That is funny, but I do have everything on lockdown except the cold temperature. Actually, having worked with that brass rod before, it becomes more malleable the more it is handled so I avoid bending or crimping, if possible.
I am going to test a layer of this over the black-green lacquer I am using on the kit propeller. An expensive tube of paint, but I believe I will be able to use this as an adjustment layer with much of the green pigments used for camo. The pigment in this tube is very finely ground. I have no idea how long it will take to cure, or what it will do to change the color beneath yet.
Thanks for checking in—and wading through a long preamble as well, Stuart. The kit was sold as “New Old Stock,” and it truly is. The plastic is still bagged!
Ah now you got me feeling all nostalgic like
I think you're following the right path with this build. These old British kits could have clunky details etc. but were pretty good on overall shape. By replacing the MG's and sprucing up the engines you should pretty much nail it.
Cheers!
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'
Thanks so much, Stuart. I feel ya about the kit. The instructions (posted at the start) are clear and concise and sequenced quite well—the assembly tradition of cockpit, engine, landing gear and wings makes perfect sense. I also really appreciate the tips and techniques section, which covers two ways of trimming parts, and polishing the plastic with Brasso cleaning fluid before painting. I’m gonna try that. Also, thank you for what you wrote about the details to enhance. I’m looking forward to preparing the parts for painting and trying out a few ideas on the paint job.
Kari, Thank you for the photo and details of the Monogram-Revell Do 17. I believe there are a trio of Do 17 kits from the Sixties—Frog, Lindberg and Monogram—In styrene. To paraphrase one of the reviews I read online: “To build the best available Do 17, combine the Frog and the Monogram.” Apparently the wing chord of the Monogram version is a scale 24 inches too wide, and the Frog kit lacks the level of detail. We could measure wing chords to verify.
Apologies for the confusion I caused you regarding the kit propellers versus aftermarket. I am going to finish both versions, try a few variations (white primer, silver, black, none) and light to medium weathering conditions. Plus—this is a question for you specifically Kari for you have painted red over black and also red over airframe aluminum in separate builds (captured Butcher Bird and Hellcat), how do you suggest I best prepare the primer surface for the red marking on the tip of the spinner? Working in this scale, I better prepare the surface correctly otherwise the red will not appear to be very red or will be too red or not red at all!
Stuart—Please definitely do build the Do 17! Perhaps you will be able to find the 2014-15 Airfix version I tried to find or one of the ICM kits. There is also a Revell of Gernany version I briefly considered. All the newish kits look great, the ICM was released in 1/72 and 1/48. ICM released multiple versions as well, so there is a lot of potential here which is untapped, in my opinion. Where are the projects, I wonder?
Regarding the propeller, the resin details are much nicer, and the blades are properly sized (at least according to my attempts at measuring and comparing to the Smithsonian’s VDM dimensions), however those of the brush and paint school and also those simply of the Old School approach would simply thin the kit’s blades down and use these as is. I like having the resin option for painting purposes, but if these kit pieces pass inspection, I will use them and save the resin for the Airfix kit. I imagine that the fella who wrote about combining the Monogram with the Frog would probably take the Monogram’s engines and propellers and make those fit into the Frog.
I am beginning to think there are distinctions amongst modelers on favorite starting points, too. Some start with engines first. Some start with cockpits. I have to be careful with the generalizations, though.
Nice work on the props, Bruce. I too like to fool around with the kit parts, even when I have aftermarket replacements. Sometimes it becomes a necessity when I find the aftermarket doesn't fit! What is the green oil paint going to be used for? Filter effects or the base color for the prop blades?
Man I really want to build a Flying pencil now....
