This is an OOB build
that went up onto my display shelves on the FIRST day of 2007. It is also
my FIRST submission to ARC and my FIRST attempt on the 3-colors IDF camouflage.
This kit was painted using
water-based Gunze Sangyo paints. Light coat of Tamiya surface
primer was first applied to check for flaws and improve paints adhesion. Pre-shading
with engine grey was also done on the panel lines. Subsequently, the 3
colors camouflage were applied using soft-masking method, but Mr.Masking Sol was
used for canopy masking. Starting with the yellow (313), then (312) green
& finally (310) brown. And of course (314) blue for the belly.
For each of these
colors, the base coat was first applied, followed by a lighten coat within
the panel lines perimeters & post-shading the panel lines with a darken
coat. Then, blend them with a diluted base coat. Tedious, but
worth the effort.
The panel lines
wash was done with very diluted Tamiya enamel black. The kit was
gloss-cleared before applying the decals which went well with Mr. Mark
Softer. The finishing touch was a nice coat of matt clear.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Some comments
on the kit & built.
A. It would have
been great if the extended tail pipe was included in the kit which was a unique
feature of IDF Skyhawk.
B. There is a
molding line on the canopy which required sanding & polishing to remove
it.
C. The armament
included in this kit is limited to a pair of drop tanks (I left them out) and
30mm cannons (metal parts)
Blessed 2007 &
Happy Modeling
Tuck
|