JollyRoger! Thanks ! You certainly need to try one of the smallscale Eduard kits: affordable, space efficient, fun!

Sorry for being absent this week but too much work and some modelling related stuff as well that doesn't affect the plastic really...

For some reason I got the idea that I really wanted to do MiG 243 and not 114 (the one that comes in the box) and this of course meant trouble... After a few (well, about two evenings of modelling time went into that) experiments trying to cut my own mask I realised that they are too small, I can't do it my usual way.

Since I have seen Mal Mayfield´s masks in action and realised that he actually can do them in very small sizes, this could maybe be one way out of my dilemma. So after an hour or so of work in Pro/E using a photo as a backdrop I had a DXF-file ready to send, after him asking nicely if he wanted to help me !


This is what my original artwork looked like, Mal wasn't very impressed by some of my attempts at being clever so what I get back might be configured a bit differently ... Note that they are horrendously small, the numerals are 4 mm high... Since the original decals were bad, I did include a set of roundels as well.

So now I'm just waiting for the mail pigeon to arrive, spending my time sanding down Atoll fins and contemplating the possibility to convert two of them into Aphids...



Magnus

Magnus,
Most impressive solution. I really have to look into some kind of program for simple masks for m up coming PBY-5A Cat build.

Joel

Joel! PM me, I might be able to help you with the artwork. You'll have to negotiate the cutting of the masks yourself with poor Mal though !

The Flying Finn is Finnaly Finnished (sorry, worse than ever...).

Detail painting done (that yellow and black striped fod guard livens things up a bit) and as usual my weathering comes out a bit on the harsh side on the photos. You'll have to trust me when I say that it looks better in real life (who wouldn't say that ?)?








Model has now been added to the collection, eagerly awaiting its Bulgarian colleague.



Magnus

Magnus,
I can't tell you how impressed I am with the finished model. It looks fantastic. Looks the equal or better then a 1/72 scale model. Congratulations on a excellent build.

As for the PBY markings, I've found 60" Stars and Bars, and South Beach makes masks for the number 4 and P I would need.

Joel

Not in Turkey mate. Not in Turkey. I could find it only in one shop and the price was a bad joke. I will definitely get a box or two but not from here. Long live online shopping!

Actually I was quite impressed with your attempts at being clever least impressive was that the file held nightmares of which I am sure that Magnus will elaborate? Consequently I am re-drawing to re-cut them. I wish that I had read this before committing to cut

The finished Mig looks very good.

Joel! Thanks! There are some limitations that comes with the size but these are really quality kits that are a joy to build!

JollyRoger! You can always trust the Internet ...

Mal! Thanks, I did my best ! Sorry for the files, I'll have to find some software to edit my DXFs before distributing them down the line !



Magnus

Well we all know that size matters




And I should have checked with you before cutting them, when I thought that they looked big! I haven't re-sized them yet as I have been having fun with the car! I plan on doing them today but they might not cut as I would like as my last "smart knife" is getting close to needing replacing. (they are expensive so I wait until they both need changing as they are half price if exchanged) so if the smallest element is good enough I will send off the knives to get them replaced and try again, so it would take a week.

Mal! I'm not in a hurry, it's not as if the Bulgarian MiG is the last kit in my stash that I need to finish ! I've found something from the hall of shame to work on until the pigeon arrives...



Magnus

Hi Magnus,
I managed to find some time to have a look at the artwork and tried simply re-scaling from 1/48 - 1/144 and the numbers and roundels came out spot on to the sizes that you gave me I had to separate the outline of the number from the main body. I need to change my smart knives though as the pressure is at 70gms but the outer ring on the roundels is being left with a minute tag. This means that either there is too much ware on the blade (extra pressure may solve it) or there is a problem with the file, which I doubt. I can't send the blades off yet as I have Jamie Haggo visiting today and I am hoping to be able to cut 4 different sets of Mig 21 masks for him while he is here. One of those sets is for the same Mig that I am doing for you, only his are in 1/48. Of course there might be the same problem, but I will try the extra pressure if that works I'll try cutting yours. If it doesn't work I will have to send the blades off for replacing.

One other thing; separating the 2 elements of the number means that the red outline is painted first, then the white over that. The outline is so thin in 1/144 scale that, with this "old" blade it doesn't cut perfectly when cut as part of the number. It might still be the case even with a new blade. There is a way to do it with painting the white first but the transfer of the white mask elements would be far more difficult. I mention this as many modellers would baulk at painting white over red, or any other colour, but it is the way to go and it isn't, or shouldn't be a real problem. I will include plenty of the masks so that you can practice

Mal! I see this as an experiment and I am very aware that the numerals are übertiny! White over red for the numbers was my strategy from the beginning (look at how my master file was drawn) so it's simply back to basics for me !

And still: I'm in no hurry!



Magnus

Hi Magnus,
I posted the re-cut masks a few days ago

I also posted 4 sets of masks for the Mig 21 to Jamie Haggo, on of which was for the same scheme as yours, but ion 1/48 scale

Mal! I'm waiting eagerly ! Thanks!



Magnus

They should be called "Micro Masks"!

Yesterday the most beautiful little tiny masks I've ever seen landed in the mailbox! I'll try them as soon as I've made room for the final MiG on the building table!



Magnus

A new product line "Micro Masks"

The remaining MiG has been on the back burner for the better part of a year but with the arrival of masks (admittedly a long time ago, once again thanks Mal! ) and a pair of Aphids everything is set for the final chapter... Another interference has been a rather bad armour trip but now that one is back in its box for the time being!

My original idea was to convert the kit supplied Atolls into Aphids but I quickly gave up on that: it is too small to work with the stuff even for me! A few days ago, for some reason I googled "1/144 Aphid" and it turned out that someone actually makes a set! Enter the scene for Shelf Oddity from Poland. In 144-scale they seem to have focused on armament, for the ship builders there are a selection of even smaller stuff that will probably land you in the asylum...


For good measure, I ordered a set of Atoll/Sidewinders as well. They look beautifully made with CNC-machined missile bodies and finely etched fins. And included is the ever-important jig for setting the fins square!



Magnus

Magnus,
Glad to see you. So you're building some armor these days. I would have thought that 1/72-1/76 scale over 1/35 scale would be more to your liking. I have 12 or so finished armor pieces from my time before Aeroscale. So far the bug hasn't bitten again.

Joel

Great to see you working on the small MIGs again Magnus.

Recently, I have made a small start with such an Eduard MIG21 kit my self and bought the Brengun PE set for it, so I know how small the bits of PE are that you are dealing with.

I am looking forward to see the result. Your great work is certainly an example for my build.



Jelger

Joel! I've kept an eye on your builds even if I haven't been too active myself around here! I have done some armour in later years just to get some variation. But I'm almost sure that my heart still is mostly with the aircraft!

Jelger! Any chance of seeing your MiG-build? I wish I had gotten that etch set as well, some of the plastic would benefit from being thinner even if I think that Eduard have done what's possible to do when it comes to plastic!



Finally finished! It has taken a few hours of listening to podcasts and slowly and methodically trying to attach the twelve fins to each of the missile bodies...


One of the Aphids together with a pair of tweezers and a standard-sized Swedish thumb... This is my limit when it comes to tininess: any smaller and I wouldn't be able to handle it at all... Before starting, remember to look for your psychiatrist's loyalty card, this will probably earn you a few extra stamps...



Magnus

My goodness, that is small! The only thing Ido with stuff that small is lose it.

Great to see you Magnus!

Gary! Thanks !


I've carefully read through Mal's instructions and used some of the spare masks I got from him for practice on my poor old Tempest and now I feel ready for doing the real thing...


...here I've peeled away the mask while leaving the "frame" that will be used as a fixture for the second round of masks that will allow me to paint the center of the numbers white, leaving a thin red surround. I really wish they were just red since at this stage the result is very close to perfect - those masks are really sharp!



Magnus

Wow, that is indeed very small. And very well built! I was thinking to skip changing the fins for PE in my build, but now i feel I have to .

For sure, I will post by MIG-21 build, but I will first finish my Fuerza Argentina S-55 and then I will start with my small Mig-21. I already made a small start on this and the cockpit and all visible parts on the inside and nose cone, are waiting for a shot of paint.



Jelger

Magnus-----Your Finnish -21 is just gorgeous. What a great build! I am looking forward to its Bulgarian stablemate.

Best wishes,


Ian

That number came out very good. Again, so tiny! Good luck with the white!



Jelger