Airfix 1/72 Mitsubishi a6m2-b WIP

zathros

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This has to go into a case, it's beautiful and must be protected!! ;)
 

JanMarciniak

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Zathros it will be :) I have to visit glazier workshop and order little case :) Buils is right now on hold as I will receive vaccuformed canopy next month :(
I would also like to ask you Guys for little help. Model in "starter set" didnt include stencils. I have ordered Techmod decals set and I would like You to help me choose painting for my "Model 0"
2072_72059ok.jpg
 

micahrogers

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I agree with "Z" on this Lt. Sumio Nono's looks the best with the different colors to pull the eye to it. with the red "Meatballs" the blue stripes and the yellow tail stripes, a good contrasting scheme.
 

zathros

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When I saw how small this plane actually was, I was even more impressed with your workmanship. :)
 

JanMarciniak

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One of my friends once said "if You have no expectations You can't be dissapointed" and I must admit that it saves me a lot of nerves sometimes :D
 

JanMarciniak

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Hi Guys :) Well "Zero" supposed to be on "hold" until new canopy arrive... but why not to make some details? :)
I've made new Type 92 7,7mm guns
type92.jpg
Pitot tube
pitot.jpg
I've sanded down engine cowling flaps and I've noticed that engine will be visible in gap between cowling and fuselage so I made exhaust imitation :)
cowling.jpg
And last photo for today is finished propeller-gently wheathered with black and white oil paints.
propeller.jpg
Hope You enjoy :)
 

zathros

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The engine, prop, and guns came out excellent. That engine is a stand alone model in itself. I hope you make the canopy removable. You'll want to show that off. I am amazed at the detail you put in while being such a small model. Wow! :)
 

JanMarciniak

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Well it depend on how thin vacu canopy will "bend" view (and I hope that I dont damage new canopy- I'm total NOOB in work with vacu parts). I hope to get clear view with closed canopy to save this nice shape of plane "ready to fly" :) but as always time will show :) Right now I'm after lectures about paints used on those machines and it appears that I will have to make "paint mixing" to get "good color". Funny thing: I never thought that I will soak so deep into such "deviations" :p
 

zathros

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To make a plastic model look good is no easy task. I make canopies by using two part epoxy, forming them into the shape (usually, I make cardboard template, (glued together much like an upside down ship hull) and the slightly overfill the cardboard template with the epoxy. Sand to final shape, after it's hardened, (I use SteelEpoxy), and I make sure I anchor a stick in the bottom for firm mounting. I then take a sheet of clear blister pack from something I've purchased and heat it over the stove. It gets pliable very very fast. At that point I pull it tightly over the sanded to shape. You get a great canopy and can really form the edges. I am sure there are other ways, but this is a quick way to produce an excellent canopy.
 

micahrogers

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Hands on thermo forming is a great way to make canopies. I prefer to get a good injection molded canopy, mask the frames in positive, then sand and polish till as close to optically clear as I can get it. My sanding films start at 1000 grit, and go up to 20000 grit... then a good plastic polish...

I've actually polished fine scratches out of my own eyeglass lenses before.
 

JanMarciniak

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Micah history of this poor oryginal airfix canopy is very stupid :D so lets just say that it is deformed and there is no way i can fix it ;) Few days after I ordered new one I found that shop owner is after surgery and will be shipping at first days of november so I decided not to cancel my order :) The only problem is that I start to run out of stuff to scratch build :D I'm wondering will I be able to make open flaps on this one...
 

micahrogers

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I completely understand, I have had cracked and even crushed parts before. Clear pieces that are that severely damaged just have to be replaced. if its an old kit them the MFG may not even have parts to send you, and I don't know of anyone currently selling repops of injection molded canopies. Since you have found a guy that sells Vacu formed canopies then that's what you get.. Sometime the vac canopies are even clearer than the injection ones, just trickier to work with.

Opening the flaps can be done on this kit, but IIRC they are lower surface flaps only, which would have to be done before the wing halves are assembled.
 

zathros

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If you can use the original Canopy as a plug into Epoxy, you can use Vaseline, applied very thin, as a release agent, and push it into the epoxy, then let it dry. The Vaseline will allow it to release. Then use a heated piece of thin plastic sheet into the plug hole to make a Canopy. There are many ways to do this. ;)


Think of how much easier this would be with a small canopy:

 
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JanMarciniak

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Hi :) Thanks for all advice. Zathros I've been trying to make my own canopy but I wasnt satisfied with effects and aftermarket one costs 5PLN = 1,5$ so... You understand ;)

Micah on this model flaps are 1 part with upper wing half. I have to think about "opening" them- it might be risky but as they say "no risk no fun" :D

And now effects of yesterday night works. Landing gear. After long lectures and reading about Zero painting I've understanded that I know nothing :D Much questions rise. I've decided to paint green aotake instead of blue one without overpainting it with fuselage color. Airframe color is mix developed by Greg Springer but as I mixed different producers paints it was quite tricky to achieve proper effect.

landing gear.jpg
 

zathros

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That landing gear is fantastic. Honestly, you work in small scale excellently! :)
 
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