Airfix Vampire F.3

I think there is a fair amount of detail in this model that will not actually be visible, including the inside of the air intakes and the inside of the engine. Nevertheless, I am painting them and applying decals as I go.  

Although it's 1:48, the cockpit is quite small. I am using the kit decals for the instrument panels. So far they are looking reasonable but I will have to keep applying MicroSol to get them to conform.
I used Tamiya X-18 for the panels so that the surface is gloss, for the decals to stick to. The recommendation for the kit is Humbrol 33 which is matt black.  

Where matt black is actually required, such as the inside of the cockpit, I am using Tamiya XF-1 flat black which is a better paint than Humbrol 33. 

Decals are working quite well here for the panel.  

Nice flap and gear details on the model although fiddly to attach.  

 

 

 

 

A bit of joint filling. The fit of the upper and lower nose assembly was less than perfect and left about a 0.5 mm gap. I filled it with activated CA which will fill it and stabilise it. 

Some slightly imperfect joints on the engine nacelles and wing tips are filled with Deluxe Perfect Plastic Putty that will easily sand down. The Tamiya tape will protect panel lines and details in the skin during sanding. I am trying to get the surface as smooth as possible as this is a silver finished aircraft.  

First round of filling and sanding and re-primed. Panel lines re-scribed. I will sand with a 3000 grit sanding stick before next coat of paint.  

Having trouble with this wingtip. It needs another sand and fill.  

Two airbrushed coats of Tamiya X-11 chrome silver and it’s looking pretty nice. Now 24 hours or more curing and it will be time to paint the tyres, fit the undercarriage and spray with Tamiya X-22 clear and apply decals. Then the dreaded canopy ☹️ 

 

That’s the first fix of the topside decals. A couple of applications of MicroSol to go to get them to suck down and conform and then turn over to do the underside.  

All done, including all the tiny stencils!  

Finished with a coat of Tamiya X-22 clear. The only issue at the moment is that I don’t have any green clear for the starboard navigation light. So, it’s blue for the moment until my next paint order.