Bare Metal Thunderbolt "Bonnie" Progress pics 09/04/11.

[Airacobra]

The Thunderbolt

I had a spare Peg O My Heart so I decided to cover that in bare metal as well. I am not set on the final paint scheme but I am leaning towards Bonnie. I decided to prime the P-47 because the bare metal foil shows every thing, including the markings 21st painted on the models. I am going to include quite a few pics of both planes in this thread.

[pickelhaube]

Great results !!!!

But man that must have taken a lot of work

[ram04]

Can you post some pictures as you are doing this, sounds interesting

[Jnewboy]

I have one of those "driveway defenders" also although yours looks more serious

[Airacobra]

I have decided to completely re do the Mustang so this thread is going to concentrate on the Thunderbolt for a while. Here are some pics of the Jug sitting in primer waiting for the bare metal foil treatment. I filled all the screw holes, removed the 21st century logo from the bottom of the wing and filled the joint seems on the leading edge of the wings and the entire length of the upper and lower fuselage. Filling in the joint seems alone, add a lot to this model.

[Airacobra]

Here is a step by step process of the first bare metal panel. My camera had trouble focusing on the plane, I think it has to do with the white primer and the reflective metal foil. Or my camera just sucks.

This picture shows the size of the metal foil sheet you start with.




Once you cut the piece to size you can start to lay it out.




Next you go over the outside panel lines with a burnishing tool.




Once your trace over all the panel lines, including those located inside the outer panel lines, you carefully cut the excess foil off.



Then smooth the entire panel with your finger and you are done with the panel.



One down and so...very...many...more to go.

My wife laughed at how out of focus the pictures are so I will try to post better examples later.

[CW4USARMY]

Looking forward to seeing this one completed. Will be an awesome display piece!

[flyboy_fx]

Indeed , nothing better then real metal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Airacobra]

I was able to put some time into the Thunderbolt. Here are a few pics of the progress.

[RAD 2112]

That looks great!

[gburch]

Looks very good -- very inspiring. One of these days, I'm going to do one of these ...

[Airacobra]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I did some more work on the fuselage and should have that part of the plane nearly finished by this weekend. I don't get a whole lot of time to work on my models and I just started my P-39 scratch build so that has taken some time away from the Thunderbolt as well. I will post more pics some time this weekend.

[gouchy]

I'm watching this with keen interest

very inspiring and educational, thanks airacobra