Dave Ward's 1/72 Airfix Jet Provost

[Dave Ward]

The range of colours - Black, Red, Silver, Grey - small paintbrush and a tube of Airfix glue - hope it's not the vintage stringy stuff!


Sprue shots


Two canopies, one open, one shut...............

And a few detail shots - wings have raised & engraved details

Cockpit Tub

The squab of the 4-part ejector seats - tiny belts........................


Weighted wheels

My additional modelling tools will be a knife and sanding stick only - however, I will need a weight to prevent tail sitting ( pointed out in the instructions ). I will also make use of common household items - like cocktail sticks, cotton buds, decal solutions, etc.
The biggest challenge will be getting a good overall red finish, with that small brush! There is very little grey used, and it might be worth experimenting, and using the grey as a primer..............
The model itself looks very good - the pilots are emaciated, just as well I can't use them ( no suitable colours ), but crisp mouldings, with no flash
Construction will start shortly
Dave

 

[Jim R]

Hi Dave

The biggest challenge will be getting a good overall red finish, with that small brush!

No doubt you'll cope but it is certainly a challenge - red is not good at the best of times!!
Jim

 

[peterairfix]

Another one to look forward to.

 

[Dave Ward]

I have washed & rinsed all the sprues & will let them air dry overnight.
WARNING If, like me, you have fat fingers, take extreme care with the tiny paint pots - they are designed to cunningly deposit paint on your hands! - I wanted to give them a stir, to see their consistency etc. After 5 mins opening all 4 pots & stirring, I had more paint on me than an finger painting demo!
Seriously, though, the amount of paint ( especially an overall colour, like mine ) is going to be critical, and you can't afford to lose any!!!!
Dave

 

[Deleted member 5819]

Hi Dave don't envy you painting all that red, I too had trouble opening those little pots used to screwdriver but still got it everywhere and after 5 minutes of stirring just got fed up and put it on it on and there's not a lot in those pots either.
Good luck with the rest of the biuid Dave.
Pete.

 

[Fernando N]

Great looking details to work with Dave, good luck.

 

[papa 695]

Nice one Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Oh Good Grief! My fears about the red paint & small brush are coming true - this is after 2 coats ( over washed surfaces )
I thought I'd better try the tail, just to see what the problems were! It looks like, I'm going to apply multiple coats, until the paint runs out! - and hope that will be sufficient...........
Ejector seats assembled & painted ( cushions are a mix of red/grey/black ) . Decal added to instrument panel
Cockpit tub assembled & painted, fuselage halves prepared - I might try a light dry brush with the grey, to relieve the blackness

The major problem, as I see it is painting with such a small brush!! - and a load of large, flat brushes sitting in my jar, sniggering!
Dave

 

[colin m]

Just paint the top surface, then a clever bit of photography - job done.

 

[Dave Ward]

After a miserable day away from the bench ( doctors, needles! ). I'm making progress. I sandwiched some ball bearings between the fuselage halves ( it now rattles ). The wings fitted like a glove, the inlets took a bit of trimming, but got a snug fit. The smelly Airfix glue works quite well - if you put a thin layer on either surface, wait a minute or so, then press firmly - it fills any small gaps! It's only a simple model, and it's assembly is just about done.
I discovered that the red paint doesn't adhere very well to the bare plastic. I decided that I would use the underused grey paint as a primer - it gives quite a smooth finish.

Now, all I have to do, is paint as many coats of red that the tiny pot allows - I may just add a few drops of water, to thin the paint and make it flow better, but not so much that it reduces the covering power...................
Dave

 

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
These kits are aimed at children. Even a modeller of your experience is finding it hard so not good for an 8 year old!
You seem to being making good progress and that idea of using the grey as a primer coat sounds like a plan.
Jim

 

[peterairfix]

I have just put four coats on mine and I will still need another two at least just to give you heads up.

 

[Dave Ward]

Hmmmm first coat on...........................

If these paints are representative of the Humbrol acrylics, then I'm glad I haven't bought any!
I think I may just do it - I've added just a few drops of water to the paint, to make it flow a little better, but that has increased the drying time!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Second coat applied, it seems to be covering OK, but I do not think it's possible to get a smooth finish using only the small brush in the starter set
I'll carry on and finish, but not very happy with this!
I just wish I'd chosen a camouflaged model!!!!
Dave

 

[peterairfix]

Second coat applied, it seems to be covering OK, but I do not think it's possible to get a smooth finish using only the small brush in the starter setView attachment 335214
I'll carry on and finish, but not very happy with this!
I just wish I'd chosen a camouflaged model!!!!
Dave

I have had the same problem with my paint so I will be doing another one but this time I will be doing a Revell kit.
But stick with it.

 

[BBdave]

I'm having the same issue with the yellow on my sea king onto the fourth coat and it's still not looking good.

Dave

 

[stillp]

View attachment 335214

Your paint seems to have 'bits' in it Dave? So does mine.

Pete

 

[Dave Ward]

Pete,
even though I've stirred this thoroughly, it still seems like the paint hasn't really mixed properly, and you end up with thick & thin areas. Not that I'm happy that other people are having problems, but relieved that it's not just me!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Approaching the finish ( of the red paint, as well ) - I nearly forgot that the canopy framing was red as well...............

There are still patches that seem to refuse to tale the paint!!!!!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Now that is it with the red! only a little bit in the pot, not enough for another coat!!!

Anti glare panel to be done, then decals......................
Dave