Nikon, but as far as I can see, the minimum focal distance of yout 50mm is about 45cm. Do not worry too much about filling the viewfinder - the definition of most modern digital cameras will allow you to blow up part of your picture and still have plenty of detail - for example here is a fairly ordinary picture of an F86 -

...and here is a close up from it -

It would be easier to help if you post some pictures.

Are you on any photo forums?

Sorry - forgot to say, the advantage of taking pictures from further back is that you get a greater depth of focus.

[Guest]

Rogers post the othe day has given me a little bit of a poke and decided I'd better crack on. I've put the wings on and given it a first coat of paint. That usually helps! I have a little bit of a seam issue on the upper fuselage. It runs through a hatch and filler cap (I think). If I sand it out I'll lose the detail so I'd rather have the little bit of seam. I've also dry fitted the gear and ladder just to see how it sits. I'm fairly happy with the way its going so far. Here's a couple of photos I took today.

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Laurie, I got my Nikon disk out to have a look at what editing software is on ther and there is one but its pretty basic. Its much like Windows Picture Manager. I may have another one somewhere. I'l have to get into the cupboard and search.

Keith

Keith

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Sorry - I hadn't meant to poke you. ops: :wink:

Looks to be coming along nicely. Pictures look good too.

IIRC, you have to download the Nikon software from their site.

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Coming along real nice bro over come your prob's you'll find a way to remove the seams bolly bolly try a broken tipped knife tip sharpened to get in the nooks and crannies nice and steady

With all the work you've done buddy .

Martin

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A little update. I've got her all decalled up now. I've gone for the 487 Squadron markings for no particular reason. I had a bit of silvering on the left wing on the 'X' keep off box despite masses of Microsol/set. Unfortunately, you can see whats happened! Honestly. I could kick myself.

Keith

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Did you prick the decal in the silvering area lots of times before applying the Microsol/set Keith.

Did you use Micro Set, Blue Bottle, or Micro Sol the pink bottle. The micro sol pink is more potent but care is needed.

Very nice finish Keith it looks really good & will make a good centre piece to any collection.

Laurie

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The Mossie's X Box has two 'Keep off' decals which are superimposed on top of it. I did the box a couple of days ago to let it dry properly first. I saw immediately that it was going to silver and I kept going back with the blue bottle. I used the pink bottle prior to applying the keep off decals. They went on easy enough but I was using a different brush to the one I usually use (probably stiffer) and the next thing I knew was the hole appeared. I didnt prick it to begin with as i wasnt sure if it was going to help or make it worse. I could mask and paint it but doubt I would get the right colour match. A new set of decals is a bit drastic for one decal but it annoys me enough so I might have to bite the bullet! The canopy is only sitting on top at the moment as I prefer to put it on last thing.

Keith

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try and make a feature of it with a bit of wear and tear next to it and on it,apart from that its fab mate

mobear

[Guest]

Another alternative Keith. Did you get alternative recognition letters & numbers that I had with the Revell Mosquito.

For instance there is a K in mine which is the same colour as the box decal. If you have it may be worth a try to carefully cut a piece off & splice it in. Should try it on a spare piece before going for it for real.

Matter of interest I only use the Microsol & Set if necessary after I have placed the decals into position & found the decal needs to be softened to mould themselves or if I have a bit of silvering. Most silvering I have found is due to not applying enough gloss as a base for the decal. I use the water on the decal after soaking to position. Found with horrible experience that the use of the Microsol & Set can be a disaster if used liberally.

Laurie