A bit more progress to record here, the prop has been completed as well as the Spandaus and some other little bits.
The Axial prop was hand carved from an eight layer lamination of veneers using the numerous excellent photos in the two Data Files #41 and #146 and the kit prop as a template;
Once shaped and sanded smooth it was stained (Minwax Golden Oak) and then received 4 coats of furniture grade urethane varnish;
The hub was removed from the kit propeller, drilled out, and sanded to a thin profile and given a coat of Mr. Metal Colour "Stainless", and the retaining nuts given a "dab" of silver enamel;
With the hub then installed and decals applied the prop is now complete other then a light coat of polyurethane varnish to be brushed on later;
I elected to try the Kit guns as they looked pretty good and I've had reasonable results with them in the past, they turned out well and I'll save my "Masters" and the Gas Patch ones for later Builds. They were airbrushed with Alclad II "Gunmetal" and given a dry brushing of Tamiya Flat Aluminum. Here they are "dry mounted" on the front decking:
Next comes some detailing bits and some oil around the front end, then I'll start installing a bunch of GasPatch 1:48 Scale turnbuckles. I'm really looking forward to trying my "Magic Third hand" at this stage!
Cheers,
Lance
