My First Model

[Red October1984]

Today, I saw a 1:72 P-40B Tomahawk at Hobby Lobby for $7.49



There's the box. It's sideways...but that's what it looks like.

I bought it, a little bottle of US Army Dark Green Paint and some paintbrushes.

I'll put pictures up when I have something to show. All I've done so far is put the pilot into his seat and sit it to dry. I'm popping the pieces out with nailclippers since I don't have an X-acto knife. This is an Academy Models kit. The only complaint I have is that the plane did not come with USAAF markings. It came with markings for like the Chinese Air Force or something weird. It's a model that's manufactured in Korea....so...we'll see about the Markings.

I'm really really excited.

Thank you Steve and Nikimcbee for introducing me to modeling. I shall do my best.

[Sailor Steve]

The markings are almost certainly for the American Volunteer Group, AKA the Flying Tigers. They weren't part of the US Army Air Forces until later in the war. They were part of the Chinese Air Force.
http://www.flyingtigersavg.com/

Before you build any model it's always a good idea to do some research.
http://www.google.com./search?q=avg+...w=1440&bih=699

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

The markings are almost certainly for the American Volunteer Group, AKA the Flying Tigers. They weren't part of the US Army Air Forces until later in the war. They were part of the Chinese Air Force.

The Flying Tigers is what the markings are for. Yes.

That was my guess.

Still really cool. If this goes well, I'll go back for the TBF Avenger and the BF-109 in 1:48 Scale

[Sailor Steve]

Great. There are much worse ways to waste time.

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Great. There are much worse ways to waste time.

Right you are.

I'm looking at all the pieces right now and this will be no easy task. I'm up for it though.

This baby even comes with a bomb and a drop tank.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

This baby even comes with a bomb and a drop tank.

A large number of WW2 fighter kits do. It adds variety and options. The most important thing is to take your time and have fun.

[ajrimmer42]

Good luck mate, can't wait to see how it goes. Just be warned, this could be the start of a long slippery slope haha. Have fun!

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

A large number of WW2 fighter kits do. It adds variety and options. The most important thing is to take your time and have fun.

Oh I will...This'll be fun. I've run into a tricky part where you install the instrument panel.

Originally Posted by ajrimmer42

Good luck mate, can't wait to see how it goes. Just be warned, this could be the start of a long slippery slope haha. Have fun!

Right. Thanks! Slippery Slopes are pretty fun if you have a sled.

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Here is what I've got so far...I'm going to paint when I'm done so all the pieces fit together correctly.



and this is what I'm currently trying to do....

[Cybermat47]

Good job Red!


I've done a P40 before, in Australian markings:



The first one was British, but the decals kept falling off

I'd put some gloss paint on the areas where your going to put the decals, if I were you.

[Red October1984]

@ Cybermat Nice! What scale is that? 1:48?


Right now, I have it all put together and for the most part painted. I need to do some detailing.





I'm having trouble putting the decals on.

The only directions I have is this

1. Cut Each Design From Decal Sheet As Needed
2. Dip in Water
3. Use a Small Brush to Wet Your Model
4. Slide Decal From Paper Face Up Into Position On Model
5. Do NOT Touch Decal With Fingers
6. Press Down With Blotter

I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do. I cut out the brand label on the decal sheet and tested it.

They aren't kidding when they say don't touch it. I barely touched it and it all came off. Am I supposed to press it onto the model or something?

[Cybermat47]

Just gently slide it onto the model, and wait for it to dry. The water should be pretty hot, I usually have it at 60 degrees celcius.

To make sure that the decals stay on, you might want to get some tamiya X22 paint, and put it on the areas the decals will go.b

Also, this is vital: don't do them all at once. Just do the top of the wings, wait for them to dry, then the sides, wait for that to dry, then under the wings.

Applying the decals can be tricky. Caused me more headaches than losing a vital part of an Albatros D.Va!

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Cybermat47

Just gently slide it onto the model, and wait for it to dry. The water should be pretty hot, I usually have it at 60 degrees celcius.

To make sure that the decals stay on, you might want to get some tamiya X22 paint, and put it on the areas the decals will go.b

Also, this is vital: don't do them all at once. Just do the top of the wings, wait for them to dry, then the sides, wait for that to dry, then under the wings.

Should I slide it on paper-side up or decal-side up?

I'm about to head off to read in bed so I'll handle it tomorrow.

I don't have any special paint. I put Acrylic all over it because that's what I had.


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I'm thinking for the next one I should get a 1:48... 1:72 is awesome...but 1:48 is better.

I saw a 1:48 B-17 and a 1:48 B-29 at Hobby Lobby. They want like 50$ for the -29 and 40$ for the -17! It's crazy!

[Herr-Berbunch]

Paper side down, decal uppermost.

It's not easy but as with most things it gets a bit easier the more you do.

[ajrimmer42]

yep, what HB said. Also, don't panic when the decal is on the surface and think it's permanent, as long as you keep it wet you'll have no problem moving it around till it's in the right place, just be a little gentle so as to not tear it, then just grab a bit of soft paper towel and soak up the excess water.

Looks like you got a great finish with the green too! I'd be very happy if my first model had come out so good!

[Jimbuna]

I've always used decal solution...a guide here:

http://www.scalemodelguide.com/paint...rslide-decals/