The second Vampire had some work done on it this weekend. I am planning the Blue Devil scheme.
http://aerobaticteams.net/rcaf-blue-devils.html
Lou
Major parts are rough cut and just pressure fit for photo op.
Lou
You've certainly been busy Lou, looking good. Regards Paul.
Thank you Paul, I have my hands full and just starting to insulate my basement so this summer should be quite productive.
Lou
Some sanding on the booms have begun using medium grit for now. Toothpick just used as a wedge.
Lou
Booms attached and partially contoured. Detailed carving needed to finish in the vertical fins and stabilizer fairings. I anticipate being ready for stabilizer early next week.
Lou
Looking forward to the colour scheme, I'd not heard of the Blue Devils before,Regards Paul J.
Most people have not. There were quite a few small demonstration team during the 50s that never left their immediate areas. There is a list at http://aerobaticteams.net/teams.html It may not be complete but it is the best I have seen to date.
Lou
Check this out at http://aerobaticteams.net/images/snowbirds/blue-devils-vampire-02.jpg
Thanks for the links Lou, thats a nice looking scheme. Regards Paul J.
The paint is actually dark blue but comes out medium blue with the flash from the camera. Regardless, some progress.
Lou
I had the same thing happen to me on the Caproni jet,the blue changes colour,its going to look really good in that interesting scheme Lou.
Barry.
The Blue Devils have a red cheat line on the outside of the blue. It would have been very hard to see once the Vamp was in the air. So once the blue had cured a few days, the red was sprayed on. In another few days narrow tape will mask the red outline. I would have preferred doing this in decal film, however the film I use does not stretch or flex very well and applying it to the nose section would have been impossible even with decal solutions.
Lou
Its a real challenge painting and decalling solid models,this Vampire is no exception.
Barry.
How did your cheat lines turn out Lou? .Regards Paul J.
I have not had the nerve to remove the masking tape yet. See those lighter spots on the left wing. Although the paint is still wet, I think that is going to be a problem area. Being on the bottom, I may have to look the other way and carry on or sand the area and start the paint process over again. I will remove the tape later tonight or wait for Santa to do it and hope for the best.
Lou
It looks like the paint has sunk at certain points Lou,silver is a nuisance for this and it happened to me as well with the Meteor,do not be in any hurry to sand it as silver takes weeks to cure off,lay the model aside for a while to fully harden that is my suggestion.
Barry.
Back to silver.
Looking better already Lou,merely a temporary blip at Vatour Aviation Inc.
Barry.
I guess I can check it out myself but Lou is that Silver " Rattle bomb" paint compatible with an underlaying of "Dope."
Cliff.
It should be fine Cliff,never had any problems myself layering on rattle can paint onto dope finishes,best to seal with a grey primer as all finishes.
Barry.
Should not cause any problems. I have used spray bombs when I was building flying models and never had any problems. Now the use of hot glow fuel on freshly painted surfaces is a different story.
Lou
Thanks Gentlemen. Will try it out soon ie. as soon as I can.
Lou, it just occurred to me that while you've already done the "Shephard" now you've done the DH Jet - the Vampire - that the CBC and Allan Maitland have been playing over Christmas the last few years. I was fortunate to hear it again this Christmas Eve - for about the sixth time. I think it's pretty good.
Cliff.
Yes hot glow fuel is like paint stripper Lou,I remember spending hours fuel proofing engine bays but it still rotted the wood eventually,the nitromethane is lethal stuff it nearly poisoned me as it soaks into your skin like hydraulic fluid does,I only build and fly electric models these days,clean and safe.
Barry.
I usually use dope or lacquer based sealers and primers. Enamel or acrylics go over them with no problem. However, dope will bubble an underlying enamel coat if you try the other way around.
Garet
Thanks Garet. That's pretty much what I was looking for. Now if I can just get moving.
Cliff.
Sanding silver is a pain but necessary. Let us look closer and see grey primer, red primer, blue paint, silver paint and red paint.
Lou
O.K. I give up! But Lou why are you sanding the silver? I've never done it and I thought it wasn't necessary. Good grief, what next!
Cliff.
The Vampire of many previous colours.
Barry.
I had to sand the silver because the blue and red area left a ridge that needed to be removed. That could not be done without sanding some silver so I figured I might as well do it all to ensure the same texture on the entire model. I will attempt to get some Testor spray silver. I recall it gave a smooth although matt finish. Once the trim colours are painted, the entire model will be glossed over and decals applied.
Lou
Thaks again Lou.
Cliff.
Here we go again.
Lou
Its looking good so far Lou,you will get there.
Barry.
After many tries at painting the boom flashes I decided to use decals. Here are the decals that will be installed shortly.
Lou
The 410 Squadron RCAF Blue Devil Vampire rolled out this afternoon. The decals on the tail booms worked out better than I ever could have using paint and masking. The forward fuselage is painted using mask and hand brushes. Silver paint is from the Krylon rattle can and the markings from Tamiya acrylics.
Lou
Additional photos.
Lou
This doubled the RCAF Vampires in my collection and doubled the Aerobatic aircraft as well.
Lou
Looks great with it's stablemates Lou. Regards Paul J.
The Vampire may not be the easiest of subjects to tackle but it sure looks good.
Barry.
Thank you Barry. The boom attachment is problematic but doable.
Lou