Peterpools

BW Very much appreciated. Just a fun build ... no filler and a whole bunch of painting ... my kind of kit Kit 'em comin Peter

Thanks Gaz Completely enjoying the build now and looking forward to painting the body ... should hopefully be fun. Keep 'em comin Peter

Hi Carl Right with you - Meng has a nice kit but the let down is the instructions and assembly sequences - just not a lot of thought and now that I starting to get use to how the parts mate together, there absolutely is a better way to build the kit. BTW, I watched Ford vs Ferrari last night on FX and was completely blown away ... what a great movie and inspiration ... just way too many commercials. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Mike, much appreciated So far the build has been a blast and as I become more "acquainted" with model cars again, I'm starting to get into the flow. I test fitted the body parts late last night, fit is very good and today starts the body work. Keep 'em comin Peter

Finishing the Interior. Still plugging away and learning as I go. The front clip is done. The cockpit is also now complete with the additions of the harnesses and dash. Speaking of harnesses and seatbelts, the ones provided in the kit were tossed in the trash after about a half hour of pure frustration. I just can’t understand why Meng chose to use the felt like material with glue on one side, makes assembling a nightmare. I decided to double up some Tamiya take, cut on my Infinity Cutting Matt (one awesome tool I use nearly every day) and made new belts. I wish I had some textured ribbon but of course I didn’t, so this was the next best choice. They are in, painted and done, painted with Model Air Nato Black for a slight difference of black used for the seats. The non-operating interior door panels hide the floor sill/fuel tanks but what it is, it is: done and finished. The rear cockpit bulkhead/firewall is finished as well and has to be installed after the 427 engine otherwise the front end of the engine will not fit. Here I made another classic mistake and without thinking, glued the intake manifold and cylinder the heads to the engine block and then installed the assembly onto the block. Of course, it didn’t dawn on me for hours, that I forgot to install the headers as I haven’t even painted them yet. Now after painting them with Alclad dark aluminum, getting them glued into place was a bit testy. I struggled for quite some time but managed to installed the headers, the exhausts, carb and the balance of the engine parts. All the remaining parts of the rear suspension was painted and installed and figuring out how this all went together wasn’t the easiest of jobs as the instructions were a huge letdown. Getting the engine installed squarely to the chassis was another fun filled adventure but that’s now done as well. One tip for Meng: a bit more thought on the exhaust would have been welcomed. The exhausts are added as a separate part and the seam at the rear just past the mounting bracket is poor at best. What Meng should have done is mold the ends of the exhaust pipes as a separate part and added last and no seam. I had some fancy and fun filled seam removal to do and then repaint – not the best results but learning how to think ahead. Next up: It’s time to face the music and get to work on the three major parts of the body shell: front clip, rear clip and the bottom of the car. Thanks for checking in Peter Note to self: before photographing - dust and clean the model

Kev I always check (of course when I remember to and just couldn't pass the GT40's up at that price). Keep 'em comin Peter

Kev Looking good and like the effect of the individual panels buffed out. Nothing like a classic F-86 basking in the sun. Keep 'em comin Peter

Kai So glad you are feeling well and the Virus is behind you. Keep 'em comin Peter

Kev One awesome machine and what memories. I bought one for myself and my brother as a Lightening Deal from SB: $25 each. I'll be working on my next update as I'm close to finishing the complete three interior areas and time to start working the the body paint. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Oliver Have to going to try you method. Looks terrific. Peter

John Canopy tinting and exhaust staining is right on the money and looks realistic for an aircraft that is well maintained. Keep 'em comin Peter

Mike Nice work on the pilot - looking good. Keep 'em comin Peter

Oliver Canopy fit is looking so good. How did you paint the upper glass? Keep 'em comin Peter

Mike Looking forward to your next build Keep 'em comin Peter

Rob I should have known by how you attack a project with a detailed and practical plan. I also enjoy using well made tools and if they are too specific in use (capable of doing just one job) I will normally pass them up. Over the past few years I have found myself slowly but continuously buying more and more Tamiya tools as I find their quality, ease of use, far better then most. Unfortunately, a number of the Tamiya tools I want, I have to buy overseas as they are not sold in the USA. One example that quickly comes to mind is the Tamiya/Ofla blades - the knives are now sold here with the correct blade but it's impossible to buy replacement blades in the states. Keep 'e, com Peter

Hi Rob Just finished a short painting session shooting Tamiya LP-1 Gloss Black Lacquer increasing the dilution to at least 1;2 paint to thinner work perfectly and all the issues I was experiencing before, are now history. Much appreciated the help Keep 'em comin Peter

Rob Awesome progress .. looking so good. Just love your tools ... from one tool junkie to another. Keep 'em comin Peter

HI John Absolutely loving the build and what a great change of pace ... no filler or sanding required. I might have tried a car kit back them as well and if I did, it surely didn't come out well. Keep 'em comin Peter

Hi Rob Yup, agreed and will be testing the Tamiya Lacquers again tonight and will thin them out at 1 drop paint to 2 drops thinner and maybe even more. Just can't be the only person on the planet who isn't doing cartwheels over them. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Gaz LOL! Keep 'em comin Peter

Dick, Welcome aboard and a nice choice for the GB Keep 'em comin Peter

I know the same feeling all too well. I try to keep all my resin on one draw, all the PE in and other by scale, so at least I have a fighting chance of finding what I need. Even this at times doesn't always work. Good luck funding the MIA AM. Keep 'em comin Peter

Looking mighty good Keep 'em comin Peter

Ernie Nice choice for sure. Keep 'em comin Peter

My PC-6 arrived today, so when I'm finished with my GT40, I'll be 'Diving In". Keep 'em comin Peter