Phantom Phreak MD F4E Phantom II Thunderbird

[Fridgy]

Its not just tamiya's white
I've had the same problem with Vallejo model colour white and the Humbol enamel white

[Lysus]

Working with white right now on the Tamiya HiAce. It's like you say, extra frustrating sometimes. Problem is it looks so damn good when it's done (as far as whites go). I found sticking to lower pressure and trying to be patient enough to put it on in thin coats works better. But then again I'm not very patient, so...

[Twokidsnosleep]

Good to hear others have had issues with this
Did a few final coats tonight topside and on the stabilizers, then put everything into a closed cupboard to protect from dust and especially from me and my ten thumbs!!
Will leave it overnight and untape her tomorrow

[Vleugelmoer]

White has always been a funny one for me (Pink and Green splotshes while thinning Itarleri Acrylic, Tip Dry when airbrushing Vallejo Model Color and Model Air). Then I got pointed to Mr Hobby Aqueous and that has been a treat to spray in anny color including white. And it dries like nothing I have seen before. Superb stuff in my honnest opinion Scott.

[Twokidsnosleep]

White has always been a funny one for me (Pink and Green splotshes while thinning Itarleri Acrylic, Tip Dry when airbrushing Vallejo Model Color and Model Air). Then I got pointed to Mr Hobby Aqueous and that has been a treat to spray in anny color including white. And it dries like nothing I have seen before. Superb stuff in my honnest opinion Scott.

Thanks for that Paul
Funny you write that as it is the direction for paint I have been leaning towards. Not easy to get all,their products in Canada, but any Mr Hobby products I have are great. The Mr Surfacer 1000 was a big step forward on getting the surface even before the white paint.
So yep, Mr hobby will get ordered for new and replacement paints and some levelling thinner

[Lysus]

White has always been a funny one for me (Pink and Green splotshes while thinning Itarleri Acrylic, Tip Dry when airbrushing Vallejo Model Color and Model Air). Then I got pointed to Mr Hobby Aqueous and that has been a treat to spray in anny color including white. And it dries like nothing I have seen before. Superb stuff in my honnest opinion Scott.

Thanks for that Paul
Funny you write that as it is the direction for paint I have been leaning towards. Not easy to get all,their products in Canada, but any Mr Hobby products I have are great. The Mr Surfacer 1000 was a big step forward on getting the surface even before the white paint.
So yep, Mr hobby will get ordered for new and replacement paints and some levelling thinner

I do so love my Mr Color lacquers, too. But they're stinky. I too would also love to try some Mr Hobby Aqueous, but as you say it's hard to come by here in North America. Sad Face.

If you're up for it, the white and flat white work really well with MLT.

[Twokidsnosleep]

The spray booth will indeed be critical to using those....hence joining that group purchase

[Twokidsnosleep]

Moving along on top deck's paint


Far from perfect and my entire fingerprint repertoire seems to be embedded in paint
Leading edges will all be BMF as I have in those horizontal stabilizers
Plugging along to get the paint finished this weekend and leave next week and weekend for details and base

[Twokidsnosleep]

Another hurdle to jump: the tail colour and the wingtip red stripe
I used this stuff as a mask for the tail's three circular areas of red...just made a pattern and cut it out

Found the Frisket paper in a box of magazines and stuff I was moving about, don't remember buying it actually. It is an opaque trasparent film with a very stick side...maybe a bit too sticky.
Peeling the mask off...I am praying here

The tail immediately after de-masking

Now just the red nose and the paint is done. The compound curved stripes are by far the hardest shapes

[Fridgy]

starting to look very fancy now scott

[Lysus]

Well done!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ya she is getting there guys
Gonna keep the base a bit of a secret, I think it will look really cool if I can pull it off

[Twokidsnosleep]

Nice crisp, deep thumb prints on both sides of the red tail paint
I swear this build's paint is jinxed....I have a fingerprint in EVERY blinking surface I have painted
Base is progressing, nearly lit the room on fire with some butane torch work for a support

[Lysus]

I say just paint giant thumbs on it and call it an "anniversary edition" or something. For the nation of Thumbland.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I am the King of Thumbland......or maybe the court fool

I was putting the body in a cupboard overnight and trying not to fondle too much too early, but I am definitely and early fondler
Need to be more patient for sure

[GuyMac]

I like it a lot

[Twokidsnosleep]

I like it a lot

Thanks Guy
It is going to be a much different look than most Phantoms
They did a really good job on the paint scheme for the Thunderbirds, all shiny and polished
I did a bit of bare metal foil on the leading wing edges last night so bit by bit she is getting there

[Vleugelmoer]

That is one sweet paint job Scott

Can hardly wait to see the end result

[Fridgy]

I like it a lot

Thanks Guy
It is going to be a much different look than most Phantoms
They did a really good job on the paint scheme for the Thunderbirds, all shiny and polished
I did a bit of bare metal foil on the leading wing edges last night so bit by bit she is getting there

[Tomcat64]

Been having a quiet lurk through this thread as time allows but that is a stunning paint job Scott - fantastic

[Twokidsnosleep]

Thanks Neil, she is coming along.
The camera and lighting are used very strategically to avoid showing finger prints and smudges
It is disappointing to destroy the beautiful layer you first get with the Tamiya paint by masking over it again...leaves it all dull
Fortunately I haven't pulled up any paint or pin striping yet when masking and re-masking

[Twokidsnosleep]

I like it a lot

Thanks Guy
It is going to be a much different look than most Phantoms
They did a really good job on the paint scheme for the Thunderbirds, all shiny and polished
I did a bit of bare metal foil on the leading wing edges last night so bit by bit she is getting there

I have had relatives over Sunday/ Monday, so up to midnight on a workweek two nights in a row....I am sleepy!!!
I just snuck in a half hour and got two areas done one evening just to keep me sane
Will get some pics when I have ALL of them foiled and purty lookin
Don't want to bore you guys

[Twokidsnosleep]

I like it a lot

Thanks Guy
It is going to be a much different look than most Phantoms
They did a really good job on the paint scheme for the Thunderbirds, all shiny and polished
I did a bit of bare metal foil on the leading wing edges last night so bit by bit she is getting there

Here we go, BMF on leading wing edges

It is heading towards its final stages now, but still lots to do
Must give her a nice red nose soon!!!

[Fridgy]

Very nice can't wait for the finished product

[Tomcat64]

...
The camera and lighting are used very strategically to avoid showing finger prints and smudges
...

Tell me about it - I'm pretty sure that thumbs evolve into independently functioning life-forms in the vicinity of anything delicate or shiny.

The BMF looks nice and tidy though

[Kingdan]

It's lookin awesome Scott I personally like to take pictures in the dark for some of my builds makes em look way better


Dan

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cheers guys

[Lysus]

I heart this Spook. Keep it up!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Found a great picture of a Thunderbird's tummy


It has no belly tanks, but mine will have the central tank.
I buggered up the stripes on the two side tanks....the stripes are harder to paint than the bird design was. Compound curves are a killer.
I am off to the LHS, just because...sure hope they don't have a Kinetic Hornet kit in stock

[Twokidsnosleep]

Decals are starting.

[Kingdan]

Yep still freakin awesome Scott

[Twokidsnosleep]

It's getting there Danno
Nice work on the live show btw, your bit was really good

[Kingdan]

Cheers Scott not bad for a dummy

[Twokidsnosleep]

A tale of two Phantoms..these have been my Winter builds


Have some tricks up my sleeve for the base and display...working on it

[Fridgy]

Looking sweet scott

[Lysus]

Decals mean you're close! Started mine last night. Reminds me why I don't do many modern jets. So many places they don't want you to step...

[Twokidsnosleep]

Decals mean you're close! Started mine last night. Reminds me why I don't do many modern jets. So many places they don't want you to step...

I need "No hold or touch" decals on mine so I don't get anymore of my darn fingerprints in the paint

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking sweet scott

my friend
I am battling the same canopy issues as you except I have left it to the last step So everything is painted and somebody dipped the canopy in acrylic to get it clear as he was freaking out how cloudy and scratched it was and then a power wash with toothpaste and an electric toothbrush made it ok but still very cloudy....so I dipped it
That may have been a bit of a run on sentence

[Fridgy]

Have you tried the tamiya polishing compounds mate?
I used them to get rid of the seam on my canopy and they worked a treat

[Twokidsnosleep]

Have you tried the tamiya polishing compounds mate?
I used them to get rid of the seam on my canopy and they worked a treat

The toothpaste and acrylic dip trick made it crystal clear.
I have dropped the dang thing like four time since mind you, but it DID look crystal clear at one point

[Twokidsnosleep]

This is an "I am almost done but not quite done but I better take some photos now in case tomorrow is stupid busy or I am sick" posting
Canopy is drying, the exhausts are awaiting decision on weather or not I light into the afterburner and I have to find the tailhook
SUNDAY NIGHT LIGHT SHOW..or Monday afternoon depending on your local

[Fridgy]

Ooooo fancy looking

[Twokidsnosleep]

She is in the cabinet so must be finished...or I am finished
Reveal thread:
viewtopic.php?f=544&t=21613

[Kingdan]

See told ya freakin awesome nice work mate