Billings Boulogne Etaples BB534

I meant to add - I have no constraints on my time - just on my purse, hence the ebay purchases

Barrie

I'm really surprised that the 1:60 is hard to obtain now. More recently the 1:30 was hard to find but now abundant.
I bought an old Nordkap on eBay that turned out to be a bag of crap but eBay refunded me and I kept all the wood for stock. It wasn't buildable but was recyclable 

This is cheapest I can find this minute 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Billing-Boats-Andrea-Gail-1-60-Baukasten-BB0608/361597409939?epid=26011375662&hash=item5430e29a93:g:m~EAAOSwfVpYuYzI

A massive drop in temperate since Tuesday put a kibosh on painting but then....


I got a break, the sky cleared and it warmed up a little enough to get some coats done.
In a change of plan I feathered the edge of the anti fouling coat and got it twice lacquered. When hardened this will be masked off to do the white above etc.



I've covered the boat testing tub so I can paint under cover  



I've been having a bit of trouble with white but today I discovered that Tamiya TS-101 base white has a significantly better covering power. it is designed for applying over dark colours.
Here the wheelhouse is now ready for the lower half finishing in racing green. The separate interference fit glazing frames will be dark grey.

Assembly for effect, awaiting further painting 

Hi Andy, 
I've been following your build and I have developed a bad case of pigment envy!  Some of your finishes look mirror-like... most impressive.  What is your process?  You mentioned you are using filler?  What kind of filler?  I'm assuming its not just standard "plastic wood" as its called here in the US.  I understand you are using Tamiya paints ... in rattle cans (from the shot over your hot tub).  The wheelhouse green is gorgeous... do you paint green and then cover with layers of lacquer? I've tried sanding between coats (320 grit maybe) and then buffing with steel wool .. but I can still the wood grain come through and it certainly isn't as perfect as your results. 

Appreciate your insight! 

-- Nat 
Seattle USA

Hi Nat. Thank you and I'm glad you like the build.
The Tamiya racing green is straight out of the can, nothing added afterwards. Many Tamiya colours are for aircraft and military related so are mostly matt to satin so you have to discover what is what.
For filling I used to exclusively use Squadron but they have changed the formula and it is now CRAP. The original if you can find it has a flat black cap as in my picture.
Since the discovery of the new squadron I and others have had to find alternatives and for flat areas I use Mr Hobby, for corners cracks and seams I use Vallejo plastic acrylic putty with the handy nozzle.

For grain filling bare wood I tend to use coats of acrylic automotive lacquer sanding between each.
 
The anti fouling coat is red automotive primer covered with satin lacquer.

I don't normally like gloss but in this instance the green may survive not getting overcoated.

This is Tamiya too and a friend Joked it's like Wedgwood pottery  but the finish is terrific if you don't want gloss. This range of non gloss sprays great but it touches up with brush like you would not know.
Racing green on the Lobster pot buoy here too 

Forum platform won't cap picture size so here's a link to bigger picture. Click it again when it opens 
https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boulogne-Etaples/i-BFhkC5c/0/13333f42/4K/CDF76820-3751-4BCC-8AD2-B828CC69E9D3-4K.jpg?fbclid=IwAR0MzQkxkmhtH2D6GM2IuRUvAAoX2wcxIfTV9Iy8WRgyWf2fjr1wOenqS8s

While awaiting a warm enough day for lacquering. I thought I'd fit the basic running package.

I managed to get some lacquer on after all today. First I took the edge off the white with 1500 grit.
Tomorrow I will mask off the fancy waterline to apply the green.

I like the colour scheme Andy - very smart

Barrie

Thanks Barrie

Ready to sail 

Very smart Andy. Do you have a lake open where you can sail?

Barrie

Thank you Barrie
Kirklees is still closed but Balne Moor is private and open to members
I’m taking her to Wilsthorpe near Bridlington next month
She’ll have her maiden in the sea