Monogram Kingfisher

[JohnB]

44 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Thaks John

Making progress a little each day. Just never realized how much work it can be to be a Oldie but Goldie from back in the late sixties. And I thought it was going to be a smooth sailing build. 

Works that way sometimes!

[Peterpools]

John

Sure does. Nothing is ever easy these days.

 

[Peterpools]

PRIMING – FINALLY

OMG, the prep work of sanding, clean up and masking is done. Masking for a kit this size, an abundance of Tamiya tape was needed and hopefully the masking will be OK. With the engine worked into place and needing to be masked, I finally used my DSPIAE circle cutter. Took a few minutes to assemble and cutting the mask was a snap.

I have to keep reminding myself I’m not building an old kit from 1997 but a 55 year old kit, whose molds date back to 1967. Back then it was state of the art but today, it’s handful. The outrigger floats were a mess: bad injection pin marks on the struts, the struts were twisted and bent, the worst being the male pins on the inside angle struts were parallel with the strut and should have been molded at an angle – no way would they fit into the locating holes as is. I needed to redrill the wing locating holes on an angle to accept the locating pin. Of course, when assembling the floats, I glued the inner brace in place, firmly on the locating pegs and let dry, I created a disaster; now the strut was nearly vertical and shouldn’t be. I’m assuming the technology of the day, just didn’t allow for the faces of the locating tabs to be at an angle and a problem I just didn’t foresee. Trying to straighten out the struts, I snapped three of four off! Nothing much to do and I needed to purchase a second kit on eBay for parts and new outrigger float assemblies.  Knowing the pitfalls, I fussed for a good day, cleaning up the second set of floats, filling and removing the injection pin marks and figuring out a way to glue the inner struts on at the right angle. I used the second kit's lower wing as a gig and I still need to tinker a bit more. 

The PE bracing wires for the main float will be added after painting, as it’s hard enough to air brush in the center area between the float and the lower fuselage, as the bracing wires will be another obstacle to shoot around.  

Not overly happy with the fit of the glass but considering the Kingfisher’s age, it’s not that bad.

My go to primer: MRP Light Gray Primer and now checking for any areas that need some additional attention.

Finally in Primer

From the second kit: The replacement floats being test fitted and using the new lower wing as a gig. 

 

The offenders - Hunted Down by NCIS

 

 

[Landlubber Mike]

Nice job Peter!  Great fortitude in hanging in there with all the issues.  This is going to be spectacular!

[Peterpools]

Thanks Mike, much appreciated. Just never thought a simple assembly as the floats would dictate buying a second kit - thank goodness the kit was very inexpensive this time.

 

[JohnB]

3 hours ago, Peterpools said:

PRIMING – FINALLY

OMG, the prep work of sanding, clean up and masking is done. Masking for a kit this size, an abundance of Tamiya tape was needed and hopefully the masking will be OK. With the engine worked into place and needing to be masked, I finally used my DSPIAE circle cutter. Took a few minutes to assemble and cutting the mask was a snap.

I have to keep reminding myself I’m not building an old kit from 1997 but a 55 year old kit, whose molds date back to 1967. Back then it was state of the art but today, it’s handful. The outrigger floats were a mess: bad injection pin marks on the struts, the struts were twisted and bent, the worst being the male pins on the inside angle struts were parallel with the strut and should have been molded at an angle – no way would they fit into the locating holes as is. I needed to redrill the wing locating holes on an angle to accept the locating pin. Of course, when assembling the floats, I glued the inner brace in place, firmly on the locating pegs and let dry, I created a disaster; now the strut was nearly vertical and shouldn’t be. I’m assuming the technology of the day, just didn’t allow for the faces of the locating tabs to be at an angle and a problem I just didn’t foresee. Trying to straighten out the struts, I snapped three of four off! Nothing much to do and I needed to purchase a second kit on eBay for parts and new outrigger float assemblies.  Knowing the pitfalls, I fussed for a good day, cleaning up the second set of floats, filling and removing the injection pin marks and figuring out a way to glue the inner struts on at the right angle. I used the second kit's lower wing as a gig and I still need to tinker a bit more. 

The PE bracing wires for the main float will be added after painting, as it’s hard enough to air brush in the center area between the float and the lower fuselage, as the bracing wires will be another obstacle to shoot around.  

Not overly happy with the fit of the glass but considering the Kingfisher’s age, it’s not that bad.

My go to primer: MRP Light Gray Primer and now checking for any areas that need some additional attention.

Finally in Primer

From the second kit: The replacement floats being test fitted and using the new lower wing as a gig. 

 

The offenders - Hunted Down by NCIS

 

 

Looking good Peter. I look forward to seeing the camo applied!

[Peterpools]

Thanks John

Been working on the outrigger floats and maybe tomorrow I'll start shooting the yellow wings. 🤞

 

[HubertB]

22 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Thanks John

Been working on the outrigger floats and maybe tomorrow I'll start shooting the yellow wings. 🤞

 

Re-enacting « Tora ! Tora ! Tora! », Peter ? I understand the frustrations, but shooting at the wings 😱 ?

Hubert 🤣

[Peterpools]

Hubert

You just never know. Going to be using Mr Color FS13538, as per the instructions call out by FS number only. I don't think Mr Color was invented yet ⚗️

[BlrwestSiR]

Glad to see you're making progress Peter. Even with the floats setting you back a bit, at least you've figured out the issue. 

Carl

[JohnB]

On 1/26/2023 at 1:23 PM, Peterpools said:

Thanks John

Been working on the outrigger floats and maybe tomorrow I'll start shooting the yellow wings. 🤞

 

I forgot this was gonna be a non-camo bird. When I think Kingfisher I automatically have a mental vision of some of them in 3-tone camo. 😄 I still look forward to seeing the completed model!

[Peterpools]

Thanks Carl

The Kingfisher is surely turning out to be a trip back down memory lane. Thank goodness the kits aren't expensive. As of this afternoon, the new outrigger floats are finished and primed and of course, I still needed to buy two additional decal sheets for the markings as I'm shooting for a Kingfisher aboard the USS Arizona - yellow wings and all.

 

 

[Peterpools]

Thanks John

I started with the three color cammo scheme in mind but I quickly decided to go pre-war and just love those gorgeous yellow wing paint schemes and the aircraft of course, were all meticulously maintained. 

 

[CANicoll]

Peter,

Looking so good in primer and I'm amazed that those floats turned out to be the PITA that they were.  Who knew?  Happy the 'parts kit' turned out to be inexpensive - and actually was available!  Nice recovery on the broken struts.  Amazing the locator pins were in the wrong direction and you got the fix in.

Seeing your canopies, oh yeah, you have a big job on your hands there, but you are well on your way.  Looks good!

Chris

[DocRob]

Looking at your pics, there is no trace of the difficulties you had, except the culprit's shot Peter. The airframe under primer shows all the distinctive lines of a Kingfisher and you could only guess, it's an ancient kit. Good to hear, you found a second kit soon, but I'm a bit jealous about that too. When I make a mistake or forgot to buy something for a project, it's minimum two weeks of waiting until the goods arrive.

Cheers Rob

[Peterpools]

Thanks Chris

I was lucky to have found another seal kit as a donor for the outrigger floats and at the beginning just never realized how delicate the struct attachment points actually were. Through yesterday, the outrigger floats assemblies are both finished, primed and I have been treating then a fine china. 

You're so right, the canopies were in a major PITA and now I have at least a second set if I need to fall back on and redo them if they come out looking terrible. See how it goes. Later this week, I'll be ready for another update as I've started the color coats with the wings.

 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Rob

I did get lucky find a kit on eBay so quickly and it was delivered in only a few days from purchase. Exact same box, factory sealed and I was surprised to find what might be a small mask sheet that wasn't in the first kit. Absolutely no mention of it in the instructions and if it is, how would I go about figuring out which mask goes where with no instructions or breakdown and so many tiny glass panes to mask? Always seems to be something for sure. If needed, I now have a second sets of canopies to use just in case 🤞

 

[KevinM]

15 hours ago, Peterpools said:

I'm shooting for a Kingfisher aboard the USS Arizona - yellow wings and all.

That's cool peter I like the YW myself always wanted to do the the Wildcat like that.Looking Good Sir.

[Peterpools]

Thanks Kev, much appreciated. Just love the time period between the wars - so colorful and classic.

[Peterpools]

IT’S COLOR TIME

OUTRIGGER FLOATS

First up, the second kits replacement outrigger floats. This time around, I exercised extreme caution, taking care with the strut bracing as to not touch or fuss except where necessary, as they are just too easily broken. As the pervious update photos showed, I used the second kits lower wing as a jig, built up both assemblies, a touch of Mr Surfacer, primed and painted with Tamiya LP-70 Aluminum – done, good to go and not tempting fate.

Hours and Hours of Masking …The Paint Booth

As of now, I’ve masked, painted unmasked, masked for the next steps a good four times .. My supply of Tamiya tape has dwindled to now needing a healthy resupply.

The Yellow Wings Decals comprehensive multi page instructions called for either FS 13538 or Tamiya Camel Yellow TS-34 for the wings. I used Mr Color FS 13538, as I had the paint and didn’t have the Tamiya paint. Mr Color rendition was way too yellow and too light, so I hand mix the color. I should have waited and ordered the Tamiya Camel Yellow – next time for sure.

BTW, I was in error as I needed to order a few more decal sheets from Yellow Wings for projects down the road, sent an email and yes, the information I read online was incorrect, they are still doing business as normal and ordered the two decal sheets – decal sets arrived right on time.

I’ve done a lot of research on the markings and colors and am happy with my decisions. Colors used:

Insignia Red, specified on Yellow Wings data sheet.

I masked the wing walks with the flair on the flaps.  Also decided to mask the black wing walk lines – what a job and I’m pretty happy how they turned out. I needed to mask and paint the wing chevrons and fuselage band with MRP Insignia Red and so all the red paint matches.

Low and behold, the MRP Insignia Red wouldn’t cover the black stripes and I had to first re-prime the chevrons and then on went the red.  

A final masking to prep the Kingfisher for the aluminum paint and it seemed nearly every square inch of the Kingfisher had now been masked many times. The airframe is polished aluminum paint (standard USN anti corrosion practice of the time) and I went with Tamiya Gloss Aluminum Lacquer LP-70. When done, I was happy with the results.  

Next up: it’s decaling time.

Photographs show some touch up work is still need but for the most part, I'm happy with the results,

 

[HubertB]

It’s looking as good as I expected 👍 !

Well done, Peter !

Hubert

[Peterpools]

Thanks Hubert, very much appreciated.

 

[DocRob]

Wow Peter, your Kingfisher reminds me a bit of our Canary birds here, where the belly is yellow instead of the wings . Your tedious masking payed off, the colorful rendition of these early navy planes is somewhat eye catching and a nice distraction from camoed subjects. With the decals on she will be splendid.

Cheers Peter

[Peterpools]

Thanks Rob, feels good to be mostly finished with the masking now. Some touch up work next and then onto the decaling, showing the Kingfisher as she dressed out on the USS Arizona. Kit decals aren't up to snuff and I needed to purchase two sets of Yellow Wing Decals for all the markings.

The Canary' birds sure must have had their bright plumage approved by the USN way back when. 😉

 

  

[Landlubber Mike]

Wow Peter, that is looking great!  Love the Yellow Wings scheme!