Newbie First Build. Airfix Harrier GR9 1:72

[Black73Cat]

Hi,

My first attempt at a model since I was about 8 years old!

Learning lots as I go, from my own experience and also YouTube, especially Paul's excellent tutorials.

I've made a couple of mistakes so far but still turning out better than expected. Clamped the front of the fuselage too tight whilst glue was drying. So it's deformed slightly at the bottom. I had to force a couple of bits in and then sort the gaps with filler.
Also getting used to this amazing Tamiya Extra Thin...so much better than the gloopy poly cement from my childhood but the capillary action has caught me out a couple of times. So there a some small fingerprints!

Really enjoying this so far...

[Zen]

Welcome back into this great hobby! It was almost the same with me, have fun and keep on building, that Harrier's looking good!

[chief5437]

looking good so far, glad youre enjoying it. i built the same kit a while back, its pretty sweet. looking forward to seeing her done

[Black73Cat]

Thanks folks.

Should get some more done this afternoon...May even break out the Airbrush for the first time!

[Black73Cat]

Decision time here...Thanks to my overzealous clamping, the distortion in the fuselage has caused the top cover to be ill fitting.
There was a small but very obvious gap and it's sitting proud at the back.
I've filled the gap but i think I'm going to leave it sitting proud. Seems preferable to losing all of the detail, if I sand it flush?

Put it down to experience and move on...

[Zen]

Maybe try masking the detail area and cover that gap with more putty, then sand it flush. When you begin sanding the masking tape, take it very gently from then on and with patience you'll be able to get it smooth without sanding away the detail. I've built that kit recently and didn't have such a gap but also required some filling and sanding so, if you take your time, it'll pay off.
Hope this helps...

[Black73Cat]

Maybe try masking the detail area and cover that gap with more putty, then sand it flush. When you begin sanding the masking tape, take it very gently from then on and with patience you'll be able to get it smooth without sanding away the detail. I've built that kit recently and didn't have such a gap but also required some filling and sanding so, if you take your time, it'll pay off.
Hope this helps...

Thanks for that. I'll give it a go.

[Black73Cat]

Awful seam running along the canopy and a big lump of flash!



I don't have any fine polish or micromesh but really wanted rid of it...so I experimented on a bit of clear scrap and took a gamble...






It's far from perfect but a lot better than that prominent seam, I think.
All done with an old nail file type thing that I pinched from wor lass!

[Twokidsnosleep]

You are doing great for your first build in a while
I like the ingenuity you are showing to overcome issues without spending a fortune on new stuff
Keep it up, doesn't have to be perfect and we learn along the way

[Black73Cat]

You are doing great for your first build in a while
I like the ingenuity you are showing to overcome issues without spending a fortune on new stuff
Keep it up, doesn't have to be perfect and we learn along the way

Thanks.
I'm trying not to spend a fortune...struggling though!
Over £200 has gone into this hobby already...and my first kit isn't even built!

[Black73Cat]

Maybe try masking the detail area and cover that gap with more putty, then sand it flush. When you begin sanding the masking tape, take it very gently from then on and with patience you'll be able to get it smooth without sanding away the detail. I've built that kit recently and didn't have such a gap but also required some filling and sanding so, if you take your time, it'll pay off.
Hope this helps...

Thanks for the advice!

I gave it a go and I'm quite chuffed with the result. Even more pleased that I was able to do it!
Honestly, when i read this, my first thought was that it was way beyond my skill level. Even after the filler had dried, I was tempted to just scrape it all off!
But I'm trying to treat this first build as a learning exercise, so decided to stick with it and see what happens.

The final result isn't perfect but it's a lot better than the big step that i had initially. More importantly though, I've learned something new and boosted my own confidence.
This was done using assorted nail files and 1200 grit paper. I have some Ultimate sticks in order but didn't want to wait!

Thanks again for the help.

[Zen]

Anytime, Graeme, i'm glad to know you tried it, you know how it goes, you'll never know if you don't try.

[Black73Cat]

Primer down...

Waiting for a delivery of Ultimate Primer and gave up trying to get the Humbrol stuff to spray, so used a rattle can of PlastiKote. Not a bad result.

Also attempted a little bit of pre-shading with a 2B pencil but didn't work as well as I'd hoped. Never mind.

[Black73Cat]

First time using an airbrush in anger...really really satisfying experience!

After having major problems when trying to spray Humbrol paints on test sheets, I wasn't very confident in using the Neo at all. No problems at all though with Tamiya Acrylic and X20-A.

Used Tamiya XF 83 instead of Humbrol 165.

[Black73Cat]

Got the main paint finished last night and fitted flaps and pylons...small cock up along the way...fitted two stabiliser fins, because they are identical opposites and I just assumed! Made an ass out of me, for sure. Noticed in the book that it should be another pylon on one side!
So I reactivated the glue and removed the fin...Then, in a bit of a panic, stuck the pylon in straight away. I really should have taken my time to send back the scar and touch up...ho hum...it's a learning experience!

Now need to Klear and fit decals...but just had it pointed out to me that i should maybe have fitted decals before pylons!

[Black73Cat]

Well, this was always intended to be a practice build...but I didn't expect to learn so much from it!

I didn't fit the thrust vectors early on because they were painted and it seemed daft to fit and then mask them when it came to painting the main body.
That wouldn't have been a problem usually but my overclamped fuselage came back to bite me on the bum again! It seems that when I fitted the wing, I've distorted the holes where the rear vectors go...so now they don't fit!

After a few minutes of despair, I opted to break out the razor saw and jewellers files...to make them fit!
They don't look right but they're in and I'm chuffed with myself for recovering the situation!

[Zen]

Nice save.

[Black73Cat]

First attempt at decals...
All went surprisingly well, considering. Only damaged one along the way. I can't decide if it was a therapeutic and rewarding process or really blummin boring. I'll see how the next kit goes!

I had sprayed with a coat of Klear (original) before applying and used Micro Set and Micro Sol...no silvering at all and they have all.conformed really well.

I then covered each decal with a brush application of Klear to protect them when weathering, though I'm not sure if that was necessary?

All wheels and ancillary parts fitted too...antennae, wheels bay covers etc. No real problems, other than the fact that a couple of parts were broken in the sprue. No drama, just glued them back together or managed without.

All of the ordnance is painted and ready to fit and weathering is in process...the end is nigh...or should that be "neigh!?"

[Black73Cat]

Unsure about how to weather this, I decided to keep it simple.

I wanted it to look well used and in need of a damn good clean...so opted for a full Dark Dirt (Flory) wash.

It had a full covering and left to dry overnight.

I'm almost finished now, just a final coat of matt varnish needed...so the weathering results will be in the final reveal.

[Black73Cat]

All finished!

Excuse the poor photos.

Spent a bit more time taking off the dark dirt wash...Looks well used and mucky but hopefully not OTT.

Ordnance fitted and a final coat of Testors matt varnish.

I've learned so much from this first build...enjoyed every minute and can't wait to get the next kit started.

[Zen]

That looks way too good for a first build! Nice work.

[Black73Cat]

That looks way too good for a first build! Nice work.

Wow! Thank you!

Made me blush

[OneSmallStep1966]

You've done a cracking job building it, well done

[Black73Cat]

You've done a cracking job building it, well done

Very kind. Thank you.