Hi Joel, Thanks, masking isn't my favorite job but it needs to be done.
The MiG AK paint? It's watery, clogs up my airbrush, doesn't cover like the genuine Vallejo paint and is amazingly similar to the Vallejo Citadel paints, (which are also useless). It also remains sticky semi gloss. I don't know if this was a bad batch but I don't feel the need to buy another load from AK. As the saying goes: "you never get a second chance to make a first impression".....

Julian,
Well said. I just stick to my favorites: Tamiya Acrylics and now Mr. Color lacquers.
Joel

Hi Julian

I've been testing some AK paints and I struggled spraying them until I used their own thinner - then it was a different matter. I never got the "sticky, semi-gloss" problem though. The review's rather overdue, but I'll get it together soon, and your own impressions will be very welcome feedback.

All the best

Rowan

Next to Vallejo I also use Lifecolor acrylics, Tamiya Acrylics, The real deal Citadel acrylics, Humbrol enamels and acrylics and oil paint. I like them all, actually I seldom run into paints that I don't get along with. AK apparently is one of the offending brands

Hi Rowan, I also have the AK thinners, they work fine with Vallejo acrylics too, no problem there. It seems to be the paint. Guess I'll stick with the Lifecolor sets, they work .......

I've pulled the AK paints out of the bin and will give them another run through Rowan. Let's try and find some redeeming characteristics.

And a sneak preview:








Looks good and easy peasy.

No AK acrylic paint was harmed making these photos.......

Nice stripes Julian, how did you measure the 19,05mm required

Hi Mal,
not. Tamiya tape comes in a 1,8cm width meaning I lose 5mm over 5 stripes. I can live with that and by a strange coincidence the spacing matches the color drawings in the Airfix instruction booklet exactly.
How's your build coming along? You should be making progress,


Just measured the stripes: 9,3cm which means I am 2mm out, heck, I can easily live with that..............

Julian,
Your invasion stripes came out spectacular. Well done.
Joel

Thanks Joel, I muffed it by 2mm That was after I added the stripes on the wing underside. Not bad for a quick and dirty solution methinks. Just the fuselage stripes and then on to the camo coat. Still going the way I wanted it to,

Just joshin, Julian The stripes look very good, no one will know that they are 2mm! short My build is nearing the painting stage but I have had a lot on. I hoped to finish the building over the week end but I have had to build a front to my garage! So I now hope to finish the build today or tomorrow

Good morning Mal, a 1/1 garage door can take a lot of time.
Fuselage stripes are finished too so all the masking has been ripped off. Need to do some small touch ups to the stripes and then everything can be masked again ready for the camo. Need to get some more masking tape at the LHS
I was tempted to model the stripes on some shots I saw of 1 Typhoon having them applied with a brush, looked bloody awful

September 23rd update:
I think I can safely say that the invasion stripes have been well and truly nailed. Masking for the camo should be a lot easier than for the stripes.








Should be able to fit the "M" on the port-side just underneath the cockpit so all the hacking and slashing has worked out fine.

Julian,
The fuselage invasion stripes look fantastic.
Joel

Thank you very much Joel, all the planning and measuring and ideas I had to build this beast are falling together now. Very close now

Hi Julian

Great build. I have been followig it closely and took the big plunge on the weekend and purchased the kit. A slight look of dismay came across my wife's face when she saw the size of the box (but I have a feeling most of us married or guys with partners have experienced that look before).

Must be pleased that yoiu are at this stage, although still a fair bit to do.

Cheers

Stephen

Good morning Stephen,thank you, glad to hear you have been enjoying my take on the Airfix Typhoon and congratulations on taking the plunge and buying the beast You will enjoy it, it's not Tamiya style shake and bake but with a bit of care it comes together nicely.
It is a huge box and Mrs. Gremlin56 also takes a rather dim view of the purchases I make and try to smuggle into my hobby room or up to the stash. An absolute low was when trumpeter's 1/200th scale Bismarck arrived while Mrs. Gremlin56 was at home and I was at work No chance of smuggling that one in

September 24th update:
A memorable moment: first coat of paint has been added. Needs some touching up here and there and the belly of the beast still has to be sprayed. these are the first and last AK colors you will ever see on one of my builds. I had to add matt medium, thin them down even more and had to give my airbrushes a bath in the ultrasonic cleaner to keep them working. Still I gave it two tries before binning the stuff

Well, maybe just one more September 24th update :








Now there is a lot of touching/cleaning up to do now.
More to follow

Looking good buddy, coming along very nicely !

Cheers Kev

Thank you very much Kev, yep, this worked out okay so far

Julian,
The camo paint scheme looks fantastic!! to bad the AK paints were so bad.
Joel

Looking Fantastic Julian!

I am curious though, when you say 'ultra sonic cleaner' does that mean you have a machine that cleans the airbrush???

Russ

I did see that big Bismark in my hobby shop but I think that would be a step too far at this time!