A very nice model of Zvezda, waiting in my stash for a long time . Excellent detail at very low price, not without flaws, but nothing major IMHO. Also I will use a very nice set of pilots and mechanics from ICM, with excellent detail and poses. I want almost OOB build, just for fun, only the exhaust will be replaced.





Cheers!

Looking forward to seeing this come together. I've done a couple of the -f4s and loved them. Not sure what it is about these kits but I've seen very few middle of the road comments. It's either loved or hated.

I don't know why someone will hate them-low cost, very nice detail and fit...

Anyway, I will go for the bird of Hans von Hahn with the characteristic circles on the fuselage:



Cheers!

Venelin,
I will be watching with interest!

Gaz

Looking forward to how you do the rings.

Had time to experiment a bit on some plastic sheet, with free hand circles. I use my Infinity CR Plus 0.15mm with thinned Gunze RLM 71 acrylic, the base is Lifecolor RLM 76.
I like the result, the rings don't have to be perfect, and with bit of practice, I think they will look like the real ones





Cheers!

Venelin,
Pretty good!

Hi Venelin,

Really like the free-hand circles - can you please tell me what pressure you're using and how close to the surface you are when doing these circles?

Regards,
Kobus

Thanks!

It was a quick test, I will practice more

Pressure is set to about 1,5 bars, I'm using exclusively this regulator for tuning the airflow, you don't really need to adjust the pressure from the compressor everytime
Distance is very close, about 1cm (half an inch roughly), that's why it's easier to work with the airflow regulator.



Venelin

Hi Venelin,

Thank you for the quick reply - much appreciated.

I will definitely have to invest in one of those regulators - adjusting the pressure on the compressor is a pain in the butt.

1cm is pretty close - I will have to practice much more before I even attempt something like that and also so close.

Looking forward to the next update.

Regards,
Kobus

Hi Kobus,

The regulator is a good investment, you will not regret, and it's not expensive. Adding it just before the quick fix and one will notice big improvement with airbrushing, very useful stuff

Cheers!

After looking at different photos, I have some interpretation of the camouflage, but if anyone has some info about this particular scheme, please feel free to share it



Thanks!

The engine and the cockpit are almost ready. Only the seatbelts are aftermarket (Eduard "Luftwaffe seatbelts"), some scratch wiring and weathering on the engine. The exhausts are drilled and will be corrected with brush and pigments later










Cheers!

The engine looks great, Venelin. I'll watch with interest as I would like to see how you get that circles on the fuselage.

Torsten

Good progress!

The wires should not cover the supercharger intake though...

all the best

Steffen

Venelin,
The engine looks great! Very nice detail painting.

Gaz

Thanks for the comment!

Knew I will miss something

wires corrected:



Venelin

Priming with Mr.Finishing surfacer 1500 black (this is my preferred primer now). Before that, I cleaned all the surface with IPA to remove any grease. The yellow will be resprayed later





Venelin

Venelin,
A really impressive build to date. The engine and engine compartment came out perfect.

As for the use of that adjustment valve on your air brush, I've read so many posts about the reasons not to install one. But after reading your reasons for using one, I have to admit that it does allow for finer and quicker adjustments. I just may try one out, and if I like it, get one for my other Air Brush.

Joel

Hi Joel,

Give a try to that regulator, for me it's very easy to use and allow easy adjustment of the airflow. But in the end it's personal preference

Cheers!

Gunze H413 yellow RLM 04 over white base H11. Some post-shading with a drop of white. Yellow seems a bit lighter on pictures, but it's OK in reality







Venelin

Really liking what's going on here.

Venelin
Will most likely order one from Chicago Air Brush Supply. Although my Iwata compressor is right next to my workbench and maybe 6 inches lower, so the duel control knobs are easy to reach, but the gauges are a pain to read. That being said, I only use them to set the initial flow psi, and from there on go by feel.

Boy does that yellow stand out with a flat black background.

Joel

Indeed, like a wasp

Cheers!

Preshading with various colors-light grey, light brown and olive green. Propeller and spinner with Gunze RLM 70 Black green, Spinner spiral is green (using thin masking tape).







Venelin