Peterpools

As much as I hate to join the #11 cub of injuries and mishaps, I've had more then my share and was even banned from using them by the 'chief' until I could demonstrate I was able to use them once again with great care. I now have switched over mostly to handles that won't roll off the bench such as Tamiya or one other brand but forgot the brand name. I also have a small tray I keep on the bench and need to keep reminding myself to put the #11 knifes in there every time I put them down and that also goes for my modeling chisels as well. Of course, cutting yourself with the knifes when using them is a whole other story and I'm a member in that club as well with dues paid up for years to come.

And the answer is ......

Ernie Got ya 😉

Carl I just love organization. Great plan for sure👍

Chris, I'm guessing but I would think the F4EJ's would be late F4's - just go for it and the overall incredible detail will be a knockout. When it comes to stencils, Phantoms are the Queen of the skies and covered in them head to toe. I'm using more and more stencils these days as compared to years past when I didn't use very many except on my Phantoms. Just take your time and they will eventually get done and look mighty good. On the Big Cat, the Furball and Tamiya sheets have what seems like thousands of them - just look how many decals I used on the missiles - once you start, it's hard to stop. 😉

Scot Good call on the primer with so much real estate to cover. Might also be something to consider when applying both the clear gloss and clear flat finishes as well. Looking mighty good

Carl BRAVO, absolutely a phenomenal build - stating with the LED's which look spectacular and right up through the final touches of the build. Most incredible of all, is how you don't lose parts or even the whole kit at times on both of your benches 🏆

Ernie Not up on the history of the paint application: factory vs field. Of course, it's pretty hard to find close up/detailed photographs documenting the specific airplane but if in doubt, I would go with the factory cammo of hard edge. I'm with Carl and use a lot more Nato and rubber black these days then straight black as the effect looks so much better. Sometimes I even use MRP Primer flat black for a unique effect all of its own.

Scott Absolutely.🏆

Thanks Scott, the Big Cat id getting there, and tomorrow is finally primer day as all the sub-assemblies and the fuselage are finished and ready to go.

Peter I'm riveted to my chair and will be following every step of the way. I do remember so many years ago on LSP when we met as you recreated a gem from the old Hobbycraft kit. It's so hard to comprehend your progress to date - faster then I build a kit OOB. I've only built two Sea Fury's: The Fisher 32nd kit and the Airfix 48th scale kit and each sits front and center in my display case. For me, the Sea Fury looks and power is the Queen of the Skies.

That's what Dad's are for😉

Scott So glad the procedure went well, and I echo Martins thoughts.

Peter Incredible, just incredible. I tip my hat to a museum quality build and it seems you literally flew through the project. Of course, Peter, we have no way of knowing how many hundreds of hours you worked at the bench to keep up the incredible pace. So beautifully done. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Peter

Chris There is an early and late F4E Qunita set in 48th scale and maybe the same in 32nd scale, but I'm not sure and that might be the issue of what you are seeing. My motto, just go for it and use the Quinta set and enjoy the build. For my money, once the Front Office is finished and mainly detailed with the Quinta set, it's going to look fantastic.

Alan I was hoping they would actually be a little tougher and the oder/health issues is number one.

Just arrived: Vallejo Metal Colors and their metal varnish. Will be using them for all the NMF areas on the Tomcat instead of Alclad and see how they work. Just want to start distancing myself from all the lacquers, as I use up my supplies.

Scott Super progress and a mighty good plan. I also try to leave the small and easily breakable pieces until the end or at least the last minute but these days, I do add a lot, so I don't have to worry about marring the paint finish.

Rob WOW, decaling looks simply tremendous and your approach and technique absolutely was the right way to go. Mix in a lot of patience and skill and the results speak for themselves. Your rigging POA sounds foolproof and I'll be following all the way.

Dave WOW ... looking fantastic as in your hands, the whole masking process worked perfectly🏆

Gus Looking mighty good and your constant progress and overcoming the 'pitfalls' of the kit should be a lesson for us all: when there is a will, there is a way. Of course, I should be first on that line.

Paul Fingers crossed on the save.

John The weathering was perfectly done and enhanced the build as compared to heavily weathered models that should be displayed in at least a vignette for time and place. I should have been clearer in my original post.

Looking mighty good and hopefully the SMK is on the back burner and scheduled for repairs down the road.

Carl Thanks for posting the competition photographs - the level of the modeling was outstanding for sure. So very hard to pick a favorite but for me it was: The C-130 Herky Bird - perfect in every detail. Glad you and the boys spent a fun day together attending the show.