P-40 Warhawk Forums

P-40 Warhawk Forums => P-40 Models => Topic started by: Vince_M on May 06, 2017, 12:04:32 AM



Title: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on May 06, 2017, 12:04:32 AM
Hi all,

I'm a slow model builder but am enjoying this 1/48 Mauve P-40N.
The Hasegawa kit is nicer and has fewer flaws to fix; however, this Mauve kit is very nice and will end up looking very good.

I have the True Details resin cockpit upgrade and it is one of their best.  It will fit perfectly.
I also have some metal cockpit sills and that should look good because I plan to have the canopy slid open.
True Details wheels with open spokes will be used but it's an older version where the flattened look is over done making the tires look flat in a way.

I have started on the propeller blades.  I'm picky and have found the Curtiss Electric blades from the old Monogram P-38 kit are best.
So, I have used some old mold rubber to cast copies and that is going well.
It's a one piece mold so some come out with bubbles....about 50%.  However I got four good blades out before one copy broke off inside the mold...due to a bubble I didn't get out.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3838/32888346094_e522d3a4c8_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3929/33424110193_bec382ff6c_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2875/34234577015_1e1cd62d29_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2909/33424123073_1ef82de349_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2811/34242059801_a35c69fe43_c.jpg)



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on May 06, 2017, 12:07:41 AM

I'm also experimenting with the cockpit paint.
The top is Model Master Acryl interior green and bottom is Humbrol bronze green.
I think the Humbrol is more authentic to the P-40 don't you?

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2916/33393290614_8b731fec40_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on May 06, 2017, 12:45:44 AM
Hi Vince,

Glad to see that you are able to get some time in for modeling! I too am a slow builder so can relate.

I also like the Mauve kit, actually finding it an easier build than the Hasegawa one.  My only complaint is the dark color of the plastic, mainly because I am so used to working with grey.  

Nice work on the propeller blades.  I hadn't thought about using blades from another airplane, which is a great idea, and have simply sanded the kit ones into a more reasonable shape.

Sorry I can't help much with the interior colors.  I'm partially colorblind so you probably don't want to ask my opinion!

By the way, I'm also planning on using the Mauve (or Eduard) kit for Lope's Hope sometime in the future,

Mark


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on May 06, 2017, 09:46:10 PM
Thanks Mark

I am very picky about the prop. Perhaps because the P40 nose is so prominent.

Almost all kits have inaccurate props. Most of them don't put in any twist along the length.  Do I sound like an aeronautical engineer?  Well I am.  LOL!

Anyhow. That guy that did the old Monogram P-38 nailed it. I use them on any Allison model I do including a P-51A that I have not finished.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on May 09, 2017, 08:12:03 AM
Nice work on the prop! I like the darker green


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on May 10, 2017, 01:10:25 PM
I took three good resin prop blade castings and have primed them with Krylon Matte Aluminum.
The subsequent black on the back of the blade will be rubbed down to simulate the actual paint being worn off.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/34181144640_99042a0493_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on June 08, 2017, 02:18:47 AM
 My only complaint is the dark color of the plastic, mainly because I am so used to working with grey.  

Mark

Mark,
I have a Mauve Kittyhawk MkIII kit in which the base plastic is a tan color (subject is a RAF desert scheme).
Perhaps you could pick up one of those on eBay and get rid of dark plastic issues.
Vince


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on July 31, 2017, 03:52:14 AM
I need to add a receiving tube for my prop/brass rod set up.


First temporarily join spinner to one fuselage half like so:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4292/36102907332_837b2344b3_c.jpg)


Then use a bit of nylon thread to ensure perfect left/right alignment of tube:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4309/36228736496_0b5064fa3d_c.jpg)

Now, I have gently laid some bits of sprue on the "ass" end of the tube.  They have been set with gap filling superglue and I had to dab, gently, some accelerator:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4297/36136422781_5d6fc38b38_c.jpg)


Here I have slopped on some 30 minute clear epoxy.  Note I have added a peg to the front end of the tube but it is only glued to the fuselage at this time and NOT the tube.

I'll explain why later:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4310/35875533270_72379fe83a_c.jpg)

Here is a view of the epoxy setting up.  Five minute epoxy would have been better.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4303/35437285604_6a2ce84b58_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Jim on August 04, 2017, 08:07:02 AM
outstanding work sir, great attention to detail and yes the darker green is better.

Nothing better than a well built P40, I look forward to watching the progress of the model.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on August 15, 2017, 05:24:11 AM
This is coming along nicely!  :)

I like the Krylon on the propeller blades, at least from your pictures it looks better than the number of the chrome paints used on cars. Is it pretty fragile like a lot of the metal paints or is it relatively tough?


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on August 16, 2017, 12:24:56 AM
Actually the Krylon holds up well to some light handling.
Over time it loses its luster but most models are not handled that much.

I ruined my silver blades...

I had a very old can of Testors yellow that I sprayed on the tips of each blade.
It reacted badly with the silver and I had to strip those parts.

I'll present a photo soon showing the completed prop/spinner unit.
It should be done soon I hope.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Jim on August 23, 2017, 12:08:53 AM
Delicate work for sure but the end result is going to be something special, I am enjoying every stage of this build.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on September 25, 2017, 12:34:35 PM
Some progress has happened.  Done with the prop so I'm working my way front to back I guess!

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4334/35578602484_d948725560_c.jpg)


Have I gone off my rocker?  LOL!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4352/36443995764_b76b195261_c.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4340/37091242396_d787e2557c_c.jpg)


OK, that's better

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4356/36884150000_ce2b772de8_c.jpg)


This is a prop jig I made many years ago.  Still works well!

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4460/36589764264_299a11be51_c.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/36590263814_1e233e08b7_c.jpg)

I will say that this is a great read and has inspired me on this model.
I had always thought less of the USAAC group that followed the Flying Tigers.
Why?  Well I guess I didn't think of them as the Flying Tigers.
Well, no more.  These guys and their trusty P-40s fought HARD!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4344/36409537546_8c90924034_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on October 19, 2017, 02:07:26 PM
Love that paint technique  :)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on October 23, 2017, 10:36:09 PM
It's coming along nicely, Vince.  Yes, "Into the Teeth of the Tiger" is an outstanding book.  I read elsewhere that Don Lopez preferred the P-40 over the P-51 (at least its early versions, IIRC) for combat in the CBI.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on December 29, 2017, 12:14:18 AM
Well, too busy lately so work on this project has stalled for a while.
However, I will finish it.
Here is a shot of the finished propeller.  I has been sprayed with a mixture of Future and Tamiya Flat Base.
I used too much flat base so it is a little "chalky" but it looks nice and weathered that way, eh?

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4457/37369086036_7e289b354a_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on December 30, 2017, 04:56:26 PM
Looks good that way


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on December 31, 2017, 12:34:38 AM
Thanks!
I just "eyeballed" the blade pitch angle...and it is a little too flat.
I think minimum was 22 degrees and I won't miss it on the next kit I build!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on December 31, 2017, 11:19:32 PM
I don't know about the angle, Vince, but everything about the prop and spinner look good to me!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on January 02, 2018, 07:13:29 AM
Here I have used my drill press to create holes for the nice brass gun barrels from Master:

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4455/37558937320_a4d9c83761_c.jpg)

Perhaps more important that the holes were the backstops that need to be there or else you lose your parts later at installation!

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4572/37778759674_8fac9a8e86_c.jpg)



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Jim on January 08, 2018, 08:05:09 AM
Nice work Sir, keep up the outstanding work, great choice of plane too.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on July 18, 2018, 01:14:43 PM
Long time, no see!


Well my wife was on my butt to get the basement finished and boy was that a long drawn out process.

I will say it's nice to have a better basement and a nicer area to work.  Someday I will sheetrock the hobby room but the rest of the basement is done!


P-40N:

This kit was supposed to help restore my mojo and by that I mean to just relax and no more AMS to bog me down.

Well...the Mauve kit is really beautiful.  It has nice panel lines and good accurate shapes, but...

They compromised in a few key areas that I cannot ignore.  So, I think from now on it will be exclusively Hasegawa for P-40s.

One area to address is the intake grill which is pretty frickin' prominent on a P-40.  It HAS to look right.


The pieces in the kit are awful and have almost no alignment capability.  It can drive you crazy just dry fitting.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1781/43358021842_ce9e0c9338_c.jpg)


So I had to come up with my own way to achieve solid, repeatable alignment:


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/914/43358021632_54a43fa64d_c.jpg)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1785/42689473124_f15a8bb337_c.jpg)


The leading edge shape needed good ol' styrene, files, and patience to reshape:

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1785/41598061110_f95cd5cde2_c.jpg)


Here it is completed and with a coat of Mr. Surfacer White out of the spray can.  Wonderful stuff!

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/43358691252_197e5f0173_c.jpg)


I also worked on the instrument panel which is from the Eduard photoetch set made for the "Eduard" kit (they did a Profipack version of the Mauve kit).

Here you see it with a piece of clear acetate epoxied onto the instrument faces.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/42687711454_a76c86eb3e_c.jpg)


And here assembled with a little Micro Crystal Clear around the edge of the "sandwich" of parts:

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/842/29533768838_58307abf09_c.jpg)


One more photo.

This is a resin part from the True Details cockpit set.  It is a marvelous fit and worth every penny.

Not much going on here but I experimented with cheap craft store acrylic satin black paint, as a primer.

I wanted to see if I could airbrush it and it did fine (although it didn't cover well in one coat).

I must say it snuggled down and did not hide even one bit of surface detail!

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/910/27304297747_684e32d1a0_c.jpg)



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on July 20, 2018, 09:58:13 PM
Looking good, Vince!  I know what you mean about the Mauve kit; generally nice but there are a few areas needing improvement.  I too have issues getting its intake aligned.  The AMtech/AMT kits are the same way.  That is one area that the Hasegawa shines, since its design makes alignment easy and sure.  Same can be said for Hasegawa's cockpit.  I'm about to start one of the Eduard boxings but the intake is one area I don't need to concern myself with.  I'm grafting on a resin nose to do a Merlin engine P-40F from the 79th FG.  I really wish Hasegawa would issue a Merlin engine offering but, alas, it's probably not to be.

I also know what you mean about getting sidetracked with real-life projects.  I'm finishing up painting the exterior of our house.  Since the highs have been in the upper 90s to low 100s where I live, I think I would prefer an inside job like your basement right about now!

Mark


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on October 17, 2018, 03:59:29 AM
Hello my friends!


Work has been progressing, slowly but surely.

I must say that being at the bench is where I like to be, to relieve stress.




Another weakness in the Mauve kit is the wheel wells...they are pathetic.

So I have tried to add some structure but decided to simulate the canvas liners with metal tape that you can get at the hardware store:




(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1797/29963158228_11793d930b_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1779/43848044162_c4aa51118b_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/43981243094_ab8100b071_z.jpg)


Here's one reason this project drags on, I'm a rivet maker (not a counter).  LOL

Actually, I got the rivet tools from UMM and just could not help myself!

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/43988271904_632a0b4384_z.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on October 18, 2018, 07:06:47 AM
Wow, looking good!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on October 27, 2018, 10:54:48 PM
Nice work on the wheel wells, Vince.  I probably have some unused resin ones that came with one of the several Eduard boxings I built in the past, which I would have been more than happy to have given you had I known you were going to all this effort!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on October 30, 2018, 08:27:03 PM
Thanks, Mark.
Appreciate that!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on November 12, 2018, 02:12:58 AM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4914/45781790332_7320a504bf_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on December 06, 2018, 12:09:34 PM
Keep at it, Vince!  Are you going to add rivets to the whole airframe?  And I have no idea why Mauve didn't open up that lower area. Out of sight, out of mind perhaps...

Mark


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on December 17, 2018, 01:27:28 PM
Yes, Mark I'm going to rivet the whole thing.  The fuselage is hard.  I'm trying to use a ruler and double stick tape but it is not easy.

Here are the cockpit sides and the seat.  They need a clear flat coat but are pretty much done.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4863/31409569507_9f6f3f12b8_z.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on January 20, 2019, 03:17:29 AM
Here is a DF loop I made myself using craft wire 0.4mm.
It was hard as my eyes are not as good as they used to be.
You will see some action coming.  There is a model show less than two months away!
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7881/32926962008_782241a59c_z.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on January 21, 2019, 01:52:12 PM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7911/46765066552_b9565e4a1b_z.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on January 22, 2019, 11:28:57 PM
That cockpit looks great, Vince!  Do you think you'll have the build completed by the upcoming show?


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on January 23, 2019, 01:29:37 AM
I sure hope I can.
I have two kids and a working wife that travels sometimes.
It is hard to get time at the bench.
However, if I can work a little bit every day there is a chance.
I must say the Mauve kit is nice but there are some issues that are going to take time.
One is the rear canopy because I have to sand it and then polish to make it look right.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 04, 2019, 04:46:16 AM
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4875/46922029172_90cd8ea7c9_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 04, 2019, 12:51:12 PM
Looking good, Vince! Good luck with rescribing that back canopy area; it's an issue I've dealt with in my builds of the kit, with various levels of success. My scribing abilities are best illustrated in an old cartoon titled "Thank God it's Friday," showing the continental railroad finally coming together, but with the railroad misaligned so that only the center rails actually meet while the outer ones don't.

Regarding the canopy, are you asking how best to attach it to the fuselage? I'm not exactly sure what you mean by gluing it without showing.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 04, 2019, 09:59:58 PM
Mark,

I'm worried about gluing it with some glue seeping behind the clear part.
I may use clear epoxy to attach it or Micro Krystal clear.
Perhaps if I am careful to not use too much but you can see in the picture that the edge of the clear plastic reflects light too.
So I'm wondering if I should paint the edge black...

Vince


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 04, 2019, 11:08:30 PM
Mark,

I'm worried about gluing it with some glue seeping behind the clear part.
I may use clear epoxy to attach it or Micro Krystal clear.
Perhaps if I am careful to not use too much but you can see in the picture that the edge of the clear plastic reflects light too.
So I'm wondering if I should paint the edge black...

Vince

I often use Krystal Clear (or another type of watch cement) with no problems.  Although wary about it on clear parts, I've also carefully applied Tamiya Extra Thin Cement with a thin brush.  Since you have dipped the windscreen in Future, you should also be able to use Superglue with no worries about fogging.  Never have tried the epoxy method personally.

I don't think I've ever painted the edge of a clear part, but I have used a Sharpie along the edges of those clear parts that go in the scallop area behind the cockpit on the earlier P-40 versions.  Those clear parts never seem to fit well so I've done that to prevent the reflection you are concerned with.  My only concern about trying it on the windscreen is how either a Sharpie or paint would effect the glue bond.

Good luck with whatever method you use!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 05, 2019, 11:35:03 PM
Thanks, Mark.
Normally, I would used epoxy or superglue and then perhaps sand/polish (which I have already done with the back canopy).
This part fits really well though and I'll try Micro Krystal Clear which I really like.
I see Hasegawa's way is better in that they moved the glue joint somewhere else to hide it.
I'm going to try what I see a lot of guys do and just attach the front canopy after paint.
Also, I will carve a channel for a "weep run" to keep globs of glue from the inside showing up. 
At least with Krystal clear I could "do over" if I want.
Just running out of time and I lost this past weekend due to a relative visiting and staying in the basement, cutting me off from my workbench....


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 08, 2019, 11:06:55 PM
I improved the accuracy of the top carb scoop with styrene and Tamiya putty.
When you use Tamiya putty you will never go back to Squadron putty again!

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4875/46109762885_398dd5a6e5_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7849/47023445001_e47380a9ae_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 09, 2019, 12:10:28 AM
Nice work on the carburetor scoop, Vince.  I never realized that Mauve one was off that much but it's been awhile since I've built the kit.  Yes, Tamiya putty is great.  For some reason my tube has just about dried up so I need to order another.  I've heard fairly good things about Squadron's newly formulated putty but have yet to try it.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 10, 2019, 12:22:34 AM
I don't trust my ability to airbrush freehand so I made these masks for the medium green "dapples" on the wings.
They are being stored on wax paper until needed.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7864/46313793054_1522e53a21_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 10, 2019, 01:04:10 AM
Mark,
The carb scoop is not that bad on the kit...I'm just a perfectionist!
It needed to extend forward a little and the sides had a very sharp inner corner instead of the blend I see on real Warhawks.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 10, 2019, 09:56:21 AM
I feel likewise about my freehand abilities so did the same as you for another P-40N build a few years back.  If I recall correctly, I place small strips of Blu-tack under my template to soften the edges of the splotches...and I'm currently at exactly that point in painting the splotches on a 72nd Hasegawa P-40N that I finally decided to finish after sitting half-built in its box for years.



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 14, 2019, 01:04:58 PM
Well...
The photoetch canopy rails I found at a model show vendor were really very necessary.
The kit did not have any rails so having an open canopy would not look great.
So I put them in but spent a lot of time and it nearly drove me nuts.
Mainly my eyesight is not a good as when I was a little younger...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/47068655301_1fa2f5ffba_c.jpg)


You can see here that I have had to add some strip styrene so that the rails will be deep enough from the fuselage sides.
I got lucky as the strip I had on hand was just right in thickness.
First, I had to "tack" them in place and then follow up with superglue.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/47068655291_9cac3609a4_c.jpg)

Here is the result.  I'm happy but it sucked up a lot to time and the model show is not far off now.
Good news is that the cockpit area will be done soon and I will be able to add the wing and finish the "body work" prior to primer.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7919/46174700595_7d455fcaf9_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on February 14, 2019, 05:22:28 PM
That's some excellent work!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 14, 2019, 11:26:26 PM
Glad to hear the cockpit is pretty much done so you can move on.  Are those photoetch rails specific for the Mauve kit, or will they work with any 48th scale P-40?  I usually make my own out of styrene for those kits that have none, and although not 100% accurate at least add some detail.

When exactly is the show?


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 15, 2019, 06:02:01 AM
Mark,
Those rails were specific to the Mauve but might be adaptable.

The show is March 9.
It's still doable but I won't compromise quality after all this time spent on it.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 19, 2019, 01:32:47 PM
Mark, I took your idea about using a Sharpie to cover the edges of the canopy.
Here is a photo while the epoxy sets up.  I had to clamp in the sides of the fuselage.
The canopy was about 0.5mm too narrow.  It ended up creeping back the next day but it is really not too bad.
The sharpie looks good but it is pretty black so it looks almost like eyeliner here!  It should suffice tho.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7840/47119872911_c25703efc7_c.jpg)

Here's one way to avoid gaps at the wing root.  Glue the wing top halves first!
I purposely left a small area of the fuselage towards the tail unglued...for potential spreading.
You can see a toothpick holding it open now.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7807/32185061997_7819762dd2_c.jpg)


GAME ON!!!

First glue trailing edge then leading edge.
As of tonight I'm sanding.  Body work is priority.
The contest is March 09 and It is really going to be a struggle.  I wanted to painting by now...
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7819/47075295732_0e2d93b78d_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 19, 2019, 11:06:24 PM
Getting close to the end and looking good, Vince!  Hopefully you'll finish it by the contest.

I forgot to mention that Sharpies come in all sorts of colors, including a light brown, almost a tan, and a green, so you don't have to use just black for those edges.  I've tried to use a color close to the exterior color(s) so to reduce the contrast, but to be honest I don't know if it really matters. 

I know gluing the top wings on first will definitely eliminate the gap but have never tried it myself;  I always worry that I then wouldn't be able to fit the bottom wing section on!  On those Mauve/Eduard kits I've used a 'spreader bar' in the fuselage to get a better fit.  It was an idea I got from Tom Cleaver over on Modeling Madness.

I forgot to ask if you had any problems installing or the fit of the True Details cockpit.  I have one I plan on using on a future Mauve P-40 but won't be able to use the seat and headrest, since mine will be with resin nose to make an "F" and not an "N" like yours.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 20, 2019, 12:03:25 AM
Getting close to the end and looking good, Vince!  Hopefully you'll finish it by the contest.

I forgot to mention that Sharpies come in all sorts of colors, including a light brown, almost a tan, and a green, so you don't have to use just black for those edges.  I've tried to use a color close to the exterior color(s) so to reduce the contrast, but to be honest I don't know if it really matters.  

I know gluing the top wings on first will definitely eliminate the gap but have never tried it myself;  I always worry that I then wouldn't be able to fit the bottom wing section on!  On those Mauve/Eduard kits I've used a 'spreader bar' in the fuselage to get a better fit.  It was an idea I got from Tom Cleaver over on Modeling Madness.

I forgot to ask if you had any problems installing or the fit of the True Details cockpit.  I have one I plan on using on a future Mauve P-40 but won't be able to use the seat and headrest, since mine will be with resin nose to make an "F" and not an "N" like yours.

Mark, the True Details cockpit fits like a glove!
Well worth the money.
Actually, it fits like a glove into the fuselage.
I had some minor issues because of the way I did the boxing of the wheel wells.  I chose to box all four sides but I think the cockpit floor part is supposed to be one of the four sides.  Refer to my photo.  So I would watch out for that because I had to grind down some styrene at the end.
The wheel well detail on the Mauve is poorly made.


The forward canopy fits well enough but I like the way Hasegawa tackles this issue by moving the glue joint (thus avoiding what I did)...


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 21, 2019, 11:38:46 PM
Mark,

You mentioned a new formula for Squadron putty.
I threw my squadron green and white tubes in the trash years ago.
They would sand up nice but over time would continue to shrink.
So even if I had sanded thoroughly, I'd get a sink mark months later.
Tamiya putty does not do that and is about the same hardness of the surrounding plastic so, for now, I plan to stick with them.
Does the new Squadron putty do a good job?

Vince


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 22, 2019, 07:34:50 AM
Mark,

Does the new Squadron putty do a good job?

Vince

I’ve not actually tried the improved Squadron putty, Vince, so don’t know how well it works personally but have read pretty good things about it. I’ve not heard anything about shrinkage over time, but then again it might be too soon to tell.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 25, 2019, 10:40:04 AM
Another reason why this thing drags on...
Mauve had inadequate cooling gills.  So I used theirs to make a perch for some new ones I made myself.
They are not too hard...just need a razor blade and a ruler.  The harder part was to curl them just a little.
Also, note the Master brass machine guns are now permanent.  They too were fiddly here at the end.
One thing is that using them allowed me to sand the leading edge of the wing to my satisfaction of smoothness.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7888/47139467352_41e0e5da80_c.jpg)

Here is the sliding hood I made with scrap plastic and a candle.  Actually I made a spare one too.
It's called the crash method and I didn't need to use any vacform machine.
The Eduard masks are in place and are a time saver but take several tries to fit right...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7805/46277112535_a3d3022abc_c.jpg)

Here is my spare sliding canopy!  I'm sacrificing it to mask the cockpit.  It actually fits like the real thing against the Griffon metal canopy rails!  It's a bit satisfying as I nearly went blind and crazy installing them.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7822/47200736341_5745467f25_c.jpg)

PRIMER!!!
You can see my messy workbench.  LOL
I told myself that if I didn't get the primer on this weekend that there is no way it will be done on time.
There is still a lot of painting and such to go...
This is Tamiya Fine Surface Primer White sprayed with my airbrush.
It is really stinky as it's lacquer based; but is such a nice product.  It should "snuggle" down and reveal my rivets I spent so much time doing (I hope)...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7899/46478845384_9ff3ca61ce_c.jpg)



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 25, 2019, 12:50:57 PM
Looks great with the primer on, Vince!  Next time I use that Tamiya primer I'll definitely airbrush it.

I've made plenty of those flaps out of styrene myself, such as the AMtech P-40F I'm currently working on, but can never get them to bend well if at all.  One thing I noticed in the photo of the flaps and barrels is that there's no air intake hole in the wing root.  I'm pretty sure the N had those holes in both wings, so if you're inclined to drill one out you might double check your sources and confirm it was present.

And your workbench is nowhere as cluttered as mine!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 25, 2019, 10:25:04 PM
Good catch, Mark.
I need to very carefully drill the cockpit air inlets!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 26, 2019, 10:09:01 PM
I got those air inlets added to each side.  Yes, most photos of "N" showed both sides had it.
Looks good.

I also sprayed the neutral gray on the undersides.  I used Testors Model Master Acryl which a lot of folks really don't like.
It mixed with Future beautifully and makes a smooth, hard coat.  So, for me, I like it and will buy more.

As for airbrushing the Tamiya fine surface primer, I don't know.  It is actually smoother out of the spray can.
So I need to experiment with thinning ratios and air pressure to be able to airbrush better.
The coat was alright but a little rough in places.  I used 0000 steel wool and got it back to nice and smooth.



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 27, 2019, 01:40:15 PM
Hope to see a photo soon of it with the OD and those green splotches on.  I usually use enamels, but it seems Model Master acrylics have a love/hate relationship with no middle ground.  Glad they worked out for you, Vince. And for what it’s worth, I usually end up having to lightly sand any primer I use to really smooth it out.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 27, 2019, 11:07:52 PM
Had a rough night last night.
I have an old jar of AeroMaster OD that I have never used.
It seemed fine in my experimental tests mixed with Future.
So I intended to strain it but was in a hurry and did not do that....
The coat was really a poor and impatient coat.  When spraying anything with Future in it you have to be patient and put it on carefully.
I put on too much in spots due to clogs...caused by lumps in the old paint.
ANyway I stayed up late and stripped it off with Windex.
So lucky that the Tamiya primer is not affected by Windex so it was not too difficult just a lot of swearing.
I did another coat this time straining the paint.
The coat came out about how I wanted with a few imperfections here and there due to the first coat.
I won't win any award because if they see any paint flaw it's out.
Will I finish?  Don't know.  I have to take my daughter to a play Thursday night and my wife's cousin is staying with us Saturday night.
That's basically two nights I may not be able to work....




Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on February 28, 2019, 12:23:14 PM
Sorry to hear about the setback, Vince.  It sounds like you didn’t have to strip off the neutral gray, although I’d like to know how you accomplished that. When I screw up a paint job I end up having to strip everything off, which is why I dread mistakes so close to the end. 


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on February 28, 2019, 10:17:00 PM
Mark, I had the neutral gray masked off and managed to save it.
However, I rubbed the OD off with windex and a little bit seeped under the tape.  Not too much so I will have to carefully touch up.
So, you win some you lose some, I guess.
I think the paint is looking ok...  I'd give myself a "B" right now.
Sadly the rivet detail I added looks like it is almost completely obscured by the paint layers...at least on the top side.
It was not deep enough.  However, if this was a natural metal project I think those rivets would look super.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 01, 2019, 12:02:03 PM
Boy do I get tired of masking...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7888/46328969125_a4870f1c99_c.jpg)

I had a 35 year old bottle of Model Master Medium Green but did not trust it.
I used Vallejo US Dark Green instead thus staying acrylic.
The strange thing is it seems to match my old medium green so I wonder...

Check it out:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7925/40278572923_00b49b3e9a_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on March 01, 2019, 12:56:36 PM
Although I’m color blind (which explains why I may never revert to Tamiya paints which require so much mixing and often refer to my wife for color choices) I think your finish looks great, Vince.  I can’t spot any issues with your repainting and I feel your green splotches are much better than the ones I recently did on my P-40, which don’t stand out much from the OD. I also hate masking, especially following my recent issues with the AMtech P-40F!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 02, 2019, 04:05:10 AM
Thanks, Mark.
The OD has some white added to fade or "scale effect" the look of it.
Also there is a pre-shade coat of Vallejo "field drab" underneath.  I mottled this on over the white primer along with some straight OD.
The top coat of faded OD has about 50% Future mixed with it to make the pre-shade show through more.  Also, the Future makes it very durable for handling and masking.
I was surprised to lose my rivet detail because Future and acrylics usually dry so tight that even some scratches show through.  Perhaps I'm just putting all my coats on just a bit too heavy.
Airbrushing is really something that just takes tons of experience, doesn't it?
Oh well, it's not the end of the world that the rivet detail was lost.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 05, 2019, 01:23:29 AM
Well, it's not going to be done in time for the show Saturday...

I had a relative come to visit this past weekend and then another friend of my wife wanted to come visit as a surprise on Sunday.
So I spent the whole last weekend socializing.
It didn't matter because I was cleaning my airbrush Friday and was using Lacquer Thinner.
It must have been incompatible with a small rubber O-ring on the tip because that O-ring broke right off.
That little O-ring made a huge difference on the spray pattern and it would not work properly at all.
My old Badger 350 won't spray Future properly so that is not a good backup.
I ordered a new part but it won't be here until Friday.
So....the pressure is off.

I guess that is okay because I can finish it properly without being rushed....


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on March 05, 2019, 11:41:49 AM
Sorry it won't be finished in time for the contest, but it's probably for the best.   It's when I'm rushed that I make my greatest mistakes.

Regarding airbrushes, I learned long ago, from damaging needle tips to destroying o-rings in lacquer thinner, that I need to have spares parts on hand. I can't count how many needles I've gone through over the years from hitting the tip on something while spraying or cleaning.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 07, 2019, 10:45:29 PM
A lot of P-40N did not have the "Ring and Bead" sight installed on the upper cowling, by that time in the war.
Many had just the "bead" and not the "ring".
I wanted to do the Ring and bead just because I have the photoetch parts and I think it looks interesting.
Should I be more accurate and just do the "bead" only?

Hmmmmm


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on March 07, 2019, 11:51:25 PM
"Lopes Hope" likely was the same as most, if not all, other 23rd FG P-40Ns and only had the 'bead', and since it seems you've been striving for accuracy I would go with only that, Vince.  Just my two cents....


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 08, 2019, 01:11:09 AM
Yeah, that is good advice.  I should default back to accuracy.

I saw that a lot of the Merlin P-40s sometimes had no ring or bead at all!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 11, 2019, 11:45:59 PM
I'm completely intimidated putting on the sharkmouth decals.
If there are fit issues I won't be able to do anything about it.


(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7862/40378951253_603da910ce_z.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on March 12, 2019, 06:07:52 AM
Looking really good so far!

I was cleaning out a bunch of old magazines and one of them had a technique instead of using a candle, holding the plastic up to a lightbulb to soften the plastic and then bending it or pulling it over a plug, I had never thought of that before.

I had problems with Squadron putty doing that in the past, I've been using Bondo spot glazing putty for a while which is good, but it always stays somewhat soft so if it gets bumped with something a little sharp, it can gouge it a bit. I remembered my U-control & R/C days, I would use dope & talcum powder to make a sanding sealer. Health issues have had me move away from solvent-based products as much as I can, (I still use Bondo once in a while, but it can cause issues), so I started using Future with baby powder, you can make it as thin or as thick as you want by altering the baby powder, sometimes I will add a little bit of acrylic paint to give it a little bit of color to make it easier for sanding. It sands just as easy as Future does and smells nice, ultimately is harder than the Bondo as well. Feathers beautifully and sticks well. Also, when I am sanding, it acts like its own guide coat, at least with some acrylic paint added, it will look darker and as you sand it, the higher areas will be a lighter color as they get sanded down.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on March 12, 2019, 09:07:44 AM
I'm completely intimidated putting on the sharkmouth decals.
If there are fit issues I won't be able to do anything about it.

I feel the same way about those sharkmouths too, Vince, but have found that the decal brand can make a lot of difference in how they fit and lay down.  Which manufacturer are you using for 'Lope's Hope?'

I also meant to ask if you had any problems with the Master barrels.  I just ordered a couple of sets, one in 72nd scale for the Academy P-40N I'm currently working on.  They won't arrive for perhaps two weeks, and I figured I would get a head start on them by cutting off the kit barrels first then gluing the upper and lower wing halves together to knock out the seam between them.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 12, 2019, 12:16:05 PM
Thanks for the encouragement guys!

The decals are Eagle Strike and are designed for AMTor Mauve. So I should be okay if I’m patient and careful.

The Master guns are wonderful. Of course the hardest part is getting six holes in just the right spots on a narrow leading edge. That is a mouthful and an understatement


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 14, 2019, 09:29:03 PM

Well, why not?

I have put so much into this project why not put on some stencil decals to make it more accurate.
This is the old "Tally-Ho!" sheet and it is pretty good.
The first ones I applied are silvering a lot though...


(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7891/47320441742_d7347b44f8_z.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on March 14, 2019, 11:21:02 PM
I've had mixed results with Tally Ho decals, Vince, and they wouldn't be my first choice if something else was available.  I'm still bummed about how the nose art for one of my P-40s silvered, here:
http://www.p40warhawk.com/smf/index.php?topic=262.0


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 15, 2019, 01:53:26 AM
Mark, thanks for the advice.

I'm experimenting on the bottom of the plane first.  I may try some Future under the decal to help with silvering.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 18, 2019, 12:16:33 PM
I was procrastinating putting on the shark mouth decal and for good reason. It was very difficult to position and broke right at the upper corner. It will take more decal solvent but it should lay down. I didn’t want to have to paint to fix it but I will have to. Oh well. Lots of difficult curves in that area.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 19, 2019, 12:01:15 PM
 Rainy days, Mondays, and Shark Mouth Decals always get me down....

I dreaded this for so long.  Actually this is before Solvaset Decal solvent which works miracles with repeat application.
No doubt I see red, black, and white paint as well as an art brush in my future too.
Just wish I still had those young eyes!

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7856/46501586275_a676edb9d8_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on March 19, 2019, 10:04:40 PM
Ouch, Vince, I feel your pain!  Hopefully the Solvaset worked its wonders.  I had to use some on my current build to get the decals to really lay down in the panel lines.  That's hot stuff and it slightly melted one of the stars on the wings, which was I believe an old Superscale spare I had to use.  Fortunately most of the damage should be hidden once I complete the weathering.

I think I've had one problem or another with every sharkmouth I've used; sometimes I'm lucky and the issues are minor but other times not.  Where you able to salvage the missing section under the spinner, or do you have to repaint it?  I've had to do my share of touch-ups over the years.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 20, 2019, 01:20:55 AM
Yeah Mark, I tried leaving that piece under the spinner attached when I did the port side, first.
It was just too hard to line it all up and was a big mess.  So the side you see here, starboard, I decided to get ahead of it and cut it.. to be added last.
Solvaset it awesome but really "hot".  I have a small amount set aside and cut with some water to tone the power down a bit.

The port side is looking better with these large wrinkles.  They are nearly gone!

I just lament having to paint touch-up around the spinner and intake corners.  Hopefully, white paint will match white on decal...


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on March 20, 2019, 08:58:12 PM
Solvaset is quite the miracle fluid.  After several applications, the wrinkles are almost gone!  It just takes patience.
Also it is so "hot" you have to avoid brushing over it too many times.  Just put it on...and wait.  
Note that I also have a small vial of Solvaset/water mix.  This mix is less caustic and is good for very thin decals.

Touch up with paint will
still be required.  This is one reason I will think twice about doing another shark decal unless it is included in the kit.
The Eagle Strike sheet was made for Mauve or AMT but that means it is not a perfect fit for either!

All of this is telling me that it would have been impossible to finish for the contest due to the decal step taking so long.
I mixed my paint with Future which made it very tough and partially shiny.  So, I skipped adding a gloss coat for decals.
I think I'll never do that again because I'm having to fight a lot of "silvering" with repeat applications of solvent...



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on April 12, 2019, 12:08:07 AM
I was out of town last week so work on the project has taken a slow turn.

All the decals are on and the sharkmouth has been cleaned up, though.

I should have put another coat of future before decals because it was not smooth enough.  I spent so much time with decal solvent trying to get them to lay down all the way.

The next step is a coat of Future to seal the decals before weathering.  Fortunately I did a few more experiments with airbrushing Future and found an adjustment issue with the airbrush that I think I have fixed.  The Future was coming out spitting and I'm so lucky I figured that out before putting it on the model now.
I have like three old "paint horse" models coated with crappy layers of Future...and I'm okay with that!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on April 12, 2019, 03:44:14 AM
I was wondering what was going on, Vince, so thanks for the update.  I too have some old warhorses that I use to test paints and Future on.  I'm never quite fully satisfied with how I airbrush Future, so am thinking of switching to another type of clear coat.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on April 15, 2019, 09:08:06 AM
Slow but sure progress.
I practiced spraying Future until I was satisfied.
Now I have an overcoat of Future on top of the decals.  This will protect everything from oil based weathering to come next.
Sorry for the messy workbench!  Don't we always end up working in an 8 inch square?  LOL

(https://live.staticflickr.com/7863/46883573174_dd466b612a_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on April 15, 2019, 10:10:39 AM
 Don't we always end up working in an 8 inch square?  
8"? I wouldn't know what to do with that much space!

Looking great, Vince! I noticed how shiny your Future coat is. I think that's one of my issues with using it. I'm so afraid of applying too much that would fill the engraved panel lines that I probably don't apply enough for a really good glossy coat for the decals.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on April 15, 2019, 10:25:24 AM
As long as you don't "pool" the Future or start it sagging, it lays down in the end.
It looks too thick but after two days of curing you can even see scratches.
I have to admit that it is harder to handle than say Testors GlossCote but I do like it when it can be laid down just right.
Your airbrush has to "atomize" it well and you need a light to see how heavy you go.
Also, I have misted on a tiny bit to start...from a distance.  This little mist coat allows it to hang on to something.
I only suggest practice and you may start liking it.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on April 19, 2019, 06:13:57 AM
Sometimes I had trouble with Future, not sure what, maybe I needed more coats? Often enough I didn't seem to get the gloss.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on April 21, 2019, 02:37:10 AM
So...you guys are wondering if I'm ever going to finish this darn thing.  Yes, I know...


Well my luck is bad sometimes.  But good luck has been there too.  Read on:


I had recently overcoated my decal with Future.  It was foolish of me to assume the tough Future coat would totally protect the decals.

Today I was taping a straight stick just below the exhausts.  My plan was to use the stick to align the exhausts.

While aligning the stick with painters tape I learned a hard lesson.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46928459124_da6f68c550_c.jpg)


Another view after some cleanup.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33774969428_19fca3078a_c.jpg)


So...there was cussing....


But just like my bad luck there was hope...   LOPE'S HOPE!!!

Turns out I had another decal sheet in my stash!  It was a partial sheet I must have gotten at eBay or a model show.  It had more decals I needed!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33774969318_fa714b2931_c.jpg)


So a repair was possible and done in minutes:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47599750002_c77fe4b40d_c.jpg)

It is not going to be a winner at the nationals but so what!

You can see that my Future was tinted to provide some sun fading.  I will have to see if I can replicate that on my new decal piece here or just weather the whole panel again.  Plus I'm going to have exhaust stains I could just extend high...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47599749922_404e7afe37_c.jpg)



Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on April 21, 2019, 10:55:33 PM
Nice (and fortunate) save on the decal, Vince!  I can't even notice there was ever any damage. 


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on April 22, 2019, 05:21:17 AM
Nice save! A little weathering and minute paint chips will help cover it a bit, looks like it's on a different panel, could always be a replacement panel?

I seem to be having enough of those type of days lately! I have a couple 1/48 Amtech P-40's with the wings and fuselage is put together waiting for me to paint up the cockpit's, just can't get going on them. I am working on a Guillow's Thomas-Moore's Scout with an OX-5 engine conversion, it will be in the colors of Charles Speed Holman, a pilot from Minnesota who also won the Thompson Trophy in 1930. That is if I can ever finish this engine, have a couple other models going at the same time.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on May 08, 2019, 12:00:46 PM

It's hard to find time to work but I'm getting close!
This is photo of the little rudder hinge piece.  It's still unpainted in this shot.
The kit part was poor and the photoetch I have for the project for some reason did not have one.
So I made it out of styrene.  First try broke in my clumsy hands.  My eyesight is becoming a real difficulty and I can see why a lot of guys head towards larger scales as time passes.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33868945728_1dae37a100_c.jpg)

Here is a shot of some weathering with oil paints.  The acrylic clear coat I'm using on top of this really does not like the oil but a second light coat gets it done.  Perhaps an oil based top coat would have worked better like Testor's Dull Cote.  That is one reason this has taken time is I have been experimenting with different paints.  Someone recently stated on FaceBook that model building and painting is like a bit chemistry experiment!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47774551671_e44f23b8c6_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on May 09, 2019, 10:23:29 PM
Nice job on the hinge!  I too have scratch-built a couple in my time, but mine don't come out nearly as nice as yours.  I'm happy just to get some resemblance of a loop. The wash looks great as well.  What do you use for your oils?


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on May 09, 2019, 11:18:19 PM
Mark,  I use tubes of oil paint I get at the art supply store.
You place it on cardboard for a while to get excess oil to wick out.
Then dab it on the model and use a "mop" brush to blend.
Oil paint can be infinitely blended so you just stop when you are happy.
It is fragile and takes days to dry though.  So there is that...


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on June 01, 2019, 11:39:57 AM
I'm running out of things to do!

I used the Scale Aircraft Conversions aftermarket metal landing gear instead of the poor kit legs.
The SAC parts are intended for the Hasegawa kit so I had to make it fit.  Here it is in the alignment jig from CB Model Productions.
30-minute epoxy is key to allow time for this

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47976229656_8d33676418_c.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on June 02, 2019, 10:49:26 AM
Almost done and looking great, Vince!  Now when was that model contest you were aiming for😁? Just kidding. That's one reason I don't build for contests; I never finish anything when planned.

Just curious: any reason you use 30 minute epoxy instead of one with a quicker hardening time?  5 minute epoxy is about all I have the patience for and seems to give me more than enough time to play with the parts.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on June 03, 2019, 12:20:54 AM
Mark,
Thanks.

Well, I like having ample time to position stuff.  In this case the gear legs were very fiddly and loose so I needed more than 5 minutes to get it in the position.
I can see that 5 minute epoxy would be better in a lot of cases!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on June 05, 2019, 04:59:03 AM
Coming along nicely! I'll have to remember the 30 minute epoxy, sometimes I wonder if even that will be long enough for me?  :)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on June 25, 2019, 10:53:46 AM
OK, you never thought you'd see it done...but it's done!
I finally ran out of things to do!
The Mauve kit was nice but I may only do Hasegawa in this scale from now on.  I really had to work this kit over.
I replaced landing gear and guns.  I put in resin cockpit and wheels.  Scratchbuilt belly tank braces and landing gear doors as well as the DF loop.
It was a lot of work as you all know. 
Enjoy the photos:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089731376_ceb6ea43b3_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089827767_2a113f89ca_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089773908_fa17cd792a_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089828087_2e6cd450ce_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089681926_2170a5438e_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089733071_78b6a5c02d_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089827362_3df1080c1b_b.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on June 25, 2019, 10:27:29 PM
That has to be one of the nicest looking, if not the very nicest, P-40s I've ever seen built, Vince, and I've seen a lot!  It puts all of mine to shame.  You nailed it with the weathering.  All that a result of the oil paints?

It was definitely worth the wait, and hopefully you'll have a chance to enter that winner in an upcoming contest. 

Oh, but you know there are never things that you can run out of doing...


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on June 26, 2019, 01:06:54 AM
Wow thanks, Mark!  That's quite a nice compliment!

I did use pastel chalk for the dirt on the wing root, back of prop, and wheels.
It was that red/brown dirt I saw in a color photo of a P-40N in that area of the war.
Also, a little black pastel for the exhaust streak but the light gray exhaust behind that was done with oils.

Oil was used to make the paint look faded and tone down contrast.  It is good stuff but fragile.  You have to get a clear coat over it so you can handle the model at all.

I do have plans to bring it to the Nationals IPMS in Chattanooga this summer.  Wish me luck!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on June 26, 2019, 06:33:11 AM
Like Mark said, that is an excellent looking P-40, one of the best ones I've seen, very realistic. The weathering and panel lines was nice and subtle making it look more realistic where some modelers like to way overdo it.

I have this kit and a couple Amtech kits waiting to finish up, the Amtech have the fuselage and wings together, hopefully I'll get to them this summer.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on June 26, 2019, 10:29:04 AM
I did use pastel chalk for the dirt on the wing root, back of prop, and wheels.
It was that red/brown dirt I saw in a color photo of a P-40N in that area of the war.
Also, a little black pastel for the exhaust streak but the light gray exhaust behind that was done with oils.

Oil was used to make the paint look faded and tone down contrast.  It is good stuff but fragile.  You have to get a clear coat over it so you can handle the model at all.
Thanks for the tips, Vince. I have a slew of pastel chalks but pretty much only use black. The few other colors I've tried seem to disappear under my clear coat. Perhaps I need to try again with some other colors.

I've almost always done my fading by adding white or another light color to whatever paint colors I use for my paint scheme, and oils pretty much for panel line washes or to dirty up certain parts.  Again, I guess I need to experiment and expand my limited skills. 

I'm sure you'll do great at the Nats!  Keep us posted.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on June 26, 2019, 10:36:14 AM
I have this kit and a couple Amtech kits waiting to finish up, the Amtech have the fuselage and wings together, hopefully I'll get to them this summer.
Looking forward to seeing photos of these.  I have a soft spot for the AMtech kits and have built many of them. AMtech's president, Alan Griffith, is a great guy and took time to answer my P-40 questions when the company was still around.

Any idea as to what markings you have planned?


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on June 29, 2019, 06:36:11 AM
They really are nice kits and seemed to be somewhat forgotten. Here's a picture where I'm at with them, fuselages are just sitting on the wings. Have to paint the cockpit's yet, the parts have been stuck on a Tamiya turntable for a while now. No definite markings for either of them, both the kit & aftermarket decals I have are tempting, keep going back and forth.

Does the floor of the True Details cockpit fit these kits or does it need to be modified some?


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on June 29, 2019, 09:47:34 PM
Does the floor of the True Details cockpit fit these kits or does it need to be modified some?

I've not tried the True Details cockpit in the AMtech kit myself, but Tom Cleaver has.  Apparently the floor needs a bit of trimming.  Here's a link to his article about the build over on Modeling Madness:

http://www.modelingmadness.com/review/allies/us/cleaverp40e.htm


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on June 30, 2019, 05:10:05 PM
Does the floor of the True Details cockpit fit these kits or does it need to be modified some?

I've not tried the True Details cockpit in the AMtech kit myself, but Tom Cleaver has.  Apparently the floor needs a bit of trimming.  Here's a link to his article about the build over on Modeling Madness:

http://www.modelingmadness.com/review/allies/us/cleaverp40e.htm

Thanks  :)


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on July 01, 2019, 10:38:23 AM
I'd love to see both those birds complete!  I do remember the mid-90s we had the AMT and the Mauve and life was grand for P-40 fans that liked to model.
I did a model of the AMT as a P-40F for Charles Dills and posted an article out here.  That kit took me a long time too but at least I got it to Charles before he passed away.
The AMT is a nice kit and builds up nicely, IMHO.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Jim on July 11, 2019, 08:14:42 AM
Vince,
that is a work of art, absolutely superb, well done sir, I admire your skills and your patience too.


That would grace any collection, museum quality sir. 


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: P-40 Admin on July 12, 2019, 06:11:20 AM
I'd love to see both those birds complete!  I do remember the mid-90s we had the AMT and the Mauve and life was grand for P-40 fans that liked to model.
I did a model of the AMT as a P-40F for Charles Dills and posted an article out here.  That kit took me a long time too but at least I got it to Charles before he passed away.
The AMT is a nice kit and builds up nicely, IMHO.

So would I!  :)  It will be a while, barely gotten anything done on anything for the last couple of months.

I'll have to look that model up again, I remember being in contact with him years ago for the article he submitted, didn't realize he passed away, sad news.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on July 12, 2019, 11:47:13 AM
Vince,
that is a work of art, absolutely superb, well done sir, I admire your skills and your patience too.


That would grace any collection, museum quality sir. 

Thank you, Jim!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on August 08, 2019, 08:53:26 PM
I'm taking "Lope's Hope" to the IPMS Nationals tomorrow morning.
Wish me luck!!!


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on August 11, 2019, 08:16:32 AM
I'm taking "Lope's Hope" to the IPMS Nationals tomorrow morning.
Wish me luck!!!

Good luck Vince!  I've seen some photos of the models there, although none of yours yet, and you have some stiff competition. But being the NATS that's to be expected. 


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Vince_M on August 12, 2019, 01:33:56 PM
Well, I got Lope's Hope on the table but, as you said, the competition was fierce.
I didn't win anything.
I think I need to put my planes on some kind of base.  Judge's like that for the ability to pick them up using the base.
All about presentation!

I felt the lighting in those ballrooms prevented all of my weathering from being seen.
It is never very good lighting in those rooms.


Title: Re: 1:48 Mauve P-40N "Lope's Hope"
Post by: Mark Joyce on August 12, 2019, 09:50:25 PM
Sorry to hear you didn't win at the NATS, Vince, but it's still a winner in my book!  I did notice from the photographs that many of the models were on bases.  That seems to be more and more common.

I've not entered a contest in years, but remember one venue in particular having horrible lighting.  You could barely see your way around the room let alone any details on the models.

Judging is a thankless and difficult task, when done correctly.  I've not judged myself but a friend has.  He mainly models aircraft but on one occasion at least he was asked to model another category (I forget which).  It was felt that he would concentrate on what actually needed to be judged on and not show any bias or favoritism (like I probably would on your P-40!).