Jack12477

I learned model kit building and Model Railroading from my Dad after the war (WWII that is). He used to sit at dining room table and build HO gauge model RR rolling stock from kits - not much ready to run - in those days. Built a wood model Piper Cub float plane from kit, I asked him to let me build one and he got the same kit for me. Also built a moderate sized HO railroad layout in basement, still had one in townhouse when he sold the townhouse at age 98 (lived to be 102 years & 2 months), split the rolling stock between me and one of his grandsons. I went with N scale due to apartment living when Rapido Germany brought it out in the late 1960s .  Dad's older brother next built a layout but built hundreds of freight cars and cabooses in HO. I still have my N scale track, switches rolling stock, engine, etc  but no layout now. 

Stilts might be better

I'm in too. Taking seat next to EG and Edward

Before continuing on I decided to smooth out the joints where the planks abut one another. Dragging out my Veritas low angle Jack Plank, a few passes over the hull made short work of the rough edges and gave me a nice smooth hull.

Oh did I forget to mention, the plane is a miniature version of their large Jack Plane and it is an actual working plane.

Awesome car !   Guess I beat Lou to the rafters 😁

I think unique to this kit !  I think it is the half way point. Have to read ahead more to be sure. The instruction just say start at deck and install 14 planks downward towards keel then reverse direction. So far only the stern has given me a hard time bending planks to fit the curve, bow has been an easier curve. This hull is big.   

Well a milestone has been reached. Plank #14 has been installed port and starboard per instructions. Now we reverse course and start planking from the keel upward to mid-line. until the two plankings meet.

12 minutes ago, Canute said:

By your fingers or your toes?

Well I use a custom made left handed sky hook 😉

25 minutes ago, Edwardkenway said:

but I cant have it til my birthday

What ! You have to wait that long !  ☹  she should at least give it to you for Christmas. 😉😉😉

One of MSW's sponsors USA Airbrush Supply has a nice selection. Shipping costs to UK might make them too expensive but you should be able to locate a UK source. Badger has a nice line of beginner brushes.

Brush by hand is how I started until I could get a Badger airbrush. Compressor were huge expensive things back then so I used the compressed air Propel brand cans. Now the compressors are small and inexpensive. 

5 hours ago, Edwardkenway said:

Thankyou gentlemen, this is my first ever plastic kit tank, as I only did planes and ships as a kid.

Lou, with this I think it maybe the blind leading the blind, luckily we have Jack on hand and EG for his exceptional information 

Yea, this was one of my first tank kits.  It is an easy build, fun, kit is well designed, parts go together easily, practically no flash to remove.   Here's photo of my version. The painting is all free hand airbrush, no masks,  using Floquil brand paints.

Good choice, Edward.  

And wood putty.  Thankfully this is 1st planking, a walnut veneer planking goes over this layer of planks

Small update:  Making some progress on the planking.  Stern is still causing issues but the bow and midsection are coming along okay.

Very nice !  Great job. 

Thanks, Mark !  I've started using shorter planks. The bow curve is easy for now, might get harder when I get closer to the keel. 

That's my next attempt.

My problem is not the curve of the stern, it is the "twist" to make it lay flat in the other plane. That's where it breaks usually.  Yes, clamped in the jig is usually 8 hrs after soaking it.  

And, yes, I have Chuck's excellent tutorial on planking right on the workbench for reference.  😉😉

Depends on my attention span 😉   usually 20-30 minutes soaking then into the clamps . Clamps can be overnight if I get distracted. 

I will say one thing! This rounded stern is a bear to plank and get all the compound curves right without breaking the planks in the process. Even tho I am using water and heat to bend them. 

Outstanding ! Beautiful house and village ! Well done .

Denis can you put the camera in Program Mode (P) and increase the ISO number.  An ISO of 400, 800 or higher would compensate for low lighting. I use it all the time, flash sometimes washes out the details at close range. (ancient film photographer still trying to master digital  😉)

HE's BACK !!!!!  Well, sort of back !

Finally figured out how to make part #36 from the non-existent 25 mm x 500 mm sheet .  Fabricated some pieces and glued them in place. Started the first 2 top most planks port and starboard.  Build a jig to allow me to bend the planks into the curvature of the stern.  Easiest way is to soak, bend around jig, clamp and wait for them to dry, then install on model fastening with small nails until glue dries.

Photos follow:

Plank bending jig and water trough

Thanks guys for the support! 

BTW woke up this morning to SNOW.  Yep ! It is snowing in October here in the valley.  😀😀😀  And the lawn is covered in wet leaves, been raining here all week. 

I think hip replacement and a pacemaker is tad more serious than a ventral hernia repair. The only thing that complicated mine was I developed an Ileus from the general anesthesia which kept me hospitalized for 5 days instead of overnight.