Doug's 1/48 Airfix Sea King

[Guest]

If you can’t see much of them anymore later, then these will probably do fine. Though it may not be an easy material to paint, I suspect?

[Waspie]

If you can’t see much of them anymore later, then these will probably do fine. Though it may not be an easy material to paint, I suspect?

'One' idea I had was to paint the shelving and leave the black boxes as they are. Methinks after your comment That possibly will be the route I go down, still adding the cabling though. Thanks again Jacko.

[Guest]

You can always test it on some leftover material, or even the backs of these “boxes”.

[stillp]

I've no idea what the real ones look like, but those blacks of neoprene look believable. were the real black boxes crackle black finish? If so they're just fine as they are.
Pete

[Waspie]

I've no idea what the real ones look like, but those blacks of neoprene look believable. were the real black boxes crackle black finish? If so they're just fine as they are.
Pete

Hi Pete, from memory!!!! I 'think' they may have been a smooth worn black gloss finish. What I mean is, they would have been a high gloss finish when they left the manufactures but after years of, 'in - out' use they were rather dull to the eye. Our sonars were well used and when they were working the boxes could be in situ for a while, untouched. But once the aircraft developed a snag, the sonar equipment played up and boxes were changed very very frequently!!

I'm going to try and coat them with primer, then try a gloss topcoat to see what occurs. TBH, if that proves unsatisfactory I'll settle for them in their current state. They are so small and in the shadows so to speak. I'll have a chat with a friend up the road who flew in the passive Sea Kings but would have had the same active sonar kit. (Just not used as much as ours!!) He may remember, as he was a radio mech before aircrew.

Thanks muchley for your input very much appreciated. :thumb2: :smiling3:

[Waspie]

A testing day.
Below,, left, blue paper towel with PVA applied. Centre - tin foil with a coat of acrylic primer. Right - neoprene, (identical to the 'boxes'. Also given a base coat of acrylic primer.


Next, after drying out indoors.
Left, two coats of Vallejo sea grey applied to the paper coated tin foil. Centre, again, two coats of Vallejo sea grey applied. Right, neoprene with two coats of satin black.


Don't think I'll be using the paper coated tin foil for the sea tray although I can see possibilities for future uses. The tin foil with no covering other than paint has a better look, not perfect but close enough.
Finally, I can't observe any difference to the overall effect on the neoprene so may, (or may not), use the neoprene 'black boxes' with no paint.
I could also apply another couple of coats of black to see if that changes anything!!!
I'll see what tomorrow brings.

As usual, comments always welcomed.

Doug

[scottie3158]

The foil with paint looks ok but will scratch very easily.

[Waspie]

The foil with paint looks ok but will scratch very easily.

I took my finger nail to it after reading your reply! Spot on. I’m now wondering if I coat the foil with PVA, allow to fully dry and paint?
Tomorrow job now!

[Guest]

You’ll also have to ask yourself if scratching it is a problem. Or a risk if you will. This is going to go inside the helicopter, right? If you paint it shortly before closing up the fuselage, the risk of a scratch is probably low, so it probably shouldn’t be much of a problem, I would think.

[Waspie]

You’ll also have to ask yourself if scratching it is a problem. Or a risk if you will. This is going to go inside the helicopter, right? If you paint it shortly before closing up the fuselage, the risk of a scratch is probably low, so it probably shouldn’t be much of a problem, I would think.

I'm new to the scratchy world so, the only way I'm going to find out what works is by trying different things. Whilst many of you have a few years behind you I'm still in novice mode. It's not been a year yet!!
The plan is to have the SK sat with blades folded, front and cabin doors open. As it would prior to the crew getting in. So much of the insides would be seen.

[Guest]

As always, go with whatever method you think might work best — it’s your model, after all Whatever happens, you’ll probably learn something.

[stillp]

I took my finger nail to it after reading your reply! Spot on. I’m now wondering if I coat the foil with PVA, allow to fully dry and paint?
Tomorrow job now!

A rattle can of etch primer would probably work better.
Pete

[Scratchbuilder]

Doug,
This is a great build coming together, and what a temptation to us all to get the kit...
Got to wait untill birthday and hope - letter to self - be a good boy....
Mike

[Waspie]

Doug,
This is a great build coming together, and what a temptation to us all to get the kit...
Got to wait untill birthday and hope - letter to self - be a good boy....
Mike

So far I'm finding the kit very good. A few niggles but my biggest problem is me.
Luckily I have the time to persevere due to the low temperatures to spray in. So my pursuit of the perfect(ish) sea tray will continue. Unlike many I don't have stocks of suitable materials around and don't wish to spend vast quantities of dosh when I'm sure my Blue Peter skills will find something suitable that fits the bill.
Next is lens tissue, (once allowed to dry out). That seems to be a suitable material? I'll get there, tis only time!!
Now! You just carry on being a good boy!! Well not getting caught!!!

[Bri62]

Doug it amazes me the the lengths scratch builders go to for the realism, looking great m8