Global Scale Modeller

In parallel with building my first build, the Spitfire, I started building another WWII classic - the dreaded Stuka. Having slightly more parts, requiring some drilling to fit some of the optionals, this kit offers me the right kind of challenge at my current level. The sub-assemblies are also more interesting than the Spitfire's.
First parts to be built, was the cockpit chassis.
Next up was fitting the side details and dashboard. A really smooth walk in the park, compared to my struggles with the Spitfire cockpit. I decided to use the hidden large areas of the wings and fuselage for brush painting practice as much as I could.
Originally intended as nothing but green with a hint of gun metal, I've decided to add some random colors to make it more interesting. As can be seen in this closeup, I still mess up the paint job on large areas, but I do a fair OK job with the details. Practice, practice, practice!

Work progresses, although slowly. Better slow than not at all.
The fuselage, wings and bombsight has been attached to the chassis.
Now the engine part is fitted as well. The plastic was slightly fatty, makeing it hard for the paint to stick when I painted the underside, so I used the same color as a primer for the rest of the fuselage as well. The final color is so dark, it will easily cover the light blue hue.
Just for fun, I attempted some dry brushing on the landing gears. The intention was to create the impression of dirt due to landings and takeoffs from muddy and rainy airstrips, although it turned out to look more like rust.

Coming along nicely

Camo in place... The intersection between the different color caused some "ridges" of paint, probably due to some of the paint climbing on top of the masking, and being pulled up as I removed the masks. But hey, it's practice, practice, practice! Landing gears not glued yet, though. Just there for looks.

Nice build fredrik, you could try thining your paint a bit more if you paint large area's. It levels out nicer that way. You might need to apply multiple coats like that but you should get a more even finish.

Looks great so far, I love Stukas. Is this a new tooled airfix kit?

Sturm wrote:Looks great so far, I love Stukas. Is this a new tooled airfix kit?

As far as I understand from Scalemates.com, yes it is.

Elve1984 wrote:Nice build fredrik, you could try thining your paint a bit more if you paint large area's. It levels out nicer that way. You might need to apply multiple coats like that but you should get a more even finish.

Thanks!

Setback of the day: I thought I was smart by doing decals prior to fitting some of the less rigid bits, painting them unfitted. Yes, that was a good choice to some extent. However, I realized with one of the very last decals in the bath, that the flaps were still not fitted - and that I hadn't painted the camo on that part! Mission aborted!

But apart from that, a good day's worth of modelling; got almost all decals in place (although I accidentally put a few of them at the wrong places ... ), attached most external pieces (bombs etc), and I attempted some exhaust weathering. No picture for today, though.

Looks great, keep up the good work mate!

All decals finally in place. Final pictures before I ruined it completely... At this stage, it still looked (relatively) ok.

I tried to add some exhaust weathering to some success. Initially, I've indented to add some mud and dust weathering to the underside of the wings as well. But...

When I added the final matte varnish, the whole plane turned into "!#¤½¤"¤"# crap, due to the enormous amount of clearly visible white streaks of varnish! In my first build, the Spitfire, the streaks were there, too, but not at all as visible. For that plane, I had diluted the varnish, but this time I used it undiluted. The lighter underside aren't as affected, neither are the landing gears. Their weathering actually turned out quite ok, although not as I indented. Ah, well. It's a learning process. Got to buy something new to build and practice on... Tomorrow.

Looking good looking very good

Wich varnis did you use?

Elve1984 wrote:Wich varnis did you use?

I used Humbrol's varnish. I've bought some scrap models which I intend to use as stunt doubles in order to practice and see if I can manage my paints or if I shall give Vallejo a try instead.

I use Aclad varnishes, I am pretty happy with them. But i have an airbrush to use. Do you use spray can's or do you brush them on?

Elve1984 wrote:I use Aclad varnishes, I am pretty happy with them. But i have an airbrush to use. Do you use spray can's or do you brush them on?

I brushed them.

Try brushing thema on in a thinner coat next time or try a spray can. Might make it Come out less white