SPA Modeler

After priming and painting the interior walls of the cowling, I gave it a flat coat and left it to dry. This morning I went about dirtying it up with black, brown, and red-brown pastel dust, paying particular attention to how it behaved. I experimented with various brushes to smooth-out the effect. The overall dirtiness is evident but not overdone. As before, the flat coat tamped it down quite a bit.

After that, I entombed all of that hard work on the Jumo 211 inside the cowling, after taking some more photos. There were a few ticklish spots which are now in need of fills. I’m not bothered at all by that. I’ll se to starting those fills later on this evening.

Take a gander:

Exploded view:


Another view:


All buttoned-up (that’s gonna need a fill):


Opposite view:


What little of the engine that’s visible:


I regret nothing.

No regrets necessary. It’s fun decoding the imagery—the bike in the background, the tin of pipe tobacco are all most welcome! It’s also great to see a shot of all the engine work against white A4 paper I think? Anyway your work looks great and reminds me that when I started the Mustang I debated even painting the engine block since after all it was going to be hidden in the cowling... I decided to go for it, kind of like playing the devil’s gallery a bit but also why not get engine painting practice in as well.

That engine looks great and will give you confidence/ideas on the next one. Maybe too late but looking at that last pic, one of the little things that can enhance a model is to thin the edges of the cowling flaps. I use an x-acto blade and scrape along the inside edge of the flap at an angle... like sharpening a knife blade.

Very nice engine! Like everyone said already, too bad it's all going to be hidden. But like you said it's good practice for other projects.

Thank you, fellas!

Bruce, it’s going to take me a while to work out the magic of taking pictures like you and Kari and the rest of the gang do. It’s hard with an iPhone. One day I’ll get a decent camera. In the meantime, I’ll do my best with what I’ve got. And thank you!

John, yeah, I’ve already painted and weathered and flat coated and attached those flaps. But hey- that’s another thing I can bring into my next build- Thin the cowling flaps! I’m good with that!

Mr. Medicman, thank you sir! That was a great learning experience, it was a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do with my forthcoming Hellcat engine!!!

KennyX wrote:

Another view:

That there is spectacular Kenny. Well done.

Muchas gracias, my man Kent! Thank you!!!

The first series you did building the engine is truly special; it breathes the ether. All I use is the iPhone for forum work, too; it is the best pocket studio for point and shoot work. I was going to suggest something along the lines of what John suggested about control surfaces as well. Also, ditto the mouth of the dragon. John also posted in Portman’s production thread a great link to a Stuka build. It made me feel the need to bring one to life which is potent!

That really means a lot to me, thank you so much.

I think my lighting leaves a little to be desired. I’m going to try my living room during the Golden Hour next. The sunlight comes through the huge window in just the right way...

Also- that Stuka painted with rattle cans was righteous, my man. Holy cow! That impressed me. I’ve always hated spray cans, and loved the day I for liberated from them when my airbrush arrived in the mail courtesy of my wife. Heh. Screw me for being a snob. Because the guy who painted that aircraft is awesome.

As for you and a Stuka, I say go for it. You bring so much to the table with your Builds and the way you build. I say GO FOR IT. I’d love to see it.

speedgraflex wrote:The first series you did building the engine is truly special; it breathes the ether. All I use is the iPhone for forum work, too; it is the best pocket studio for point and shoot work. I was going to suggest something along the lines of what John suggested about control surfaces as well. Also, ditto the mouth of the dragon. John also posted in Portman’s production thread a great link to a Stuka build. It made me feel the need to bring one to life which is potent!

Yup, the IPhone camera on the latest iOS has excellent macro capabilities. With proper lighting and editing you do not need a fancy camera.

And that engine looks excellent. I agree with John about thinning down the trailing edges of the cowl flaps.