Peterpools

Thanks Pete Much appreciated. Making nice progress and about ready for another update as the main gear bays are done and the twin tail booms are ready to be closed up. Just a pleasure to work on a kit where the parts fit as intended and the instructions are clear as a bell. 👍

Kev Just taking a stab at it - if the Light Sheen Clear Cote dried with a texture, wet sanding is the best way to go, which I've had my share of practice at. I normally start at 1500 - 2000 and very gently rub in a circular motion, checking constantly that I'm not eating through the paint and down to bare plastic. It takes a bit, but the finish will smooth out. 800 seemed to have been a bit too course, as every manufacture's grit rating seems to be a bit different. If the Light Sheen Lacquer was too thin, rubbing with 91% alcohol will eat right through it and the rest is history. I would always avoid anything that has the potential of dissolving the paint or clear cote to help smooth it out. Glad you were able to re-paint and all is now well.

John Good choice and two tone for sure 😉

Dave Nice progress and the ignition wires look mighty good.

Oliver Looks absolutely perfect to me. Please pass along some of the tips and tricks you pic up from those armor modelers.

Pete I only wish my 'final party fits' were that rough.

Kev Cammo looking mighty good. I shoot Mr Color quite a bit and exclusively when I need a gloss finish right out of the gun. I normally thin MC 75/25 paint to thinner and work at around 1 - 1.5 bars (easier to read Bars then the PSI on my Sparmax's tiny pressure gauge). Most air brush work is with either a H&S Infinity CR Plus with a .2 or .4 tip. I'm too much of a chicken not to use the protective fork cap as replacement parts are in the same price league as an ounce of gold. Yup, the yellow fuselage band is a spot bright and agree that with a bit of a weathering wash, will tone down just fine.

Rob YES❗ So glad the juices and desire to pick up the Nachtigall again are flowing at high speed. Very nice start on detailing the rear of the panel and once the 'canopy is closed up, the balance of the build will hopefully downhill and picking up speed. I did try a while ago to reach out to Kai by PM but no response. Gaz did say he was in contact with Kai and all is well but that's all I know. Wish he would stop by from time to time and same with Wolf.

Hi Phil Yup, I do remember your P-38 build and though it was so very well done. It's just amazing how Tamiya thinks things though and engineers their kits with an abundance of detail, beautiful fit and nearly perfect instructions. I already have the nose. MG assembly glued in place but if I can fit the Master Barrels MG in from the front, I'll most likely give them a try.

John Flawless work ...cammo looks perfect.

Martin As always - the Seventh Cavalry to the rescue and just what I was looking for.

Thanks Rob Greatly appreciated and they will come in very handy. Downloading them now for my P-38 work folder.

Gaz No worries, I do it all the time. Gaz glad you're on board for the journey. Just hang in there and work at the bench when time and energy permits.

Unbelievable, just incredible work. I can't wait to hear her purr when you turn the key and hit the starter button.🏆

Thanks Martin, glad you're on board for the journey. My to favorites parts of any build: the front office and painting. Right with you on wishing Tamiya would upscale a number of their newer 4thy scale kits but not wanting to be a downer, I just don't think there is much of a chance of that happening. Just seems after the past few years, Tamiya days of producing any new 32nd scale kits, isn't in the cards.

Rob Much appreciated and I haven't enjoyed a build as much as I am with the P-38 in a long time. Hard to admit, but the P-38 is more enjoyable and satisfying then their Spitfire Mk.XVIe, I built last year. Just can't believe how eager I've now been to hit the bench and keep building. Any pics would absolutely be appreciated, especially of the gear and wheel wells, as the kit's is so well detailed and I want to detail paint them correctly. Yup, your Caudron racer was a good deal part of the seed that pointed into the direction I'm now going. For me, the hobby now has been all about enjoyments and relaxation. The early years were all about competition and I', glad all that is behind me.

Pete Absolutely incredible detail work - just blown away.

PW Just wish you would have expressed it that way. Let's just let it slide. Peter

Thanks Kev Going with the kit decals; OOB. Like the way they look and Tamiya's newer decals seem to work well for me. Sure hope that doesn't put a jinx on the decals 🤞

John Amazing progress as always - looking so good.

Thanks John, much appreciated

PW Working on the Lightning almost every day and she is a dream for sure. I've never 'bought' that a beautifully engineered Tamiya kit falls together all by themselves and believe me they don't. Lots to do and a lot of kit for the money. What Tamiya does do better then anyone else in my opinion, is correctly engineer a kit, so the builder doesn't have to correct all the mistakes and ill-fitting parts. Somehow fixing manufactures issues has become to be known as modeling but not to me. You get what you pay for and Tamiya kits cost what they do as they deliver everything the purchaser expects and wants.

Thanks John, those Quinta cockpits are amazing. Just took a while to get use to working 'smaller'. You're so right and no stress at all.

Thanks Phil So far all Tamiya and a pleasure to work on.

Thanks Carl ... good to know. I needed a stress reliever and so far, the kit is brilliant - typical Tamiyas