Yes Drabslab they are very good for that. I find them cheaper than using the clamps. The clamps seem to be getting more expensive.
tim

Thanks Joel, I have seen the idea used by a few modelers. The difficult part is working out how much to enlarge the copies from the painting guide. Maths is not a strong point of mine so it usually takes a least a couple of goes to get it right.
tim

Hi all
Apologies for such a long interval between postings, but I have been really busy. Anyway I have started applying the decals. I did spray a coat of heavily diluted grey over the decals whilst they were still on the sheet to tone the colour down. It works quite well, but there are a couple of areas that are over the green camouflage that will need touching up a little. The motif on the tail is a good example. It might have been easier to trim the excess carrier film before over spraying. I think the colours look much better toned down.





To be continued………

Tim,
Your decaling looks quite good.

I too tone down the brightness of the decals as you did with a light overall spray. I generally use a Earth tone for all but Naval aircraft, when I switch to a lightish Gray.

I prefer to do it after decaling as it helps to blend the decals in to the overall paint scheme by toning down both the paint and decals equally. It also as you pointed out prevents any flash from showing if the base color is a different shade, which would require more touch up painting. And at my age I do shake somewhat, so I rather not have to chance screwing up the decals.

Joel

I have always been happy applying decals without any thought of modifying the density of the colour Joel. On this build I noticed that the AdA Mirage III’s had distinctly faded markings so I tried to tone them down a wee bit. It would be a lot easier to apply the paint while the decals are on the model, but I was a bit worried about messing up the upper surface disruptive colour. I did try the technique on the spare decals with this release. If you use my approach you have to be careful of the excess paint on the decal sheet floating off the backing paper when it’s soaking in water.

Right I spent most of yesterday evening attaching the undercarriage. Not too difficult although the instructions are a little vague. I have dropped the inner gear doors a little; these are usually closed when power is on. During time of inactivity these doors gradually drop when the hydraulics lose pressure. I also attached the supersonic wing fuel tanks.





To be continued………

Tim,
It's always a mile stone in a build when the A/C is standing on it's own legs.

I've found that as my weathering technique has evolved, that applying the decals before any washes or filters lets me weather the decals as though they were painted on, and the overall intensity of colors including dirt, oils, grease, are just like the painted surfaces I'm working on. That also helps with any flash issues.

Joel

Hi all

Well I have finished my build of the Kinetic 1/48 Mirage IIIRD. I have really enjoyed the build, it went together reasonably well as you can see. There were a few fit problems and the instructions have some part number errors on it. Despite this I would still recommend the kit highly and as far as I am concerned the finished model certainly captures the look of this delta wing aircraft very well.







tim

Tim,

What a beautiful jet!

The zig zag demarcation of the drop tank colors is very cool!

Tim,
Congrats on an excellent build, and an equally excellent blog that I followed from start to finish. Naturally, I'm looking forward to your next build. Any idea of what it will be?
Joel

Thanks guys your comments are really appreciated. Thanks Joel for your comments throughout the build, your encouragement on this build was most welcome. Next project Joel I’m not sure. I have a Tamiya Beaufighter TF MkX, a Roden Grumman Mohawk, an Italeri [Accurate Miniture] Avenger and continuing the photo recce theme of the Mirage IIIRD an AFV RF-5E Tigereye all making eyes at me. Not to mention an Eduard MiG 21MF. All in 1/48 of course, so a difficult choice.
tim