Revell 1/32 Colonial Viper Mk.II (BSG)

Post by **Lee** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 12:53 am

I love Battlestar Galactica, especially the new series - Thought it was awesome and have the lot on DVD!

I kept promising myself I'd get a BSG kit but, just never got around to it until my wife bought me one for my birthday (I know, she's a keeper

). That'll do for the upcoming Sci-Fi SiG I thought

Battlestar Galactica chronicles the journey of the last surviving humans from the Twelve Colonies of Kobol after their nuclear annihilation by the Cylons. The survivors are led by President Laura Roslin and Commander William Adama in a ragtag fleet of ships with the Battlestar Galactica, an old but powerful warship, as its command ship. Pursued by Cylons intent on wiping out the remnants of the human race, the survivors travel across the galaxy looking for the fabled and long-lost "thirteenth" colony: Earth. Unlike most space opera series, Battlestar Galactica has no aliens (the antagonists are man-made Cylon robots), the primary armaments used by both military forces utilize bullets, rail guns, and missiles instead of lasers. BSG deals with the apocalyptic fallout of the destruction of the Twelve Colonies upon the survivors, and the moral choices they must make as they deal with the decline of the human race and their war with the Cylons. Stories also portray the concept of perpetuated cycles of hate and violence driving the human-Cylon conflict, and religion, with the implication of a "God" whose angelic agents appear to certain main characters (most notably Gaius Baltar).

Colonial Viper Mk.II - The Viper is armed with multiple kinetic energy weapons. Both known models have weapon hard points for mounting missiles under the wings.
2 forward-firing 30mm mass accelerator cannons mounted in the wing roots, each with an 800-round ammunition capacity and a 20-round-per-second fire rate.
1 forward-firing Lightning Javelin missile launcher in the belly, with an 8-round ammunition capacity.
1 to 2 missiles.

I'll get started on this as soon as I hit primer stage on the Lavochkin La-7 I have in the WWII GB.

I did a review of the kit which you can see here....

[youtube]62hZU-vmWpA[/youtube]

And here are the obligatory box and sprue shots.....

Really looking forward to building this

Bagpiper · Post by **Bagpiper** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:00 am

Another one of my favourites. Watched the video too. Love the base that comes with this kit. Good luck with the build Lee. Hope you don't have too many problems with gaps like I do

Cheers
Jim

BrummieModeller · Post by **BrummieModeller** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:06 am

This looks a great kit bet it will be heaven to build lol compared to the 1/76 scales kits I'm doing at the moment

Even my SiG build is 1/72 at this rate I'll be at 1/32 In about 10years lol

RED · Post by **RED** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:02 am

cant wait to see this one progress, I have it sitting in the stash (and has been for about a year and a half)

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:10 pm

build me..

buiiiiild meeeeee!!!!!
Leeeeeeeeeee

BUILD ME!

Post by **Lee** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:49 pm

Coen wrote:build me..

buiiiiild meeeeee!!!!!
Leeeeeeeeeee

BUILD ME!

lol.....

Time is a precious commodity at the moment my friend

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:56 pm

Oh we'll
Sigh
Ok then

Build me

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 5:33 pm

That looks way cool! I'm in the process of watching the new bsg on netflix, it's great so far.

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:38 pm

nice seen the vid now lets watch the build...and you've got to show your birds in one of your videos they are trying there hardest to join in with you

Post by **Lee** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:58 pm

Here you go Tiger, they're in here somewhere...

[youtube]TPthgjjmw1w[/youtube]

Post by **Lee** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:47 pm

Managed to get a couple of hours in the cave this morning....

Got all parts off the sprues and sanded down...

Not an easy job considering the EPMs on this kit are mahoosive and everywhere....!! Plus they've kindly numbered the parts where it would show. So, a lot of sanding...lol

Legs all together and filled...

Unfortunately, one of the nacelles had snapped in the box, didn't notice until today - Right on a hard spot to hide too....

Cockpit all primed and ready for paint and decals...

Decided not to use the pilot as one arm seems to be a LOT bigger than the other! Bet you can't guess way...... Dirty Apollo....!!!

Away next week so, wont get much done at all

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:52 pm

Too bad about that nacelle Lee.
I hope that you can fix it.
I'm glad that you finally get to lay your hands on this one.
I've been looking forward to this build.

Bagpiper · Post by **Bagpiper** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:09 pm

Coming along mate. Looking forward to seeing how you paint this. Are you going to do your own thing or follow the box or the television to get your colour scheme?

Cheers
Jim

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:15 pm

Get back to work! Lol!
I've watched the whole of BSG since you worked on this, you're as bad as me!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:39 pm

Nice work mate I'm sure you will sort the broken part once you get back from sunning yourself on your private yacht.

Post by **Lee** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:22 pm

Cheers fellas.....

Will be back on it when I get back off hols

Bagpiper wrote:Coming along mate. Looking forward to seeing how you paint this. Are you going to do your own thing or follow the box or the television to get your colour scheme?

Cheers
Jim

I'm a box builder Jim, usually always will paint a box scheme mate. Have to watch. A few more episodes though, just to make sure of course

Post by **Lee** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:46 pm

Managed to get an hours worth of decaling in last night!

It doesn't show on the pics but there is quite a bit of weathering in the form of aluminium coming through the grey, camera's just not picking it up!
Also ging to do more weathering the cockpit to dirty it up a bit but, not sure how far I want to go yet. Will decide once I've got a mat coat over it all....

And just a quick pic of my decaling system....

Hopefully get some time in tonight and get the fuselage buttoned up

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:48 pm

Looking good mate

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 4:15 pm

Nice looking cockpit you have their sir

Coming together nicely.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 6:18 pm

And that's what happens when an aircraft modeller gets his hands on a Viper cockpit.
BAM!
Wonderful.
Great stuff Lee. Nailed all the wee details.

5Craven · Post by **5Craven** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:15 pm

Really nice looking cockpit

Can't wait to see more.

Post by **Lee** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:46 pm

Cheers chaps

Post by **Lee** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 1:09 am

Managed to get quite a bit done today!

I don't what it is, but lately I've managed to pick up every model box that contains a warped, twisted or misaligned fuselage. It's really starting to grate!

Anyways, the fuselage was quite a way out when using the locating pins. I usually just cut them off and align myself but, this plastic is slippery and I didn't want to mess it up so, I got the berna clamps out and fiddled with it until I was happy - as you can see....

A LOT of gaps and sink marks on the fuselage to contend with...

A better shot of the cockpit , you can just see some weathering...lol....

Going to have to glue the legs to this belly part along with the wheel bay doors. Paint and weather it up and join to the main section later. I've got the chipping colour down, just got to put the hairspray layer on next, same with the canopy....

Painted and weathered the laser pods...

and part of the rear engine....

Also painted and weathered the rear engine and nozzles. Think I'm going to add some blue steel pigment to this as well tomorrow - Not quite there yet imo....

Really want to get this together tomorrow if I'm allowed some man time.....

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 1:42 am

I had the same fit issues with mine Lee. I think that it's just a fact of the kit.
It's a weird plastic.
It'll look awesome in the end though. I really can't wait to see what yours turns out like.
It's already looking better than mine.

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:47 am

Great update buddy

Those engines look really nice now painted.

Its so annoying that most Sci-Fi kits don't go together well would be nice if they where the same quality as the Tamiya for example.

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:07 am

looking great mate and great work of sorting the problems you had out

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:08 am

Nice work lee, bout time you got some modelling done mate

Post by **Lee** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:07 am

Cheers fellas......

I know, tell me about it!

Paul wrote:Nice work lee, bout time you got some modelling done mate

gosselin2112 · Post by **gosselin2112** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 2:15 am

Looking great!!

There was a great many BSG subjects this year at IPMS USA Nationals this year. And some nice scratch builds to boot! Check out my channel in a few weeks for the highlights.

Again, nice work on the Viper!

Russell.

Post by **Lee** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 11:27 am

Thanks Russ

Post by **Lee** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:41 pm

Got a bit more done tonight.....

Got the canopy on. Don't think I've ever used so much canopy glue in one hit before! The gap is massive. There's still one at the back where I've taped it, but it'll have to stay there as there is nothing I can do with it. I've taped over it to stop any paint getting inside the cockpit - it's that big!

I then painted the bottom of the fuselage with AK's chipping medium (4 coats) and then 2 coats of Tamiya white. All ready to try out AK's replacement for hairspray....

Now, two things I have to point out before the next picture. Or rather two bits of advice - DON'T model after having a couple of drinks (Morgan's Spiced Rum to be precise) and DON'T bother with Ak's new chipping or worn effects - they're pants!

As you can see Where I had had a few sherbets, I seemed to have over done the weathering a little.....lol.

It's a Dalmation Viper....!!!

It wasn't until I sat back and looked at it as a whole I realised I'd gone just a tad too far....

Will strip it down tomorrow and redo it, but with hairspray this time. The AK worn effects is pants, I practically had to dig the paint off, which made it completely unrealistic. What you see on that pic is where I've hand painted over the AK chips to make it look a little more realistic. I absolutely soaked the paint and it would not come off and when it did it took the aluminium coat off I was trying to show and went straight through to the primer! Bear in mind I put 4 coats of the Ak stuff on too..... Utter pants - Stick with hairspray, if it isn't broke don't try to fix it....

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:44 pm

Weird, I had a job getting the paint off but it worked well, I found using a little pad of scourer worked much better and faster too.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:29 am

I've hear the same thing about it from two fellas at my LHS not a week ago. Actually they said it sucked dog not one, but two male appendages.... But you get the idea.

BrummieModeller · Post by **BrummieModeller** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:55 am

Great work mate

Post by **Lee** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:57 pm

Well, after two failed attempts (strip back down and start again - twice!!!) with the AK chipping fluid I've given it the elbow and decided to paint the chips on. Could've used the hairspray, but really couldn't be arsed after two strip downs!

So, bay doors on....

and legs glued in....

With minimal weathering....

Going to try and get this on the bottom tomorrow, then it's a clear run until paint....

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:11 am

Unlucky with the chipping mate, fingers crossed no more problems

Post by **Lee** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:29 am

Managed to get everything together last night. There's a couple of tiny areas that need some filling, then it's primer on and white base coat hopefully tonight or tomorrow

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:48 am

Looking good mate.

Good to see you doing some modelling mate

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:40 am

Holy cow... Lee's a modeller?
Who'd a thought?

Haha

Until you started this build I had no idea that there was another offering out there of a reimaged Viper.
I thought that Mobieus' was the only one.
You're doing a hell of a better job than I did on my Viper haha. I love watching this.

I should probably mention that the Mobieus one has the same fit issues that Revell one does and the Mobieus decals are really thick.
I had to use paint to replace some of mine because they wouldn't settle down.

Post by **Lee** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 8:54 am

The Moebius and the Revell kits are the same kit, except you get a resin figure in the Moebius offering and what looks like some one who's gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson in the Revell version!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:40 am

Right then, that makes perfect sense, (not).
Well I can tell ya that the resin figure in the Moebius kit looks like a Tyson victim as well haha.

Post by **Lee** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:23 am

It's just a rebox Michael

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:42 am

Looking great Lee! Bad luck with the chipping fluid. I've had mixed results with it myself. I think it might be a fine line between having the paint/fluid too wet and too dry. That's my experience with it anyway!

Post by **Lee** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:42 pm

Yeah - I'm going to spray at a higher pressure next time and 5-6 thinner coats, see if that works

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:49 pm

Lee wrote:Yeah - I'm going to spray at a higher pressure next time and 5-6 thinner coats, see if that works

I think it needs thicker coats, I had better results in areas where it had pooled.

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 2:40 pm

Paul wrote:
Lee wrote:Yeah - I'm going to spray at a higher pressure next time and 5-6 thinner coats, see if that works
I think it needs thicker coats, I had better results in areas where it had pooled.

Yeah, I had better results when I brushed it on.

Post by **Lee** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 2:46 pm

Paul wrote:
Lee wrote:Yeah - I'm going to spray at a higher pressure next time and 5-6 thinner coats, see if that works
I think it needs thicker coats, I had better results in areas where it had pooled.

Tried that and it was even worse...!!

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 2:54 pm

Lee wrote:
Paul wrote:
Lee wrote:Yeah - I'm going to spray at a higher pressure next time and 5-6 thinner coats, see if that works
I think it needs thicker coats, I had better results in areas where it had pooled.
Tried that and it was even worse...!!

Oh, must be a case of operator error then! Lol!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 2:57 pm

Lee wrote:
Paul wrote:
Lee wrote:Yeah - I'm going to spray at a higher pressure next time and 5-6 thinner coats, see if that works
I think it needs thicker coats, I had better results in areas where it had pooled.
Tried that and it was even worse...!!

Hmm is it the heavy chipping fluid or the worn effects you used?

Post by **Lee** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:01 pm

Worn effects...