Peterpools

READY FOR PRIMING PT 1 Still finding some a few seams that needed additional work and I thought I would give Ammo by Migs’ Arming Putty Classic a try, as it’s been in the ‘filler’ draw for a good while. It was a little on the wet side when I removed some from the tube and applied it as per the instructions, letting it dry for 24 hours. Still a bit sticky to the touch on the test strip I had on had on the bench and any semi thicker areas on the model, I could press a line in with my finger nail. Not sure why it still hadn’t dried rock hard and I decided to completely remove it, as I needed to keep moving forward with the build. A good hour was needed to remove and clean up the seams again. Now back to my normal gap/seam filler: Tamiya White Putty, allowed to dry and sanded smooth. No idea why the Mig Putty never dried, possibly it was too old, as there was a sticker on the box with a date: 7/16/2019. First up was scribing the major panel line back in on the nose, wing fillets, the fuselage and the leading edges of the wings. Hope I got it right, as scribing is my least favorite and weakest part of modeling; if I’m close, I’ll be happy. I decided to go with the cowl flaps open as most aircraft do have them that way on the ramp. Part fit is good and no issues. PE parts 28 & 29 were folded into shape and installed into slots on either side of the bottom fuel line housing, step 22 and I have no idea what they are. They are not shown in step 24 as the instructions do seem to skip around a bit and in a number of steps, parts are shown and then disappear for a few steps and then reappear again. Next up was the clear glass Step 29 and I have to compliment GWH as the glass is magnificent. Masks are provided for both the inside and the outside of the glass and care has to be taken. Right off the bat for the outside of the windscreen, masks #1 and #2 are incorrect and reversed, all the rest of the masks are marked correctly. The armor plate and frame, sits inside the windscreen, nicely detailed and no masks are provided, requiring Tamiya tape and were cut out in the traditional manor. I wanted the windscreen glued into place before priming and painting the P-40 with the inside frames already painted as well. My solution was to air brush the inside canopy framing, then remove all the interior masks. The armor plate will be added at the very end of the build. Low and behold, I found under the clear glass fret in its separate little white box, a set of 3D printed 50 cal MG barrels and they look beautiful. Now I think I understand why there were PE covers over the MG breeches on the wing. You could cut off the MG barrels, drill out a mounting hole for the 3D barrels and insert them after all the prep and sanding. With those opening in the wings, it would be a snap, as you could see what you are doing. I didn’t see anything in the instructions about this and missed the 3D parts, as I never opened up the box with the clear parts until now. The instructions are printed on the top of the clear fret box. All this should have been clearly pointed out in the instructions and not a peep. All the parts ready for priming. You can see the painted interior framing on the front windscreen and canopy. The spinner has been glued up and the seam sanded out as well. Access door still needs to be masked out. The rudder has not been glued in place and will be removed for painting, so that the visible interior of the vertical stabilizer interior and be completely painted

Rob Nice work on the panel lines using Flory washes. I've used them for years and they work great and like you said, 100% removable if need be. Tail wheel assembly looks spot on the money as well.

Harv Got ya, then you're so right, the black rivets don't work.

Looking forward to the Kotare Spitfire and I'm one of those that for whatever reason, can't preorder from their site. I'll be watching and waiting. Also, none of the US vendors seems to have the Airfix 1/24 Spitfire. Guess the US made the bottom of the distribution list.

Fantastic guys, enjoy and looking forward to a ton of build updates

Kev Keep going, they look awesome

Harv Rivets look really good and once your hit the priming and painting stages, their color shouldn't matter or am I missing something, like always?

Carl Some mighty good looking progress - just love the weathering you're doing and the Millenium Falcon really is HUGE. Just placing the 109 on top, is a great size comparison.

Thanks Kev for the help - I have a replacement on the way.

Thanks Mark A tough kit for me but I'm getting close to priming and painting

Thanks Kev I'm almost done with the filler and final sanding. A bit more scribing and I should be ready to prime the P-40.

John Simply a stellar build - and your NMF is prefection.

John One gorgeous Jug - looks simply fantastic and your NMF is flawless.

Mark So glad you're having all this fun and the results are looking mighty good.

Right with Harv - some mighty fine work

Kev Awesome work and what a collection in your display case.

Carl If you decide to do a 48th Tamiya Tomcat, I'll change my entry and go with the F-14A - just never can have enough Tomcats.

Carl Perfect time for another 48th scale Tamiya Tomcat. I have a good few in the stash.

Awesome list of raffle prizes for sure. 🎅

Guys I respect Ernie's wishes and completely understand where he is coming from. It's his call and let's leave it at that.

Oliver Right with Harv... brilliant detailing and some incredible modeling. And here, I struggle with building a 'complicated' kit OOB, shame on me.

Paul Nice progress and looking mighty good

Carl Nice way of effectively using your bench time and easily keeps the mojo up and the juices flowing. I'm just the opposite and don't have the ability to work on more then one project at a time. I tried it when building the Revell Embraer 190 and the Mengo GT-40 - as I went from one to the other and back again, I had a hard time picking up the flow of the build and remembering what I wanted to do next and sometimes, skipped a step without realizing it.

John, right with you for sure.

John Looking fantastic. You're flying through these builds and I'm creeping with the P-40. All I managed to get done today was assemble the windscreen armor plate, mask it and the canopy framing - inside and outside and air brush the interior. BTW, the wing to fuselage fit looks perfect.