Peterpools

John I can actually see the finish line from here.

John Agreed - terrific weathering and so very hard to keep it light and realistic

Carl Iwata Airbrushes are a pleasure to use; consistent in application and feel great in the hand.

John Some brilliant grafting and conversion work - so very well done - can't tell where you even did the grafting for the nose. I did detect a bit of chipping on the wing root and the subtle panel lines add nicely to the effect. Beautiful work as always

John Nice going .. you surely whipped the P-40 conversion into submission.

Kev Much appreciated. Nothing like the fit and pleasure of a Tamiya kit - no issues at all.

Thanks John Pretty much getting close to the finish line and then onto the Airfix Sea Fury (a dog for sure) but I've already started it while waiting for the P-38 decals, so I might as well finish it.

IT’S DECALING TIME FAILURE OR WAS IT? Still annoyed at myself for waiting this long before deciding not to use the kit decals and ordered Eduard set # 48047, which also includes the kit Squadron markings as one of the options. Eduard changed their process of how they create their decals to a digital, in-house method approximately June of 2020 (thanks Rob), which allowed the carrier film to be removed, for a painted-on mask look. The plan is to give it a try and see how it goes. With the P-38 painted and a few smooth coats of Tamiya LP-9 Clear Gloss Lacquer applied, it was left to thoroughly dry while I waited for the decals to arrive. Session One: I applied about half the larger decals with the intention of having enough done to let dry for 24 hours and then try to remove the carrier film. As usual, I tend to way over gloss the surface and getting the decals to seat is no easy task if using just water to position them. Micro Set was used in place of water to locate and set the decals or else, they just slide all over the place. Session Two: With the test decals in place, I let them dry for a good 24 hours and now it was showtime. Best place to start was the upper wing decal as it is the safest decal to start with and if need be, I could splice or double decal if need be. I worked carefully and had no issues removing the decal film from the edges, over the clear gloss but as soon as the clear film was removed from on the actual decal, a large chunk peeled off – not good at all. Not sure why the decal didn’t bite into the gloss coat in that spot and I wasn’t going to tempt fate any further. From here on in, I would finish decaling the P-38 as I always do, let dry another 24 hours and then seal in all the decals with another few coats of LP-9; just too risky any other way. Session Three: The Eduard decals are very thin and seem to be the equal of Cartograf in look and application. I’m staying with my time-tested method and finishing up that way. Of course, I kept looking at the Tamiya decals and they just didn’t look thick at all, only with the carrier film a bit milkier as compared to the Eduard decals. What the heck and why not give them a shot. I was blown away, as the Tamiya decals went down just beautifully with zero issues at all. I started with the shark’s teeth and was one happy camper. Tamiya, my apologies and I’ll never doubt you again. Still some decaling work to do, panel line washes to apply and then start sealing up the decals and paint work with a few more coats of Tamiya LP-9 Gloss and lastly, finishing up with Tamiya LP-24 Semi Gloss.

Dennis Kow exactly how you feel.

Thanks Rob, appreciate the info and am looking forward to building a few hellcats this year as well. Nothing like building aircraft from the Iron Works gang when you grew up on Long Island, maybe 15 minutes from the factory in Bethpage (of course, traffic was a whole lot less back then). 🚗

Oliver just love following your progress and the weathering: just gorgeous.

Dennis So glad your eyes are back to normal and you are able to see and enjoy working at the bench. Nice progress on the Re2005 as she is back underway again.

Hi Chris Still plugging away with the decals and they are almost done. I settled on a combination of both kit and Eduard decals and that has seemed to work out pretty well. Looking forward to doing an update a little later this week and I can finally see the finish line not to far away. While waiting for the Eduard decals to arrive, I started working on the Airfix Sea Fury and adding all the Barracuda upgrade sets, as the Airfix kit left a lot to be desired.

Hi Paul Good days and not so good one but the good ones are starting to outnumber the bad ones. 👍

Hi Kev Didn't go as planned and after a nice size chunk of the decal lift when I was removing the carrier film, I decided to finish decaling the P-38 as normal and hopefully, all should be A-OK.

Hi Chris Finally started decaling a few days ago and let the initial decals dry for a good 24 hours. Then for the big test: the clear carrier film was easy to peel up and remove from the gloss surface but as soon as I was over the decal, a nice size chunk lifted right off the model. Not good at all and I've decided to finish decaling the P-38 in the traditional manor, seal them in with a few more coats of clear gloss and move on. Should work just fine this way as well. I think the stumbling block is the amount of adhesive on the actual decal isn't enough to hold the decal down when trying to lift and remove the carrier film. Eduard has said that they never designed their decals to have the carrier film removable, only it was a happy accident.

Hi John Somew mighty neat RAF and USAAF collectables. Never knew these were around for collecting and a nice piece of history to own. Always wanted to collect old analog aircraft instruments and just may give it a shot.

John Looking mighty sweet and I think I won the bet ... with my money riding on you. 💲

Martin, you're amazing .. how you find all the incredible information and photographs you post for us is a wonder and so gratefully appreciated. 🏆

Latest Eduard F6F-3 Hellcat Profi kit it's been in the stash for a while but after seeing Scott and Carl go to town on the Hobbycraft kit, I pulled the Airfix version out and will be digging in right after the P-38 is across the line.

WOW ... now that's something you don't see everyday. ❗

Good call - wearing gloves and wearing sunglasses is the only way to go😎

Gus Some mighty nice progress. Incredible on how much work was required to have the glass sit in place correctly. Looking so good. 👍

Rob Spectacular NMF and the rivets .. right over the top. Just an awesome build. 🏆

Rob I'll need to try the Yahu IP's, as I've yet to do so. Wish HGW would start doing seatbelts and harnesses in 48th scale - I would jump all over them.