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Building Model Planes According to “GOD”
By Simon Whitney
This is how you should build model planes according to GOD. This can also be applied to over genre as well.
First, research your build thoroughly, this means 100`s of hours poring over manuals, walk rounds and the internet. You need to know all the information and be able to repeat it parrot fashion. Nothing else will do.
Once you have done your research then select which company’s model you are going to build. This means a trawl through hundreds of model magazines, reading up on the reviews, this is very important. Failure will lose you kudos when you go to present it at the competition or forums. Also you should take a lot of time to select the right After Market parts, both resin and photo etched as well as decals and masks, remember nothing but the very best will do. So now you have gathered all the parts and kit but you still need to make sure that you have the correct colors in your paint box. A nearly will not do, it must be federal standard, that means having each and every paint spectrally check against the datum’s laid down by the authorities.
AHA! You have also got to make sure that you have the scale plans. Reference is all too important, every nut and bolt, panel line and rivet must be there. You have got your verniers and micrometer ready, right now start checking each and every part for accuracy.
Once you have done all the above then it is time to start building.
Now you can start, each part shall be inspected to said plans, this should take at least 30 minutes for every item, you must be certain!!!
When building the cockpit and surrounding area your research will pay off. All dials and switches are to be the right colors and in the correct position; you cannot have anything out of place, i.e. the undercarriage lever/switch showing up when the wheels are down. This will not do. Also the dials must show the right readings, no altimeter reading 20,000 ft. when parked up either.
Skid marks and urine stains on the seat must be the correct shade comparable with what the pilot had for breakfast that morning. And also no fluffy dice either.
Engines must have the right spark plugs fitted with the correct plug caps to go with them. Oil stains around the plane and engine should match the correct colors and sheen as well. The undercarriage should show the wear and tear of use, this means the correct dust or dirt applied to the tires (which of course should be at the right pressure). This does mean checking out the conditions of where the plane was being used at the time and come to that the weather conditions on that date as well. Remember it is all in the research.
When it comes to the guns and bombs (if any) they must be as detailed as possible. The correct rifling in the barrels is of upmost importance, as for the bombs/missiles, all marking should be of the correct size and legible under the microscope. This also goes for the stenciling on inspection panels (which should have their fastenings in the correct position). Once the build is done, the wings and tailplane check for the correct dihedral. With that done and all panel lines and rivets accounted for you can proceed to the final stages.
You may then commence painting. This of course should be done using the correct primers, base coats and top coats. Camouflage if any should be accurate to the point of being spot on. A millimeter out will not do.
Now to the decals, these must be placed exactly as shown on the pictures and diagrams you have studied, not a fraction out, again this will not do.
Once completed, your model plane should be photographed from every angle possible and downloaded onto your computer so that it can be scrutinized for any blemishes.
If that is ok then you write up a 2000 word description of what you have used and the techniques used, as well as a list of every single After Market bit you have added.
Here ends the lesson.
Happy modeling
