1/32 Kittyhawk OS2U Kingfisher

[jmarc]

GGGGGGGGGGREAT START !...Foir sure I'll be following the balance of the WIP !...GO,GO,GOOOO

[406 Silverado]

Mar 4, 2024 10:19:53 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Oh, and I have the KF in primer now. I should be starting the paint very soon.

   Got any results of the paint work on this one Brandon? Been a hot minute since I've been back in here but am looking forward to seeing the paint outcome. 

[brandonk]

Mar 23, 2024 11:05:14 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Mar 4, 2024 10:19:53 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Oh, and I have the KF in primer now. I should be starting the paint very soon.

   Got any results of the paint work on this one Brandon? Been a hot minute since I've been back in here but am looking forward to seeing the paint outcome. 

I started painting the white underside and found I had missed some panel lines that were sanded out during construction. So I went back and fixed those. Now I have to touch up those, no biggie, and started on the blue. I only work on this in short bursts or I get frustrated with myself. I don't want to mess it up so I have slowed down a ton on work ATM. Both this and the Vette are moving along, just slowly. I will update things pretty soon.

[406 Silverado]

Mar 24, 2024 10:58:24 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Mar 23, 2024 11:05:14 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

   Got any results of the paint work on this one Brandon? Been a hot minute since I've been back in here but am looking forward to seeing the paint outcome. 

I started painting the white underside and found I had missed some panel lines that were sanded out during construction. So I went back and fixed those. Now I have to touch up those, no biggie, and started on the blue. I only work on this in short bursts or I get frustrated with myself. I don't want to mess it up so I have slowed down a ton on work ATM. Both this and the Vette are moving along, just slowly. I will update things pretty soon.

  I hear ya.....been a bit slow at the bench as of late myself. LOTS of stuff going on in the real world these days. Will be watching for any updates bro. 

[buddho]

What a beauty of a build. Those Kittyhawk kits look like they pack some detail.

[brandonk]

Thanks guys. Been busy with working on my house trying to finish up the last bathroom and I just don't feel like building after that. I will be getting back on it before too long.

[themongoose]

Looking forward to it!

[brandonk]

Oh my goodness. It's been a hot minute since I've been at the bench.

I was working on completing an unfinished bathroom that the house had. Little did I know going into the this that the prior owner was a blind monkey with boxing gloves trying to do drywall work. What I predicted would take 2-3 weeks turned into 12 weeks. I was wiped when I was done everyday and so the bench went unattended. If I had any clue what I was up against I would have gutted it and started over, it would have been faster. But, worked through it and repaired what I could and hid the rest with tricks of the eye. I still have to get the vanity mirror and let the wife decorate, but it works and the work now done. I can now find energy and time to get back to my kits.

And now I have the Kingfisher in it's second coat of paint. I will begin post shading soon and then go back and work on overspray and touch ups. Then decals. YAY !!

[keavdog]

Looks like quite a project! Happy to see you back on the Kingfisher

[buddho]

Very nice....I always wanted a Kitty hawk kit, and you knocked this one out of the park.

[406 Silverado]

Our places are different but I know exactly what you are talking about in regard to the bathroom repairs/ remodel. A few years ago we started out with simply replacing our tile shower because it had had it.  We picked out our shower/ bathtub arrangement and started to work. One thing lead to another and then yet to another and we wound up with a complete bathroom remodel / upgrade. The money situation was helped because one of our neighbors knew what we were doing and let us have (yes free) the bathroom flooring tile to complete the floor replacement. It was funny because we had selected the very tile that he had in boxes in his garage so that worked out perfectly. I secretly gave his wife the money for it and a few days later I found the money in my garage on my toolbox with a note that said "I said it was free". 
  Then the fella that was helping me out with the bathroom remodel, fabricated me a vanity for the bathroom.......a NICE vanity. All in all it came out great but man.....it was a year long project that took a LOT of my time. Good to see that you got this all done Brandon and it looks like a million bucks. 

Also good to see you back at the bench.

[handiabled]

Yes the Kingfisher is back! Nice job on your bathroom remodel it looks fantastic!

[TJ]

Nice to see this back on the bench. Man...that bathroom looks beautiful

[kyledehart5]

Ooh. This one slipped by me! Great work on the bathroom and can’t wait to see more on the Kingfisher!

[“Dallas” Kenny X]

The man can do a fantastic job on that Kittyhawk Kingfisher kit AND he can repair a home bathroom! NICE!!!

[Tojo72]

Nice job on the home reno.

And the details on the Kingfisher are impressive

[brandonk]

Small update. I have the paint work complete and the decals are settling in. Next I will seal them and then do, or attempt to do a super thin paint wash to bleach the upper surfaces. I've never tried it, but I've seen it done and it looks amazing. Fingers crossed.

[keavdog]

Wow that's great progress BK. She looks just awesome - can't wait to see the masks come off.

[project510]

Lookin sharp Brandon! Also, great work on the bathroom.

[kyledehart5]

Amazing Brandon! That looks great. Can’t wait to see the next step

[handiabled]

Looks wonderful with color and markings on. I'm looking forward to seeing how your faded weathering to the paint work goes.

[brandonk]

Alright, I tried my attempt at fading paint. I've seen it used on armor but never on aircraft. I'm certain I am not the first to do this, but I am happy with the results. I coated the bird in semi-gloss MM clear followed by a super diluted Vallejo Sky grey, nearly just water. I applied it over 5 coats and tried to avoid letting pools dry. This gives the paint a bleached effect and one could also say that the salt spray is present as well. I have another process I'm going to use next to take it to the next level. But, for now, this is where we stand. From all my pics of these the sun really wrecked the paint and I'm sure the salt water didn't do it any good. Pretty much all the birds being used looked quite bad. My hope is to replicate that finish as best that I can.

[keavdog]

Looks really good Brandon. Sea weathered.

[kyledehart5]

That is awesome!! I love the way that turned out.

[handiabled]

That worked terrific! The washed out effect looks great!

[stikpusher]

Looks very sea worn now! Very nicely done!

[brandonk]

What you all are seeing is just a base layer, or initial weathering. As is looks in the pics it is not what I have in mind overall, but it gets me headed in the faded, sun bleached area I am aiming for. It will look different from this in the next pics; a bit less sloppy if you will. The floats came out just like I wanted, but the wings not so much. Stay tuned for more updates.

[jeaton01]

I like it!

[“Dallas” Kenny X]

I am holding this effort in high regard for a couple different reasons:

1. I myself have always had problems dialing everything in when working with that particular shade of blue. I’ve used it on corsairs and I’ve had an inordinate amount of trouble getting it just right

2. I am extremely partial to the look of a model aircraft showing the kind of fading and wear which occurs in salty ocean environments.

Right off the bat your base paintwork came out fantastic. It’s lovely, smooth, and not too glossy. And your fading is fantastic. In my minds eye that’s what this particular paint would look like on a war bird that’s been subject to sun, salt, and water. It’s not the least bit overdone, there’s a definite gestalt going on, and not only do I think you’ve done a fantastic job, I think that in subsequent projects you ought to consider using variations of this technique to account for the unique environmental factors.

Good work amigo.

[406 Silverado]

I've done this paint bleaching effect on a couple of aircraft builds and was, like you, happy with the results. It's really good to see you back on this as you're inspiring me to get my own Kingfisher back out and start on it again.

You're doing some good work here Brandon. Keep 'er up man.