GB-61 1/48 FM-1 Wildcat - Carrier and Maritime Aircraft

[Grant Barr]

Grant Barr , the clear coat was applied over the sections that I didn't peel the carrier film from but it still didn't work. For my comments on the carrier film removal, see posts 162 and 167 of this thread. The issue with applying a clear coat in hopes that it will give better resistance to decal tears is, in my opinion, a false hope. Yes, it might help A BIT but doing this does nothing to fix the poor bond that is the cause of the tear-off. That poor bond will always be there unless you can find a way to get to that layer and inject some kind of binder any force that pulls that weak bond apart will do so, and take the clear coat with it.

So now for more trials. Thinking that the decal issue was behind me, I sprayed a matte coat tonight and then applied another thin coat tinted with a touch of flat white to get some fading going. I like how the finish turned out.

View attachment 774006View attachment 774007

But alas....one of the decals that I didn't remove the carrier film from (because they didn't stick to the decal underneath) decided to debond itself at one corner. So, here's me thinking that it was a small piece that I forgot to remove so I got the tweezers out and gave it a small tug. Shouldn't have done that.....

View attachment 774008

What now? To minimize the ugliness, I took a scalpel and cut up to the edge of the yellow 2 and peeled the film back to that. You can see that the piece on the lower left corner of the A is still there - that's where I repaired the earlier tear with Future and it's now stuck on.

View attachment 774009

This problem will be tackled tomorrow when I'm in a better mood. I now have to carefully feather the paint edge at the left side of the A and then match the faded clear coat. So maybe we can start GB 62 now?

Thanks Andy - you are, of course, right about the varying bond strengths of the decals v's clear coat. I might have to see what happens when I get to an Eduard kit on the list. Your experiences do not fill me with confidence though...

I do like how this one is turning out - keep up the good work!

 

[A4K]

Fighting you to the end, but decal issue aside she looks bloody awesome mate!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

As said before, this on is really throwing some curly's your way and I have no suggestions for you but it seems you could be headed in the right direction. As for the faded look, this is how I have often started with fading and I often also add a very light sanding with a 2400 or 3200 grade sanding paper followed by a soft brush dust off. However, before starting any of this, the decal sorting would be my priority.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wayne Little]

Wow this is really throwing everything at you Andy....

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks everyone.

Vic, yes a bit of a polish might be in order but I need to be mindful of a lot if raised rivet details. I'm taking a small pause to consider my options and will report back after I dive back in.

 

[SaparotRob]

Go not silently into that night! Or something.

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work so far Andy!

 

[Crimea_River]

Fixed - as best I could. Rather than add white to the clear coat I just feathered the clear into the faded parts.

Not sure if I'll touch up the yellow chip on the A yet as it looks like a good spot for paint chip anyway. The orange peel at the wing root will stay. I've not mastered avoiding this yet and, quite frankly, I only see it when I take a magnified picture.

Moving on to the fiddly bits now and should be able to post an update tomorrow. Thanks for the view, comments, and support.

 

[A4K]

Good stuff Andy. Just say the pilot scuffed the 'A' with his foot, climbing into the cockpit

 

[Vic Balshaw]

That's good Andy and the perfect place for a scuff mark or two.

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

It sucks but a battle you appear to be winning Andy.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks guys.

We have propulsion.

We have illumination.

The blue lights on the wing uppers are per Squadron Walkaround. Eduard call these up to match the red and green nav lights but I chose to go with Squadron.

The panel lines in the engine area needed a bit more enhancement so I went over them with a sharpened 0.5mm pencil.

That's all for today. 'Til next time.

 

[Wurger]

 

[rochie]

looks great

 

[fubar57]

Vroom vroom. I wasn't aware of the upper wing lights until I was searching light colours for my Hellcat

 

[SaparotRob]

It looks real. The engine is magnificent. The wing lights look REALLY good. It's those small touches of realism that add to the whole.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Good observation and great detail work and as Rob do say, these details make the whole thing come alive.

 

[A4K]

Love it Andy.