Narses2's Blog - or what I'm slowly making progress on

[kerick]

I only get bugged over details that are so small they disappear under a coat of paint.
Your project is looking very good!

[NARSES2]

Right whilst waiting for paint to dry, glue to set etc I got the KP IL-2 that I recently got from the BIG H out to have a look at. Inevitably I started playing around with it    So first impressions ?

The new KP produced sprue is bagged separately and is in a harder, light grey plastic compared to the origional SMER ?  parts. The detail is also crisper.

The old SMER sprues had part numbers on them    However they bear no resmblance whatsoever with the part numbers on the instruction diagram  , but the sprue guide in said diagram has the correct layout and numbers matching the instructions    So not an issue.

I was quite suprised by how well detailed some of the smaller SMER parts are.

There is a fair amount of flash on the SMER parts, but most of it is on the sprues rather than the parts, and what there is is almost like a "ghost flash" very thin and easily cleaned up with a sharp blade.

I've test fitted the major parts and fit looks good. The proof of that will be when the glue comes out in a couple of weeks time though.

[NARSES2]

Good show at Bolton yesterday    Now I know where iit is, I'll try and make next year as well.

Horrible journey to Newcastle today though. Train was an hour late from Howrwich Parkway to Manchester Vic. because of a broken down train at Salford and then there was a fire in a tunnel on the way to Leeds from Manchester so my Newcastle train was diverted, at least it wasn't cancelled, and arrived 30 mins late. Still I got here and I get my Horwich/Manchester fare back and 50% of the Manchester/Newcastle back for late running 

[Rick Lowe]

Compensations. 

[NARSES2]

Been rather bust since I got back from "Up North" but managed to get to the bench yesterday and the Fw 190 is now on it's legs and I can start thinking about the paint scheme. 

Also had a chance to look at the ASK "paint/pens" I got and I'm quite impressed    One or two questions over a couple of the colours, particularly the British Interior Green, looks almost like an emerald green to me, but that could be it needing to be applied over a primer coat ? We will see, but overall it's a   

[Rick Lowe]

Good to know, thanks - I just have to actually remember to ask about them when I visit my Stash Enabler... 

[NARSES2]

A little bit of progress, not much, but progress is progress; right ?   

Been a little bit distracted by the Winter Olympics, why I get into it I've no idea, but I do, even though I know B all about 90% of the so called sports and hal of B all about the rest  I do have a problem with any sport that awards points for style, and that seems to impact at least half of the events in the Winter Olympics, but on the other hand the Ice Hockey and Short Track Speed Skating are the nearest thing going to gladiatorial contests on the planet, I swear they are combat sports 

The other thing that keeps me amused is the Beeb's choice of commentators for some of the "Style" events like half pipe snowboarding. I swear they make their commentary phrases up as they go and then they get over excited about someone managing to do exactly the same somersault as all the other competitors. And I'm paying my licence fee for this 

All a sign of getting old I suppose but if "sport" keeps going this way we'll have the Summer Olympics Pole Vault awarding style points for the way you come down.....or is Aerobic Pole Vaulting a completely new sport ? 

[Pellson]

A little bit of progress, not much, but progress is progress; right ?   

Yes, Sir!! 

[Rick Lowe]

A little bit of progress, not much, but progress is progress; right ?   

Yes, Sir!! 

Concur! 

[NARSES2]

Got some paint on the 190 yesterday. Mainly the tactical markings which are white so will need another couple of coats, then it will be the main scheme which may take a while as it's a little "fiddly". But I'm getting there.

Also did a little "research" to see what the interior colours were for the IL2. Basically "grey", then remembered I have the old Colorcoats shades in the paint stash 

[NARSES2]

Got the 190's tactical markings painted and masked, and now have two coats of RLM 76 on the undersides. So that can be masked tomorrow and then I can start on the top side.

Also got some sub-assemblies built up on the IL-2. It's quite a nice little kit considering its age, and the new parts that KP have added (slightly darker and harder plastic) fit very well, touching wood    The one "down side" is that the part numbers on the sprue gates bear absolutely no relationship whatsoever with those in the instructions nor the sprue diagram on the instruction sheet   No problem though as it's obvious which parts are which, there arn't to many of them and if in doubt use the sprue diagram to find the part you need. 

[NARSES2]

Underside of the 190 is masked, a task that took longer than expected as my hands and eyes decided they didn't feel like co-operating   

Still it means it can get it's top sides painted over the weekend and I might even make a start on the disruptive part of the scheme which is probably a shade ambitious for my capabilities and regardless of that is going to take a while. Still Everest wasn't climbed by sitting at the top of Box Hill and muttering "that'll do"   

[Rick Lowe]

Still Everest wasn't climbed by sitting at the top of Box Hill and muttering "that'll do"   

  

[NARSES2]

Taking "advantage" of the Site Hiatus I got some modelling done.

The 190 has had it's topside painted and has been unmasked. Suprisingly there were no touch-ups to the underside or the ID markings required    although I did manage to knock the tail wheel off 

Progress has been made on the IL2. Interior painted and assembled. One of the differences between the new KP parts and the origional mouldings is their ability to take paint. I'm using White Ensign Colourcoats USSR colours and the KP parts take them beautifully, one coat    The origional parts on the other hand are in a much softer plastic, which has a definite shine and need two coats at the least.  Some of the new KP parts are really nice, the MG for instance, but that's typically KP. You never know what to expect until you open the box  Enjoying this kit.

Also been using the AK Pens I got. Really impressed, using them for the purposes I got them for, touch-ups and small details, saves breaking out and shaking a pot of paint for a couple of dots    Going to look at the range and get some more 

[zenrat]

I bought some SMS paint pens.  No complaint about the pens, just the colours.  They were supposed to be rust tones but I can't really agree.  They look more like shades of mud.