old stuff

[rjccjr]

Hi All;

This segment is a discussion of techniques used in an attempt to make a very old card model presentable. To begin, it's from a curatorial point of view. There are some considerations before this even starts. First there is no attempt to be made at improving the original. The mistakes made in the original build will not be fixed. It has to be decided at the outset how much time and effort will be necessary to make the old model presentable and even if the expenditure is worth the effort. It is also to be decided whether any missing parts should be replaced.

The first step is to study the model to find out what needs to be done. Some photographs should be taken so a before and after record can be made. The next is to estimate what tools and methods are likely to work. Then estimate which probably won't. On a wood or plastic model the use of a modified vacuum cleaner and a good washing could be useful. Not with card. Definitely not with card. During the first round of cleaning a fairly large brush and moist, cotton swabs, might be useful.

When the model was first built, I was a smoker as were most friends and visitors. Not long after, the smoking wasn't any longer a factor. The model was in a case, but it was frequently opened and loosely constructed. Cigar, pipe or cigarette smoke make accumulated dirt and dust gluey. Models not in a case, or dust cover, at all, can be ruined by continued exposure to such an environment. A loose case will still allow grime and dust, but at a lesser rate and the dust will be drier. During inspection it was noted that the model had several tears to be remedied, the card had yellowed with age, some glue joints had crystallized and collected grime in the bridge wings was unreachable with the tools on hand.

Photo 1r shows the case where models without dust covers are kept. It is partly open for access. The transparent panels are acrylic to save weight. It admits air freely. Photo2r shows Emden with an array of tools likely to be useful in the initial cleaning and several parts which fell off due to aged glue. It was quickly realized that the larger brushes wouldn't reach tight areas like bridge wings and searchlight tubs. Photo 3r shows a long bristle script lining brush and a short camels hair brush for getting at difficult areas. Notice that the bridge wings are cleaner and the areas beneath the ships boats are now free of dust. Photo 4r shows a partially successful attempt to close a hull tear near the aft port side deck gun. The deck just aft of the gun was dished in and a teriyaki skewer was used to pry the deck back into position. A good deal of rust colored mildew spots cover the decks. Photo 5r shows the mid ship area after the first round of brush and swab cleaning. The moist swabs must be used gently to avoid scouring the print. Photo 6r shows the area of the deck before the attempt to deal with the hull tear. Note that the dented deck has pulled the support post and the edge of the deck house out of position. Photo 7r shows the bridge area and foremast tower before cleaning. Dust and dirt are visible in the bridge wings and searchlight tubs. The starboard ships boat has been stove in. There will be an attempt to fix it with the skewer. It could possibly be replaced. Thought is being given to replacing masts and spars with bamboo slivers, but that will not be dealt with until close to the end of the project.

Regards, rjccjr.

[rjccjr]

Hi All;

You want to see true grit? This is true grit. This one was a real mess. It's an old 1/48 scale Academy P-47D bubble top. When first built it was fairly accurate, well detailed and was an easy build. "Natural metal" finishes are tough to do. In fact many such finishes on real aircraft were painted aluminum for preservative reasons. Photo r1 shows the model right off the shelf. All those extra bracing wires and antennae are strings of dust or old spider webs. Photo r2 is a closer view of the tail plane area. The decals of red and white stripes have gone brittle and are chipped along the leading and trailing edges. Photo 3r shows the effect of brushing. The major dust is gone, but the model still needs cleaning. Photo 4r shows the outer wing panel after cleaning with swabs. Photo r5 shows an inspiration. It's an empty nasal medication mist pump. The cover was removed and the bottle was filled with a mixture of water and liquid hand soap. This has the advantage of localized spray so you can work small areas at a time. Photo r6 shows the stabilizer area. The left side was swabbed. The right side was wet down and with the spray bottle and then swabbed. The model had been over sprayed when built in the 1990s, but you can clearly see the chipping due to age. The decals could be removed and replaced, but that isn't going to happen due to my age and condition. Photo 8r shows the frontal area after cleaning. The last photo is from the rear after cleanup. The paint job, panel shading, highlights and major decals have held up well. It was a good kit, looks presentable and will stay on the shelf, even though it's somewhat the worse for wear. It's condition kind of reminds me of me.

Regards, rjccjr

[Michael Mash]

You deserve credit for restoring this one.
Quite an improvement from the first photo to the last.