Peterpools

Chris Agreed about the Mustangs on the carrier's deck. They certainly don't look new and just off the line. I wonder what the story is?

John You're flying through another build and looking mighty good.

Carl Super work on the awesome details - they look so good. Not sure if you were kidding about the 109 or that it's headed to the SOD - surely hope not? Negotiating display space hasn't always been easy as we moved a few times over the years. I'm lucky and happy to have a nice area in the house for my display case and the limits of what I can build is limited to making sure the model will fit in it. My studio is for both building and photography and there just isn't any space for an additional display case. At 75, being a realist, just trying to build what's in the stash is a goal and all the kits I've purchased should fit. Looking forward to seeing your new display case for the heavies this spring.

Thanks Phil There were more then a few times I had that sinking feeling that the gremlins from the SH build were still lurking and planning their revenge, but I got lucky and with Lady Luck flying co-pilot. all seems to be finally going smoothly for a change. Of course, as Carl said, maybe we shouldn't be saying this 😉

Thanks Rob. much appreciated. I was more then pleased with all the repairs and corrections came out looking pretty good but what really amazed me, was for the first time, the scribing looked good - now for me, that was an accomplishment for sure. I know I should finish the P-40 before starting the GB but joining in at the beginning is part of the fun. Maybe I'll work on both at the same time -just see how it goes

Thanks Gaz After all the filler and sanding, the P-40 is starting to look pretty good and headed in the right direction.

Carl Just glad all the sanding and filling worked out well and is done. Fingers surely crossed from here on, the P-40 rolls down the line smoothly and no new problems.

Thanks Kev Finally getting there and feels good reaching the painting stages of the build

Harv Going to turn into a beauty. Will be following

Thanks Oliver. Finally in the homestretch and all the hurdles are behind.

PRIMING PT2 Priming went smooth as silk and zero issues. As always there were a few small areas that showed up, a spot or two of dust and no sanding marks. Later today, I’ll take care of those small cleanup and Monday I should be ready to actually start shooting on the color cotes. I nearly fell out of my socks when I took a look at the scribing and really didn’t find any that required repairs, touchups or redo’s with CCA. Talk about Lady Luck hanging out with me at the bench the past few days. At this point, I can’t see having the P-40 finished by January 1st, the kickoff date for the GB. The plan is to keep going until 1/1/23 then put the P-40 aside while I take part in the GB and once done, pick her back up and continue onto the finish.

Harv Details, details, and more details. I remember the good old days when just having close to good looking rivets was a treat - many moons a go for sure.

Ernie Completely agree and wonder why myself as it's a detail I haven't noticed in the past.

John Going to be another enjoyable and stellar build to follow. Your production of completed kits the past months has even set a new record for you. As always, I'm front and center.

Mark Frame details look so good and looking forward to your next update

Ron Just catching up and some fantastic work

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.