Peterpools

Hubert, looking mighty good and way better then my humble attempts.

Paul Some mighty nice new items for sure. I'm going to check out Plaza Hobbies today and if shipping isn't bad and their prices that good, just might give them a try. Do you have the link, it would be very appreciated.

Scott Right with you and it just seems this is how everything functions today. When it comes to preparing for a build, I try to buy what I need to fill in what I already have for the build and if I can't buy everything as a single order, maybe two different vendors if it is the only way splitting the initial, I either shelve pr postpone the project. The only other option as Chris said, is to go 100% what's in the kit box. Back in the days, the 1970's when the hobby took off for me, there was virtually no AM except for decals and maybe a bit of resin - Verlinden. If you wanted to detail your build; it was called scratch building. Just seems right now we're almost forced to buy any kits and AM when they are first released, knowing that when we need them down the road, most likely they will be OOS or OOP. One thing I absolutely put my foot down is split shipping from multiple locations or pay for BO items a second shipping charge. Shipping is way too expensive as it is.

Chris Right with you and those shipping charges profits are eye openers for sure. Just canned the two upcoming projects until what I need is available without knocking myself out and finally settled on my next project where everything I needed was in stock form just one vendor all ordered and hopefully nothing winds up backordered.

I've been trying to purchase AM and even the kit (s) themselves for two projects I want to start. No matter how many venders I checkout, I'll need to order parts of each project from two or three venders, making shipping insane and price for putting the build together ridiculous. I know it's not the vendors fault(?) but the hobby in general. I have builds on hold waiting for AM, projects that I'm still wondering if all the pre-build effort is worth it and projects that I've just given up even trying to put together. Yes, it is possible to find what you want but as I keep adding up the individual shipping costs, it becomes as expensive as nearly the kit itself and as expensive as a lot of the AM as well. And then there is ebay where you can find a good deal of what is needed but will seem to pay a premium price and quite frequently one of the most expensive options. Maybe it is just that there is too much AM and stocking it is just too expensive. In many cases, It seems the hot' items that finally come into stock, sell out nearly just as quickly and then you need to wait for another restock which at times is months or more, if you miss ordering it for whatever the reason.

Who knows how the Fiat was parked when they took the photo. Like most, after I park, I almost never straighten out the wheels, just leave it as it is and thusly the photos never show the actual 'showroom' position.

Scott The Cutlass is looking mighty good as her paint work continues. 🏆

Chris, right with you as I have the same issue with my Tamiya Mustangs, out of three built, one with the cowlings off and two permanently glued on. Once a model is in my display case, it's never touched as dust is not a problem and rarely when someone wishes to see my collection, they are amazed that I actually built the models, look and leave after a few minutes. Such is just the opposite when company looks and has wonderful comments about my photography. Seems unless you are actually a model builder or a pilot, most people just have very little interest in them.

Gus Completely agree. While a a registered Tamiya fan Boy, the cowling panels were really meant to be left off or help in place with magnets. Their P-51 removable cowl panels fit a lot better as I have two of my three Mustangs closed up. Right with you in that now that I'm over with showing the Merlin's and engines in general, The Kotari Spitfire is at the top of my Spitfire list and I'm eagerly waiting their Spit Mk V to be released.

Rob Terrible news that your 'beloved dog' is seriously ill - wishing the best for a speedy recovery.

GOODBYE MERLIN I’ve tossed and turned for nights trying to decide if I wanted my Spitfire with the engine cowlings on or off and its Merlin engine on display as well. Looking at my finished Tamiya 32nd scale Spitfires in the display case, all three have the cowlings off and their Merlin’s displayed. Obviously both my Kotare and Revell Spitfires have their cowlings closed as no engines came with the kits and honestly, I prefer their clean lines. So, after building the kit's Merlin, I decided to just use it as the support for the engine cowlings and it's time to say, Goodbye Merlin. So that’s the decision, which will show off the Spitfires beautiful lines. Test fitting the four major cowl panels and the fit isn't that great. Looking at photographs of the actual Spitfires, a good portion of the cowlings aren't that great of a fit as well.

Nice paint work representing 'your daily driver' and tackling those hinges will be a big improvement.

Scott The Cutlass looks so good wearing her Navy White and Gray. Right with you about the heat, as here on the Island, we we're also in a record heat wave with temps hovering around 95F yesterday, today and forecasted for tomorrow. Add in the humidity and it's hot and dangerous. Glad the cave has AC.

Rob I'm front and center and ready for the journey. Now those rocker covers surely weren't what you expected but I guess ion a multi media kit, the unexpected is to be expected. I can see the pitting and maybe some filler might be needed?

Martin Good call.

Martin I vote yes, go for the extension.

Scott The guys have pretty much covered almost all the reasons why your AB is 'spitting' at times. I've had the issue at times and for the most part, the paint seemed to be accumulating on the tip when the working air pressure was too low to how much the paint was thinned out. I paint at very low working PSI - around 12-15 psi's and at those low pressures, sometimes there isn't enough working pressure to keep all the paint from starting to build up on the tip. I usually paint with either MRP lacquers or Tamiya acrylics and my AB of choice is the H&S Infinity Plus. Just a measure of good technique, I'll test the AB on a small piece of paper numerous times though out a painting session before moving onto the model surface. At times, I'll clean/dab the AB tip with a Q tip with Mr Color Self Leveling Thinner to remove the visible drop of paint. The lower the working air pressure, the more frequent the tip paint build up will be.

Rob What can I say that hasn't been said already. Absolutely an incredible build to the highest standards; a stellar build of a meticulously engineered kit. A joy and pleasure to be along for the journey. Looking forward to being front and center for your Shelby Cobra adventure. Absolutely agree there should be a `Finished Cars and Bikes´ section. 🏆🏆🏆

Scott Nothing more important than your health and your family's health. Just stay inside while it so hot and build.

John You're on a 109 role and the Hasegawa kit is going to be a winner. Love the scheme and your painting plan. Geez, you're flying through this build and I'm still crawling on my Spitfire.

Hubert Always felt models set on a simple scenic base with a figure is the perfect way to display and present them. I'm encouraged by your figure painting work to dive in and try some of my own. I have a few projects coming up after the Spitfire that I want to add a few figures to and am going to give it a try.

Scott So glad you recognized the signs of heat stroke and reacted as quickly as you did. Being a senior, I only venture out in this weather in the early morning or after dinner when it has cooled down. If it's still too hot and humid, inside I stay. - just way too hot and demanding for me.

Hubert Absolutely a treat to see your Cutlass back on the bench and underway as the first project to be worked on in your new home and Man Cave. Completely agree about as the years march on, learning to cut ties and limit the amount of AMS is so very important in my eyes as well. I'm close to 77 now and just enjoying what is in the box has moved to the top of my modeling list, with detailing falling close to the bottom. As Rob pointed out, it's a rare day to be able to follow two Fisher Cutlasses under way - what a treat for sure.

Paul Nice stat on a 'cool' looking subject and not seen very often. Yup, nothing like Tamiya for fit and engineering.

Chris First and foremost; so glad Mom is now in her new surroundings and settling in. Congratulations on reaching and passing the daunting milestone of completing the stenciling awesome for sure. 🏆🏆🏆 A double congrats on working your way through all the gear issues and she looks great on her Nikes! Sometimes the camera position and focal length will cause distortion, especially if a wide angle lens or setting used and objects close to the camera will appear larger and a bit distorted. Looking mighty good 👍