This will be my entry, if nothing terminal happens during the finishing process. This is the old AMT/ERTL boxed kit of the 1/72 Northrup B-49 Flying Wing. I must say that for an old kit, it has not had one fitment issue. I have built newer kits offered by more 'prestigious' manufacturers that hade more fitment issues than this one. There is more excess flash present then we see in newer kit but is easily delt with. For a 1/72 scale aircraft, the cockpit has alot of detail that, unfortunately will barely be seen. I will be doing the bare metal finish using the Alclad process, by the 'book'. Meaning, I will be following the Alclad instuctions, both the video and printed instructions. I say this because of our recent discussion at the club meeting on this subject of metallizing and the products to accomplish a good durable finish. My intent is to build a Tu-95MS with a metalized finish but utilizing a less expensive, easier to apply and reportedly more durable method. Mean while back at the Wing.
After assembling, little to no fillers were required. I did spend much more time polishing all the joints and surfaces. I used MicroMesh polishing cloths thru the range 4000-12000. I used the Alclad Black Primer Microfiller. Alclad says to put 2 thin coats on, sanding with 4000-8000 Micro Mesh. This is the point I am at presently and reflected in the below photos of the first coat primer, pre-sanding. One thing I would like to add, a model this size really requires using a small spray gun to get a good even base coat. You will note in the photo below of the 1st coat of primer that it was applied with an air brush and not a spray gun. I do have a spray gun that I have not attempted to use yet but it is the plan to try it out soon, possibly on the Tu-95. Please check out Paul Budzig on You Tube on the subject of Airbrushes Vs. small spray guns, it is insightful.
It's going to look awesome when it's done!
This is a close up of the final coat of the primer just after final sanding with the micro mesh cloth. But the purpose of the photo was for me to print out on regular paper. My intent is to 'map' or make notes on the structure panels with Alclad paint colors codes. I will then use the map to aid masking the required panels after the base metalizing is done. Aircraft panels from this era aircraft used different aluminum and steel panels for different purposes regarding stress, strain and heat resistance. There may have been other types of material, fiberglass comes to mind, that were used also.
Well back to the classroom. (My name for the former hobbyroom, as I have found that each time I start modeling, I learn something new or relearn something old or forgotten)
In the first photo it is showing tamiya tape masking panels. Even though the Tamiya tape is relatively low tack I did not want to take any risks of pulling the Alclad of the model. I initially did a pull test with basic Tamiya Tape (t/tape) over unprotected Alclad. This was unsuccessful as the alclad did pull off. For my next test I clear coated the Alclad with their Aqua Gloss Clear. This will also give me a base for decals. I wanted to detack the t/tape. This was done by sticking to my forhead, cheeks and chin. The skin oil was enough to detack the t/tape but not interferewith the alclad. I used 6 differant Alclad colors. The photo number2 shows only a few shades. In person the color/sheen shifts are much more evident. The last photo shows the numerous stips of tape. I did reuse them a couple times which worked out well because the tackiness was highly reduced and would not pull the Alclad.
Around the upper surface there is a black stripe demarcating walk areas. The kit comes with no decals for them. They indicate that the modeler get a sheet of black decal sheet and cut a set out. I am opting for masking and painting the walk way. It will be a bit more work and run the risk of pulling the Alclad. I have taken the extra precaution and applied another complete Aqua Gloss Clear coat. If it works, which it should, the results will be better than decals. Stay tuned, my intent is complete The Wing for the next model meeting in November. And I mean 2017.....no sub jokes.