Mark Webster - Amodel Be-12

[Jonathan]

That's a tall hurdle jumped!

[Mark_W]

Hi guys,

Masking applied for transparencies - mostly simple square-ish windows, but windscreen was a tricky shape.

Then applied primer - a few blemishes appeared!

Will fix these and hopefully be ready for paint shop soon.

Slow but steady is definitely the theme for this build...

Mark

[smeg1959]

Wise words, indeed, Mark. Every time I push on too quickly, I invariably screw-up. Apart from that, none of my decals for the Avengers nor my struts for the Ar196 have arrived, so the pressure is off to do more than, say, one canopy framing per sitting. Much easier to get it right first time than try to rectify a botched job ... something I've finally learnt after a mere 56 years on the planet!

[MerlinJones]

Promising looking progress, Mark.
Loads of time yet, so no sweat.

Ever wondered why we fail to learn from our mistakes?

It's because we have imagination.
We have an ability to distance ourselves from the experiences of others.

"Yes, I know that sort of bomb explodes every time someone touches it and I know 23 previous bomb disposal chaps have been blown up trying, but I'm still going to have a go ('cos it just might be different this time).

When we take short cuts, we do so for a good reason (in our heads), imagining a positive result.
When it fails, our brains manage to consider the 1001 other reasons that it didn't work, rather than the simple one...it actually wasn't a good idea.
...And again, I know it failed last time, but this time might be different...

Fortunately, imagination does have it's positive attributes!

[Mark_W]

Hi guys,

I'm actually enjoying taking it slow - it's quite a challenge trying to get a nice smooth finish without killing all the nice surface detail.

Hardest bits are always the transparencies - getting them to blend in smoothly with the rest without scratching up the clear bits.

You might have noticed those 4 tiny airscoops on the lower sides of the engines are back on now. Shaved them off earlier in the build to smooth the engine pods. Was impressed with myself that I was able to find them again!

BTW - have cleaned up the glitches and 2nd coat of primer is on - looking heaps better and ready for some painting.

Dreading the main undercarriage a bit - looks very fiddly and fragile...

Mark

[MerlinJones]

I struggled more with the PE and learned to drill tiny locating holes, to assist with affixing.
I'm sure superglue isn't as sticky as it once was.

[smeg1959]

I'm sure superglue isn't as sticky as it once was.

So it isn't only me ...

[Mark_W]

Hi guys,

Have done a bunch of pre-painting and masking - white for radomes, black for side windows, red for trim tabs, silver for engine intake and exhaust.

Props needed some yellow and black - complex masking pattern there.

Gluing the photoetch was tricky as Merlin had suggested - ended up using the brass as a master to create plastic parts for most of this. Much easier to fix and less likely to become detached. Added pitot tubes on wings also.

Main undercarriage was quite a puzzle - think I ended up figuring it out OK though. Photoetch worked ok there and overall assembly seems sturdy enough somewhat surprisingly...

Should be able to paint the airframe next - thinking H337 Blue Grey. Then the big reveal when masking comes off...

Mark

[MerlinJones]

You can do it!

(Assuming you don't stop to eat, drink or poo!)

I like the idea of using the brass as a template, though I think I'd pass on that with those aerials!

[Mark_W]

Hi guys,

Got the main colour painted - went with H307 with a drop of blue added.

Some areas where red is still showing through a bit so might need another coat.

Props are done - some complex masking there but happy with the result. Used little cones of masking tape for the spinners.

Main wheels also done - these have tiny red and yellow stripes. Will probably just draw the red strip on with pencil.

I think I will go for plastic for all the tiny aerials - the brass ones are just not sticking!

Mark