Peterpools

John Fingers crossed as well Keep 'em comin Peter

Lets see: 1976, I was married and our son was three. Yup, I'm an old geezer these day. Bill looking forward to the build as I bought the kit when Hasegawa first came out with it. Thanks for the story behind the kit. Keep 'em comin Peter

John What a shame, Infinity should have upped their game on the kit and not stripped it so they could offer the details as AM sets. I'm hoping the DH Vampires that are soon to be released are much more detailed straight out of the box.. My money is riding on you that you'll bring the Helldiver way past the standard of what it should have been. Keep 'em comin Peter

Oliver, much appreciated and as Hubert said, if it's the real deal and not a replica, I would never park it in the garage but build a room for it as part of the house, so I could admire it every day. No wait, I would build my cave around it, with a complete entertainment center and small kitchen and spend countless hours with the GT40. Of course, she needs to be trailered to the best shows and driven on special courses. Oliver, have you at east sat in the GT40? Keep 'em comin Peter

Mark Mighty nice progress and with your careful work and attention to detail, the fit looks perfect. Keep 'em comin Peter

Carl I've often thought about taking another try at the Trumpeter kit and adding the Zacto detail/correction sets - but research shows you are so right - a boat load of work. Needs a big commitment to tackle such a project and at this stage of the game, I doubt I would consider it. Always a chance a new 32nd scale Tomcat may appear down the road. I've already built one of the new Tamiya 1/48 Tomcats with a few more in the stash. Keep 'em comin Peter

Bill So glad you started a build thread for the Big Cat - so easy to follow and appreciate the work you are doing. The photo of the foward upper spine - the gap shouldn't be there, but I believe there should be a slight step there as well - no biggiif the step has been sanded out or if Tamiya didn't mold it. Keep 'em comin Peter

Carl Dr appointment in a little bit and I'll surely be heading over and reading very carefully your hints and tips on using masks. Thanks for all the help Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Mark Super fun build and you're so right - I'm getting mighty close to the finish line. Clear gloss and polishing are next, a few details to add and with a bit of luck, the GT40 will be done. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Rob Truth be it, my brother is a fantastic model car builder and it's really his tire technique. Works perfectly and glad to pass it on. I also remember those days of trying to hand paint tires and what a disaster. 👍 Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Gaz Painting and decaling are my favorite parts of any build and for the most part, that's what the GT40 build has been all about. Keep 'em comin Peter

Rob I ordered the mask set from Maketar and when it arrives in 2-3 weeks, I'll post some pics in the upcoming build thread and do a test or two. Will be looking for all the advice I can get then as I never used a mask set for any of my builds. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Gaz The Embraer was an enjoyable build and one airliner sems to lead to another. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Carl Enjoying building the kit as auto modeling is so different then aircraft modeling - a nice way to keep each fresh and eager to get going on, alternating between the two. Keep 'em comin Peter

Carl Shall do and thank you for the information. Actually, looking forward to using masks for the first time. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Gus very much appreciate information - that just might save the day. Any chance you would have the link or product number. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks, Harv Couple of work sessions and this baby is done and in the books and onto my Spitfire build. Keep 'em comin Peter

BACK ON THE BENCH AND UNDERWAY AGAIN After making significant progress on the GT40, I had to put her aside so I could build and finish my Ukrainian GB entry, the Embraer 190. The Embraer was completed, in the GB Ready For Inspection Forum portion of the GB. And now back to the GT40 First step as always for seniors (I’m 74 and closing in on 75), is to just sit and look at the kit, try to remember what was done and were the project actually was left. After organizing my thoughts, it was time to resume construction. First order of business to was to thoroughly clean the GT40 and at the same time ensure no parts were missing or damaged – all seemed A-OK. I left off after completing the masking and painting of the rubber seals around all the glass and at that time when I removed the Meng masks, they left a messy, sticky residue on each piece of glass. And that’s the note how I left the kit. Step one was cleaning all the glass and being very careful not to remove any of the ‘rubber seal’s I airbrushed on. I found the best method was to use the Gravity (Spain) three part polishing system, working each piece of clear plastic glass very carefully. All the goo was removed and the glass test fitted – perfect fit, nice going Meng. The head light and driving light tunnels needed to be painted flat black and that was accomplished with Tamiya XF-1 thinned with X20A and applied in numerous, very light coats with a Windsor Newton Series Seven Brush. Time well spent. The Rear PE Grill needed to be painted and that was done with MRP Black Primer and no additional color coats needed. The wheels were primed and the outer rims painted with Alclad Dura Aluminum, the inner portions Tamiya Lacquer LP-19 Gun Metal and the knock offs with Alclad Polished Aluminum. Mengs rubber tires are simply gorgeous, mounted to the rims and Future Floor Wax was brush painted on the sidewalls, being very careful not to slip and get any on the tire treads or rims. Once try, I applied the Indycal Tire Logs with blue stripe decals, a separate purchase and so well worth the cost. Once thoroughly dried, I thinned and brush on a semi matt clear finish which nicely replicated the look of the race tire. Very satisfying progress and getting ready for the next stage: applying the clear gloss finish and polishing. Keep ‘em comin Peter

John Glad you have it under control Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Carl I'm going to buy the Montex set and see how that goes. For the canopy, I'll use the kit masking. Keep 'em comin Peter

Kev I've built more Tamiya Mustangs and Spits then any other type in my display case and this bad boy will bring the total to six. Biting the bit to start but need a few more modeling work sessions to finish up my GT40 and then the Spitfire is front and center. I'm still waiting for my good size Barracuda Resin order but when I ready to start and it's not here, I'll jump on the engine first. BTW, there are more Tamiya Mustangs and Spitfires in the stash - just can never have enough. Keep 'em comin Peter

Phil Now the Embraer is completed (GB) I need to finish the GT40 which should be sometime next week, I'll be diving into the Spit. Glad you'll be along for the ride. Keep 'em comin Peter

John No question, you'll find out soon enough 😉 Keep 'em comin Peter

Bill You're off to a great start and always enjoy any bio with a build as it adds to the theme, concept and interest of the build. Hard to believe for such an iconic aircraft. there isn't a state of the art kit available. Good call on the markings and scheme - the low vis markings just haven't the same appeal for me. Some very nice work on the front office and will be along for the entire journey. I'm a big a big fan of the Quinta 3D Decal sets and already have quite a few in the stash and use them when I can. I grew up on Long Island, maybe 15 minutes or so from Grumman's in Bethpage (depending on traffic and lights). In the early 1970's moved to Suffolk County and quite frequently over the years seemed to find my way to drive past the Calverton facility. All that is left today in Calverton is the Grumman Memorial Park with an F-14 on a pedestal, an A-6E Tram and Pheonix Missile on display. But every time I visit, I can't help but be amazed at how big and beautiful the Tomcat is. Keep 'em comin Peter

John Super good looking IP and easily the right choice. What a shame, Infinity's IP was useless and for what the kit costs, that's unexceptable. Keep 'em comin Peter