Friday, March 23, 2012

Boats Vol.5: U-Boot Typ XXIII

Subject: U-Boot TypXXIII
Scale: 1/144
Manufacturer: Trumpeter
Comments: Injection molded, 34 pieces, no decals, options to build three different boats.
         This is a high quality kit from trumpeter, way better then the ICM kit. It has recessed panel lines and very nice overall detail. Fit is very good, with no filler used during the construction. I built it out of the box, except for the railings, wich were from DR Design, a set made for model trains that i cut to the scale. Painting was done with Tamiya acrilics (XF53 for the underwater hull, XF19 for the upper works, XF69 for the waterline). Weathering was done with XF2 added to the base color at the center of the panels, and XF1 added to the base colors at the panel lines. Also, i used 0,3mm graphite to highlight the panel lines. A coat of future was then used to protect the paint, and a matt finish was added with Humbroll matt cote.










Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Helicopters vol.5: Westland Seaking HAR Mk5

Subject: Westland Seaking HAR Mk5
Scale: 1/144
Manufacturer: Sweet Aviation Model Div.
Coments:
1) The kit: Injection molded, optional parts for short and large sponsons with and without MAD, 2 clear canopies with and without ice/FOD screen and two options of tail rotor, with 5 or 6 blades. Decals for 3 different aircrafts: Belgian Air Force " Black Beauty" 2001; Seaking HAR Mk5 of the 771 Squadron, Royal Navy, 2005; Seaking HAS Mk5 of the 814 Squadron, Royal Navy, 1991.
The overall fit of the kit is very good, the decals are also fantastic, in perfect register, and the result is one of three colorfull helicopters. Bellow are photos of the parts of the kit, the instructions and decals:


 2) Contruction: I decided to build the aircraft bellow:
2.1) Display:In order to show the model, i decided to replicate the flight deck of a British Aircraft Carrier. I used the deck markings provided by the excelent HMS Illustrious from Airfix in 1/350 scale as a painting guide:
Using a small picture frame and plasticard, i tried to replicate de flight deck markings, with the result bellow:
2.2) The model:





Military aircraft vol.33

Subject: Lockheed C130E Hercules
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Italeri
Comments: Out of the box construction, painted with Gunze acrilics, decals from the kit.







Saturday, March 3, 2012

Military aircraft vol.32

Subject: North American P51D Mustang "Down for Double", flown by Lt Colonel Gordon Graham, 354thF.S., 355thF.G, March/April 1945
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Hobby Boss
Comments: Out-of-box construction, painted with Tamiya acrilics and Alclad II. Markings from Academy P51D model.