Peterpools

Thanks so much Dennis and I was lucking I was able to navigate through the decal prep issue. I'm starting to lean towards masks myself but for me the biggest drawback is there doesn't seem to be any actual paint color recommendations with mask sets and I'm not very good at mixing and creating colors on my own.

Rob, thanks so much and completely agree. there is a 'gaggle' of issues and steps that can go wrong once the decaling stage is reached. Luckly wet sanding cured the ills and I should have tested somewhat more then the sinner to see how the Aqua would work for me. What I can't figure out what went wrong as John B uses it all the time and his applications and decaling is perfect. I'm still also unsure as to what the two Cartograf decals went south all the rest were fine. Masks just might be the answer for future builds.

Thanks Huber, so much and after the clear gloss and the semi mat clear, it's time to finally make the turn towards the finish line.

Oliver, so very much appreciated. After all these years you know my style and presentation: mostly spit shined and trying to duplicate how the actually aircraft would either look on the museum floor or a rather new aircraft painted and ready to go (markings would be with poetic license). Of course, if I could ever weather as you do, I surely would give is a go.

Thanks Gaz Just glad I didn't have to do much backtracking and wet sanding to smooth out the Aqua Gloss Clear.

Gaz Some mighty nice work on the IP and agreed the Kotare decals look great. of course, I'm a glutton for punishment and when I'm ready to start mine and if Quinta has a set available by then, I would most likely use it, as I'm addicted to them. the

Martin Terrific save and the masks absolutely look great and surely save a lot of time in decal application. I just finished doing the Spitfire decals, needed two different sets (mfg's) and took me three days to apply and that's not counting in the gloss and prep work. I'm starting to lean more and more towards masks and wish the AM mask guys would include the correct color mixes. I'm not very good at mixing and matching paint colors and that would clean up a huge issue for me.

Kev Looking mighty good and completely agree the B-25 will look awesome in a NMF. Looking forward to your next update images.

Thanks Kev, much appreciated.

DECALING The Spitfire went thought the paint shop with only a few minor issues. The prop and spinner were also painted, decaled and the entire assembly is still just being test fitted. Decaling proved to be a bit problematic. To my astonishment, I didn’t have enough of my go-to glosses for decal prep and instead, decided to try Alclad Aqua Clear Gloss (a full bottle) for the first time. I followed the instructions to the Tee and the results were terrible, requiring a lot of fine wet sanding to smooth everything out. A trip to the LHS a few days later, buying a number of bottles of Tamiya X22, LP9 and Mr Hobby #46 Clear Gloss; I shouldn’t have been so lazy and made the trip prior to the decal prep and saved a lot of aggravation and time. My plan was to use EagleCal #EC 32-158 and not the kit decals and of course, that didn’t work out at all. The Eaglecal decal set (two full size sheets and one small strip sheet) were printed by Cartograf, which I purchased just before starting the build. I thought I would test the decals on the underside of the wings first with the large roundels, as there are a few good size fairing to deal with. The EagleCal roundel seemed a bit stiff when I removed it from the very warm soak water and wouldn’t sit down, let alone conform to the fairings at all. Micro Set and Sol had little effect. I tried to carefully work the roundel over the fairing and to my astonishment, it cracked! I then started to carefully work it over a much smaller fairing and it cracked again. The roundel never even adhered to the model surface - trashed. I decided to do the top of the wing with the kit decals and they worked perfectly, including conforming a few lumps and bumps. I later discovered the next day, they were actually a bit too large but nothing I could do about it now. Wing walk lines were also from Revell and a bit too much clear decal film edged the walk lines. All stencils were from Eaglecal. I thought I would try the EagleCal decals on the fuselage sides and zero issues! I used decals from both of the sheets, including the one that had the underwing roundels and no issues with the balance of the decals. Both the Revell and EagleCal decals had the exact same aircraft represented on their decal sheets and a great case of showing that each set had a lot of small differences, especially the sizes of all the markings. There were also a number of instances where the placement of the decals was different from one instruction sheet to the other. I used what worked the best for me and looked good. For the tail flash, I used the Revell decals for no other reason then they were cut to shape and the EagleCals weren’t. Almost all the stencil markings used were from EagleCal set. Now it was time to see how the Revell decals preformed on the undersides of the wings and with the same amount of work, softening solutions and some fussing, they went on just fine. Go figure. Gloss seal coat and the semi flat clear coats are next up.

Thanks Kev and here are the decals.

Ron Almost another Oh No! Glad the Bang didn't cause a lot of damage and extra work. Tanks for the tip about using frisket film. As time passes, I become more and more of a clutz and somehow manage to always knock the Spitfires wingtip into mu magnifying lamp. Just so preoccupied and forget it's there.

Chris Looking mighty good and so glad the tail issue are done and successfully over with. Nice work on the masks and please keep the detailed photos coming.

Ernie Sounds great and looks as if a new tradition has taken hold. 👍

Ernie Awesome changes and surely reflects the building interests of our members. Not sure about a 1/24th scale forum but time will tell.

Even a Phipps head Screw at that. 🛠️

Kriss Nice to see such steady progress and looking forward to all the painting stages. .

Hi Chris Thanks so much for asking about my doctor appointments and they didn't go that well. I have the last appointment today and then we'll set the dates for the two procedures. Availability these days is always a constant battle but with MRP, add in its thin distribution network and the uncertainty of finding the colors needed and even their primers has been more then shaky and frustrating. AK Real Colors is so much easier to find and so far, I've never had a problem finding stock or the colors needed. The paint is as easy to use as MRP but needs to be thinned and for me, it's a win - win situation. The Eduard Spitfires are awesome kits and you will love building the Mk Vi kit, plus with a Quinta cockpit set - WOW! I think in the smaller scales, cammo masks work very well in representing the actual paint work on the full size aircraft. On the model, I would assume if free handing the cammo, extra care needs to be taken to keep the cammo tight with almost no overspray, making the masks a huge plus. Started decaling the Spitfire and after 14 hours of work so far, I have about a third of the decals done and needed to use a combination of kit and EagleCal decals.

Hi Gaz For the Revell Spitfire, the tailwheel assembly main strut was glued in, right at the beginning stages of the build. Not sure if you are also looking to replace the Kotare main gear as well. Last week, I finished painting and building the gear and as of a few days ago, the tailwheel is also painted and finished. Sorry I can't help out. Not sure exactly what is one solid piece on the Kotare Spitfire. Does it look bad and a let down already?

Chris Just seems it's one step ahead and sometimes two steps back to the rear. Hang in there, as once the tail is fixed and behind you, it should be full speed ahead.

Mike WOW, the interior is looking fantastic. Right with Gaz that's it a shame most won't be seen when the fuslege is glued up.

Scott Looking mighty good

Kriss Nice stat on a subject not often seen on the forum.

Paul Awesome purchase. I built the Tamiya Mossie when it first came out and she is still close to the standard of detail today in 32nd scale. Mine is the Queen of my Display Case along with my Fisher Sea Fury. Just go slowly and almost no AM is needed. A fun build and the finished model is incredible.

Thank You Peter, very much appreciated.