WnW 1/32 Albatros B.II finished

[Alexis]

Top notch Gary !


Alexis

[gedmundson]

Thanks as always to everyone for the kind comments!

Very realistic work, Gary.  This will certainly be a jewel in your showcase.  Did you use chipping fluid for the chipping effect?  It looks very authentic.

And thank you Ken, I've used hair spray before on some projects, but the chipping effects can be hard to control. For this one I used a 000 size brush and dabbed on some random black-grey Vallejo paint. The trick was to err on the side of "not too much" and keep the pattern subtle. Just enough to make it look used and scratched. It takes a few sessions, perhaps painting over the bits that don't look right.
Cheers,
Gary

[Rookie]

This is looking better that great Gary!

The detailing and the weathering look very realistic.

Willem

[Ringleheim]

All the little details looks great, Gary!

I have this kit in my stash, so I am enjoying watching your build and taking notes!

You mentioned several pages ago that you might not attempt the CDL decals again.  Can you elaborate on that?  I assume you mean that the final appearance, combined with the time/effort to apply the decals (and maybe cost?) doesn't add up to enough of a difference as compared to painting techniques.  Or something like that.

I think the CDL decals look great mind you, and I have some Aviattic CDL linen decal sheets in my stash.  Have not used them as of yet however.

[gedmundson]

You mentioned several pages ago that you might not attempt the CDL decals again.  Can you elaborate on that?  I assume you mean that the final appearance, combined with the time/effort to apply the decals (and maybe cost?) doesn't add up to enough of a difference as compared to painting techniques.  Or something like that.

I think the CDL decals look great mind you, and I have some Aviattic CDL linen decal sheets in my stash.  Have not used them as of yet however.

Thanks, and your question is a good one. If the decals are applied properly they work really well. I'm more concerned with my skills and patience to apply them properly, as I tend to rush things a bit. Possibly not having a very glossy surface is my problem in some cases...but if I see even a hint of silvering I think the look is ruined. I'm sure contest judges walk up to a decent looking model thinking "nice linen effect" but upon closer examination then wince at the small areas of silvering and "oh dear..." I know I do.

I bought enough of the decals to do part of my Felixstowe, and still might use them actually.

The photo below is an example - not terrible, and I can disguise it with oily weathering stains. Visible at the front end of the vertical stabilizer. Part of the frustration of trying something new, I guess. I see a lot of modellers using these decals with great success, so I should really try harder 

Cheers,
Gary

 

[gedmundson]

With the tricky job of attaching the top wings accomplished, I'm on to the next bit - adding the lines of rigging. Quite a job, I'm finding; it's like I'm rigging an aircraft model for the first time. A very painstaking process, but the build is seeing light at the end of the tunnel (a friend used to say "yeah, it's just a welder...welding on a new section of tunnel").
Cheers,
Gary

[KiwiZac]

Go toward the light Gary - what you've accomplished so far is so beautiful I can't wait to see the end!

[RAGIII]

The Albatros is continuing to be a Stunner! Beautiful work all around!!
RAGIII

[kensar]

Continuing to be excellent work, Gary.  Your photography brings out the best in it.

[pepperman42]

Hey Gary, backing up a few posts - is that really silvering? I always consider that the clear film around a decal showing. Could it be decal glue? Did you use setting or solvent solution? Any chance it wipes off? It's recommended to use warm water only on those decals. I'm not doubting you I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible. I have a fair amount of these decals in the stash and just want to get it right when I use them.

Steve

[gedmundson]

Hey Gary, backing up a few posts - is that really silvering? I always consider that the clear film around a decal showing. Could it be decal glue? Did you use setting or solvent solution? Any chance it wipes off? It's recommended to use warm water only on those decals. I'm not doubting you I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible. I have a fair amount of these decals in the stash and just want to get it right when I use them.

Steve

Thanks for asking Steve - I did follow Richard's instructions for application and feel that in some areas my finish just wasn't glossy enough to prevent the silvering. My photo of the tail fin wasn't very good, but it's definitely silvering....barely visible, but it's there. The only time I've used any setting solution on these is near the edges after application (MicroSol) and always just use warm water to apply them. I've also used Tamiya gloss acrylic X-22, brushed along the edges, to seal them.

I've used Aviattic lozenge decals succesfully on 6 WnW builds in the past, and any slight silvering really doesn't show up as much as it does with the CDL (in my opinion). I also know that airbrushing a gloss finish onto the surface can leave a bit of a "Matt" texture, which probably contributed to my issues on the underside decals. To summarize - these CDL decals will work very well over a very glossy finish, and any shadow detail painted underneath has to be subtle, as they are very transparent.

I'm sure you'll enjoy applying your stash of Aviattic CDL decals armed with a bit of shared experience from various modellers here 
Cheers,
Gary

[pepperman42]

Thank you Gary. Your build is still spectacular. I will make note of your findings.

Steve

[mess]

Great job, Gary.

Regarding matt spots - sometimes it could be solved with spraying just clear thinner over it. And when decal silvers anyway, I use sharp razor to cut decal through and use decal solution. It helps sometimes.

[GazzaS]

Beautiful work, Gary.  I know how you feel about silvering.  I've spent heaps of time making tiny incisions into the tiniest of air bubbles, then flooding them with decal softener.

[Mike Norris]

Hi Gary,
Yes, silvering under even 'Aviattic' decal can be a problem and I've experienced this as well.
The white backed decals are not a problem, but I've found application of any of the clear backed decals can cause this silvering.
As you say, an suitably coloured base coat, sanded/polished if necessary then gloss clear coated is necessary.
The surface has to be a smooth and as artifact free as possible.
Also I add PVA adhesive (white glue) to the decal water and stir it until it dissolves into the water.
Richard states this in his decal instruction sheets.
It does help in bonding the decal to the model surface.
Lastly you mentioned using 'Tamiya' X22 Gloss to seal decal edges.
I assume, like me, you've found most standard decal solutions are not very effective on 'Aviattic' decals.
Instead and when necessary, I use 'Tamiya' X20A acrylic thinners, which applied sparingly, will soften and seal the decal into shape.
This is also handy for conforming decal over small, raised detail, such as wing strut attachments, wing foot boards and pre-moulded panels etc.
I pierce through the decal first to release any trapped air or water, then cotton bud to press down the decal and only then apply the thinners.
Beware of using too though, as the decal can 'melt'.

Mike