1/72 & 1/144 Bandai X-Wing Red 5 *Complete*
- Thread starter JNordgren42
- Start date
JNordgren42
Sr Member
It's a very cheap knock off of an Iwata HP-C. There are definitely some frustrations with it. You have to be very careful of nozzle o-ring air leaks and the trigger has a tendency to stick if not cleaned meticulously, but it's not half bad for the price. I have a little contractors pancake compressor that's noisy as hell, but it works.
Here's a link to the airbrush on Amazon:
I'm probably going to upgrade in the near future, the Harder & Steenbeck Evolution looks like a fantastic gun that, while not inexpensive, isn't up in nosebleed territory (at least for me, YMMV). They make a nice set with two needle/nozzle sets (.2mm & .4mm), two paint cups 2ml & 5ml, and the paint flow control handle (that lets you dial in a maximum flow setting on the trigger).
This set is about $200, but the basic model is about half that.
If I was a beginner, I'd probably start with a decent airbrush from the beginning, the quirks of a cheap gun can lead to a lot of frustration while you're learning. Also don't forget that you'll need a hose, regulator and filter, and possibly some miscellaneous fittings depending on exactly what you buy.
Hagoth
Sr Member
Thanks for the detailed info. I think I have been following you around on sites. Haha! I have picked up on the same "be careful" warning as you mentioned. Same deal on compressors. Likely get one with a tank so at least it shuts off for short periods. The official Iwata HP-C is one that I've had my eye on. The other is the Badger Patriot as a good starter gun. Want to get two nozzle sizes (in the 0.25 to 0.5ish range) so the Evolution set is also a consideration.
Chrisisall
Sr Member
Primitive tools force creativity IMHO.
JNordgren42
Sr Member
From my research the Evolution has some pretty innovative features, especially in the nozzle design that makes it self centering and should make it much nicer to clean and operate. Also current versions use all PTFE (Teflon) seals that are much more durable and resistant to solvents, which is a good thing since I've taken to Mr. Color lacquers since getting back into modeling and rubber will have issues with the solvents sooner or later.
I have a 6gal Porter Cable pancake compressor, and if I fill it up in the morning I can shut it off and I can paint all day on that one tank. Really nice to have a quiet space while in the zone, you know?
SB
EDIT: I usually am painting at anywhere from 15-20 psi, depending on the paint.
SB
EDIT: I usually am painting at anywhere from 15-20 psi, depending on the paint.
Last edited:
Hagoth
Sr Member
Yeah, that sounds nice. ...silence is a sound. At lest the sound of it is a good song.
Do you charge it all they way up to 150 psi in order to paint all day?
starks
Sr Member
Really enjoyable looking through your work mate.
You did an absolute fantastic job on that 1/72 Xwing. Builds like this give the rest of us a quality to aspire to! And I have my own build coming up soon so this really helps.
A tip I really found helped with the pre shading... unless a dark subject find a colour other than black. On my Millennium Falcon I used German grey over light grey primer meaning I only needed one very light coat of colour to get effective coverage. You achieve the same result but less build and less paint usage is always a plus!
As for airbrushes I bought a Neo by Iwata after I got a bit frustrated with my old Iwata and really can't spruik it enough, it has a grip and trigger and makes control sooo much easier.
Cheers,
Josh
You did an absolute fantastic job on that 1/72 Xwing. Builds like this give the rest of us a quality to aspire to! And I have my own build coming up soon so this really helps.
A tip I really found helped with the pre shading... unless a dark subject find a colour other than black. On my Millennium Falcon I used German grey over light grey primer meaning I only needed one very light coat of colour to get effective coverage. You achieve the same result but less build and less paint usage is always a plus!
As for airbrushes I bought a Neo by Iwata after I got a bit frustrated with my old Iwata and really can't spruik it enough, it has a grip and trigger and makes control sooo much easier.
Cheers,
Josh
JNordgren42
Sr Member
I'll check out the Neo a little more closely.
JNordgren42
Sr Member
I've got the base colors sprayed on the 1/144 model. I'm going to let it cure a bit, then spray a coat of clear, then weathering. I'll paint the canopy glass and R-2 after weathering.
JNordgren42
Sr Member
Mist coat, clear coat, and fist layer of wash applied. I think I'm going to have to make sure I have a very light touch on the smaller one, it could quickly overwhelm things.
JNordgren42
Sr Member
I'm calling the 1/144 done too. One of the nice things about the small models is that the weathering goes really quickly. I'll probably let it sit for a few days and take a fresh look with a critical eye to see if I want to touch anything up. One thing I'll definitely havt to come back to is the lower port laser canon, I snapped the tip off and didn't get it aligned correctly when I glued it back together. They're super delicate and if I try now, I'll just make it worse.
With big brother:
With my 1/144 Falcon:
And with the T-70's that brought me back into modeling:
With big brother:
With my 1/144 Falcon:
And with the T-70's that brought me back into modeling:
Jimmer
Well-Known Member
We're both members in a Facebook model group and I saw pics of your X-wing and you were gracious enough to give me detailed info on your paint procedure, but I'm glad I saw it here to get even more info on preshading.
Beautiful work...one of the best I've seen in a long while.
Beautiful work...one of the best I've seen in a long while.
Chrisisall
Sr Member
Amazingly restrained & subtle work here, incredibly nice IMHO.
