Peterpools

John Just a shame MM paints were discontinued a long time ago and what is left, is hard to find. Still do not understand why enamels seem to be treated differently then lacquers, while both have serious health hazards and need precautions when using. are

Thanks Kev I think it came down to more of how the zinc chromate color was actually mixed as there were apparently different ratios used and the actual mix was a bit different in which directive was used. Could also be the P-47G 's that were manufactured by Curtiss Wright cockpit color was different but there isn't a lot of documentation or evidence to that. At this stage of the game, as long as the cockpit isn't green zinc chromate, any of the colors should be OK to use.

Any added real estate would be a plus.

Oliver How much bigger is the new dio base going to be compared to the old one?

Thanks Rob So very much appreciated. I was surprised to see the build online a thread with links to other LSP builds on the forum. I got a kick out of seeing those photographs after so many years. She pretty much looks now as she did then as the display case keeps out about 95% or more of the dust and doesn't get direct sunlight so there hasn't been any paint fading that I can see with these old eyes.

I found these photographs online while I was looking for a P-47 build I did. The Tamiya 1/32 P-51D Mustang, Tuskegee Red Tail: Dutchess Arlene, was a build thread I did on the LSP forum years ago. I thought it would be nice to share them, as I do not have the files any longer, just the model in the display case. From what I think I remember; the kit has the Barracuda cockpit detail set and an Alclad NMF (my first NMF). Enjoy

Thank you for your kind comments on the Jug build. The cockpit was primed with MRP Gray and the air brushed with MRP- 229 Interior Dark Dull Green. Most P-47D's cockpits were painted as per specifications in either Interior Dark Dull Green (MRP 229) or Interior Bronz Green (MRP 132). Some actually were painted in Interior Green due to war time shortages and/or dependent where and who manufactured the aircraft. I've seen photographs of wartime aircraft where the cockpit was definitely painted in a much lighter green then the two specified and could have been Interior Green or looked lighter due to the type of B&W film used, which is what the instructions call out for.

Kev Taking a break from such a demanding and intense build has been earned. Looking forward to following our progress and watching you work your magic on the Fokker DVIII.

Kev Amazing and epic work. The level of detail being added surely shows the skills of the builder. Just blown away but the work and brilliance of the build.

PW Right with Mike and Martin ... going to be an epic project and build.

Oliver Looking mighty good and the scene is wonderfully detailed. I do agree with Kirk that the dio feels cramped and as if all the details are being squeezed together to fit the narrow base, with no breathing room for the eye to wander and explore.

Hi Chris, Thank you for the very kind words on the build to this point. Having already built the Tamiya P-47D Bubble Jug I keep mentally comparing the two kits and when my MIniArt kit crosses the finish line, I know I'll have a few things to say in comparing them. At this point in the build, is the kit been worth all the frustrations I've been dealing with, fiddly small parts and the instructions: in all honesty - no. It's very well detailed, beyond Tamiya's kit but a lot can't be seen and struggling with some part orientation and fit, for me just isn't worth the extra work. This is supposed to be the Basic kit and I would have thought much of these tiny detail parts would have been molded in place like the Kotare Spitfire and not then needed to be dealt with individually. The value of these small detail parts does add up but should have been reserved for the Advanced kit - just my two cents worth. I'm almost through installing the wings and MiniArts approach is much different then Tamiya and a lot of the other newer kits when it comes to the wing spar and alignment. Next update, I'll give my opinion on that stage of the build. .

Thanks Rob, it's the little things that slow down a build and make it a non-enjoyable experience. The just improving the instructions would be a huge plus. Working on the wing - fillet seams. Oh what fun.

Carl Completely agree and just so lucky I found the joystick. I did send an email to MiniArt and received a nice response in about five days' time. I'm sure if I didn't find it, they would have sent a replacement. Just a shame the instructions are vague in a few critical spots but for their first aircraft venture, it's an amazing kit.

Thanks Kev, completely agree. Highly detailed kit for sure ... just so fiddly with so many ultra small pieces. Can't wait to finish up the big P&W, the detail does look amazing.

🤞

Gus Nice progress and I'm a mazed as you with the level of detail in 3D molded kits. MRP paints do have an order/smell to them, pretty much equal to Tamiya Lacquer paints and a lot less them My Color. If you use a paint booth and let is run a while after the paint session is over, I don't think there will be an objectional odor. Better test to be sure.

Thanks John Starting to move along at a good clip, now that the major portion of building all the sub-assemblies are done and I'm getting use to how MiniArt does things. I'm sure I'll reach a point in a few days of being ready for the mask set and won't be able to prime until it arrives. Might have to start my next build in the meantime.

Thanks Mike Finally made enough progress for an update. Some of the detailed parts are so small, I spend more time trying to find them then actually gluing them in place.

CLOSING UP THE FUSELAGE AND PROGRESS Incredible, while cleaning up the bench, I found the ‘lost joy stick’ and I must have searched and looked in that exact spot two or three times. With Lady Luck riding as my copilot, I finished up the front office assembly. The ‘tub’s’ four sides and the floor fit together using a slot and tab method, none of which fit, requiring careful filing and tweaking to get the components to mesh together. The IP is attached to the top of the rudder casting, a bit fiddly and a very weak joint. Glued up and ready to go, the front office does look good, requiring a bit too much work in getting the parts to fit. Some fuselage assembly issues: The Supercharger Exhaust part orientation in the instructions seemed vague and I just couldn’t figure out how the part should be installed. After the fuselage was glued up, I knew I had it wrong. I found the proper orientation shown all the way in the step 29 & 30 drawings and with the aid of a few excellent online photographs, I finally understood how the exhaust gate should look and be installed. The fuselage was already completely glued up … what to do? Carefully, with a razor saw, I cut the bottom rear of the fuselage apart, cut out the supercharger exhaust part, glued the fuselage back together, reinforced the seam with Flexy 5K CA Black and when dry glued worked the part in place: starting on the inside and the end of the exhaust gate terminated on the outside and all looked good now. I wish the instructions would have been a lot clearer when you actually install the supercharger waste gate. The tailwheel assembly was built up in Step 5 right after the cockpit assembly. Turns out there are actually two tailwheels provided (excellent) booted and non-booted. But the tailwheel isn’t installed until step 17 (looking ahead), why do the assembly at step 5, which seems way out of sequence? The booted tailwheel assembly so far is another case of frustration, just way too many “this is where it goes arrows”, all of little help. Winging it and looking at photos, I finally understood how the assembly is to be installed. Last bit of negativity: The intercooler exhaust doors. Geez, when installed in the open position, there is nothing to block off looking straight into the inside of the fuselage. I luckily noticed this before gluing the fuselage halves together and added Evergreen sheet to close off the opening. On the plus side: detailing is exquisite, super fine panel lines and rivets almost to scale. Of course, I have my work cut out for me replacing the ones I lost in sanding and fitting. Glass also is awesome – just wish the kit included a mask set. Of course, no matter how careful I tried to be, I managed to break off the fuselage antenna and three of the eight MG’s. I ordered new MG’s and drilled out the MG ports as best I could. Should never have followed the instructions and left them off until the end – live and learn. As soon as my Eduard mask set arrives, the Jug will be off to the paint shop and priming. Major assemblies are done and ready to be glued together More assemblies done and the R2400 is underway - incredible detail and fidelity Four piece cowl is underway along with the gear doors Everything is ready for priming once the Eduard mask set arrives

Awesome .. way to go Hubert. 🏆

I think Scott is right .. his boots don't look right.

Pretty much bought what was on my 2023 to buy list as it wasn't very large at all: Revell Hurricane Kotare Spitfire AM FW 190 Trumpeter Devastator with AirScale Detail set I also bought a number of 1/48 scale kits, almost all weren't on my list; mostly Eduard, Tamiya and Magic factory Corsair set plus the MiniArt Jug 2024; 32nd scale: DBMK Sea Fury 48th scale: Will continue to purchase select 48th scale kits, mainly WWII from Eduard, Tamiya, Airfix, Arma and a few others. Trying to purchase kits that include masks and some AM so I don't have to hunt all over the world looking for what I need for the build.

Brad Sad state of affairs ... unfortunately just not much we can do about it.

Rob Brilliant decal work - those CF decals surely look like a bear to do but your system won the day.