Peterpools

DECALING – DONE From the outset, I should have taken the time to learn how to correctly use masks following Carl’s tutorials and Dennis’s masking post. I’ll be practicing so I can actually use mask on future builds. Tamiya USA is going to be replacing both decal sheets as mine were deemed defective but customer service has been closed for covid and will not be open and running until August 15th and then will ship my decals as soon as possible. Knowing new decals will be coming, I broke into another Tamiya Spitfire kit, finished up the decaling using a combination of both Spitfire kits decal sheets where patching the original decals wouldn’t work. I went very slowly and all the markings have finally been applied. What I have noticed, is the kit decals seem to be somewhat thinner – but who knows for sure. Time for the panel line washes and at first, I used Tamiya Black Panel Line Wash for the upper wings and fuselage. After drying overnight, I carefully cleaned up the PLW with a Q-tip lightly moistened with White Mineral Spirits and the results weren’t that good, as the PLW had issues settling into the panel lines. Changing tactics, I used UMP Dark Dirt Weathering Wash on the undersides, let dry for about 45 minutes and removed the excess wash with a water dampened paper tower. The results were much better. Needless to say, I redid the upper portion of the Spitfire with the UMP Wash. What jumped out when done, the thin panels lines were susceptible to being overwhelmed by: primer, paint and the clear gloss. Tamiya decals still have a hard time sinking into panel lines and that’s after using Mr Setter and Mr Softer. At this point, the Spitfire is decaled and ready for the decals and washes to be sealed with another round of Mr Color Clear Gloss and the finish clear with Alclad Clear Semi Matte or Light Sheen – still haven’t decided yet.

Kev Terrific build on a subject rare built on LSM. Fit and finish is spot on the money.

Carl Some very work on the turrets. MLG looks good and the upgrade to the MGL with the Aerocraft brass inserts absolutely was the way to go. I can only imagine how heave the B-24 actually is.

Mark Still looks fantastic to me

Kev Awesome progress on the Chikuma and so glad the mojo is back and are going to be moving forward with the build again. I'm very much interested in type of ship building and for years have been eyeing a Fletcher or Gearing Class Destroyer - just maybe someday I'll take the leap. Looking forward to following your build front and center.

Rob Same as Gaz, just patiently waiting for your next update.

Mark The details are simply amazing and your abilities to work with them are a perfect match.

Sorry to hear that John, as I was enjoying the build thread of an early Trumpy kit with its many movable parts and fit issues. Hope the decal issue ends quickly. I took a look at my go to vendors and they didn't have anything for your build. I have a very slim decal stash and noting in there at all for a F4U-4.

Paul Nice addition and look forward to following your build hopefully, not to far down the road.

Thanks Mike, greatly appreciated.

Hoping Kaiser has a quick and perfect recovery

John GSB paint looks mighty good. One extra bonus with gloss paint - you can decal and use pn washes right on top - not clear gloss is needed, just as a sealer.

Martin Awesome research photos as always. I just have no idea how you are able to find such gems so consistently, regardless of the subject.

Thanks Kev, greatly appreciated. The Embraer was the first airliner model I built, a lot of fun, as the build seemed to be a cross between aircraft modeling and car modeling. Looking forward to doing a few more down the road.

Rob Believe me, you are going to love the Tamiya cutters, as mine have been the best cutters I ever bought and I've bought a lot over the years. The key in maintaining your brushes is cleaning them and using Master's Cleaning Paste a few times a month will both preserve your brushes and help them paint spectacularly. Enjoy your goodies

Gaz Awesome figures and imagine a Jeep being included as part of a steering wheel kit 😉 Looking forward to seeing the dio come together and leave it to Martin to come up with fantastic detail photographs

Paul I've been using the Tamiya #123 Side Cutter for a few years now and it's awesome. I only use it to cut parts of the frets but if the plastic is too thick, I use a different cutter and then follow up with the Tamiya cutter. Just love Tamiya tools.

Hi Rob That's quite a bundle of awesome supplies and the Caudron is a build I am looking forward to as well. You are going to love using the Da Vinci's Kolinsky Series 10 brushes - nothing paints like a true sable brush. I bought a set of three W&N Series 7 Russian Red Sable Kolinsky Brushes over 15 years ago, still use them all the time and they are as good as new. The trick, once or twice a month, I clean them with Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver #101, as the sable bristles are cleaned and preserved. I paid over $45 for the brushes back then and the best brush investment I ever made.

Jbert Thank you for the comments and my progress and the decaling issues. I'm plugging ahead and using some of the decals, patching them together if possible. For the balance, I'll wait for the replacement decals.

Thanks Phil I'm plugging away and with some luck, will be making progress as all that I have left to do is the three cowling panels (cammo paint work), tail wheel (painting) and all the small parts. I'm going to try using masks for the ID codes and fin flash and see what happens.

Thanks Gaz, Tamiya has the photos they requested and should be sending new decals. Luckly, what I have on the Spit looks pretty good as the repairs seemed to work and doesn't need to be removed.

John Agreed, folding will be easier but surely no picnic, after all, it's an early Trumpy kit. I'll be following all the way.

Thanks Kai, I'm just going to keep plugging along, use a combination of masks and decals and roll the Spit across the line. What I should have done, is practiced and practice masking until I had it down and then started the kit. But I jumped in and this is the price I paid. Could have been worse

Thanks Rob, I just need to hear back from Tamiya and then formulate a plan. It's looking as if I'll be doing a combo of decals and masks (Maketar) and work my way through it. Funny thing is and I know we have talked about this, as decaling is one of my most favorite parts of a build - could be changing.

Thanks Mark, it's always something Still waiting to hear back from Tamia and I'll try calling customer service in a little while and see if I can get through.