DocRob

Wow, seems it will be the most comprehensive of your great pdf-build logs. I hope you pull through this difficult build. Cheers Rob

It heavily depends on the subject. With my actual Cobra Coupe build, as well as other car builds, I try to paint all body parts and body colored sub assemblies at the same time, to have an exactly fitting color in the end. This includes all the steps from priming to final clear coating. With tanks or weathered planes, I try to paint as much together as possibly, but not as dogmatic as with car builds. You can hide slight discolorations behind weathering or a good cover story (replacement parts, etc.) I generally try to build as far as possible before painting. I would never paint on the sprues, except for tiny details. I never painted separate larger body sections at different time, like you do, but it works for you and your results are great. Cheers Rob

It is nearly this, Chris, except for the scale and no oily fingers . Cheers Rob

It´s indeed an iterative process and I hope the tiny threads for the screws hold up for numerous disassembling sessions. It can be a bit trying at times, specially considering, I wanted to spray on first paints on the body parts long ago, but it´s best to take time and prepare and align everything ahead of painting. Cheers Rob

What I can see looks very promising. There are indeed lots of parts used for the internals, but with the open cockpit and the possibility to leave the hatches open, a lot remains visible. When I remember my build correct, there were no real letdowns. The kit itself is near Tamiya quality and I truly enjoyed building this quirky bird. Here is a link to my build log, if you´d like to take a peep. Cheers Rob

At least, it was not a space consuming hangar queen , but you finished her beautifully. The paintjob looks great and the airfield is a nice addition. Cheers Rob

Maybe, got the ZM one. Cheers Rob

I really like your painting and weathering abilities, FA. I could never paint in sequences, like you do. Your problem solving is also great, like the paste jig for the slatted vents, which actually look so much better. Cheers Rob

I love it Hubert, as an ex engineer, I can only admire your capabilities with metals. Bummer, you need to paint it. Cheers Rob

Close to the finish line, Gus. What a rare beauty, well, beauty in a way , but I like these early jet designs and you seem to tackle her easily. Cheers Rob

I did shy away from these steps for a while Chris, but it has to be done. I hope my later to add 2 mm magnets will keep bonnet, rear hatch and doors in place, when finished. Don´t get me wrong about the quality of the kits, they are extremely well engineered, but so close to the real thing, that even Tamiya´s 1/12 kits seem like cheaters. Cheers Rob

Somehow even these delicate steps are rewarding, Mike. You need a different methodical approach with all the sub assemblies, but I can see the day, when I start to paint. Cheers Rob

I know Hubert, but want to do the preparations as good as possible. No way to tell, how everything will fit onto the chassis in the end. It´s definitely a phase in the build where I don´t want to rush anything. Cheers Rob

Happy New Year to everyone, may it be a good one. In my sparse hours of bench time, I continued with the body preparation of the Cobra Coupe. Dozens of holes got drilled, often not through the body, which is rather difficult. The dreaded hinges for doors and rear hatch were screwed into place. For the doors, I had to refill the holes with CA and re drill for better fit. There are only tiny 1,4 mm screws, holding in the resin body, how long, I don´t know. The doors and hatch need to be removed for painting and further assembly and I hob the threads hold up. There is a lot of sanding involved as well and every adjoined part needs to be checked and prepared. Mynext goal is to partly paint the interior and then add the body parts to the chassis, to finally check the fit. Cheers Rob

Very beautiful paintjob, the vivid colors are looking great on your Jug. Cheers Rob

I also hope you´ll make it Carl. The paintjob looks great and astonishingly vivid. Cheers Rob

Bummer with the finish, Hubert. I use X22 as a base layer for decaling my WW1 birds with huge Aviattic Lozenge and usually have a perfect glossy finish, when thinned with Mr. Leveling Thinner, no orange peel, no nada. When you add a clear cot on top, you have an even better look, somehow deeper. I love the guy with his aviators and flowery Hawaiian shirt, so cool. Cheers Rob

Great detail work on the engines, Mike. Like Hubert, I mostly drill tiny holes with a hand held pin vise, but when there is a lot of drilling to be done, like with MFH kits, I use my Proxxon micro drill on a stand and with a foot pedal, which works equally well, with both hands free to hold the parts. Until now, I never made larger tarpaulins, but liked the tin foil of wine bottle caps very much. The oil cart will be a very nice addition to the dio. Cheers Rob

Indeed, as well as sponges for cleaning pans. Coarse steel wool can be also used to spry through with the airbrush, to achieve unregular base layers. Cheers Rob

Thank you Carl, Chris and Mike. I can feel the discouragement Mike is experiencing and hope to avoid it. At this point of the build, all subassemblies going into the body has to be test fitted and approved. All clean up needs to be addressed, my head is whirling and I permanently find new parts or areas, which need to be put into consideration. This is why I shied away, buying the Alfa Tipo 33 Stradale with it´s huge bonnet and wing doors. My next MFH build will probably be a F1 racer, where it is easier to get the smaller body parts to fit. Cheers Rob

Only missing a wee dram as a digestive, Gus Cheers Rob

Thank you Gus, for being the embedded researcher for Scottish fishing vessel affairs . The layout of the hull is very much looking like mine, which is typical for these boats. I ´ve seen some pictures of other boats, which share the shape of the hull, but are different above the deck. I´m really astonished about the bulwark being so low with these tough weather proved boats. There is not a lot of protection from the sea on deck. Cheers Rob

This could be my next wooden ship build, before or after finishing rigging on my Duchess of Kingston. The scale, the subject and not a lot of rigging triggered me with the Fifie. Cheers Rob

I haven´t looked too closely, but haven´t you received two kits in the raffle, Hubert? . Cheers Rob

Another Christmas present arrived lately. Actually it was a great Black Friday deal of the Fifie fishing vessel, which I wanted to have in my net since a while. It is noticeable designed by Chris Watton for Amati, who now does his own business with highest quality approaches in form of Vanguard Models. Another real benefit of the kit is the 1/32 scale, large enough to detail and widespread enough to source some decent figures. I eventually plan to build the Fifie in a worn, used look, which would be completely new to me, considering wooden ships. Cheers Rob