F4F 1/72 Wildcat (VJ Day 48 hour group build)

[StuartClark]

Crazy busy week and a busy weekend ahead so I was'nt sure if I would be taking part in the group build. Friday evening opened up and I changed my mind.

After a quick search through the stash (of which much is boxed away!) I found this. I must have won it as a draw prize at a model show at some point.



The kit is very basic and short on details, but I should be able to knock it together in 48 hours without getting dragged down into the detailing/photoetch weeds. Besides I have no PE for this kit!



First step was to dip the canopy in some future and set it aside in a covered jar.

Now onto the cockpit area. I did mention it is short on details.



The cockpit consist of two parts, the seat and stick. Out comes the evergreen plastic sheets to cut out a instrament panal and some bits to at least make it a bit better.

One that was done, I put together a few of the other subassemblies and got everything ready to be primed.



Post priming gives us this.



I could have added more detailing in the cockpit but as I said, I'm not sure how much time I'm going to have this weekend so I'll keep it basic. Tommorow will start with painting the cockpit area and then moving on to more of the assembly.

[StuartClark]

Day 2

Finished doing some basic painting and detailing in the cockpit including making seat belts out of Tamiya tape. Engine given a coat of XF16 flat aluminum. Weathered with Tamiya panel line accent and some Games Workshop ink heavily diluted with water as a wash.

Fuselage was then put together without too many issues.



(This is where things start to get 'interesting')
Wings are next, with both requiring quite a bit of filler to seal some gaps. the starboard wing in particular was very troublesome. Finally got them in and filling and sanding took quite a bit more time then I had intended. Here are 2 shots of the work in progress.





Primed and prepped the very 'fiddly' landing gear.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e9nbj ... 79-h734-no

Finished up by priming the fuselage.

I have other things on Sunday so getting this done by 8pm local time will be a challenge considering I have to wait for paint to dry etc. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm am really enjoying what other folks are doing in the group build as well.

[StuartClark]

Spent the first part of Sunday morning getting ready to paint the top side Gunze H54 Navy Blue.



First coat on



While that was drying then spent some time with the very fiddly landing gear assemblies. Got those primed and ready for paint. Tamiya X11 Chrome Silver will be used for the cylinder struts.



Landing gear wheels got the same prep. I prefer to used Tamiya X69 Nato Black for the tires as I feel it gives a more realistic look.



This is how things looked by noon and I had to stop for other commitments.

[StuartClark]

Started to put the decals on, then noticed this.



I think it could be something to do with the fact I pushed the time between the paint drying and adding the gloss coat. One lesson learned is that if I'm doing a 48 hour group build, the paint better be on by Saturday night.

I applied some more Microsol throughout Sunday evening and things were starting to look better before I went to bed.



Tonight I put the landing gear on, I was hoping to get a clear coat on tonight for weather but that and the prop installation will have to wait one more night.

[StuartClark]

Calling this one done. Actually it was done on Thursday, I just haven't had time to take some pics and post about it.

Finished things up by adding just a touch of weathering using some pin washes followed by another clearcoat. It's not a bad little kit and some lessons definitely learned.