Peterpools

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

TAMIYA P-38F LIGHTNING 1/48th SCALE Working on two ZM kits for months has finally wore me out, as my mojo had flown the coop. The 109 and the Skyraider were moving along at a nice clip but an endless stream of issues to deal with and it surely was time for a major break to recharge the batteries. The two kits sat on the bench and I had no enthusiasm to join them and keep going, for at least the present time being. I needed to change gears, rejuvenate the juices and I turned to my to favorite kit company: Tamiya. My stash is at least 85% Tamiya, both 32nd and 48th scale, so I had no problem where to head, just what to build. Decision made: 1/48 P-38F Lightning with a Quinta Cockpit set – I was off and running. Yes, I’m a huge Tamiya Fan Boy and mighty proud of it. Instructions, pure Tamiya: easy to read, understand and follow, with no guessing needed. As with most kits, construction started with the front office. I spent a good ten plus hours carefully constructing the office, preparing the parts for the Quinta decals, painting and then applying them. The office is done and one hundred percent enjoyment. Only cleanup needed was removing the sprue runners’ nubs and that’s it; no flash or injection pin marks at all. Precise fit, awesome engineering and care need to be taken to remove paint from mating surfaces as the tolerances are very tight. I can feel the mojo returning for sure. I broke my unwritten rule of macro images but the front office is mighty small, so out came the Nikon 105 Macro. I tried to keep the magnification down so the images would look as seen up close and personal. Just test fitting, only the front office as parts glued in place.

Ernie Looks really good but geez, for a company that is seriously thinking of pulling the plug on it's IM business, why offer all the AM stuff - just put the effort into upgrading the kit details. Surely would help those on the fence, decide to buy the kit, rather then keep thinking about all the upgrades.

Right with Phil

One beautiful Spitfire - terrific build.

Very nicely done

Rob WOW. beautiful work.

Sasha One good looking 109 - so very well done

Terrific start - looking mighty good

Bill Wishing you a speedy recovery. I suffered many years from back pains and thank goodness, I healed without needing surgery, I can only imagine the pain everyone has experienced and gone through.

Peter Brilliant work - just a pleasure to follow your progress.

Rob & Gaz I prefer rubbing and polishing compounds specifically made for models as they are a lot less abrasive and there is less of a chance of wearing/rubbing though the paint, with Gravity Paints (Spain) Polishing System my favorite. I used for the past few years and it's my number one.

Guys, sometimes at 75 years of age, I try not to leave construction steps and detail to memory - it's nly asking for a problem in the very near future. 😉

Oliver Just enjoying your creativity and skills at the highest level.

Looking so good and memories for sure.

John Nice work on the front office, IP, seat and harnesses. I'm pretty spoiled these days and look to use Quinta sets when I can. Of course, not going with Tamiya's front office is a hard choice for sure.

Rob WOW! What a gorgeous build and a gem. No question she will be center stage on your display shelf. Appreciate the reason why you chose BMF over Alclad or AK Real Metals - and completely agree, the right choice for sure. Will be looking forward to your next racer - excellent choice for sure.