Airfix 1/72 DAP Devastator Mk.Ib

[KiwiZac]

Hi all,
This kit was generously sent to me by Old Wombat so it seemed inevitable it would end up with some form of Aussie connection! Although the kit that has received some paint by my hand no cement has touched it and all the parts that were on the sprues when received are still on there, it was allowed to enter a GB at BTS. But I thought folk here might like to see it also!

Thus begins the journey of...

The DAP Devastator Mk.Ib
Airfix 1/72 Douglas TBD Devastator by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Airfix 1/72 DAP Devastator Mk.Ib by Zac Yates, on Flickr

State of play on day two:
Airfix 1/72 DAP Devastator Mk.Ib by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Old Wombat]

 

[NARSES2]

Always loved that box art 

[KiwiZac]

She's already received two coats of paint so I'm optimistic I'll have her finished this weekend!

[nighthunter]

I've been tempted to build all the Aircraft and Sqn's from the "Big E" at Midway in 1/72 (had to pick 1 US Carrier and why not the Big E) Glad to see that there is a decent and affordable offering of the Devastator out there. Can't wait to see what you do with it, Zac!

[KiwiZac]

Glad to see that there is a decent and affordable offering of the Devastator out there.

I can't speak to its accuracy but it is every inch Classic Airfix. I've had no real problems with it.

Yesterday was painting day for the Devastator and I used Tamiya XF-61 as a stand-in for Foliage Green:
Airfix 1/72 DAP Devastator Mk.Ib by Zac Yates, on Flickr

It was too windy and rainy for me to have a window open for ventilation this morning so the gloss coat had to wait until 3pm when I was satisfied The Bench wouldn't get drenched!
Airfix 1/72 DAP Devastator Mk.Ib by Zac Yates, on Flickr

The kit instructions have been folded over the model as a sort of open-ended hangar to hopefully avoid dust and cat hair, my normal technique if a suitably-sized box isn't available to prop over it. Hopefully tomorrow afternoon I can do the decals.

[NARSES2]

That's looking really good Zac, especially given its age. Those corrugated wings are going to make getting the transfers on fun 

[zenrat]

Mmmmm, look at those lovely rivets...

[KiwiZac]

No issues with the Humbrol Gloss Cote overnight so I have just put the decals in place.  Thanks for the kind words Chris, it's posed no construction issues. A very well-behaved kit!

Those corrugated wings are going to make getting the transfers on fun 

Mmmmm, look at those lovely rivets...

Funny you should mention that! The MicroSet is now doing its thing rather well and I may decide to Matt it later today rather than tomorrow...

[NARSES2]

The MicroSet is now doing its thing rather well and I may decide to Matt it later today rather than tomorrow...

Good to read 

[Old Wombat]

Having forgotten to comment here when I commented over on BtS, I shall merely copy & paste;


No white bits!

Oh, well, she's looking good, none the less!

[KiwiZac]

You're forgiven, OW! 

So let's lift the literal lid and see how it went...
Airfix 1/72 DAP Devastator Mk.Ib by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Unfortunately the Devastator is now on hold. Not because of an issue with the Matt Cote, nor cat-related misadventure, but because Tamiya XF-61 changes colour when I get below 1/4 of a bottle remaining. In this photo you can see the difference in tone between fuselage, cowling and aerial mast, and canopy frame as the paint undergoes this bizarre metamorphosis:
Airfix 1/72 DAP Devastator Mk.Ib by Zac Yates, on Flickr

So she's on hold until I can get some more paint, which may be a while as we're behind on some bills.

[Wardukw]

I've had that same problem..the difference between the airbrush and paint brush is weird and trying to mask such a small canopy would not be fun.
Strange thing to this day i cant figure out...Humbrol donesnt do that but i hate spraying Humbrol..to annoying to thin and i suck with a paint brush .

[Old Wombat]

You have to really mix Tamiya paints every time you use them, when brush painting, to distribute the pigments evenly or you get this issue.

Not as much of a problem when using an airbrush, as you're thinning the paint anyway.

Actually, even when brush painting with Tamiya paints, it's a good idea to thin them a bit (say about 25-33%).

[Scotaidh]

But RW paints aren't all the same tine/shade either - especially military ones, where the prettiness of the paint is completely subordinate to 1) Concealment and 2) Preservation.  the military is required to buy from all paint companies that meet their standards (have to share the pork equally, you know!) and they each have their own ideas of what 'standard' colours are. 

By the time the sun and wind-bourne debris and sailor/soldier boots are done with it, it's no longer what it was, when the tin was opened.  I'd leave it - it looks fine and more realistic that way. 

(Well, to my eyes, anyway.  YMMV,O)