Finally managed to get the priming done ?



There are a couple of seams which will need a bit of filler and the radiator exhaust is particularly bad but I’ll use a bit of thin plasticard to cover this.


Once these bits are sorted it will be onto the fun part, the camo painting. I’ve just got to figure out what colours to use ?

Thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

Always nice to get to the primer stage . Not many issues to sort out. Like you I use thin styrene to cover up bad seams where possible - easier and a neater job than filling and sanding. Looking forward to the camo.

Nicely done Geoff.Hope you enjoyed Telford.
Richard

Nice to see this one resurected Geoff. Looking good.

Just a quick word regarding the “camo” colours I’m planning on using.

These aircraft where originally delivered to the 56th fighter group in natural metal as were most USAAF aircraft towards the end of WW2.

The three squadrons in the group the 61st, 62nd and 63rd were not happy with this finish so it was decided to paint them before use.
Each squadron had a different finish although the underside remained NMF.
This is were the trouble starts as there is no documented evidence to show what colours were actually used ?

No problem though, you know how it goes in the hobby a nice civilised chat takes place on the internet and a general consensus is reached about what colour was likely and we all live happily ever after right…….wrong ?

Various theories as to what colour was used and why are championed and the arguments rumble on.
There are some colour photographs but these are either recoloured or because of the passage of time can’t be taken as accurate either

So as no one can prove what is accurate everyone is potentially right ?

Anyway after reading a few internet ding dongs I’ve decided life’s too short to worry about it and am going to go for RAF PRU blue for the light blue and slightly darkened insignia blue for the main darker blue.

Right or wrong, accurate or not I reckon it will look nice ?

Geoff.

Hello Chaps.

Got a bit of time at the bench today so managed to get the underside painted.

AK Extreme Metal - Aluminium was my paint of choice.


I was quite pleased with how it turned out, all the ancillary parts, engine, inside of the engine cowling, undercarriage doors and wheel hubs have also been painted the same colour.

Upper camo next, thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

Looks good Geoff. Metallic finishes aren't easy.

The painting stage. A nice place to be.

A quick update ?

The engine has been painted.


I’ve also painted the first stage of the upper camo.

As I said in a previous post the actual colours used for the scheme are uncertain as they were painted when they arrived at the squadrons.
I decided to use Insignia Blue cut with insignia white 5:1.


I also had to mix a separate pale blue to paint the rudder. It needed to match the serial numbers, not too far off I think ?

Hopefully another update soon, thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

That's a nice paint job.

Coming along nicely Geoff

A few pics now that the masking has been removed ?


Decals next, another update soon.

Thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

Your Thunderbolt is looking great Geoff, very striking in that scheme ?

Not far off done now.

All the transfers have been added, probably the worst aspect of the kit to be honest. Some silvering around the carrier film in a few places despite going down over a nice gloss surface.
Its had a flat coat now so just the few ancillary parts to add and a bit of weathering to go ?


Thanks for looking ?

Geoff.