Grex TritiumTG3 Airbrush

  Dual Action Pistol Style Airbrush

Part of the Tritium Series, premium line of double action pistol style airbrushes, the TG combines ease-of-use, comfort, superior detail control and the versatility of using the perfect top gravity cup size for your project. Coupled with several unique and patented features, this airbrush truly is a Grex.

 I have been thinking of buying a Grex airbrush for some time on the advice of some of my American modelling friends. However with no active Grex distributor in the UK, I was reluctant to order one from America. I then learnt that there was a new distributor in the UK. Whilst talking to Sean Middleton the owner of TopNotch Models about his masks he told me that he was in the process of becoming a dealer for Grex Airbrushes. I expressed my interest in buying a TG3 but wanted to try one before buying. Sean invited me to his home to try his own TG3. A mutually convenient date was arranged. Sean invited me to bring a selection of my favourite paints to try with the TG3.

Sean and I spent an afternoon trying my various paints in his TG3 with a selection of nozzle and needle sets. At the end of the afternoon, I was hooked and placed an order for a TG3. A few weeks later my TG3 arrived as promised.

As you will see from the above photo the TG3 comes well packaged and is supplied with three paint cup sizes and a selection of hose connections. After my afternoon with Sean, I had opted to order my TG3 with a 0.3mm needle/nozzle. However I could have chosen either or:

0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 0.7mm

As you handled a Grex airbrush you are immediately aware of the solid build quality. They just exude quality, they are solid, smooth in action and comfortable to hold.

I bet right now you are looking or even concerned about the pistol styling of the TG3 and the 'trigger' style action? Well, I was dubious at first but after a few minutes of using the airbrush, I was sold on the concept. It is more controllable and comfortable than the conventional button/lever option on most airbrushes. However, if you're not convinced you can always opt for the Grex Genesis XGi which has the more conventional button/lever arrangement.

Let me now tell you of some of the features that are standard with the TG3:

• Interchangeable top mount reservoirs.
• Inline top mount cups offer balanced handling of the airbrush.
• Preset adjustment knob for precise paint volume control.
• Replaceable solvent proof Teflon seals allows use of all media.
• Three reservoirs: 2mL (1/20 oz.), 7mL (1/4 oz.) and 15mL (1/2 oz.).
• Quick-Fit™ crown cap allows detailed spraying close to work surface.
• Easy-to-use "pull" trigger controls both air and paint.
• Ergonomic pistol handgrip with a textured surface for a firm comfortable grip.

Conclusion:

The Grex series of airbrushes are the 'Rolls Royce' of airbrushes, and like a Rolls Royce, they are comfortable and exude class. Yes, you're going to pay a little more for a Grex but this cost will be offset by the extra life you will get. To give you some idea, in just over seven years of modelling I've already worn out two 'quality' airbrushes. I'm expecting this TG3 to outlast both of them. Anyway, it's worth that little bit extra to get an airbrush that is comfortable to hold and use, cleans easy and with its interchangeable paint cups and nozzle caps is more versatile, out of the box than any other airbrush I have come across in ten years of modelling.

I would like to thank Sean of TopNotch Models to whom I am indebted for his hospitality and help in selecting and purchasing this Grex TG3.

  

MR. PAINT

 Acrylic Paint for Airbrushing

MR.PAINT is a Slovak firm who focus on producing paints for modellers. Their colours allow modellers to use authentic colours and tones and to be assured that they are correct.  

The paints  we have are designed specifically to be used with an airbrush. All paints are pre-thinned for immediate use with a 0.3mm nozzle, however I use them with a 0.2mm nozzle with no problems. The manufacturer suggests that further thinning may be required with smaller diameter nozzles and for this they recommend our own thinning agent, MR.THINNER. However I never found that I needed to thin the paints.

 I found that MR. PAINT worked best for me at a pressure of 5psi (0.35 bar) using my H & S Evolution using a 0.2mm Needle/Nozzle set. At this pressure I found MR. PAINT to be the most controllable and was I was able to do some very fine modelling on my 1:32 Revell Bf 109G-10.

Conclusion:

Am I sold on this new paint? You bet I am, if there is any disadvantage it is the smell and the need to use in a well ventilated room, on account of it being a lacquer based acrylic paint. What I love is the ease of use, ease of cleaning the airbrush. 

The paint sprays like Alclad and has the covering and translucent qualities of Mr Hobby Gunze Aqueous.

I highly recommend this paint for the dedicated modeller.

I am indebted to and wish to thank Mr James Hatch of Large Scale Modeller for his help in securing these paints for trial and review.

Coastal Kits Display Bases

1:32 German Frigate Helicopter Pad

 

Gary from Coastal Kits was kind enough to send me the 1:32 sized version from his German Frigate Helipad Base for review. On arrival the base was as described. Constructed from durable, hard wearing 3mm Foamex board, which is a rigid, weatherproof plastic. The design is printed with the latest odourless latex ink onto laminated matt vinyl that gives a near photographic quality base. This all makes for a rigid but light display base.

The obvious candidate to be displayed on this base was my 1:32 Revell Lynx Mk.88 in Marineflieger colours.

 

The Range 

Coastal Kits range are ideal whether you are an experienced modeller looking to display your favourite model kit, or are looking to enter the world of diorama building, Coastal Kits display base range is an ideal way of bringing your model kits to life. The most popular designs are available in all scales from 1:144 to 1:32, with some bases avail able in the less popular but specialist scales of 1:43, 1:35, 1:24, 1:20 and 1:16

As you will guess from the above scales there are bases for Armour, Vehicles and even some for maritime modellers.

   

The Company

Founded in 2011, Coastal Kits is a family run business based in Blackpool, Lancashire UK and originally retailed plastic model kits and associated hobby supplies.

 

During the latter end of 2012/early 2013 they introduced to market their own range of display bases, encouraged by a successful launch at Scale Model World Telford where they were well received. Because of the success and popularity of the product they decided to concentrate solely on the manufacture and supply of display bases.

 

Continually developed, and after listening closely to their customers, the range covers a variety of popular scales and subjects with a choice of over 220.  Custom bases are also provided to customer requirements when requested.

 

Conclusions

If you're looking for an easy and inexpensive way to improve the display of your models Then a Coastal Kits Base is for you.

Many thanks to Gary from Coastal Kits for sending this review sample.

Coastal Kits can be contacted HERE and their Facebook page is HERE

Review - MIG AMMO Panel Line Washes - Early RAF Fighters and Bombers

MIG AMMO Panel Line Washes

Early RAF Fighters and Bombers

I have heard good reports about mig AMMO Panel Line Washes (PLW), so I decided to give them a try. Having never used enamel based washes before I did a little research, referencing mig AMMO's YouTube channel, the mig AMMO Weathering (Planes) magazine and got some excellent advice from my good friends Lloyd King and Dave Oliver.

 

As a test I chose the RAF Fighters and Bombers pack as I was in the middle of my 1:32 Revell Spitfire Mk.II build and thought this would be a good opportunity to give them a try.

 

The set consists of three washes. Storm Grey, Neutral Brown and Stone Grey. The bottles are about the same diameter as Tamiya/Gunze bottles so fit nicely into at rack designed for 36mm bottles.

I won't got into the technique for using them here but I found that they needed to be left to dry, once applied to the model, overnight before removing the excess. 

Once removed the overall finish is subtle as can be seen on my Spitfire.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

As long as you use the recognised method of application and removal of excess wash then you shouldn't go wrong and finish up with a lovely subtle panel finish on you model. I highly recommend these washes. I've already added another two sets to my wash collection.

AK Interactive Acrylic Paint Set (RAF Camouflage)

 AK Interactive Acrylic Paint Set 

(RAF Camouflage)

Paints, every modeller has their favourite manufacturers. The choices are vast and varied. I know I have probable tried, if not all of them, then a large proportion of them. 

This set came to me by way of a friend who having purchased them wasn't keen on AK's colours, believing them to be wrong. Not being familiar with the AK range I did a bit of researching and from their website read this:

"This paint set includes the exact colors the British used to paint their aircrafts and has been formulated in consideration of the Scale Reduction Effect (subtle lighter than actual color), to obtain the correct colors in our kits. All of these colors have been carefully studied by historians and formulated to accurately represent the colors of the RAF."

So that explains the the colour looking wrong to my friend.

The set consist of eight 17ml plastic bottles and has the following colours:

-AK2011 RAF DARK GREEN
-AK2012 RAF DARK EARTH
-AK2013 RAF MEDIUM SEA GREY
-AK2014 RAF OCEAN GREY
-AK2015 RAF SKY
-AK2016 RAF MIDDLE STONE
-AK2017 RAF AZURE BLUE
-AK2018 AIRCRAFT GREY GREEN

This choice should cover most RAF aircraft of WWII

 

  

In use:

To my delight I found these paints sprayed straight from the bottle, after a bit of experimentation I found that I got the best results out of my H&S Evolution fitted with a 0.15mm needle/nozzle was to use an air pressure of between 5 PSI - 10 PSI. I did find that the bottles need to be shaken well to disperse the pigment which tends to settle out over time.

To make some comparisons I think the paint sprays like Vallejo Model Air and has the same translucently of Gunze paints. 

Conclusions:

Do I like the paints? You bet I do. They spray well and are trouble free to use. Will I be getting some more? Oh yes. Plenty of suppliers stock them and the cost is competitive. Do I like the colours? Again yes I do. I feel AK have got them just right to give a true scale colour.

Review - The Weathering Aircraft Magazine - Panels

The Weathering Aircraft Magazine

PANELS

Another magazine from the Mig AMMO stable, issue 1 concentrates on finishing model aircraft using a variety of methods and products. Consisting of 68 pages of large, detailed photos and text, it takes the reader through several techniques using six different models. 

 

 

The magazine covers how to scribe panel and rivet lines, highlighting panels, and apply washes to panel lines. Using “step by step” articles it takes us through multiple techniques from some of the worlds best modellers.

It covers the use of different products, techniques, and results available to modeller's This first issue also explains how to include panel techniques with the other weathering  techniques needed for model aircraft. 

 

 

 Conclusion:

Having never used enamel based washes before I have been waiting for a publication like this one that tells you exactly, in 'bite sized pieces' how to finish you models. So for the first time I have purchased some of the products feature in the issue and so far I'm please with the result (watch out for future review). 

The magazine is being published four times a year and costs £6.34/€9.00 per issue and a 12 month subscription costs £26.77/€38.00 

Happy Christmas

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all my readers a

Have you ever wondered how Santa gets around the world in 24 hours and is never seen?

 

 

 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas