Hi This bird is a Tamiya F-84 built OOB with the exception of the decals. The decals are from KAR-Decals and the model is in the colors of 336 sqd of the Royal Norwegian Airforce. The F-84 served with the RNoAF in the late 50's and early 60's. The scheme is a standard all over metal job. I used Humbrol Aluminium metalizer for the base, with some of the panels masked and "darked" slightly with a mix of aluminium and steel, also from the Humbrol metalizer range. The spine and anti-glare is a Tamiya acrylics mix of greens. The cockpit was alot of fun, Tamiya has made seatbelts as decals. Not such a bad idea but decals are very thin usually, So for this one I cut out the decals WITH backing paper from the decal sheet, and with some fine cutting and trimming I just glued it on the seat. I guess most would go for some PE belts but I didn't have any that looked right, and this little stunt worked out nicely. The rest of the 'pit is made the usual way. painting, drybrush and a light wash to bring out the details, no magic at all. Same with the wheel wells and gun/electronics bay.
Weathering is kept to a minimum but gun-stains and a general used look is made by a light and careful spray using a mix of tamiya smoke+flat earth+ flat base. This mix is when used right very effective in creating a "used but not abused" look to the model. The decals went on without any fuzz, and responded well to Micro sol/set. Some of the decals from the original Tamiya sceet is needed but the squadron letters, serial, roundels and all the "non-standard" are provided on the kar-dekaler sheet. I did however not apply any clearcote or laquer of any kind to this model. I've messed up a few all metal jobs with clear before and did not want to do that again. All I did was a light overspray with the Tamiya smoke/flat earth/flat base mix, and called it a day. Tamiya has made it really easy for modellers with this kit as they do with all the others they have made. It's an absolute dream to build and the whole thing just snaps together.
All in all I was quite happy with the way it turned out. This project was done in 1999 and I was lucky enough to get a 1.st in the IPMS Norway Nationals in 2000, It also got a the RNoAF SIG prize same year. Hope you enjoy it Keep on modelling Sten Arne B.Andersen |
|
Photos and text © by Sten Arne B.Andersen