A quick buff of the leading edges after an hour or so and the masking tape can come off to reveal the full effect. Pretty pleased with it, especially the contrast with the flatter tones of the wings.
VIDEO DEMO
Time for gloss…
I’m grateful to Dave C (…yes Dave, I should have done this a lot earlier when you first mentioned it!!) for his advice about a mix of Tamiya Gloss Clear X-22 and Mr Color Levelling thinner. I have decided that this definitely surpasses what’s easily possible with galleria Gloss varnish. I used a mix of 2/3rds Tamiya X-22 to 1/3rd Levelling Thinner. It works an absolute treat, spraying daily, drying quickly, and gives a good shiny surface. Just spray at about 12-15psi.
I think it’s worth leaving your model well alone for a couple of days before adding all the decals.
In the meantime, the engines can be finished off. You’ll need three different tones for the various shades of metallic effect on the Rolls Royce Trent engines and again the AK Xtreme Metal range provides whatever you want in terms of metallics. I used: Pale Burnt Metal, Stainless steel, Gunmetal and Aluminium.
Decals…
The Revell decal sheet is very well printed and excellent quality with all the decals going down well using Tamiya Strong decal solution and a bit of Micro Sol here and there to ensure the decal conforms to the recessed and raised details.
There are a couple of very off anomalies here – the first is the very oversized sections of decal for the rose that is separate from the main fin decal and designed to fit around the upper rear fuselage. At first I thought it might need to extend onto the upper surfaces of the tailplanes but can’t find any reference to support that and the kit instructions don’t support that approach. So why provide such huge, oversized decals for these areas?
Also, when adding the decals for the door surrounds, you notice that the window arrangement on the port side doesn’t match up with the decals provided?
I just trimmed and added the decals as best I can and am happy enough with the look.
VIDEO DEMO
I picked off the window masks and I think the windows look good as is. I tried a test adding the decals with just the thin silver window surrounds but that didn’t look right at all and off came the decal. No, decision is to leave well alone and I think that the dark acetate we added to the interior has worked really well and that the windows look convincing as they are now.
Here’s where we are now…
James Ashton says
Now you have got me wanting to try an airliner Geoff lol.
Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
Cheers
James
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi James, – thanks for that. I have to say there’s something about these airliner projects that makes them a challenge for sure to me – I just don’t want them to look toy-like! We’ll see….onto the painting as we speak so a new update soon. Geoff C.
Steve Arring says
Krystal Klear leads to slightly concave windows…so you’d think adding more would help out. But I have never seen anyone do that– so maybe it doesn’t work.
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Steve – yes that’s the problem with KK – a couple of other possibilities have popped up and I’ll have to make a decision soon – we’ll see! Thanks, G
Paul Ainsworth says
Hello,Geoff – Superb work as always,my friend.Viewing this build does tempt me to do an airliner subject without doubt.
The ‘Xtreme’ Metals are excellent paints.
Good luck with everything at Telford this coming weekend.😊👏
Geoff Coughlin says
Thanks Paul – done a lot on it today and may get it finished this week which would be good :)
It’s surprised me how much work there is in these subjects – a challenge but very rewarding so far.
Can’t wait for Telford :) G
Derek Bradshaw says
Looking good Geoff.
Geoff Coughlin says
Thanks Derek – nearly there! G