Tamiya P47D thunderbolt bubble top 1/72

[Ron2]

On this build I'm opting for the 551st FTS, 495th FG, 1944 version. Typical Tamiya kit. Quick and fun little build. I had some difficulty with the spar and getting fuselage to fit so a few snips…I am going to go chrome and not natural finish as I want to see how good I can get that finish- historians beware!

 

[Ron2]

Hmmm. So learned a lesson and confirmed a suspicion. Lesson learned: pant brings out flaws but chrome paint brings out fingerprints! Will be wiping any future chrome projects down and using gloves to handle. My suspicion was that I should apply a nice black gloss coat over my black primer for better results. I did not do this. So, I'll sit on this a bit to figure out what direction I want to go.

 

[Ron2]

Hmmm. So learned a lesson and confirmed a suspicion. Lesson learned: pant brings out flaws but chrome paint brings out fingerprints! Will be wiping any future chrome projects down and using gloves to handle. My suspicion was that I should apply a nice black gloss coat over my black primer for better results. I did not do this. So, I'll sit on this a bit to figure out what direction I want to go.

So I decided I really wanted that chrome look. Did some mild sanding and reapplied my base coat. This is the best gloss black coat I have ever laid! Part of me doesn't want to paint over it! Hopefully I can duplicate this on a car!

 

[Ron2]

So I decided I really wanted that chrome look. Did some mild sanding and reapplied my base coat. This is the best gloss black coat I have ever laid! Part of me doesn't want to paint over it! Hopefully I can duplicate this on a car!

Came out pretty good but now I have to redo landing gear because it doesn't match.

 

[user 22148]

Looks very nice Ron!

 

[Ron2]

Looks very nice Ron!

Thanks! I didn't get what I was wanting but learned a bit so next time! Sealed it today. Will give it a couple of days and then finis painting it.

 

[BarleyBop]

Came out pretty good

Oooh! Shiny! Very well turned out.

I don't know if I'll ever try a finish like that... traumatized as a 10 year old, brush painting a Thunderbolt with Testors silver and getting more paint on my fingers and everything around me than on the plane!

 

[Ron2]

I was going for a full chrome, modern look but made a mistake. I'll have to give it a try on another bird. I still like it but it's just not what I had in my head.

 

[Ron2]

Came out pretty good but now I have to redo landing gear because it doesn't match.

Getting closer. Hit the top with OD and most of the decals are on. Decals are a lot of work.

 

[Ron2]

Getting closer. Hit the top with OD and most of the decals are on. Decals are a lot of work.

Finished. Well, I have to test my clearcoat for the "chrome" finish on a test decal and then give it a second coat, and add the antenna wire but I'm posting this now. Nice little build but decals were a bit much. I decide to leave off the bombs and leave it clean.

 

[BarleyBop]

Nice! That checkerboard would give me nightmares.