Plastic Modelers in the IL-2 Community

[Birdman]

3 hours ago, BornToBattle said:

Nice work! Going back to “winged things”, huh? Funny how us modelers rotate around to different subject matters at times. When I first got back into plastic kits again this year I counted on doing winged things as my primary builds. Now I’m on an armor craze for some reason after building only one plane! Go figure. I guess I’ll burn myself out on armor after a while and go after some planes again…or 1/12 scale F1 cars…or 1/350 scale submarines. No accounting for at what time an individuals taste will shift and for what. That’s one aspect of what makes this hobby great - it’s your time and your build - whatever floats your boat as long as your enjoying it! 

Thank you! And 100% agreed, I now find that a little variety really helps with mojo.

[ZachariasX]

Time for some more child labor.

 

I mentined before that I still have this Tamiya Storch in 1/48 scale to finish and my younger kid wanted to build a kit all on his own. I first considered letting him do that one, but as he started on that one, it became quicly evident that this won't end that well. At least it wouldn't do justice to the marvellous kit. But I figured anything is better than an iPad and got him the 1/72 Revell kit of the Hurricane IIc. This one:

 

 

As I have everything that is needed to build the kit, it is a reasonably cheap expense. This time, he wanted to do it all on his own. In my mind I kissed my paintbrushes goodbye, but I have used them well and this might be a good reason for buying new ones for my next project.

 

 

The moulds are reasonably good and are very much on par with the P-47 and the Fw-190 kit. The parts require a tad more trimming though. There is this sinking feeling when I see him working with a Tamiya knife, but hey... if it wasn't super sharp, he'd be cutting himself much more likely.

 

 

No blood after some trimming. Cutting is easy. Or so it seems. I don't know why he got the cable cutter instead of the side cutter. Almost the same.

 

 

Painting. He is rather adamant about painting the parts on the sprue. Otherwise, you drop then so easily otherwise (with all the collateral) as he found out.

 

 

As I came back, he finally could assemble some of the big parts. Almost there, once it looks like an aircraft.

 

 

More seems to be better, also with tape.

 

 

Almost finished, he said. "The bombs must be on, but they don't fit!!" - "Did you drill the holes for them as shown in the manual?" - "..." - "Just clip off the pins and place them where you think they should be."

 

Also, I realized that about half of the Revell Aqua Color buckets dried up to various degrees. Some could be saved with paint retarder. Some less so. I will definitely not put any of those in an airbrush anymore.

 

 

Almost finished! For some reason, he opted for a dual colored spinner. He probably got confused in the instructions. Now the coolers.

 

 

Who needs paint? The favourite aircraft along with the favourite mug.

 

 

Still, he knows he is not there yet and we found a suitable color that has not completely dried. He then went on painting.

 

 

The light blue underside required some mixing. Add water to make it like milk. Paint several layers, never try to cover in the first layer.

 

 

The upper side also required mixing of colors. Same spiel. Still, it was unintuitive for him not putting on the delicate parts. If he only hadn't put on the gear and bombs, but...

 

 

I masked the canopy, as it would be a tad difficult for him. The birdcage lines are rather faint on the canopy. Using PVA glue to put them on makes it so easy to get it on neatly. How many canopies did I screw up back then by using the standard model glue...

 

 

Then the finishing touches. I helped him with the second color by drawing the outlines with a pencil on the model. He then painted that layer. Afterwards, corrections on all the overpaint etc. That is rather easy.

 

 

Decals. That is the hardest part.

 

 

Precise cutting with the hobby knife is not what they teach you in second grade. But he managed without bloodshed and sliding on the decals went surprisingly well. I heard just few lamentations, until he got to the smaller bits.

 

 

That is how far he got before he asked me to take over. I then did the stencils etc.

 

 

Weathering and panel lines. The Tamiya makeup for dirt etc works so well. I told him where dust and oil is located and he put it on until he regretted it. But then with a Q-Tip, he could wipe off until it looked nice again. Same with the pencil to follow the panel lines. After he scribbled all over the place, I told him to take his eraser and rub it off until he likes it again. It is truly surprising what emerges from underneath the scribbling. hardest part is just not to break anything off while using the eraser.

 

 

Semi last step, putting on the clear cote. I used a mix of 1:1 clear and satin. It gives a very convincing finish without any effort. On the (unedited) pic under the hard light it looks a bitshinier than it actually is. Still, I don't let them work with enamel colors. Acrylics are good for enough collateral. No need to ask for more. EZ-Line is used for the antenna. I put on the glue and he put on the thread. Once dried, easy to cut them with the side cutter.

 

Rarely has the kid been entertained so long for just 10$.

 

Edited September 14, 2022 by ZachariasX

[BornToBattle]

9 hours ago, ZachariasX said:

Time for some more child labor.

 

I mentined before that I still have this Tamiya Storch in 1/48 scale to finish and my younger kid wanted to build a kit all on his own. I first considered letting him do that one, but as he started on that one, it became quicly evident that this won't end that well. At least it wouldn't do justice to the marvellous kit. But I figured anything is better than an iPad and got him the 1/72 Revell kit of the Hurricane IIc. This one:

 

 

As I have everything that is needed to build the kit, it is a reasonably cheap expense. This time, he wanted to do it all on his own. In my mind I kissed my paintbrushes goodbye, but I have used them well and this might be a good reason for buying new ones for my next project.

 

 

The moulds are reasonably good and are very much on par with the P-47 and the Fw-190 kit. The parts require a tad more trimming though. There is this sinking feeling when I see him working with a Tamiya knife, but hey... if it wasn't super sharp, he'd be cutting himself much more likely.

 

 

No blood after some trimming. Cutting is easy. Or so it seems. I don't know why he got the cable cutter instead of the side cutter. Almost the same.

 

 

Painting. He is rather adamant about painting the parts on the sprue. Otherwise, you drop then so easily otherwise (with all the collateral) as he found out.

 

 

As I came back, he finally could assemble some of the big parts. Almost there, once it looks like an aircraft.

 

 

More seems to be better, also with tape.

 

 

Almost finished, he said. "The bombs must be on, but they don't fit!!" - "Did you drill the holes for them as shown in the manual?" - "..." - "Just clip off the pins and place them where you think they should be."

 

Also, I realized that about half of the Revell Aqua Color buckets dried up to various degrees. Some could be saved with paint retarder. Some less so. I will definitely not put any of those in an airbrush anymore.

 

 

Almost finished! For some reason, he opted for a dual colored spinner. He probably got confused in the instructions. Now the coolers.

 

 

Who needs paint? The favourite aircraft along with the favourite mug.

 

 

Still, he knows he is not there yet and we found a suitable color that has not completely dried. He then went on painting.

 

 

The light blue underside required some mixing. Add water to make it like milk. Paint several layers, never try to cover in the first layer.

 

 

The upper side also required mixing of colors. Same spiel. Still, it was unintuitive for him not putting on the delicate parts. If he only hadn't put on the gear and bombs, but...

 

 

I masked the canopy, as it would be a tad difficult for him. The birdcage lines are rather faint on the canopy. Using PVA glue to put them on makes it so easy to get it on neatly. How many canopies did I screw up back then by using the standard model glue...

 

 

Then the finishing touches. I helped him with the second color by drawing the outlines with a pencil on the model. He then painted that layer. Afterwards, corrections on all the overpaint etc. That is rather easy.

 

 

Decals. That is the hardest part.

 

 

Precise cutting with the hobby knife is not what they teach you in second grade. But he managed without bloodshed and sliding on the decals went surprisingly well. I heard just few lamentations, until he got to the smaller bits.

 

 

That is how far he got before he asked me to take over. I then did the stencils etc.

 

 

Weathering and panel lines. The Tamiya makeup for dirt etc works so well. I told him where dust and oil is located and he put it on until he regretted it. But then with a Q-Tip, he could wipe off until it looked nice again. Same with the pencil to follow the panel lines. After he scribbled all over the place, I told him to take his eraser and rub it off until he likes it again. It is truly surprising what emerges from underneath the scribbling. hardest part is just not to break anything off while using the eraser.

 

 

Semi last step, putting on the clear cote. I used a mix of 1:1 clear and satin. It gives a very convincing finish without any effort. On the (unedited) pic under the hard light it looks a bitshinier than it actually is. Still, I don't let them work with enamel colors. Acrylics are good for enough collateral. No need to ask for more. EZ-Line is used for the antenna. I put on the glue and he put on the thread. Once dried, easy to cut them with the side cutter.

 

Rarely has the kid been entertained so long for just 10$.

 

 

That last line in the post really sums it up, especially nowadays with all the electronic gizmos!!! Pedal to the metal on more builds! And two BIG THUMBS UP for a parent(s) actually shying away from an iPad or iPhone for a change! Can’t tell you how nice it is to look at these pics knowing at least ONE young person will grow up to like what we now in our 50’s and 60’s appreciated so much when we were younger. Congrats on your choice of hobby and many, many happy hours with builds to come!

Edited September 15, 2022 by BornToBattle

[Vishnu]

3rd project on the way.  Carved foam with primer and Panzer III with primer.  Airbrush broke and waiting for parts.   So, on hold for now.   Winter scene this time. 
 

Edited September 23, 2022 by Vishnu

[hetstaine]

Finally got my 109 finished. Long build, she did a lot of sitting time in between working on her owing to life in general. Pretty happy with the end result.

 

I used some small oven bulb filament wrapped around a needle for the aerial springs which turned out nicely, aftermarket seatbelts and masks for the markings.

 

Base was some leftover grasses from some previous builds on a circular piece of cleaned up scrap wood.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 25, 2022 by SYN_Haashashin

[ZachariasX]

6 minutes ago, hetstaine said:

Finally got my 109 finished.

Beautiful work! But you might put them under a spoiler, as there are swastikas.

[Ghost666]

Nice work!

[Motherbrain]

Pegusus Hobbies 1/48 Hurricane Mk.1

 

 

 

And an assortment of 3D Printed aircraft I've made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by Motherbrain

[Guest deleted@83466]

Good job on the Permit Gramps.  I remember playing a video game in the 80’s called Red Storm Rising, based on the book.  They had the Permit class and it was always a challenge because it was old.  Center hull mounted, offset torpedo tubes, or am I full of it?

[No_85_Gramps]

16 hours ago, SeaSerpent said:

Good job on the Permit Gramps.  I remember playing a video game in the 80’s called Red Storm Rising, based on the book.  They had the Permit class and it was always a challenge because it was old.  Center hull mounted, offset torpedo tubes, or am I full of it?

Thank you! I never really paid any attention to the tubes, so I had a look around and it appears the back of the tubes were even with the front of the conning tower, and slightly offset. In over 60 years of off, and on again, model building this was only the second ship model I ever built.

[Vishnu]

Put on the camo and started weathering.
Had some problems.  First time ever painting camo with an airbrush.   Plus my airbrush is a piece of ****, so I said, “to hell with it“ and dropped some serious coin on a proper brush. 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by Vishnu

[Motherbrain]

3D printed TBD Devastator in 1/72.

 

 

 

[BornToBattle]

No planes yet. Think that’ll be my next run - aviation orientated. Time to switch up my mojo I guess. But for now I made the 1/35 scale Meng kit of the largest (by volume) operational tank ever made…the French Char 2c. It had a 12 man crew and 10 were made. They were too late to see action in WWI so what few remained the French tried to use against Germany in the early phases of WW2. What didn’t mechanically break down by then was hopelessly outclassed anyways. I decided to go down my own path and make the number 92 Picardie. Picardie had the trench crossing tail skid though at over 33’ long I really doubt it would have been needed. She ended up breaking down (naturally) before being abandoned by her crew and taken by the Germans. A true pice of actual historical steampunk if there ever was…

 

 

[No_85_Gramps]

17 minutes ago, BornToBattle said:

No planes yet. Think that’ll be my next run - aviation orientated. Time to switch up my mojo I guess. But for now I made the 1/35 scale Meng kit of the largest (by volume) operational tank ever made…the French Char 2c. It had a 12 man crew and 10 were made. They were too late to see action in WWI so what few remained the French tried to use against Germany in the early phases of WW2. What didn’t mechanically break down by then was hopelessly outclassed anyways. I decided to go down my own path and make the number 92 Picardie. Picardie had the trench crossing tail skid though at over 33’ long I really doubt it would have been needed. She ended up breaking down (naturally) before being abandoned by her crew and taken by the Germans. A true pice of actual historical steampunk if there ever was…

 

 

 

Excellent job!

[BornToBattle]

Okay, another. Just completed this one today. Another “Paper Panzer” this time another proposed “bigger is better” the Löwe (Lion) Panzerkampfwagen VII. Taking artistic license all in stride I decided to model it in post production with the turret showing signs of belonging to another Löwe and mating to a current production hull in panzer grey…but alas…the front armor plating shows signs of it too being salvaged perhaps from another tank. Whatever you see, it was a fun build nonetheless as like I stated with the Maus it lets the builder decided upon a storyline to accompany the end result. Something which my IPMS model club always likes to hear during our show and tell lol.

 

It’s an Amusing Hobby kit in 1/35 scale. The real hurdle always for me unless it’s length and link is the individual tracks but once you get the hang of it and are REAL careful where the CA glue is going it’s not all that bad…sorta…maybe. The model itself I kept pretty simply with acrylics being used and VMS pigment for the barrel. Speaking of, wasn’t sure about the kinda shiny “turned steel” look of the barrel but it soon grew on me and instead of using filters to tune it down I said “What the hay” and decided I really liked the contrasting look so left it as is.

 

 

Edited October 6, 2022 by BornToBattle

[csThor]

The stash has gotten bigger ...

 

 

[BornToBattle]

On 10/12/2022 at 8:16 AM, csThor said:

The stash has gotten bigger ...

 

 

…and that’s always a good thing! 1/72 scale for me has gone the way of my youth. Just physically too challenging for me. So, naturally, for whatever reason, some people around me have been barking to see some submarine models of all things.
 

Hmm…let’s see…glue the two hull pieces together, slap on the conning tower and viola! Submarine! Not. I invested in of all things due to display size and selection the 1/350 scale stuff. HUGE mistake. Let alone adjusting scaled down weathering coming off of s string of  1/35 scale armor. Aircraft was my next choice to whittle down my stash. Oh well. Good kit thought you laid your hands on! Can’t wait to see them starting to get done!

 

Model on (when we’re not flying of course)!

Edited October 14, 2022 by BornToBattle

[Motherbrain]

Hobby Boss 1/48 Ta152C1. First time doing notoriously tricky German camo. This is my best model I've build yet. I love it. I really like how it turned out. 

 

 

1/48 J2M1. Finally got the pilot figure painted. I find figure painting very relaxing... even if I'm really bad at it. ?

 

 

Tamiya 1/48 A6M3. First time free handing an airbrush camo. Easily my fourth Zero. My best and favorite so far.

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by Motherbrain

[hetstaine]

On 10/2/2022 at 8:43 AM, Vishnu said:

Put on the camo and started weathering.
Had some problems.  First time ever painting camo with an airbrush.   Plus my airbrush is a piece of ****, so I said, “to hell with it“ and dropped some serious coin on a proper brush. 

 

 

You'll love that Iwata brush, sprays lovely and easy to maintain.

 

Quick tips. When you are doing a pull down clean, pull the needle out the front so you don't pull any paint into the inner o rings.

 

When putting it all back together, i seat the front brass nozzle first, screw on the outer chrome cap then push the lubed needle through the rear until it seats against the front brass nozzle then give it a slight push with my thumb. You will never need any force or you can flare the brass nozzle. The outer front chrome cap also won't need any serious tightening with the supplied spanner, finger tight then a slight nip up.

 

Never clean the front brass nozzle with anything metal or any type of scraping tool. It can score very easily or worse flare or damage the outlet hole. 

 

I use these

 KT Disposable Micro Applicators, the yellow ones are the perfect size for cleaning the nozzle after letting it sit in some vallejo airbrush cleaner.

 

Enjoy

[Guest deleted@83466]

I have an Iwata airbrush, but it’s the cheapy one.  I literally run it under the sink to clean it, and then blow water through. I wonder if there is an advantage to stepping up the product line to something better?

 

 

[No_85_Gramps]

Just a short update on the 2 FFG's I'm working on. Took a break with summer outdoor chores, but now back to these. The masts need to be painted and I'll probably complete the second set before painting. I have a new appreciation for those shipbuilders out there, definitely a project to test my patience. The tall mast is comprised of 42 pieces, a couple minor mistakes along the way. Have to get out and pick-up a nice looking wood for the bases. I have about a month to at least get one of them done, it's going to Texas to my son-in-law.

 

[Vishnu]

More progress.  Super dirty and a little rusty.

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by Vishnu

[BornToBattle]

On 10/15/2022 at 12:26 PM, No_85_Gramps said:

Just a short update on the 2 FFG's I'm working on. Took a break with summer outdoor chores, but now back to these. The masts need to be painted and I'll probably complete the second set before painting. I have a new appreciation for those shipbuilders out there, definitely a project to test my patience. The tall mast is comprised of 42 pieces, a couple minor mistakes along the way. Have to get out and pick-up a nice looking wood for the bases. I have about a month to at least get one of them done, it's going to Texas to my son-in-law.

 

Ah Gramps! They are indeed coming along! Looking really sharp. What scale were these again?

[No_85_Gramps]

4 hours ago, BornToBattle said:

Ah Gramps! They are indeed coming along! Looking really sharp. What scale were these again?

It's the Academy kit in 1/350th scale, and thank you!

[Vishnu]

More progress….added burned tree next to impact crater, tank obstacle and commander.  Still lots more work to do. Tank is essentially finished though. 

[cardboard_killer]

Look out! It's Fangorn sneaking up on your flank!

[Vishnu]

1 hour ago, cardboard_killer said:

Look out! It's Fangorn sneaking up on your flank!

No where near finished yet.  Don’t forget, it started like this. 

Edited October 23, 2022 by Vishnu

[No_85_Gramps]

About 99% finished. Need to finish the base and make the acrylic cover. Once that's done, and the ship is mounted, I'll add the last few bits to the ship. At times an exercise in frustration, but I'm happy with the end product. Have a couple of woodworking projects to finish before I finish off the second ship. 

[XQ_Lothar29]

Hello friends and colleagues of this passion.
Today I show you my new Messerschmitt BF109 G6/AS, Manufactured by Eduard in its Weeken Edition version at 1:48 scale.

The Messer, is the BF109 G6/AS variant, in night hunting colors for Wilde Sau operations.
this plane was piloted by the Hptm. Friedrich-Karl "Nasen" Müller, Commander of the 1./NJGr.10, this unit was very successful in sweeping the German skies with bombers and night fighters.
here are the images.

 

look in the spoiler

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[No_85_Gramps]

Finally completed and mounted in the display case. #2 will have to wait a few weeks to get finished. 

 

[Lusekofte]

1 hour ago, No_85_Gramps said:

your a genius 

[RAY-EU]

 

Edited November 11, 2022 by RAY-EU
CVN-65 Enterprise 1:350

[No_85_Gramps]

7 hours ago, 216th_Lusekofte said:

your a genius 

I wouldn't say that, just blessed at my age to still have steady hands, good vision, and patience.

1 hour ago, RAY-EU said:

 

 

 

Great looking carrier RAY-EU!

[RAY-EU]

Thanks & Good Frigate also for you ! Gramps nice .

Edited November 10, 2022 by RAY-EU
We family I realized most during the Plandemic !.

[FMF*BarracudaCZ]

Hello friends. I haven't posted here in a long time, so at least one ancient model from Revell PBY-5 Catalina.  

[Trooper117]

Awesome... and in British livery!

[No_85_Gramps]

On 11/10/2022 at 12:35 AM, XQ_Lothar29 said:

Hello friends and colleagues of this passion.
Today I show you my new Messerschmitt BF109 G6/AS, Manufactured by Eduard in its Weeken Edition version at 1:48 scale.

The Messer, is the BF109 G6/AS variant, in night hunting colors for Wilde Sau operations.
this plane was piloted by the Hptm. Friedrich-Karl "Nasen" Müller, Commander of the 1./NJGr.10, this unit was very successful in sweeping the German skies with bombers and night fighters.
here are the images.

 

look in the spoiler

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice, great job with the painting and detailing.

1 hour ago, FMF*BarracudaCZ said:

Hello friends. I haven't posted here in a long time, so at least one ancient model from Revell PBY-5 Catalina.  

 

 

Well done, I base really sets if off!

[Vishnu]

Snow has fallen, yet, STILL, work to be done.   Please remember, it’s still in work in progress. 

Edited November 21, 2022 by Vishnu

[AngleOff66]

New Airfix 1/24 Spitfire Mk IXc review of the parts from the box.

 

 

[DBS]

Only just found this thread!

 

I used to do a bit of scale modelling with my dad back in the day. Then I hit 30 and got back into it. Here's a couple of my more successful builds:

 

Special Hobby 1/72 Ki-43 III

 

 

 

 

Tamiya 1/72 109 G6:

 

And a couple of Sweet 1/144th kits:

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy!