Minicraft 1/144 Pan Am Stratocruiser

[kfutter]

Thanks, Ray! Still plenty of time for me to ruin the NM finish, don't you worry about that!

Kev

[kfutter]

Well, I've been away from the bench for the last couple of weeks or so, but finally forced my way back today. I'm keen to get this one out of the way so I can focus on the P-39, so I resolved to finish the main painting. I masked off the white portions of the fuselage, and applied some more Xtreme Metal Aluminium. Here's the underside, after having to fix a few flaws and give it a second coat:



It's not as nice to the naked eye as it is in the photo, but I'm happy enough with. Here's the top side:



All the white overspray on the wings is gone. You can see that I've unmasked the the windscreen glass, too. They're a little untidy up close, as is the upper and lower demarcation line around the nose:



I also missed a bit with the masking tape down near the tail:



I'll tidy those bits up after the silver has had a day or two to cure. I've also noticed a curious faint yellow stain where the windscreen part joins the fuselage, which I think is being caused by the underlying CA. I'll respray that area too and hope it doesn't return.

I'm hoping to get a bit more done during this coming week.

Kev

[hrtpaul]

Looks great Kev. Nicely done

[tor lives]

Kev....that is the most effort I have ever seen put into a Minicraft 1:144th Srat, and it really shows. The model is progressing beautifully.
TOR

[kfutter]

Thanks, lads. If I had my time over, I'd do many things differently with this one. For a start, it's not the quick'n'easy build I was hoping for, so I'd leave it until I was ready for the challenge it represents. I'd remove all the moulded-in surface detail, and rescribe it all from scratch. I'd also forget about trying to preserve the moulded-in windscreen detail, and simply bog it all up and use decals. The other bugbear is having to fit the nose wheel leg when joining the fuselage halves - my favourite pet hate. I'd definitely think harder about engineering some method or other to avoid that.

Anyway, no point in jabbering about what I'll do next time - I'm still wrestling with this time!

Kev

[kfutter]

OK, with my review queue cleared for now, I was able to steal a little bit of time with this one. All the main painting is done, and I attempted to provide a bit of contrast to the all-silver wings by darkening the panels just behind the engine cowlings, and lightening the control surfaces. I tried several angles in an attempt to capture it, but the contrast with the control surfaces is quite hard to pick up in the photos:







Now I can finally start putting some stickers on!

Kev

[hrtpaul]

I like it mate

[kfutter]

Thanks, Paul. I started applying some decals after posting those photos, but had to stop. I applied the cockpit window frames first, and had to spend what seemed like ages trying to get them to line up with the windows. I must have weakened the glue or something, because a bit later, while trying to position one of the Pan Am globes on the tail, I noticed a window frame decal stuck to my thumb.

Anyway, I managed to get it back on, and decided to leave things alone for a while after that. The frames are not an exact match for my masked-out windows, so I'll have some touch-ups to do there. Not sure whether to use thinned black paint or decal strips, or perhaps a combination of both. I might seal them in with a clear coat first!

Kev

[Adam the Akrodude]

Having "sticker" problems ay?

Stay on task - looking great so far mate!

Cheers

Adam

[kfutter]

Thanks, Adam. I've got the cheat line applied on one side, and of course, it's a bit wobbly. Not too noticeable from side-on, but if you peer down the length of the fuselage, well, that's a different story! I also failed to realise it wraps right around the nose, and needs to be fitted around (or under) the cockpit windows. I had no choice but to go right over the top of them, and will have to either cut out the portions that are now covering the windows, or reinstate them with decals and paint. Neither option appeals to me much!

Kev