Author Topic: Tamiya 1/72 Thunderbolt *FINISHED! (Read 3092 times)

Gisbod · « **on:** March 20, 2021, 07:28:41 PM »

Morning,

I know I’m flitting around at the moment with builds, but Alexis does it, ergo, so can I

Anyway, I’m still waiting on the masks for the Morane Saulnier, so I’ve got to do something - the devil finds work for idle thumbs as they say

I thought I’d decided on 1/48 for the cabinet, but now I’m not so sure... I bought this on a whim as I’d seen a Polish company (OMask - check them out) do a set of panel masks for this kit. I just thought that could look neat on a bare metal finish, so the process began...

Bought the kit, then realised the panel masks cost an arm and a leg to post, but by that stage I was committed! So the obligatory Eduard PE came next, followed by a Montex Masks set. It’s for the Revell kit, but I guess that’s just really to do with the canopy masks, and you get a set of those with the OMask offering anyway.

The kit looks awesome! Incredible detail for this scale

The mouldings have this quite pronounced ‘swirl’ effect, but I don’t think this will show under paint.

Anyway, I’ve already made a start! Will post some pictures later today.

Guy

Alexis · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2021, 09:43:48 PM »

Alexis does what ?

Following along on this one .

Alexis

Gisbod · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2021, 10:57:54 PM »

Glad you’re here Alexis

I had my COVID-19 jab yesterday - feel awful today!

Anyway, the cockpit went together really easily - took no time at all to get to this point. The Eduard instrument panel didn’t quite line up with the kit parts. No idea why? I had to seat it slightly lower than intended so it didn’t interfere with the fuselage halves. Other than that, nothing to it.

It’s amazing really how far kits have come, back in the day the cockpit ‘detail’ would have been a stump for the pilot to sit on - and that’s it! I’d have been quite happy with this if it was 1/32 let alone 1/72

Guy

rhallinger · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2021, 11:53:03 PM »

That is amazing detail in any scale, but almost incredible in 1/72, and you've done a masterful job in making that detail shine at its best, Guy. Not an easy task with parts that small (I would have lost half of them and mucked up the rest!) Very cool! This will be fun to follow.

Best regards,

Bob

RAGIII · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2021, 03:18:30 AM »

That is incredible detail, especially for 1/72nd scale! Your painting is gorgeous. I am almost tempted to look into some of these "New Mold" 1/72nd WW2 kits!
RAGIII

lcarroll · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2021, 04:37:02 AM »

Beautifully finished cockpit Guy, and like the others I have to remark on the incredible detail Tamiya have provided in 1:72 Scale! After seeing your photos here I understand how you'd be tempted to switch scales!
Cheers,
Lance

Alexis · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2021, 10:28:31 AM »

Excellent job on the pit Guy !

Alexis

PrzemoL · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2021, 09:03:36 AM »

Very fine looking cockpit!

pepperman42 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2021, 09:34:14 PM »

The 1/48 cockpit is great and they have reduced it to 1/72 perfectly!! You have brought out the detail beautifully. If I ever figure out how to post pics I will try to put some up of my Razorback.

Steve

kensar · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2021, 09:42:19 PM »

Astounding detail for 1/72 scale - as well as what you have done with it.

gbrivio · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2021, 05:54:15 AM »

Terrific detail for the scale. Very well done.
Ciao
Giuseppe

Gisbod · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2021, 06:04:13 PM »

Ah thank you all!

Yes, it is a fantastic kit, with one proviso - I really don’t like the modular construction - the fuselage spine, the gun ports and underwing panels as separate parts. I realise it’s largely to allow other versions (razorback I guess), but if you’re doing a natural metal finish, which highlights every tiny flaw, it’s a total PITA*. Don’t get me wrong, the fit is excellent, but to to get it all perfectly seated with no glue is a challenge (for me!). I’d just rather concentrate on the painting than correcting the surface panels, laziness on my part I know!

Anyway, I added some generic ignition harnesses for the engine which is, as per cockpit, incredibly rendered in this scale

A couple of pictures of the offending areas:

The gun ports needed fairing in and re-scribing, again, I’m just conscious of how these areas ‘ping’ when under a coat of Alclad...

Guy

* Yes, I know I need to get a life

lone modeller · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2021, 07:41:52 AM »

Only just found this Guy. I have to tell you that God's Own Scale is superior in every way, (unless you want to build strip down models), and judging by that cockpit interior Tamiya agree with me!

You have really picked out the details incredibly well - and as for the joints on the spine and gun ports, I can see no problems there. Just going to be an incredible model when it is finished.

Stephen.

gedmundson · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2021, 10:29:16 AM »

Such incredible work Guy - it's hard to believe this is 1/72nd scale. Your photographs are amazingly clear and illustrate your subject so well.
Really enjoying your story here....

Cheers,
Gary

RAGIII · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2021, 02:50:33 AM »

Quote from: gedmundson on March 25, 2021, 10:29:16 AM

Such incredible work Guy - it's hard to believe this is 1/72nd scale. Your photographs are amazingly clear and illustrate your subject so well.
Really enjoying your story here....
Cheers,
Gary

I agree completely!
RAGIII