Peterpools

Thanks Dude I'm starting to feel the same as Tamiya might have had decal issues for a certain period of time. I've never tested Tamiya decals in the past before using them, but next time around, absolutely will. .

Dennis, that is what I should have done before starting the build - practice, learn and work out a procedure (following Carl's tutorial) that I can use and go slow, one step at a time. Very much appreciate the tutorial and photos as I am going to be doing at least the large, ID numbers and the fin flash and see how that goes. Just never occurred to me masking was such a delicate art and skill - but one I need to learn how to do.

John Right with Kai, nice open field running with replacing the exhausts, yours look a million times more realistic. the Trumpy Corsair is a hand full reflects the time period of movable everything. I'm still leaning for folding the wings as after all is said and done, folding will be a lot less struggling and less of a cuss factor then extending them. Pulling for you either way.

Mark Literally, brilliant work - looking so good. Yor painting skills are top of the line.

Thanks Carl, greatly appreciated. I'm just waiting to hear back from Tamiya and see what they will do. I'll send a PM with the issues I'm having with masking.

DECALS AND MARKINGS NOT GOING WELL Right from the outset my intentions were to use masks for the very first time and I read and re-read Carl’s excellent tutorial on how use paint masks. Things didn’t go well and I discovered I need to spend a lot of time practicing before attempting to actually mask and paint the markings on without making a mess of things. The three and four color roundels and fin flash were way beyond what a rookie could manage. I needed a lot of practice and the Spitfire was not the place to practice, makes mistakes and learn. The kit decals would be used for the roundels and stencils and I would try and use the masks for the lettering. The Spitfire was glosses with Mr Color Clear Gloss and dried super smooth. I was surprised at how thin the decals were and as soon as I removed the blue/white roundel from the soak water (warm water, a few drops of Dawn and Micro Set) the decal was slipping and sliding on the wing and started to chip and break. Once in place and fixed, the red center decal did the same, broke, shattered and was a goner. A second red center decal was used and went on OK. The other side roundel had the same issues as well. All the stencil data was applied for the lower wing as provided my Tamiya, without breaking. I decided to try the fuselage roundels and both had cracking issues – I was lucky to repair them, using a combination of Micro Set and Sol and Mr Setter and Softer. I sent an email to Tamiya customer service, requesting a new set of decals and am waiting for a reply. I’ve built many Tamiya kits and this is the second time I’ve had this issue in all these years. The other kit with this type of decal issues was their 1/32 F-16. Tamiya replaced those decals after I was asked to return the original kit decals. I’m hoping the decals will be replaced without first having to send the kit decals back. Except for painting the three cowl panels, there isn’t much else I can do on the Spitfire until the decal issue is resolved. I don’t have any photos of the actual cracked decals as I did manage to repair them. I'm not going to proceed any further with the decals as I know I'm just pushing my luck. Time to start a new project until the decal issues are resolved. The right hand roundel still has a few nice sized chunks missing that I need to still fix. The left hand side has a chunk missing as well Stencil data is fine Both fuselage roundels cracked badly but came out OK - not perfect as there are crack lines.

Ernie Nice progress on the Helldiver as the front office is looking so good. Scratching out a new bulkhead does look like the best option as the kit suppled version seems too small all the way around. Yup, with your Corsair this far along, would be great to see her finished and cross the finish line.

Mark Looking so go - cammo work is amazing

Gaz Outstanding, simply a beautiful finish - the polished aluminum is surely the Real McCoy and I'm right with Mark - need my Ray Bans. Is this as far as you're going with the Mig? Fingers crossed you will take it to completion.

Carl Sure, hope so. I have the F4F (Early) and absolutely hope a late F4E isn't far behind.

Mark Nice start on the decaling. looking forward to your next update

Gaz Foiling on the Mig from my end looks awesome and so well done. Terrific work for sure

Paul Finally, the kits arrived after a lot of work on your part. Enjoy them.

Paul Finally, great news for sure and what an effort on your part to get those kits. 👍

Carl Brilliant masking and paint work; looking awesome for sure. I'm still struggling on using masks and hopefully will get there. Like most, I wish I had room for kits of this size but I'm limited to those that will fit in my display case: 47x19x 65.

Paul Thank you for the link, fascinating reading.

Phil I'm more into the F4G Wild Weasel - just love those ZM F4's!

Thanks John, making some progress today and getting ready for decaling. I can seer the finish line not too far down the road.

Thanks Kai, sometimes it just happens and a weeks' worth of backtracking and masking a second time and done. Surely noting as intricate as your two LED replacement rework. Paint has always been a downfall for me as I keep trying new brands and I have to stop. Nice choices on the three brands you settled on. I'm slowly narrowing down my Big Three as well: MRP, Tamiya Lacquer and Acrylic and Model Air. Since I now never air brush without wearing a good respirator and the paint booth, I can use lacquers again and not worry about any further health issues (🤞). Hand painting, I always prefer Model Air. But then again, I just tried AK Real Coors for the first time and they are also excellent ... what to do ? If enamels such as Xtracolour were available here in the states or the Model Master Enamels still made, I surely would be using them but what it is, it is.

Ernie Glad to see the Helldiver is back and underway on your bench again. The front office details look spot on the money and 'way to go' on resolving the fit issues - floor and seat are just sitting there - nice going for sure. Looking forward to your next update

Kai, I'm right with you. I've followed Oliver for years and his work is simply "Museum Quality: - I'm amazed at how he breaks down each assembly into small components and goes about engineering each piece until they are ready to be combined together and the assembly is done.

Kia Outstanding work and a modeler after my own heart - backtracking and re-doing what needs to be done. The replacement of the two in-op LEDS looks perfect and when you finish up with the re-scribe; perfect! Always seems to be something that might need a rework and sometimes it seems never ending. I try to pick a point of it's good and blends in well the build and call it a day. Looking so good .

Thanks, John, for the link - I'll be watching later today.

Carl Sorry I'm a bit late to the party (old and slow these days) and hoping you enjoyed a wonderful birthday with your family. 🎂

OMG. I'm a rank amateur among some of the finest stash collectors/builders on the planet. I have a pale 40 kits in the stash, spread out between 32nd, 48th, 1/144 aircraft and 1/12 and 1/24 car kits. A growing collection of Quinta 3D Resin decals, maybe 50 -75resin AM sets and a small number of AM decals. Paints, supplies and tools keep multiplying and it's been nearly impossible to control it.