Curtiss F-Boat. 1/72 Esoteric vac

[Allan31]

Great stuff Tim.
I have spiders, you can have mine....

[Dirigible-Al]

I wonder if that spider will post a new thread
Alan.

[Thumbs up]

I wonder if that spider will start a new thread
Alan.

the Spider could be a spin doctor?

[IanB]

I had no idea there was a vac kit of this. I built the vac of the Donnet Leveque which preceded the Curtiss, and it needed major alterations and I have a resin kit of this in my stash. You're doing a fabulous job so far, I'm looking forward to watching it come together.

Ian

[lone modeller]

Only just found this. Another type which is new to me (I do like this forum for introducing all of these lesser/unknown types).

Amazing work on the interior - the wood structure and cockpit details are just incredible - especially the control wheels.

Stephen.

[Tim Mixon]

Part 5.

Thank you all for your gracious comments. I have made headway on this over the weekend.

I closed the fuselage and started to fill all the gaps with Perfect Plastic Putty. I’m new to this product but fairly impressed with its ease of use. It spreads smoothly, dries quickly, and sands very finely.





Primed to look for flaws:



I decided to add the lower wing in one piece for strength integrity. The center section is supposed to be part of the wooden fuselage. I sanded off the rib effects in the center and scratch built the access hatch for the fuel tank.



Added the exterior keel on the lower surface:



I added the rear rudder fuselage attachment:




I’m planning on painting all the flying surfaces first because I’m afraid of masking the fuselage after it is completed. I’ve had disastrous problems in the past!
Scratch build the fuselage nose cap:




Painted flying surfaces with Tamiya acrylic
Brown:




Now I’m in process of masking all the wing framework:



That’s all for now. Thanks for looking in!
Tim

[Tim Mixon]

Part 6.

Masking is complete:



Light overspray of Tamiya Deck Tan:



Removal of the masking:



Next week I’ll overspray the deck tan again. I don’t really like this as a Clear doped linen look. I’ll probably lighten it with my usual CDL mix

Thanks for looking in!
Tim

[KiwiZac]

I want this kit, you've really sold me on it. Exquisite work Tim!!

[RichieW]

Rapid work Tim, it's looking like a stunner in the making. That masking job must have taken ages, time well spent though. The lower surfaces are going to look fantastic.

Richie

[lone modeller]

Some superb detail work there Tim. A very impressive model in the making.

Stephen.

[Tim Mixon]

Part 7.

Ok. Here’s my second coat of Tamiya deck tan. I’m thinking it’s too dark and concrete looking.



I’ve oversprayed a lighter CDL color. You can see the difference here:



Next I remasked the rib tapes and lightly painted Tamiya clear smoke.



It looks a lot better in natural lighting. I’m pleased with how the spars are still visible and the ribs look superficial.
Thanks for looking in!

[KiwiZac]

Nicely subtle Tim, I like it a lot! For what it's worth here's a photo of an original Curtiss MF (owned by Sir Peter Jackson) on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - next time I'm down there I will take more photos for future builders' reference:
14ac31e0-a17f-4495-af48-f288c179b4fe_zps8gyh2hue_35553191921_o by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[RichieW]

Fantastic Tim, I especially like the effect you got by spraying the clear Tamiya smoke after remarking the rib tapes.

Richie

[Allan31]

Since I now have a nifty little Dragon kit in 1/48 scale missing a wing strut, I will be looking at your continuously amazing build for reference, THANKS !!

[Tim Mixon]

Part 8.  Fuselage

With the flying surfaces completed, I applied two coats of Future floor polish and let it dry over the week.  Now I have masked off the wings in preparation for the fuselage wood effects.  I’m going for the planked look in this photo:



Wings masked:



I sprayed a base coat of acrylic model master depot buff.  After it dried I then masked the planks over the entire fuselage :




Next I randomly removed a few planks. These first ones will be the darkest planks.



With a mix of depot buff and Tamiya brown 3:1 I lightly sprayed the fuselage:



Next I
removed a few more plank masks and sprayed the same mixture but much more lighter. This makes the planks I exposed first a little darker.

I was afraid I’d have paint peeling!        Deep breath….   Ok I can fix this….   maybe!



Here’s the final look before staining with Windsor Newton Burnt Umber





Here’s the final results after stain and two coats of Future:





I’m really pleased with this. My first attempt at this look. Not great, but I have many more flying boats to build and gain experience with. 
Thanks for looking in!

Tim