Peterpools

Hi Phil Glad you're on board and thanks for the heads up on the wing/fuselage assembly. Looking forward to any and all help on the build. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Craig for the kind words and glad you're going to be along for the ride. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Dennis and glad you will be following the build. I have heard talk on some forums that Special Hobby is working on a non Hi Tech version but nothing confirmed. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks John Started fitting and gluing plastic yesterday and lovin the kit. Glad you're on board Keep 'em comin Peter

Tom Fantastic work - your progress is just amazing Keep 'em comin Peter

Harv Terrible news and hoping the cause can be handled with just medication and return you back to good health and no pain. Keep 'em comin Peter

Carl So glad your Aunt is alright, which is all that counts. Keep ‘em comin Peter

Carl WOW that sounds great and a Sea Fury in the works -it's a must do for me, as I already built Paul Fishers kit. Love to see you tackle your Tempest with all the goodies. Keep 'em comin Peter

Hi Kai A number of years ago I built Paul Fisher's Sea Fury and feel in the love with the airplane; simply gorgeous looking . The Tempest Mk. II is part of the Sea Fury's genealogy and a must build for me. I've never built a Special Hobby kit, so there are going to be some firsts for sure. I started the Uhu a while back and just couldn't literally handle all the small parts once I was in chemmo and decided to put her away for a future date. Right now, I guessing the Uhu will be back on the bench late this winter as I have a few kits I want to build first. Keep 'em comin Peter

SPECIAL HOBBY TEMPEST Mk.II 1/32 HIGH TECH KIT With the Tamiya F4B basically finished and just waiting for its replacement canopy to arrive, it was time to start my next project. I broke open the box and started to tinker with the kit during my ‘cooling off’ two-day break from the F4 and was amazed at what I discovered. A limited production kit, beautifully molded and the details: OMG – jus Brilliant. Being the Hi Tech version, a yellow box full of resin replacement parts, PE frets, HGH Seatbelts, mask set and I know I must have missed some things. Full color glossy instructions: ala Eduard style and it is necessary to read the instructions as there are a boat load of parts that aren’t used (other versions) and then the resin parts. I was surprised the plastic didn’t have a lot of mold release and cleaned a good deal of the parts with alcohol and the other parts in soapy water. As with most of my builds, I prefer OOB and there is so much ‘extras’ included in the kit, AM isn’t really needed. Not to be caught off guard and shorthanded, I purchased my paint set with the kit: Ammo by Mig RAF WWII Late War Set # 7214. Following the instruction sequence, the build starts in the front office. No surprises but some finicky PE work is required with the cartridge starter holders. Kit parts are very well detailed and I even chose some kit parts over the resin replacement parts: rudder pedals and joy stick, very well molded, same level of detailing and easier to work with. Thanks for checking in Keep ‘em comin Peter

Rob Usable - no way - how about Incredibly usable - 'top gear' to me. Keep 'em comin Peter

Gaz Now that's progress and your hard work has paid off for sure. Can't wait to see your 109 in the paint shop - going to be amazing. Keep 'em comin Peter

Kai Much appreciate the information as the fogging issues seem to be a lot more involved then we originally thought. This is the first time I've ever encountered it and the best way to actually avoid it: paint the canopy off the model but that still leaves chances with the wind screen, which I always paint on the model. I'm old school and do not dip my canopies in Pledge at all. If I need to remove a molding line, scratches or blemishes, I sand and polish them. One thing foir sure - there always is something. Keep 'em comin Peter

Hi Rob Completely agree and absolutely brothers in canopy issues. I'm still thinking cutting off the canopy by slicing though it vertically removes any chance of damaging the fuselage sills, with the key being, the canopy was 'toast' before starting and no thoughts of trying to save it. I wasn't aware of all the short comings of Pledge and while lacquer clears need extra care in application, they do not seem to have any of the other issues. Hoping you do the fogging tests regardless, as the results will answer a lot of questions. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Steve for the very kind comments on the F4B build. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Phil, Very much appreciated. Tamiya's F4 has no vices, fit is nearly perfect and no issues. Even their decals are now so very good and the equal of most kit manufactures. It was a tough choice deciding whose decals to use where. Loved the kit and am looking forward to the next F4 in the coming series. I still have my ZM F4J to finish which I'm planning getting back to after my next build: SH 1/32 tempest Mk.II. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Carl 100% my error and lucky knowing the new canopy being on it's way, makes removing the old one a lot easier, as I don't have to save anything - just extra care in not damaging the canopy sills on the fuselage. Also learned a much needed lesson: don't rush - go slow and think about you are doing. Keep 'em comin Peter

Craig Beautiful detail work - just amazing Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Kai Just a dream model to build and no issues at all except the builder, whose head wasn't screwed correctly nor was the proverbial light bulb not on, when I air brushed on the Mr Color Gloss sealer coat the way I did 🤓. This is the first time I've ever had a problem like this and I'm taking a mulligan, senior privilege. I've used Pledge/Future in the past and no issues at all but for whatever the reason, it just doesn't feel as bullet proof as Mr Color when dry. I finished the F4 with Alcad Klear Kote Light Sheen (lacquer), shot straight from the bottle and it laid down perfectly. The other reason I prefer lacquer clears is almost nothing seems to dissolve or effect them, especially when doing washes. I do have a 3/4 full bottle of Pledge right next to my stable of clear coats and at time. use it quite often on interior parts that require washes and sealers. The open canopy could be an option but I used the closed canopy parts and it's way too much work to back track. I'm just glad nothing else was was destroyed or marred. Only the Tamiya decals showed some reaction but when let for a few days, you would never know. Tomorrow starts the official beginning of my next build: 1/32 Special Hobby Tempest Mk.II, Hi Tech kit. I started tinkering with in on Friday and I'm very impressed. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Gus All my fault and thanks to Tamiya, I should eb able to replace the canopy and all will be well. Keep 'em comin Peter

ALMOST A DISASTER AND THE PLAN 9/3/21 With the airbrush work finished and I was very satisfied with the results, it was time to let the Alclad Klear Kote Light Sheen ALC 311 dry for a good twelve hours. When dried, it would be time to remove the canopy masking and then attending to the remaining sub-assemblies and small parts I left to the end. As I began to remove the canopy masking, my heart sank and nearly hit the floor. A large portion inside the canopy was stained foggy white and ruined. At first, I thought it was the same issue as Rob had but mine was a hazy foggy stain and Rob’s was more of a cracking appearance. What to do – right now, absolutely nothing as there was no way to remove the canopy without ruining it and even worse, the model itself. I decided to put the model down for a few days, walk away, regroup the troops and formulate a plan. First and foremost, we were clobbered from the remnants of Hurricane Ida with rainfalls of 3-8 plus inches in the Tri State area, with heavy flooding, high winds and a tremendous amount of property damage. We’re OK and to just the west of us the worst began. The Plan: Step One: I contacted Tamiya Customer Service using their email form and asking to purchase a replacement canopy and mask set. Gary from Customer Service replied in under an hour and replacements were being sent at no charge and will take about two weeks, as they are under Covid restrictions. Absolutely brilliant customer service! Step Two: Figure out how to remove the ruined canopy, which is solidly glued on and can’t be popped off. I don’t remember which glue or glues I used but, in any case, it’s not coming off. I’ll cut vertically through the canopy creating a number of thin sections, which I’ll carefully chip off and then sand the remaining portions off down to the fuselage canopy sill with a fine file. Since I am not trying to save the canopy, preventing any damage to the fuselage is the name of the game. I discussed the problem with my brother, an excellent car modeler and Rob and we agreed the staining seems to have been caused by my second coat of Mr Color Gloss Clear to seal and blend the decals in – most likely over thinned with Mr Color Self leveling Thinner and the mix found a way into the cockpit and stained the canopy. I needed a few days break to regroup the troops and then back to completing all the little jobs that still needed to be done. On Friday, I cleared the bench and went back to work on the F4 completing all the remaining work: The landing gear, gear doors and oleo's. Sparrow missiles Sidewinders glued to the launch rails and pylons. All the pylons were glued in place The center line drop tank added Speed brakes added All the small brush painting finished. Basically, now done except for replacing the canopy and a bit of touch up painting. So until the canopy and mask set arrives from Tamiya, the F4 is basically done. Thanks for checking in. Peter

MIke I need to catch my breath - incredible work. Keep 'em comin Peter

Rob WOW what a start to an amazing project. I'm just blown away on how you treated the engine and exhaust. A varied pallet doesn't come close. I'll be in the front row for the entire journey Keep 'em comin Peter

John Amazing progress and some beautiful air brush work. Are you still shooting enamels? Keep 'em comin Peter

Graham Well said and I hope so Keep ;em comin Peter