Just
finished this monster of a kit, basically out of the box, for a buddy of mine
for Christmas. All I can say that it is impressive and well worth the effort to
build it. The kit assemblies into a very nice replica of the "Thunderchief",
but not with out some problems that have been reported elsewhere. Some of the
problem areas that I encountered where the mass of ejector pin marks, poor
fitting nose cone, and the under strength landing gear.
Started the
kit just before Thanksgiving and every thing went together well. The kit was
ready for painting in just a week. I first preshaded the model and then applied
the Southeast Asia camo using Gunzie acrylics. All colors where sprayed very
thin with a Badger airbrush using a CO2 bottle for air supply. The model was
sealed with Testor's Metalizer Sealer to prep the model for the kit decals. The
kit decals are one of the high points as they laid down with little or no
problems.
All decals where set
using Micro Sol and the model was wiped down to remove all residues when the
decals had dried. To protect the thin finish I then sprayed acrylic satin floor
varnish and allow drying for 24 hours before I started weathering.
I weather using a
combination of pastels, over spraying with original colors and heavy washes.
Then I simulate chips in the paint using a Prisma Color silver pencil and
lock the whole finish with a light coat of Testor's Dullcote. The masking is
removed and the doors, aerials, racks and missiles are installed and any touch
ups done.
