1/144 model thread
Discussion
As most of the 1/144 kits I’m building lately are too simple to justify a build thread of their own. I thought I’d start a thread I can update with each build.
The first is a mark 1 models Bristol Beaufighter.
I’m always nervous when trying a new manufacturer as you don’t know what you’re going to get. It could be Eduard level or most likely will end up being a pile of garbage.
Since I’ve been building quite a few 1/144 it was only a matter of time picked up a Mark 1 kit.
The packaging feels decidedly low rent when compared to a lot of manufacturers.
But examination of the two grey and one clear sprues show some nice moulding and decent detail at this scale.
The kit also comes with some nice resin bits for some of the different markings available.
The decals seem okay, but nowt special.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/ulCarAf7.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/F0H7weR8" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/F0H7weR8.jpg)
Four quite different versions and schemes can be built.
I’m going to do the dark sea grey over sky version with the radar. It’s going to mean chopping things around, but I think it could look quite nice.
The first is a mark 1 models Bristol Beaufighter.
I’m always nervous when trying a new manufacturer as you don’t know what you’re going to get. It could be Eduard level or most likely will end up being a pile of garbage.
Since I’ve been building quite a few 1/144 it was only a matter of time picked up a Mark 1 kit.
The packaging feels decidedly low rent when compared to a lot of manufacturers.
But examination of the two grey and one clear sprues show some nice moulding and decent detail at this scale.
The kit also comes with some nice resin bits for some of the different markings available.
The decals seem okay, but nowt special.
Four quite different versions and schemes can be built.
I’m going to do the dark sea grey over sky version with the radar. It’s going to mean chopping things around, but I think it could look quite nice.
To make the basic kit into the MK X TF the front of the tail section needs to be replaced with a resin part, so major surgery to the fuselage.
Next step is assembly of the fuselage.
The tail piece will need some filling as will the nose.
I need to build up the bottom of the fuselage to match the radome.
Next step is assembly of the fuselage.
The tail piece will need some filling as will the nose.
I need to build up the bottom of the fuselage to match the radome.
They really are simple kits though, just a bit of patience to let things set before moving on to the next step.
The bulk of the assembly is now complete. The extremely delicate landing gear looks like it’s going to cause me a few headaches.
The kit is somewhat short o any sort of assembly engineering and there aren’t any guides as to how things are positioned. I’ve had to rely on CA for some assembly.
The bulk of the assembly is now complete. The extremely delicate landing gear looks like it’s going to cause me a few headaches.
The kit is somewhat short o any sort of assembly engineering and there aren’t any guides as to how things are positioned. I’ve had to rely on CA for some assembly.
I painted the whole aircraft in black to show any panel inconsistencies that needed tidying.
Next was to build up the sky on the bottom half of the fuselage until the required effect was achieved.
Tomorrow’s jobs start with masking and then doing the same thing with dark sea grey on the top half.
Next was to build up the sky on the bottom half of the fuselage until the required effect was achieved.
Tomorrow’s jobs start with masking and then doing the same thing with dark sea grey on the top half.
Looking good. The only way I’ve got pre-shading to work effectively is to put a full coat of camo colour on first, pre-shade that, then go over it with thinned camo colour again. That way you’re guaranteed to have full coverage, and you simply overcoat it until the pre-shading is just visible. Then mask and repeat for the next colour.
The dark undercoat thing, or pre-shaded primer method never look light to me - probably because it’s almost impossible to judge the top coat thickness to such a critical degree. It invariably looks blotchy, or obliterates the effect completely.
The dark undercoat thing, or pre-shaded primer method never look light to me - probably because it’s almost impossible to judge the top coat thickness to such a critical degree. It invariably looks blotchy, or obliterates the effect completely.
Scrump said:
Impressive. I wish I had the skill/patience to build a model which looks as good as yours.
The skill bit is just practice. I look at some of the other modellers who post on here and Facebook etc.. and feel absolutely mediocre. I just try and get a bit better with each build.The patience bit, well that’s the great thing about this tiny scale. Not much patience is required.
Lovely models! I've never understood why this scale isn't more popular, I love how the models are so much faster to complete. I've got the Eduard 1/144 gift set they did a few years ago to give out at model shows. Has the spitfire, mig 15, mig 21 and an Avia biplane in it, stunning little kits. Also got a GWH Victor in the stash, shame they messed up the wings on it (shape and detail of short span wings with wingspan of long span wings) as it's a nice size for a v-bomber. I made an Aeroclub 1/144 Dragon Rapids a few years ago and rigged it, great fun for a kit with about 7 parts.
Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff