Dry fit the whole cockpit...
the seat yet to be toned down... the red cushion is too red..
some decals from spare box to simulate placards..
Now I have to fill in the gap between the instrument panel which is visible in this pic...
Even the original kit doesn't come with that part. So I need to get some plastic card
I cut the shape using piece of paper until i get desired shape and transfer to 0.01 plastic card for the template.
After some trimming and sanding, now i bend the plastic card slowly while gluing section by section with super glue.
once the glue sets, the glare panel is ready but i discover that the canopy is too thick to be in close position. Therefore, some trimming needed for the canopy.
the glare panel is complete
The rudder and stabilizer with photo-etched parts.
Ready for primer
Some gap on the wings...
Checked and ready to go
Painting
I experimenting a technique I've learn through my modeling years.. I wanted to spray the model using lacquer based and normally gloss finish is better achieve by using lacquer or enamel based paint. This is because lacquer and enamel have finer pigments and the paint bond better to plastic rather than acrylic. But this time I would try to paint this one using Tamiya acrylic, which is risky especially when building a trainer aircraft which normally have a gloss finish. But it worth to try and see the result since the subject is consider smaller than average a/c (fighter a/c). So let's see the progress and hopefully it comes out with satisfying results.
first I painted with flat white
then gloss white
note the shingle and gritty finish
Somehow i couldn't get glossy finish with Tamiya acrylic gloss paint.
With the gritty finish, i use old toothbrush and brush lightly to remove the blemish.
Decalling
My favorite part of modelling...
Alright... the decals sheet comes with 2 pcs... first the stencils design for 2 type of trainer (silver & red and blue and red on white) and the other (smaller sheet) the a/c registration. i choose the later. But disaster struck when i first open up the box, the design sheet was bigger than the box and result the big decal sheet crumple and part of the decals become furrowed .. luckily AZ Model gave small amount of spare decals (small rectangular pieces of blue, red and silver). Overall the decals looks thin and crisp printed stencils.
look carefully and you'll see the furrowed part at the side of bigger decal sheet.
applied with care... note on the wrinkle decals on right wing...
Alright, i have to admit the decal application somehow create few problems. The furrowed part of the decal was giving away and end up torn during the application. So 1 problem for me to solve. The other was experimenting the decal solution. I used 2 types to see which is best for this thin crisp decals. First, I used Humbrol on the overall decal application. Gunze Mr.Mark Softer on the edge part of the wings. I always used the safe method.. European kit > i used Humbrol and Japanese kit > i used Gunze. So far the methodology seems fine, but the Humbrol solution dissever Tamiya paint when used too much. The Gunze wrinkled the decal. Probably because it doesn't react well with the decals chemicals. last was the raised detail on the wings and engine muffler. Even with thin decal the it doesn't conform well to the gap. It was a challenge to get even adhesion especially around the tight angle/edges. this is very painstaking process. I have to cut some part into sections and apply separately.
I had to take extreme measures to fix the decals issue. I sanded smooth the area affected with Tamiya 1000 grit sandpaper. this will smoothen the surface for over lapping decal.
smooth surface for overlapping...
Starboard wing after the "treatment"... I used spare decals and apply on top. However if you look carefully the difference on the color is prominent.
Port wing... not much of a problem...
The "problematic" area...
Once satisfied with the treatment, I apply Humbrol satin coat to sealed the decals.
Now the black anti glare panel... masking time...
sprayed and next...
The decal for the firing was not included. But AZ Models did provide a spare decals maybe for this purposes. Well thoughts AZ Models!
I cut a paper template and transfer to the decal and cut carefully. Any wastages will be crucial and will end up into masking and matching the color and more time wasted...
