1/48 Kinetic F-5B Freedom Fighter

[JimD]

Looks close enough to me...at least you won't have to guess about what to do to that side.

[doogsatx/]

Primer down!



Tonight I'll be focusing on putting some Alclad on the exhaust cans and getting several of the smaller bits (gear doors, etc) primed and ready to go. Not sure if I'll be able to start throwing real paint tonight, but fingers crossed...

[JimD]

Well it's pouring here again today...maybe it won't make it that far and you can actually do some painting.

[doogsatx/]

Paint work is officially underway...





My first pass is going to be about just getting colors mostly down...then I'll go back with lighter shades, then staining. I think I'm going to keep the darker blue touch-ups until last since they seem much less weathered. Also...looking at the starboard wing in the reference photos, it looks like the forward slat on that wing has been similarly replaced/touched up with dark blue. There's going to be lots of visual interest on this thing by the time it's said and done.

[JimD]

It's amazing how much the weathering process is already "built in" to this painting technique. This one is going to rival the MIg 21 for all out visual stimulation.

[doogsatx/]

Aug 24, 2015 9:55:29 GMT -5 JimD said:

It's amazing how much the weathering process is already "built in" to this painting technique. This one is going to rival the MIg 21 for all out visual stimulation.

I think it'll blow the MiG-21 out of the water - if only because of the chipping mishaps with the Fishbed...

[wbill76]

Looking forward to seeing this one get beaten up and mismatched on purpose! Will definitely give your airbrush a workout.

[JimD]

I remember you not being happy with the chipping...or it not working right...? I still think the MIg looks great, but yeah it only gets better so this one will probably be that much more so.

[doogsatx/]

Phase 1 is a wrap! Next comes blending and lightening - and then the touch-ups, mismatches and stains.

[JimD]

Another productive night. Did you do this with the Custom Micron?

[doogsatx/]

Yeah...it gets small so much better than any other AB I've ever used.

[JimD]

Looks great. Figured as much. I probably just should have gone ahead on got one instead of the Infinity. However, I've not used it yet really as I've not needed small since getting it. I have fooled around with it and it's much better than my old Iwata.

[doogsatx/]

I had an Infinity for a while and sold it...but airbrushes are very subjective things and for me it came down to the Infinity just not "feeling" right.

I got my CM-B second-hand for far, far less than a new one, and to be honest it's been a revelation. The degree to which is outperforms the already very good Iwata HP-C+ is just ridiculous. In car terms, the HP-C+ is like a BMW 235i, and the CM-B is like a 911 GT3 or something. Of course, just like the GT3, replacement parts are pricey!

[JimD]

So Chicago Airbrush Supply is selling the CM-B at $450 and on eBay they are available from Japan at under $300....something has got to be amiss.

[doogsatx/]

Lightened the blue-gray tonight. Much happier with it and the way it's blending now.

[doogsatx/]

More progress. Moving on the the blue touch-ups tonight and maybe masking for the SEA wing tank. Might also redo the intake gray, since Neutral Gray doesn't appear to be contrasty enough.

[JimD]

I think you're on to something with the intake. A little more contrast there wouldn't hurt. I need to go back and look at the ref pic, but I'm sure you already know if it could use some more distinction.

[doogsatx/]

Main paintwork is done...laid down the blue touch-ups and darkened the gray on the intakes. Still have to do the mismatched wing tank, the centerline tank, SUU-20 pod, AND mask off and paint the gear bays, but the camo work at least is behind me now.

[JimD]

Looks great and I was just looking at the split photo on FB with the real thing in response to Stevie Wonder's (he's blind)comment and dang it's spot on.

[doogsatx/]

Aug 28, 2015 10:02:38 GMT -5 JimD said:

Looks great and I was just looking at the split photo on FB with the real thing in response to Stevie Wonder's (he's blind)comment and dang it's spot on.

I think he's just mad that I'm going off direct photo evidence instead of blindly agreeing with his assertion that it should be Intermediate Blue?

[Deleted]

Someone is seriously arguing that it needs to be more blue than what it is? Good grief. The work on this is amazing, keep up the great work.

[wbill76]

There's always a critic somewhere...maybe his monitor settings need adjustment.

[JimD]

Aug 28, 2015 11:07:15 GMT -5 wbill76 said:

There's always a critic somewhere...maybe his monitor settings need adjustment.

Haha...that's what I told him.


I seriously don't get what he's seeing. Or if he even is seeing it. Some just need to blab. This is the best I've ever seen anyone copy a photo with paintwork. The photo speaks..and the kit is as close as you're could ever hope to get....

[doogsatx/]

I don't know that I got it exactly - I think the blue-gray is still too dark and I'm not 100% happy with the tone of the greenish gray, but at the same time I'm convinced the reference photos have some weird exposure issues going on.

But the touch-ups are very definitely NOT intermediate blue and I think my mix of IB and Dark Sea Blue comes pretty close.

[sabre]

Aug 25, 2015 11:39:38 GMT -5 doogsatx/ said:

I had an Infinity for a while and sold it...but airbrushes are very subjective things and for me it came down to the Infinity just not "feeling" right.

I got my CM-B second-hand for far, far less than a new one, and to be honest it's been a revelation. The degree to which is outperforms the already very good Iwata HP-C+ is just ridiculous. In car terms, the HP-C+ is like a BMW 235i, and the CM-B is like a 911 GT3 or something. Of course, just like the GT3, replacement parts are pricey!

Hey Doogs I was interested in reading your comments on the Iwata Custom Micron Airbrushes, as I was thinking of getting CM-C plus but after reading what you had to say about them it has got me doing some re-thinking about that decision. Being a fan of the in-creditable paint finishes that you achieve on your models, I wanted to know why you chose the Custom Micron B over the C plus.

Was it because the CM B comes with the 1/16oz (1.8ml) cup & 0.18mm Nozzle as standard, where as the CM C+ comes with a 1/3oz (9ml) cup & 0.23mm Nozzle as standard ?.

The one I was looking at had both nozzles & needles in the set but that might of been a one off deal, but I believe both the CM B & CM C+ can be fitted with either combination as an optional extra. 

So I'm only guessing here and I might be answering the question for you but do you find the smaller cup size to be less of hindrance when painting your models or was there something else about the Iwata CM B that was more appealing ?. 

[doogsatx/]

Well a big part of it was the price, but yeah, I definitely prefer the smaller cup size. The CM-B cup is maybe a bit too small for my tastes, but the CM-C cup is ludicrous considering what the airbrush is for. 4 or 5ml, sure, but 9? That'd be like putting a 100 gallon gas tank in a Porsche...

[sabre]

Thanks for the response Doogs, I see your point about the cup size... It is a big jump in size. I'm starting to think that the Custom Micron B is probably more suited to Aircraft & Figure Modelling with the smaller needle size. Where as the Custom Micron C Plus is probably better suited towards larger Ship & Armour Models after going through their respected specifications parts guide, although both would get the job done in the end.

www.iwata-medea.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/iwata-pdf/Custom%20Micron%202014v2%20IM_REV2.pdf

Custom Micron B 

·The .18-mm fluid nozzle is the smallest nozzle and

needle combination Iwata offers for ultimate precision

and accuracy.

·1/16 oz. (1.8 ml) gravity-feed Custom cup cleans up quickly

allowing rapid colour changes.


Custom Micron C Plus
 
·The .23-mm fluid nozzle allows slightly heavier paint than

the .18-mm fluid nozzle.
The Micro Air Control (MAC) Valve enables infinite airflow

control at the airbrush’s head providing control between

stipple, fine detail, and background spray effects.

·Solvent-proof PTFE needle packing allows extended

solvent-based paint usage, including automotive paints.

·A redesigned, funnel shaped gravity feed cup allows

greater paint efficiency and ensures a faster, more

thorough clean up.

·The cutaway, pre-set handle allows quick flushes

and rinses


I did like the fact that CM C+ had the Micro Air Control (MAC) Valve on it which allows for stippling, great feature for weathering Armour Models. One thing I found odd was the CM B specifications made no mention of a solvent proof PTFE needle packing, but surely all high end airbrushes would have that as a standard feature.

I guess in the end it's horses for courses when it comes to airbrushes.

One last thing Doogs do you use a different airbrush for laying down your primer, something with a wider spray pattern ?.

[doogsatx/]

Yeah, the CM-B is a very specialized tool. Mostly comes out with more intensive freehand schemes like this one. My workhorse (that needs a new nozzle) is the Iwata HP-C+.

For priming, clear coats, generalized filters and such, I've got a Grex XGI (it's the same internals as the Tritium but in stick form) and an Iwata Revolution M single-action.

[doogsatx/]

SEA on the wing tank, and stencil lines on the wings. Apparently the lines are supposed to be orange. Oh well. The Kinetic sheet has the lines in red and that's what I went with. FICE.



I hear that Tanmodel (new company ramping up out of Turkey) is spinning up a 1/32 F-5A and F-5B. I'm really digging their philosophy as stated - LIDAR scanning for accuracy, engineered with fit as a priority, not going slap-happy with superfluous and unnecessary detail to keep the parts count down (I take this to mean not building engines that you'll never see, keeping random open panels to a minimum...). If the kits live up to that, maybe I'll paint orange stencil lines on a 1/32 F-5...

[JimD]

I don't always paint thing that let me avoid using decals...oh wait...yes I do.

Have you confirmed the orange thing, or just going off the FB claim? (Is that the same guy as before?) Either way I think FICE is good enough for some stripes. YMMV of course, but you seem content. And it looks great.