Valerons Airfix 1/72 Mosquito B.XVI

[Valeron]

Holidays are over so I'm back on the Mossie.

The beast is now ready for priming which I'll be doing from a rattle can.

I've had loads of frustrating fun masking it today. It's my first time ever at masking a cockpit and it was difficult. I used a purchased mask and some liquid mask in parts. I don't know how people make there own masks but maybe I'll try it soon.

I am 99% convinced then when I remove the mask on the cockpit side windows, they will both come out.

And thanks to Jim's blog on some parts of the masking. I couldn't quite work it out but simply referred to his photos.

Priming will be tomorrow as I'm going for a pub lunch now and I don't trust myself with a rattle can after few pints.

Mike

 

[Valeron]

Aircraft primed but loads more seamlines than I was hoping for. So back for a bit of filler and more sanding. Disappointing that they weren't so obvious to be beforehand.

 

[Mickc1440]

Priming certainly highlights those bits you’ve missed but better now than during the first top coat keep up the good work

 

[Jim R]

There's often a few issues shown up with the primer. Easily sorted. When removing the masks pulling sideways across the part puts less stress on the glue than pulling directly away from the model.

 

[Valeron]

After more putty and sanding, I brush painted 3 thin coats of the base colour for the top. I'll let this cure and then mark out and paint the green camouflage colour.

 

[adt70hk]

Coming on nicely!!!

 

[Jim R]

Looking good. The camo will bring it up a notch.

 

[Valeron]

Pencil markings for camouflage then 3 brush coats of Vallejo Model colour. I need to let this properly cure before apply Black to the underneath and sides which will require masking to get a straight line.

In the meantime I'll work on the props, bombs and a few final parts.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Looking good Mike

 

[Jim R]

That's worked well Mike.

 

[Mini Me]

That's progressing nicely Mike.

 

[adt70hk]

Coming on very nicely!

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Yep,
I gotta agree with the guys on this one... Looking very good Mike, coming along at a pace now
Definitely nearing the finish line eh?!

 

[Valeron]

A bit of touching up needed but I'm reasonably happy with this. It's my first proper attempt at masking. The leakage around the edges of the wings is mainly from my clumsy attempt to hold the aircraft whilst brushing. I found that very difficult and had paint on my hands, was pulling up masking and touching parts of the aircraft I shouldn't.

The black colour was 75% flat black with 25% light blue added.

Any tips on handling a model whilst painting would be appreciated.

 

[adt70hk]

Coming on nicely!!!

 

[Ian M]

Nice bit of brush painting .
Looks great.

 

[Geoffers]

Nice job Mike

I think adding blue to the black has helped get a more realistic appearance to the underside.

Geoff.

 

[papa 695]

Just caught up Mike, some very nice work indeed.

 

[Jim R]

Nothing wrong with that paint job Mike. I totally agree about the black, pure black rarely looks right on models.

 

[Valeron]

Since the last update, I've removed masking, and completed the assembly and painting. I've applied a clear satin finish and will move to the decals next.

I'm getting good at touching up but could really do with getting better so I don't need to touch up as much.

I struggled with the masking. I'd left the paint long enough to cure so that removing masking didn't remove paint but I seemed to have quite a lot of seepage under the masking. I obviously didn't apply it tight enough, especially on the props.

I also pushed all 3 of the round circular clear parts into the body of the aircraft when removing the masking. Instead I filled this holes with Micro Krystal clear, which seems to have works.

The above side, I'm very happy with results so far and am still enjoying the build.