Airfix Chipmunk (1/72). First build... Back to Basics

[Merlin]

Well I've finally sorted out a space to do my modelling, and installed a worktop and made a paint rack.
Soooo, it's time I started to make my first model, this will be the first one in about 33 years so I've decided to keep it basic so as to re-learn any old skills that I might of had back in the day.
I decided the first model should be an 1/72nd Airfix Chipmunk, my thoughts being that this should be an "out of the box" basic build with an easy paint job to match, just to get me in the swing of things.





There's only 2 sprues of parts and 1 sprue of clear parts (2 choices of canopy), the typical Airfix instructions and some basic decals.
Upon inspection there'a a fair bit of flash (not too much of a problem), and I notice on the inside of one of the wings is the date of the mould... 1969!
Boy, this is an old kit, and it shows, the canopy is like looking through the bottom of a jam jar, lol,



I'm now thinking that maybe I should have chosen one of the "new tooling" options from Airfix, but I've got it out, so onward I plunge...
I'll give it a scrub up in some mildly soapy water to get rid of any nasties...

[Merlin]

I gave the interior a coat of Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black, although there is no detail, not even any form of instrument panel. I thought about having a go at scratching something up, but with the canopy the way it is it won't get seen anyway.



With the seats being glued to the wings, the fuselage is glued together.



Next the wing tops are mated to the lower halves.

[benc123]

Looking good dude! I did this kit on my return to the hobby, it's old and flashy but the fit is good and it builds into a really sweet little plane! Keep up the good work!

[Rob]

Brilliant! I love the look of this plane!

[Merlin]

Thanks guys, it's very basic to say the least, but it's a start....
A bit more progress...
I've filled in a few gaps, just the usual suspects.



And I decided to open up the air intake at the front of the cowl as it's closed off in the kit, I didn't really have suitable tools for this and made a bit of a pigs ear of it, but it'll have to do for now.



All masked up and ready for some primer...



After a few coats of Vallejo 73.615 Surface Primer...



The primer went on easy enough, so started misting on the Vallejo 71.057 Black.



And after a few light coats things are looking a little, well, black!



At this point I realised that after the grey primer the plan was to mask off and spray the white bands on the wings and fuselage, but I've forgotten, DOH!
Well, I'll have to mask it off now and see if I can get the white bands to go over the black, perhaps if I go to the grey primer first, should be interesting...

[benc123]

Looking great man. Glad to see I'm not the only one that forgets things! I'll be watching with interest to this.

[wappynutter]

Nice quick build Andy mate...
I too plan my builds then go full on forgetting everything i had decided to do!
I'd mask the band, waft some grey primer over it then try the white after that has dried.
Good luck, i'll be visiting your build regularly, looks like it'll be a cracking little plane!
Well done again..

[Merlin]

I've made a little more progress, not too much to do now.
I've added the white bands, I put a couple of coats of Klear on to seal the paint, and then masked off with some Tamiya Tape. I put a couple of fine coats of Vallejo Grey Primer followed by about 4 fine coats of Vallejo Model Air White 71.001, and the white went on surprisingly well.



Then another coat of klear to seal it all in then on with the decalling.

[UKscalemodeller]

A great little re-entry into the hobby.

I have seena lotofthese done recently, due to the youtube trainers GB. starting to like the chippie because of it, this is no exception.

KUTGW

[Merlin]

Thanks UKSM.
The decals are now all on and she's had a couple of light coats of Klear.







I want to give it a bit of weathering, but seeing as she represents a BBMF machine she's kept fairly clean and all the images on the 'net represent that, so it'll have to be a bit subtle (hopefully).
I've just started an Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk.22, and I weathered the cockpit using a MIG Dark Wash, which in all honesty was a bit on the heavy side although acceptable.
I also have a MIG Neutral Wash and was wondering if that would be a "little less heavy". I'm new to all this weathering malarky so what do you think guys?