1/48 Accurate Miniature SBD-3 and

 1/48 Tamiya F4U-1D

by Patrick Bessonies

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These are my fourth and fifth models, built together and recently finished.  This time, I had to deal with my new airbrush (a cheap double action one) : many, many things to know and experiment for the perfect beginner ...
I've also tried using pastels for exhaust stains, pilot painting, latex fishing thread for the antenna wires, belts made of yogurt lid and copper wire, chipped paint with a silver pen ... and taking pictures with my digital camera.
The Tamiya Corsair was a joy to build, a beautiful kit ! I've used Aeromaster navy blue.

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The AM Dauntless is also a beautiful and very detailed kit, but sometimes difficult. I've used Humbrol blue grey and light grey.  The most challenging was the airbrush : thinning enamel, thinning acrylic, spraying Klir, mixing Klir and Tamiya flat base, pressure, cleaning ...

I'm rather glad with the final result (I'm indulgent ...) but I know that I have many places to improve my skills : 

  • not very happy with chipped paint, too much on the wing walkways, hard to get a subtle effect,
  • silvering on decals, Klir coat to thin, several coats for the next times ?
  • antenna wire too thick,
  • managing the airbrush and especially dust
  • pastel weathering blown by the final coat
  • etc

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My next model is a 1/48 Hasegawa A6M5-C clear version which give me the opportunity to try scratchbuilding details, photo etched parts, masking canopy with Parafilm and ... avoiding my previous mistakes !

Feel free to email me comments and advice, they will be welcome and helpful!
Patrick

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Photos and text © by Patrick Bessonies