OlCabour's Hangar

I still had to install the LED Reflector circuit inside the raider.

I thread the wires inside and solder them to the circuit card.

It still works

For cons, I had underestimated the space needed for the wires, and it is no longer going in the remaining spaces. So I had to enlarge the openings. This has resulted in the removal of the central pin, the head is now less well maintained, and the magnets suddenly become absolutely necessary. And I thought that tape surrounding the metal tabs and batteries with be enough, but it is too light, so I quickly made a little support using plastic strips.

There some light leaks under the chin. I suspected this because these parts are not glued together here.

A small plastic cap is done and stuck with hot glue (easy to remove if I will have to work on the electic circuit). The plastic model part is very thick and holds heat rather well. I would not try it on a Hasegawa or FineMolds kit ! The glue is covered with black paint to hide the latest leaks (cooled hot glue is still transparent)

IMG_3021

The magnets are also held in place with hot glue.

I forgot to install the visor, and while trying to glue it, it slipped inside the head. @@#%€£¥$%#!

So, I experimented removing the cap+hot glue. And this was rather easy, so the idea was good.

It was only remaining to apply cylon insignia decals, weathered with lightgray marks, and covered with clear coat.

After having received a coat of primer, I tried to make the foundry raw look. Searching on military model website, it seems that the simplest method is to brush a mix putty and acetone on the model.

As it was a first time for me, I think I did it a little too light.

A new thin layer of primer

Everything is covered with gloss black, which is the base color for Alclad metallic paints.

I started by completely painted it with Alclad Stainless Steel, which is a rather dull alclad, with the idea of completing the raw look.

I realize clearer panel in Alclad Duraluinium.

And then, surprise, the Stainless steel did not accept masking tape!

So I covered it again with quick and thin coat of Alclad Steel, that I know to be stronger, as I use it since a long time.

Some slightly dark panels with a mix of jet exhaust + magnesium

Dark panels, in jet exhaust

Some panel's corners are post-shaded with Aluminium, to break the patchwork effect and give more texture to the whole model

Some pale burnt metal panel to give some color to this beast

It is already rather nice like that, even if the fondry raw effect does not see too much.

The assembly is started quickly by removing molding seams on the head.

before

after

Nozzles are massive, so the edges are slightly rounded and extended inward the petals.

Before | After

The mouths of the guns are hollowed.

Arms gluing and filling of the horrible seam.

Curiously, in other parts of the wing, the cut is well placed (along the trailing edge) and the work is easer.

The cylon emblem is sanded first with coarse sandstick

then fine

The rest of the assembling does not present significant difficulties. I do not glue the ventral part, otherwise it would oblige me to install now the guns and engines, but I want to paint them quietly apart.