Martinnfb

Nice build

Father Ted was right. moving on, canopy is back on. the big upper cross decals came out ok. I removed the inner part and hopefully they will blend under a coat of clear.

Printed the serial numbers and opted for windmills from the Trumpeter decal sheet just to realize that they’re too big. Well that’s Trumpeter for ya.

MIND THE GAP! I should probably check the instructions once in a while. How and why would Airfix choose such a solution for the canopy install is beyond me. I didn’t trim the fuselage and then noticed the gap while spraying clear coat . Bummer... So just be careful when you get to this step , it's easy to miss.

Yes I ripped the first cut as well, then I changed the speed settings to 1 and the cut was clean. blade 2, speed 1, force 8

Thank you guys. There will be adjustments to the mottling and repairs once the paint is cured. Regarding the marking. As a first step I sprayed the black layer into the centres, then cover the centre again, then removed the outline and sprayed the yellow. Oramask 810 is very flexible, thick , but flexing enough to give you some room for adjustments.

Masked the code numbers, I rarely using pure black but this time it was needed because of the swastika decals that will be easier to blend.

Definitely worth the money. In case you wonder the font is Alte DIN 1451 Mittelschrift

Now we're talking.

That looks really good.

Mistakes happened , I would rip it off and build it without it as per the provided picture. Its an easy way out and you don't see them build like that very often, or never.

Definitely a must, this thing is huge . I am testing the new ATOM paint and trying all kinds of thinners, little expensive guinea pig, but there is no time for hesitation

Some of you were wondering about the quality and fit of the masking tape provided by Airfix. Well, it does the job. I didn’t use transfer tape, just slapped it on off hand. The material is slightly softer than Kabuki, but its adhesive allows you to play around with the placement. Good call over all, I just wish they would provide also the rest of insignia crosses. And yeah, my compressor overheated and started spitting water, nota biggie.

Here's a picture of Mk.3 without the front armour.

There is this as an option https://www.scorpion-miniature-models.co.uk/product-page/smm3546A-challenger-1-and-2-era-toe-armour

Thanks Guy, yes there are seatbelts, but plastic molded in the universal vertical position and I can’t really imagine how to crumple them in the back, so I opted to go with the paper ones, an easy way out

Hi Ralph, it seems that the perforated part D14 is supposed to be placed upside-down with the holes in the lower part, yours is in the upper.

@airscale Peter's belts are pure gold.

Artificial Horizont decal shifted on me, Eduard 109 bezel set 23014 came to the rescue. Now I feel I should replace all of them. Remember, AOOB

because it's wrong, the added appliqué ERA armour is mounted on a front plate attachment point creating a physical gap with the top not protruding from the silhouette of the vehicle.

Reminds me about this movie. It was a nice story

Thank you , I have to admit I like them, first time there's a product that I can hand brush and air brush with great results. really impressed.

Fantastically designed radiator flaps mechanism.

From Arctic Bandit to Twilight Sparkle, at this stage the paint looks so stark.