Italeri Gripen

[vyper1]

Hello Martin, to answer your question I made a start on the Gripen over the weekend. It's come together a lot quicker than expected, but I seem to be having lots of issues lately with my painting. I'm not happy with the overall colours (A-10 all over again ) and the paint seems to have reacted weird with the thinners this time. I get what I think is a separation of the paint and the thinners so it dries horribly if painted too wet. I'm using Xtracrylix and Ultimate, I'm also not liking this new airbrush much in comparison to my trusty old chinese cheapies. This new one doesn't spray straight sometimes, constantly blocks even when the paint is super thin to the point where I think it's causing my paint issues (look at the large missile under the wing, it looks like its run but it didn't).

Then I had an accident with good old Mr Swann Morton.

Jeez I best stop moaning otherwise I'll become negative

[vyper1]

Do not drop this

expo-785-49-retractable-swann-morton-scalpel-3398-p.jpg

on toe as this happens

[vyper1]

I think for the next model I'll wear something like this

[robertw]

Ouch! I bet that hurt. Good work on the plane though

[UKguyInUSA]

Eeeeewwwww.....what a bloody mess mate! I'm talking about your toe and the floor!

Over here in the USA, I don't use Ultimate or Xtracrylix, they don't have them at my local hobby stores. I use Tamiya, Model Masters and Humbrol paints...more so the first two manufacturers, therefore, I don't know what to tell you about your paint problems you're experiencing, sorry

Anyway.....I wouldn't have noticed any issues had you not discussed them, and so far, she's looking great to me mate, and I'm not talking about your toe this time!

Cheers

Martin

[EagleOnyx]

Yikes! I was on the phone with the cable internet provider the other day and had the brilliant idea to start shaving and working a resin piece with a hobby knife at the same time... Yeah, I sliced the crap out of my finger with the knife of course! Thankfully instant direct pressure and then super glue saved the day.

How are you finding the fit of that kit? I need to build a Royal Thai Airforce Gripen but couldn't find any reviews of the kits I was able to find. By the way, that missile or tank that you mention actually looks very realistic in the picture! Happy Accident?! lol

[SteveW]

I was using Xtracrylics and Ultimate and like you ended up with what looked like separation. To add to the mess I was trying to mix it in the airbrush cup so ended up having to give it a good clean out. I now use the small mixing cups and use the manufacturers thinners and so far no problems. I have gone from hating Xtracrylics to loving them they go on really nice . The advantage to mixing in the med cup is you can see if there is going to be any problems. It does give you a bit extra to clear up but I tip the AB cleaner from the AB into the cup, wipe around with some kitchen roll and that is usually it ready to go again. In a similar vein when I wasn't getting the results I was happy with I was looking at the airbrush (Infinity 2 in 1 CR+) I even went back to using my Devillbis Sprite but neither was giving me the right results. Now I have sorted my mixing out both brushes work great .
I recommend Safety boots in future. Goggles and gloves to complete the outfit.

[vyper1]

Cheers Guys,

Eeeeewwwww.....what a bloody mess mate! I'm talking about your toe and the floor!

thanks toe is healing, also in future I will keep my mouth shut and wait until someone else points out what I think is wrong the model

How are you finding the fit of that kit? I need to build a Royal Thai Airforce Gripen but couldn't find any reviews of the kits I was able to find. By the way, that missile or tank that you mention actually looks very realistic in the picture! Happy Accident?! lol

Depends what you mean by fit issues, you get the usual wing root gaps, the rear air brakes don't really look right in the open position. Everything else has lined up and fit together nicely, the only possible problem area I have come across is when you glue the wings on then shape of fuselage where the meet at the front is slightly different and produces a small step.

JNC_5336.jpg

In a similar vein when I wasn't getting the results I was happy with I was looking at the airbrush (Infinity 2 in 1 CR+) I even went back to using my Devillbis Sprite but neither was giving me the right results. I recommend Safety boots in future. Goggles and gloves to complete the outfit.

There is a definite left bias to the jet of spray exiting the nozzle, if I block one of the holes on the nozzle cap it straightens up I have ordered 100 empty dropper bottles and I think from now on I will pre mix all my paints in these and then add to the AB

$T2eC16R,!wsE9suwydN7BSKYUWohRQ~~60_35.JPG

[vyper1]

All glossed and ready for decals and I just removed my 1st canopy seam wasn't as hard as I thought it would be

[EagleOnyx]

Those eye dropper bottles look very similar to the ones used by a few paint manufacturers. where did you get them?

[vyper1]

Those eye dropper bottles look very similar to the ones used by a few paint manufacturers. where did you get them?

There are numerous suppliers on good old ebay, I got mine off http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200960760807? ... EBIDX%3AIT the plastic is not as firm as the Vallejos but they do the job of storing paint perfectly fine

[vyper1]

All decals applied, just need to glue on the pylons and sort out the canopy

[robertw]

Looking excellent

[UKguyInUSA]

Looking fabulous Vyper!

[grover]

That is looking really nice vyper.

[EagleOnyx]

cool, thanks for the info!

I think the Gripen is a cool airplane and yours is turning out awesome!

[AchtungPanzer]

Photos with blood like a Horror , very good work with model , I look forwar to more ..work not blood

[vyper1]

Photos with blood like a Horror , very good work with model , I look forwar to more ..work not blood

No more blood and it is now finished

The canopy needs a polish (thumbprints) and the white you can see is just the kristal klear still drying. Well onto the next one

[UKguyInUSA]

Fabulous job mate!

What's next on your agenda?

Cheers

Martin

[robertw]

Excellent job! Really been itching to build a jet recently.

[vyper1]

Cheers

I'm Jet mad I might have to try and build something else but in the meantime I have started the F-15

[amsvkng]

Very nice build, very nice plane, shame it has such a shaded history, this together with the venerable Viggen perhaps even a Tunnan

[patrickroos]

Nice looking Gripen mate!!!

[patrickroos]

Very nice build, very nice plane, shame it has such a shaded history, this together with the venerable Viggen perhaps even a Tunnan

Just got curious and wonder if you can explain what You mean some more?
Cheers mate!

[amsvkng]

'Hiya, Yeah sorry when I read the post again I can see that there is a sentance missing, they shaded history I meant the several very public crash and several other mishaps including outragous development costs for what it is, and there is also suppose to say that with this gripen I also really want to build the viggen and perhaps even a tunnan

Cheers