Tamiya Wildcat, April 1942

[Ara1]

Here's my 1/48 scale Wildcat from Tamiya, built in 2003. I need to retrieve my original complete model review, including the historical explanation of why an F4F-4 Wildcat was wearing -3 style roundels.

[NeilD]

I like the paint finish you've got on that, just looks nicely 'used' rather than the Corgi idea of 'weathering' which goes a bit over the top to me..

Neil.

[The Defiant Man]

Agree with that, Neil. Excellent model Ara :)

[Ara1]

Thanks guys.

Y'know we all love aviation, but model making is is a gift of time and luxury. So few models are actually built, completed and displayed, when compared to the number of unbuilt kits many of us have stored away.

Regarding the finish- as I do not use airbrushes or spray paints, everything is painted by hand with various brushes. In order to get the desired variation in hue, crushed pastel powder is applied and ground into the paint. So the worn look is born of an enamel first coat, an acrylic second coat, then various colors of pastel chalk. And the surface is durable; everything's sealed in quite nicely with coats of clear dull finish.

[BSteinIPMS]

Beautiful model, Ara. No airbrush? :eek: An incredible finish which is all the more impressive, then. Well done! :D

[Ara1]

Coming from you, Bob, that's quite a compliment. Thank you!

And I'm hoping you're considering putting some of your photos up here, let's start beefing up the model forum. I have a Tex Hill Mustang coming up shortly (once it's been dusted).

[CFBC]

Hey, wow... Great piccies Ara1..... I do wish I had the time and energy to put some kits together as they are so, well... personal when they are built....

Looks good... :)

[Ara1]

Thanks CFBC.

Having a finished model is personal, you're right. I do miss the fun of finishing one. However, as I am a finicky detailer, going over and over the kit to make it nice etc., it was becoming a big time drain.

SO now I do other things... :rolleyes: ;)

[BSteinIPMS]

Coming from you, Bob, that's quite a compliment. Thank you!

And I'm hoping you're considering putting some of your photos up here, let's start beefing up the model forum. I have a Tex Hill Mustang coming up shortly (once it's been dusted).

Credit where credit is due, Ara. The F4F-4 looks excellent, and very striking with early Pacific War oversize insignia. Good on you, lad! :D

In the next day or so I'll post some photos of an Otaki F6F-3 I did which was in an FSM article. Great fun, this. Thanks for posting your photos.

[Ara1]

Hey guys-

I hear a Hellcat coming...