Tim’s Airfix 1/48 Spitfire XII

[Tim Marlow]

Looking very nice Tim :thumb2:

Really impressed with the preshading as it’s not too uniform.
I usually do a sort of black basing but you’ve inspired me to try your approach on my Spit build.

Geoff.

Hi Geoff. Very kind of you. I find colours that are too even a bit off putting in a model, hence my approach to this one. Give it a go The technique isn’t hard, but does require a lighter than usual touch on the airbrush.

[Tim Marlow]

OK, time for a leap into the dark……I was going to start on the blue tack sausages, and remembered I bought this stuff years ago.



It is basically Panzer Putty, only cheaper and not in a branded pot. Now, I’ve never used it, so this could be an absolute disaster……it flows onto the surface very well, but comes off quite easily so will take careful handling……

Here she is masked up.

Looks like an attack of the blob doesnt it. Quite easy to use, time consuming of course, but easy to spread into the camouflage shapes, so wish me luck, I’m going in…….

[Tim Marlow]

….and now with paint…….

Bit more trouble keeping the pre shade this time. The science putty makes the aircraft hard to handle, so getting finesse into my airbrushing was much harder. I’m going to take the putty off later on today, so wish me luck…….

[PaulinKendal]

Good luck...

[Tim Marlow]

Good luck...

I may well need it Paul LOL…..

[Tim Marlow]

Funny stuff this science putty…..it runs…..


Came off as clean as a whistle though……

It also looks to be reusable. I’ll definitely use it again. It was far easier than messing about with bits of tape and rolls of blue tack. Tomorrow I’ll probably get the rest of the tape off underneath and start masking for the invasion stripes……doesn’t look like I’ll need a panel line pin wash on this one either. The panels seem pretty well defined…..

[Jim R]

Looks very good Tim. I have some of that Panzer Putty. First time I used it I masked up in the evening intending to airbrush the next day. Afternoon of the next day and most of it had flowed off onto the bench. If you don't hang about it does work well.
Jim

[Tim Marlow]

Yep, it’s learning curve alright Jim……I’ll certainly use it again though. I really like the way you can push it around on the surface to get the pattern right. Saying that, I might do the Mossy one wing/side at a time. It’s quite hard to handle the model when it’s on.

[Mark1]

Runny putty! I would end up with it everywhere, certainly done its job though, splendiferous paint job old chap. :thumb2: :smiling3:

[Tim Marlow]

Runny putty! I would end up with it everywhere, certainly done its job though, splendiferous paint job old chap. :thumb2: :smiling3:

Funny thing is, it’s not runny when you put it on. It’s a bit like blue tack, but without the stickyness. Very strange stuff. If you stretch it slowly it just pulls thin. If you stretch it quickly it snaps. Apparently it can shatter if you hit it with a hammer…..
The technical term is a non Newtonian fluid. The stress characteristics change depending upon the force involved. I think it’s real name is silly putty……whatever it is, this stuff was about half the price of Panzer Putty….

[Mark1]

Like custard!

[Tim Marlow]

Like custard!

Spot on Mark. Apparently you can juggle custard because it can go solid under certain conditions.

[Jim R]

No way am I going to try masking with custard. That is a step too far!!!

[Mark1]

You can punch a bowl of custard and will be solid and not splash, have seen a video of it being walked on, i know this stuff cos I was bought up by a scientist

[Tim Marlow]

No way am I going to try masking with custard. That is a step too far!!!

How about marmite?