Peterpools

Chris Holy smokes - you 109 looks fantastic. I've had the same experiences with my final clear finishes and for a good few years, have settled on using Alclad Clear Semi Matte or Semi Gloss (they look pretty much the same to me). Instructions do say: shake thoroughly before use. I'm careful to use light cotes or else they dry glossy. Seems the wetter the flat is applied, the glossier it dries. For a flat matte finish, I still love Testor's Good Old Dullcote. The Vallejo flat finish looks spot on the money and the right call for sure. With so many really good clears, it's hard to pick the right one. What I do like about Testor's Glosscote and Dullcote, they are tough lacquers while most of the clear finishes are enamels or acrylics and some of the weathering washes will react with them.

Rob Terrific idea for the GB and looking forward to following your progress.

Kev Holy smokes, the front office looks amazing - awesome work. Nice going on the radiators and the wheel wells - - nice to know by not following the instructions all went together well. Surely the amount of CC the kit manufacture used, didn't involve building a test kit from the instructions.

Chris WOW - absolutely gorgeous work. I second all the comments the guys have been leaving as the cammo and decal work is perfect. Awesome work for sure.

Dave Absolutely incredible work ... simply brilliant and I wish I had your skills and talent, but a reality check says that would never happen - too old and the hand/eye coordination is long gone for such demanding and delicate work.

Thanks Rob, very much appreciated and glad you enjoyed your vacation and are back at the bench. So far, the Saraf has been a fun build even with dealing with loads of super small parts and scale piping that come in bunches to deal with. I haven't had much bench time as Diane and I have had so many doctor appointments and procedures, free time has been scarce and just no desire for modeling. I have been making some progress on the GE T700 engines and the engine bay assemblies, painting should start soon and then an update. Would love to see you tackle the Cobra (helicopter) and hopefully not too far down the road. Of course, Your MFH Cobra comes first, as she is a gem and a joy to follow.

John Just over on the RFI forum and left a comment. Your 190 looks brilliant, build and finish is flawless as always - beautiful work. 🏆

John WOW, I'm off the forum for a few days and your 190 crossed the finish line. She looks absolutely awesome - paint and finish is amazing as always. Yes, I did see the chipping and it does look good - light and reserved - so well done. 🏆

Scott Just checking in as I haven't been on the forum or modeling much this past week, as my wife and myself week(s) have been full with doctor appointments and procedures. Just trying to catch up as time always and the devastation from the Hurricane is horrendous. Glad you and your family are OK and no damage to your home. Our prayers and thoughts to all who are suffering from this incredible devastation.

John Looking at the ebay page, I didn't see the second page either, so how would you know? Just don't understand why produce a decal sheet and leave off the checkerboard portion of the markings, which is the most important portion. Just doesn't make any sense.

Chris PM sent

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Thanks John, sure hope so. Spent almost the entire day today with doctor appointments for Diane and still more and more procedures to schedule and take. Fingers crossed. 🤞

HI John I'm a full believer in MRP paints and they are my go-to paint since they were first released. Almost never have I ever had to thin them at all but the few times I did, I just used good old Mr Color Self Leveling Thinners - worked like a charm.

John One mighty good looking side build.

John Going to look awesome for sure - love the scheme.

Carl I've been using the pick up pencils for a good while and they help a lot but I find they need a sharp tip to work on the smaller parts or even with CA on the model, the PE won't come off the pencil. Right with you and haven't found anything better. Sure, wish I knew how to do levitation. Second set of tracks look mighty good.

Chris Amazing progress - paint work and weathering are off the chart! Going to be buying a few bottles of the AK Washes and give them a test against my tried-and-true Tamiya PLW's. I'm still a huge fan of Flory washes and they still are my go-to panel line wash after all these years. Right with Mike and yourself - I still have a few bottles of Future/Pledge and haven't used in in decades. Just not the way to go these days.

Looking mighty good.

John Looking mighty good and fingers crossed - my money is riding on you all will be perfect.

John How did you sneak this one by me? Awesome progress and the 190 looks up to your always high standards.

Once I'm in the paint stage of the build, paper towels are history: I use either a modeling tack cloth, a microfiber cloth and or a Tamiya anti-static brush. Yup, still get the occasional spec of lint and dust.

Carl Thaks for the info and update - good to see a F4B is hopefully going to be a reality someday. Of course, having built the Tamiya F4B, the 32nd scale kit will have to go a long way to just equal the detail, fit and accuracy and I'm hoping it will.

John As you, I feel that Tamiya range of paints, while I've used them for years, is just too incomplete. After switching to MRP and using AK Real Colors as a BU, I'm spoiled as all the colors are there and with MRP, I don't even have to thin the paint at all- now how about that for being lazy!

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