Mitsubishi F1M2 Model 11 Pete

[panzerjager2]

Coming along VERY nicely...... all you need now is a 1/48th scale I-400 and you are all set 
PJ2

[thug626]

Good morning everyone.
Bob, Thank you kindly brother.
PJ2, Thank you very much. Now all I'd have to do is convince my wife that I need a 1/48 scale sub.....Though I have to admit....that would be pretty cool.

A bunch of progress has been made on the Pete. All of then aluminum undercoating, top coats, markings (both decal and painted) have been applied. The chipping is done as well. Now that which remains is more weathering of this beastie. The upper hinomarus, yellow recognition stripes, red markings on the main pontoon have been airbrushed. All other markings are the kit decals.


These markings and aircraft data stencil are kit decals. They went on wonderfully.

The PE rigging (which sounds as though it's OOP) wasn't too bad. If one can still find this kit the rigging could be scratch built without too much fuss I think.


The beaching trolly was base coated with Vallejo Rust Primer. I had meant to apply crackle medium but grabbed the chipping medium instead. This was soon realized after the gloss black top coat was applied. No worries....creation by mistake....

I used Vallejos rust effects, light and dark grime effects, oil and grease effects...

After painting and weathering the trolly, I think I may use the Light Grime effect for the grunge line around the pontoons.

[Leon]

Great progress Dave! Looking really sweet.

[joelsmith]

Very nicely done!

[george]

What a nice weathering! Did you use a hair spray technique to get it?

[panzerjager2]

PETE is looking awesome...... Another outstanding paint job and weathering....... I still think you need to smooth talk the Mrs and get the 1/48th scale I-400. Come on it can't be that big......it was only a sea-going submarine aircraft carrier LOL LOL LOL 
PJ2

[thug626]

Leon Thank you kindly buddy.
Joelsmith Thank you very much.
George Thank you for the compliment. I used Vallejo's Chipping Medium, which is based on the hairspray technique. I find I have more control with this than hairspray. One could decant the hairspray and then airbrush it. This is far less messy than decanting.
PJ2 Thank you kindly for the compliment. The funny thing is that she would likely say "Well?!?! Buy the damned thing" No, it would not be a trap. She wholeheartedly supports my hobby/addiction/therapy. The trick is where the heck do I display an 8'4" submarine? The mantle is not "rated" for that kind of load bearing. Conversationally speaking, does anyone make a 1/48 I-400?

I realized last night that the markings for the tail feathers were not yet done. Oops! Some masking and airbrush work rectified that. The stark white will be toned down with some washes today.

Oil effect were hand brushed and airbrushed. I also see that I have some overspray to contend with. In the next two pics you can see the "grunge line" from sitting in the salt water. The line was airbrushed and hand painted for effect.

I hit the fabric sections with a couple of Vallejo washes to "bleach out" the fabric.

[Leon]

The weathering is looking fantastic Dave!

[dierk]

Very COOL!!!

[thug626]

Thank you Leon and Dierk.

Well gentlemen, I am calling this one complete. There were just a few details completed today...the navigation lights...a wash on the tail feather markings....Just a few wee things. Any and all constructive criticisms are always welcome.























Thank you for taking the time to have a gander at this build.


Next up.....

[bbrowniii]

That is outstanding!

Great work.

[thug626]

Good morning Bbrownii. Thank you for the high praise my good man. I had a lot of fun building this one. There were a couple of details I had ended up redoing. Example: Always listen to your "little voice". Mine told me to not use the PE for the aerials. Use EZ Line instead. Well, the PE leading from the horizontal stabilizers to the main struts had a sag. So, I cut them off and used EZ Line. Then I broke one of the remaining PE aerials off (from the stabilizer to the fuselage).....Yup! Replaced those as well. In the end the "little voice" said, "I told ya so....ya dolt!"

[george]

Gorgeous build, really nice weathering and paint job. Now I have a motivation to finish mine.

[Leon]

Outstanding finish Dave!

[thug626]

Good morning y'all

George Thank you kindly for having a gander at the Pete and for the compliment. Even better yet, having served as an inspiration to help out your mojo.
Leon As always thank you for your support.

[wbill76]

Came out as a real stunner there Dave! Definitely has seen some hard miles but you nailed the look IMHO.

[dierk]

Cool subject, excellently executed!!!

[thug626]

Bill Thank you for the high praise my good man.
Dierk Thank you very much for the compliment mate.

[panzerjager2]

One word.............. 




PJ2

[TRM]

Well done Dave!! Love the tones in the color...and the chipping looks excellent!

[sturmbird]

That paint job is just fantastic! That P.E. would be a bugger to duplicate!!!!! Out of curiosity, what ship did this Pete fly off of?
Gary

[thug626]

PJ2 Thank you kindly my good man.
TRM Thank you very much mate. All of the effects were acrylic based.
Gary Thank you very much for the compliment mate. The PE wouldn't be a cake walk but, while working with it I was formulating a plan to scratch build it....one just never knows. If you're looking to scratch it...drop me a line.

[sturmbird]

You'd have thought Eduard or somebody else would have done an upgrade kit.
Gary