Junkers J-1

[mike in calif]

I thought I had a thread here for this, but it may have been left at the old location. OK, I guess I'm finally shamed enough to move this one up and finish it. here she is as she sits, and last a pic of some of the detail bits I'm trying to get completed to stick on the plane. I have a WWI "sword knot" which turns out is a lapel worn set of ribbons that a vet might have worn after the war. The base is the base for this kit; an old cheese board. here we are:

[michael]

Great job Mike, the colour scheme looks fantastic

michael

[coyotemagic]

Outstanding work, Mike.  I love the colors.  You're so close to being finished.
Cheers,
Bud

[pepperman42]

Great looking beast. Youre on the home stretch!!

Steve

[mgunns]

Hello Mike:

Your model is certainly looking good.  This kit is really growing on me and I may have to put it on the front burner, (again)  Looking forward to seeing you wrap it up.

Best

Mark

[mike in calif]

Mark, it is a really straightforward kit. I'd like to get another, there is just a huge amount one could do to detail this big bird. For all that, it builds really easily.

[Pete Nottingham]

Great looking bird, excellent colour scheme.

Cheers

Pete.

[mike in calif]

Thanks Pete. The work/craftsmanship here is just stunning, and I like to see guys skill sets growing build by build. The J-1 is a long way from being a contest winner, but it has been challanging and fun to get it this far.

[mike in calif]

I made some progress on the J-1: added some muddy mud to the U/C, got the gun ring under control, radiator tubes, weathered the underside of the wings, and am trying out an idea for the base.




 ....and some general overview shots. I'd like some feedback regarding the whole" plane rolled up on the clean base" idea.

[pepperman42]

I like the tracked mud on the clean base look but strictly for "balance" I think you should run the lines on a more gentle curve so the tail is between, not necessarily dead centre, but between the two tracks. I know the a/c could have been turned when it stopped but it just looks a bit off as is.

Steve

[mgunns]

Hello Mike:

I agree with Steve:  The concept is a good one, I think you need to tweak the base a little.   Maybe put a base of "gravel" with the tracks in it, or as Pete wrote, re-do the tracks with the plane more centered.  A more gentle curve to the tracks.

Good luck

Mark

[lcarroll]

Mike,
  Lovely model! I agree with Steve and Mark's suggestions; some gravel or grass and a gentle rolling curve would hilite your work much better. I havn't yet ventured into the high end grass matts, rather use the bags of Model Railroad grass, turf etc and occasionally put a few patches of gravel in the mix, not at all expensive and produces a very reasonable result.
Cheers,
Lance

[mike in calif]

Thanks for the feedback guys, it is appreciated. I think the lines are a bit "swervey", I was trying to deliberately not stay square to the line of sight projected by the model. I should have put the bird at a sharper angle to the base; slightly straighter lines would not have mattered so much. As it is, I like the concept of the clean base looking like the plane just touched down and rolled up on it. One issue is that the damn wings are so wide it sort of hides the whole tail skid, and obscures the wheels. Live and learn. Maybe for the DH-9 I'll try your ideas, and make a clean base, and then add lines of turf for the wheels to lay on. I guess I like the contrast of that idea.

[Dekenba]

Like what you've done with the base - I think the angle of the muddy wheel tracks looks great, suggesting the plane has kind of crashed or slid in, which transfers attention to the plane nicely.

Perhaps a tad more weathering, as the wheels suggest a dirty, well used aeroplane that is not quite matched by the rest of the aeroplane?

Having said that, it's a great finish & I'd be delighted to get mine looking like that when I finally get round to it!

[mike in calif]

OK, I'm calling it finished. Here are a few snaps of my first completed WNW kit. I forgot to stick on the prop, so excuse that.