Portuguese Tiger

[DogfighterZen]

Really coming along now ! Love the camo, really suits it. Love al the lumps and bumps too....my kind of aeroplane !

Well, thank you, Captain!  I thought adding the lumps was a good thing but i really have to thank Dizzyfugu for giving me the suggestion to do the change on the fin, that really made me go for the other bits too.

[DogfighterZen]

Hey guys, the tiger is almost finished, i just have to buy some kind of dull varnish... i have no clue on what to get as i don't have an airbrush, it'll have to be spray can or something i can brush on the model. Any advice is much appreciated...
Meanwhile i had time to work on my Airfix P-51 Mustang which had a silver/aluminum base color all over with black rudder and prop. Thing is, i don't have any decals that i can make a RW build out of it, so i'll... Whiff it up!  The Portuguese air force had P-47's so what if the Mustang had been the choice?  I've been thinking of a long term project because of these two... building a whiff PoAF since it's establishment in 1952 but, also keeping the naval air arm for the Portuguese navy, which will probably receive some aircraft carriers at some point in history...



More pics of the Tiger when i get the dull varnish question solved.

[NARSES2]

I use Humbrol matt varnish spray.

I find it very good providing I give it a really good shaking (count to 200) then invert the can and spray a little out before actually spraying the model. This removes any residue in the nozzle. I repeat this upside down spray after spraying the model.

In the winter I put the spray can in warm - NOT HOT - water for a few minutes before shaking. While doing this I also loosen the spray can "lid" just to be extra safe.

Apologies if you know all this already 

[DogfighterZen]

I use Humbrol matt varnish spray.

I find it very good providing I give it a really good shaking (count to 200) then invert the can and spray a little out before actually spraying the model. This removes any residue in the nozzle. I repeat this upside down spray after spraying the model.

In the winter I put the spray can in warm - NOT HOT - water for a few minutes before shaking. While doing this I also loosen the spray can "lid" just to be extra safe.

Apologies if you know all this already 

Well, even if i knew all that, apologies wouldn't be needed as i really appreciate the fact that you took the time to help out. Thanks, i'll have a go at those Humbrol cans, those seem to be the best option for me at the moment as i've been spending too much money on kits, and the rest of the stuff is always put on hold because there's a good deal on ebay...    Well, wait a minute, is it possible to spend too much money on kits? 

[DogfighterZen]

Well, looked around for the Humbrol matte varnish spray can but unfortunately here in Portugal it's hard to find...  Ended up getting Tamiya's TS-80 Flat Clear spray can and the XF-86 clear matte(which supposedly can be applied with the hairy stick) so i will be testing these pretty soon. If anyone has used any of these two, i would really appreciate some opinions on their experience. 

[kerick]

I would echo the advice from Narses2 and add that a couple of light coats would be better than one heavy coat. That applies to just about any kind of spray painting. Tiger is looking great!

What scale is the Mustang? Maybe someone here can send you something.

[DogfighterZen]

Thanks Kerick!
It's 1/72, it's the only scale i've built so far, but i've already managed to scrounge up a set of right size Portuguese roundels and matching flag and serial number. 
I will follow your advice for the varnish and take it by the less-is-more rule. I think i'm going to test it on a screwed up build to get the feel of the thing.

[kerick]

Thanks Kerick!
It's 1/72, it's the only scale i've built so far, but i've already managed to scrounge up a set of right size Portuguese roundels and matching flag and serial number. 
I will follow your advice for the varnish and take it by the less-is-more rule. I think i'm going to test it on a screwed up build to get the feel of the thing.

That's a good plan!

[Dizzyfugu]

The Tiger looks sweet with the Portuguese markings! 

[DogfighterZen]

Hey guys, it's finally finished!

I ended up brushing on Tamiya XF-86 clear matte and i like how it looks but it could do with a 2nd coat on some places, maybe will do that later but i call it finished as is. Hope you guys like it. It was a simple whif but i had fun and the next is already on the works... 
Most of the pics came out blurry so maybe i'll try to get a few more in day light.
Thanks to all of you for all the views, comments and help, i appreciate it a lot! 
So this is how the F-5PM would look like after April 2015, after all the updates and modifications had been installed. 

Clean configuration pics:





I messed about with this one on paint to remove the glue bottle cause the pic got blurry but mostly on the jet exhausts and it seems as there's fire coming out of them... I know it's a lousy job but it was just for the thought...



Dirty configuration... It's the first model i've built with landing gear down...

[zenrat]

Cool.  Looks great.

[NARSES2]

 

[DogfighterZen]

Thanks, guys, glad you like it! 

[Captain Canada]

Beauty. Really came out good in the end. I love the 'in flight' shot, showing the weapons....great fit for such a sleek little fighter !

[DogfighterZen]

Beauty. Really came out good in the end. I love the 'in flight' shot, showing the weapons....great fit for such a sleek little fighter !

Thanks, Captain!  As this would be one to watch over Portuguese air space, my guess is that it would be carrying a load of this sort. And also, i've always preferred the look of an aircraft with missiles instead of bombs and drop tanks, but that's just the dogfighter in me...