Trumpeter 1/32 Grumman Wildcat early version

[Guest]

Looking really sweet Vaughan,you've got some mad taping skills for sure!

[mossiepilot]

Looking smart Vaughan, always liked these colour schemes.

Great work mate.

Tony.

[colin m]

Looking very nice Vaughan,

It will make a nice colourful alternative to all the camo' stuff we build. If think I need a bit of colour in my display cabinet.

Colin.

[Guest]

Nice one.

:smile:

[Vaughan]

Thanks Guys

Still working on the wing stripes. I tried using the decals supplied but they just split and disintegrated, so it looks like it will be an airbrush job which I'm not looking forward to.

Vaughan.

[Guest]

Know how you feel Vaughan. On the Catalina there are black stripes along wings fuselage & you name it. All produced in decals. Just took one look & knew they were going to be a pain & wreck all the time I had spent. They just were not authentic.. So pleased at the end that I did airbrush them.

Bit of creep here & there under the tape despite lots of care. Also took a flat brush & with just a hint of Vallejo Matt varnish drew the brush along as much as possible the lower edge of the tape where it meets the plastic to provide a bit of a seal. Worked quite well.

Found it worth every effort in the final looks.

Laurie

[Vaughan]

Well I've bitten the bullet and started on the wing stripes. Firstly I masked with 10mm tape and then followed with 6mm either side and then removed the 10mm. Next I masked off the wings. Here's where I'm up to both upper and lower wings are up to this stage. Will allow it dry over night before I re-mask the centre with 8mm and spray the white. Fingers crossed this will work hopefully there will be no bleed.

Vaughan

[ATTACH]54954.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]54955.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]54956.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]54957.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

Vaughan looks like you have it well under control,looking forward to the money shot!

[Vaughan]

Well the white pin stripe has been added sorry no photos of the masked bands as I was keen to get on with the process. Anyway the masking is off and I'm very pleased with the result. There's a little tiding required on the leading edges but that's all that's needed.

Next will be a coat of semi-gloss varnish as I gather the paint work was gloss(full gloss would look OTT on this scale). I found this photo not of a Wildcat but it's a yellow wing of the era. Dangly bits like ariel masts, gun barrels, tail wheel, viewing windows on lower fuselage and gun sight yet to be added I'm nearly there!

Vaughan

[ATTACH]55005.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]55006.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]55007.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]55008.IPB[/ATTACH]

[yak face]

Superb work vaughan , the paint job is top class. Nice pic of the devastator too , very useful as ive got one to do soon! looking forward to the finished pics , cheers tony

[BarryW]

Beautiful finish there Vaughan.

[Guest]

Nice work Vaughan those stripes look perfect & much better than any decals would.

Interesting to note the shot on board the carrier. They must be brand new aircraft they are prestine. Interesting to note the wooden flight deck of the American Carriers.

Laurie

[Vaughan]

Thanks, Apparently Laurie the aircraft in this case Douglas Devastators were cleaned every day during this period of time so might not have been new and also it's interesting to know that it's the same carrier USS Wasp that my model would have been based on.

Vaughan

[Vaughan]

Hi all the dangly bits have been added and I have posted the finished pictures in the Aircraft section. Thanks for all your comments and interest.

Vaughan

[Guest]

Great paint job there the strips look brilliant.