Custom painted 1:18 Aircraft TKO UPDATED 1/02 F-14 Vandy 1

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:24 pm

Yeah anything I build in Illustrator can easily be scaled down. Now, that said- The process of using vinyl cut stencils is a little tricky. One thing I have learned is that if the detail is too complex or becomes too small there is a point where it just won't work. The cutter just can't hold a fine line. So there are some limitations on what stencils could actually work in smaller scales. So depends really.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:14 pm

109! Used to be the Red Tulip nose. This was actually one of my first customs. Over a year ago I made this one as I was tired of waiting for a desert sand color 109. Obviously there is no sand filter as you will notice. I didn't let it stop me from doing it. One day I will buy a BBi 109 and rip off that part and attach it to mine to make it complete. For now it is what it is. Enjoy.

Der Kommandant · Post by **Der Kommandant** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:01 pm

Oh mannn that's great work.

Buckyroo · Post by **Buckyroo** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:36 pm

lOOKS

I just started converting a damaged 109G into a 109F last night. I don't know all of the specs, but I pulled off the wing cannons and nose gun bulges just like you did. I was thinking of doing a Galland paint scheme. I will post when I get more completed.

Kris

Tambo · Post by **Tambo** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:38 pm

That desert 109 is pure eye candy. One of my favorite paint jobs ever. Well done.

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:48 pm

Looks awesome Z!! You know, eventually, you're gonna have to show us where you are keeping all these customs you keep churning out..

Fritzkrieg · Post by **Fritzkrieg** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:33 pm

Wow!

I finally had the time to check out all 16 pages of your thread. You have an amazing collection of custom aircraft. I' don't collect the modern stuff, but if they looked as nice as your work, I'd have some. Keep up the amazing work.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:40 pm

hworth18 wrote:Looks awesome Z!! You know, eventually, you're gonna have to show us where you are keeping all these customs you keep churning out..

I have about half of them at home and the rest are at my studio / business property. I might have to take some pictures so you can see.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:45 pm

Quick update:
I am FINALLY almost finished with the F-86. I only have the tail markings to do and then she is all set. I am really pleased with this one so far.

I also have another P-51D just about finished as well. Only about an hour more and it's all ready.

My Avenger project might be the next one that gets finished.

I still have one more Saber and one more Bubbletop Thunderbolt and I might be ready to give it a rest for a little while. My collection has grown by some 20+ new planes and it's getting crowded!

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:39 pm

Here is another P-51D. The Dizzy Rebel is one of many P-51's from the 77th squadron from the 20th Fighter Group in the Mighty 8th. Although assigned to Lt. King, this aircraft was lost when Lt. David Baldock was killed in a crash-landing at Vresse, Belgium on 23 August 1945.

I masked off the black and white nose bars by hand and used vinyl stencils for the nose art letters, the LC B and other markings on the tail. I really liked how this plane had the olive upper surfaces on the wings and a little on the rear stabs. Finished this one up today and I thought I would share some pics with you guys.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:03 pm

looks real cool!!!!!!!!!!!

exether_mega · Post by **exether_mega** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:09 am

I like it ! I 've always liked planes with bare metal and olive parts. Great work

phil

supersonicfifi · Post by **supersonicfifi** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:42 am

Absolutly fabulous collection ! How many 1/18 planes have you got ?

I would like you to make a line up picture of all your customs !

I recently recevied from PH my first custom 1/18 ( curtiss P 36) and it open a lot of possibilities ...

Your work is absolutly amazing ... keep the good work ....

Philippe

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:05 am

Hey Zach for your next project you should use that metal paint that you can shine to a high gloss.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:47 am

supersonicfifi wrote:Absolutly fabulous collection ! How many 1/18 planes have you got ?

I would like you to make a line up picture of all your customs !

I recently recevied from PH my first custom 1/18 ( curtiss P 36) and it open a lot of possibilities ...

Your work is absolutly amazing ... keep the good work ....

Philippe

Thanks Man- your kind words made me blush! I DO want to do a photo shoot with just all my customs. As soon as I finish these last few projects I have left ( F-86, P-40, Avenger, & another F-86) I think I will be ready to do it.

I think I am going to finally breakdown and do that P-36 as well. Especially now that Ph and I have been talking off line. PH- you listening? I need you to make me a P-36 that I can paint up bro!

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:57 am

VMF115 wrote:Hey Zach for your next project you should use that metal paint that you can shine to a high gloss.

TOTALLY FUNNY you would mention that! I actually did try using that special metalizer paint once as a test on a damaged P-40. I polished and shined the living h*ll out of that silver paint. Took hours and hours to buff it. It finally got really a real metal shine to it BUT- The paint is so unforgiving in several ways, 1. If you some much as thought about touching it it would show a finger print.

If to actually did touch it (even after weeks of drying) it would leave a nice fine silver dust on anything it came in contact with. (think tin man from the wizard of oz). Then. I finally got sick of it and and well I will just put a nice gloss sealer on it to protect it. The minute that any of the 3 brands of gloss sealant touched that buffed metal, it immediately went dull and dried as a nice satin aluminum look.

REALLY pissed me off. It all went in the garbage and I was glad it was never used on a full project. -Oh well. IT was a CLEVER concept though. Wished it had worked better.

Pa Deuce · Post by **Pa Deuce** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:51 pm

20th FG - one of my favorite 8th USAAF schemes - with the bomber style lettering on the rudder

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:51 pm

Looks great Z!! BTW, have you tried Alclad? That is what I use to get a very convincing metal finish and it comes in many different tones of aluminum, including chrome.

Also, if you shoot a coat of Future over the aluminum finish before you shoot the dullcoat, it won't flatten the sheen of the metalcoat.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:46 pm

Here is the latest custom: RAF P-40. This used to be an AVG airplane but I thought she needed some new colors. Usual drill on this one. Masked off the canopy, wheels, and prop blades. Primer it all, paint the underside, and top color. Airbrushed the camo and then used vinyl stencils to paint on all the markings. Instant Lend Lease P-40.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:55 pm

Dude,

One word.

FANTASTIC

supersonicfifi · Post by **supersonicfifi** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:16 am

i cry !!! too much talents & too much customs

Dauntless · Post by **Dauntless** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:58 am

That's the P-40 JSI should be putting out!

Sweet!!!!!

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:10 pm

TKO, That's one beautiful P-40.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:33 pm

WOW that is simply amazing work brother!!!!!!!!!

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:50 pm

VMF115 wrote:WOW that is simply amazing work brother!!!!!!!!!

Agreed.. Another superb project!!

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Custom painted 1:18 Aircraft TKO UPDATED 1/02 F-14 Vandy 1

HOW MANY ?

Re: HOW MANY ?

as usual