Peterpools

Chris Nice use of the gift .. let us know how you like the AK Panel Liners.

Carl Agreed ... shipping is just nuts these days. What I do wonder is why SB is doing this in the first place.

John Way to go ... just knew you would win the fight.

Mike It sure seems that way and I purchase the majority of my kits from other vendors.

Received an email from Sprue Brothers about joining their VIP Club. Looking over my orders from last year, I'm going to pass as I can't see how the savings are worth joining in my case.

Carl Over the years, I've become a huge Sea Fury fan and have built both the Fisher and Airfix kits. I'm eagerly awaiting DBMK's release and am planning on buying and building a few. 🤞🤞🤞.

Airfix might be doing what they did last year - holding back release announcements until just before the kit is released. I'm looking forward to seeing what the NEW Airfix has waiting for us in 2024.

Mike Same here. Being a Long Island Boy and the home of both Republic and Grumman's (both long gone), their aircraft have always been my favorites. The P-47 is well underway way and by this weekend I'll try to have a build thread going. Loads of parts, finicky and nothing as precise as building a Tamiya kit.

My money is riding on you that you can.

John Can't understand why you are so unhappy with the Hellcat, I didn't see any issues at all. For a kit of it's age, it's a terrific. build. 🏆

John Heading over now

Absolutely amazing you were able to work wonders and get the fuselage halves to glue up together. Fingers crossed you can work your magic on the cowl and get it to fit, keeping the building going.

Thanks Rob so much for the very kind compliments on the Corsair. A fun and enjoyable build with no issues, typical Tamiya thorough and easy to follow instructions, kept me looking forward to being at the bench nearly every day.

Thanks Mike, very much appreciated. In between the Corsair's painting stages, I started working on the new 1/48 MiniArt P-47D Bubble Jug; 82nd FS, 78 FG, Duxford, Summer of 1944 and will be finished out in RAF Dark Green and Sky. The 78th FG shared the base with two RAF Fighter Squadrons and the RAF paints were available, close enough in color to the USAAF OD and Neutral Gray and the rest is history. Should look pretty cool with a checkered nose. I've already had built the Tamiya Bubble Jug in a NMF and a checkered nose using the kit decals and no issues at all and she does look good.

John Looking so good and completely agree with Dennis.

Martin Nice purchases ... enjoy

Thanks Chris for the very kind comments. Terrific kit and just shows how well Tamiya kits stand the test of time. Absolutely is going to be a centerpiece of my growing 48th scale collection. a

Absolutely is❗

John Just knowing you're a quick email away cuts down the cuss factor by over 95% 😉

Thanks John, so very much appreciated. Just glad you were there to help me over the paint color issue.

Carl Sure is tiny and along with its size are what seems like a zillion tiny part but the kit looks to be very well detailed. Will be following and nice to see the build is going to have its own build thread as trying to follow a build on What on your bench right now is nearly impossible; very much appreciated.

Martin. Thank you for the very kind words - one of my favorite markings as well.

John, absolutely agree.

DONE AND IN THE BOOKS As she rolled across the finish line, I couldn’t help thinking of what a pleasure the 1/48 Tamiya Corsair was to build. Only AM added was a Quinta Cockpit set, Eduard PE Seatbelts and Magic Factory’s Cartograph decals. Fit was typical Tamiya with clear and easy to follow instructions. The decals were sealed with one last coat of Tamiya X22, allowed to dry for a good 24 hours. Lastly the final Alclad Semi Matte clear coat was air brushed on and thankfully, no silvering was seen nor found. The last of the remaining parts and assemblies were added, the IFF and nav lights painted and the landing light finally unmasked. The landing gear and gear doors were a bit finicky but, in the end, all worked out well. I should have installed them as per the instruction sequence and just masked them off, which would have been a lot easier in the long run. The glass was unmasked, the folded wing assemblies added and she was done. A thoroughly enjoyable build. Reviewing the photographs, I realized I left off the pitot tube and the wing braces, which I'll add later today or tomorrow. Also, in some of the images, the Insignia White has a bluish tint, as the lights were set up too close, creating the bluish tint.

John Nice progress on the Hasegawa Hellcat. So glad you are working your magic on the kit as she is a Golden Oldie from the 1970's and when done, will truly have the looks and lines of an Hellcat.