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Rather than clutter up JohnB's build thread, here's my Spitfire XIV and XVI builds from a few years ago. The XIV is a Tamiya VIII kit with Raduis XIV conversion set. That was designed for the older PCM IX kit so needed a bit more work to make it fit the Tamiya kit. This was the first Tamiya Spitfire I built. Nothing like jumping into the deep end. Next up is my XVI also using the Tamiya kit. I was able to get advice on it from someone who worked on the real aircraft back in the day. The cowl panels are still removable. Nothing like a red Merlin with chrome heads. I mentioned earlier that you don't see too many bubbletop Spitfires. Hopefully Iconicair comes out with their XIV conversion soon so I can build a low back XIV. Lastly, here's my Revell Spitfire 24. Most folks know this as the old Matchbox kit and the challenges that it brings.

Best place to check is probably f-16.net http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article32.html They have a listing based on which unit of the ANG you're looking for and what the different variants are.

The only Fantasy Printshop decals I've used were on my Spitfire PR X conversion and I didn't have any issues. I believe the Airscale instrument decals are printed by them. Carl

That might have been me. I've got several Tiger Meet schemes for Vipers. So far have the tail for the Polish one done.

Something I can sink my teeth into hopefully: 9lb brisket and a 10lb pork shoulder. We're "hosting" a socially distanced laneway get together with our neighbours. Everyone brings their own plates and cutlery and sits/stands in the lane behind our homes.

As an FYI, Great Hobbies has a couple kits in stock- the Rumpler and Hanover and they're 10% off this weekend. https://www.greathobbies.com/search/results/?srchtype=AdvSearch&srchvendor=WNW&srchcat=PKA Free shipping if you're in Canada too.

Rob might be on to something. I remember going there once with my mom. She saw a couch on sale and bought it. Of course there wasn't any room for it in their house so it sat piled on top of the existing couch for a week before we brought it back.

I suspect if you ever got in my '91 Beat, you'd be looking over the windshield.

Well, the paint looked like pearl white in the colour cup but ended up more like silver.

Masking these bodies is a bit of a pain at times. I was going to do it it in orange but didn't have any so went with purple.

Looks like third time was the charm for the wing. It's holding together and with the wing panel in place, is much stiffer than even before it broke. So I'll be back at it shortly.

The Sufa is $129 CAD at NRChobbyshop.com and free shipping in Canada. Which is around $90 USD. Don't even look at their Trumpeter kit prices or you'll cry.

LoL. I used to have a McLaren F1 body on an monster truck chassis but sold it. Don't worry, Tamiya make some stock looking VWs as well. Their Karman Ghia is really nicely done.

They're the mounting holes to install the body onto the chassis. The body may be shorter than its supposed to be but I guess that's in context once on the chassis. RC is where Tamiya really makes their money.

While I'm waiting for the He219's wing spar to dry, I got back to the Honda City and stated on a VW Bus. Got to find my Lexan paints for the Bus first though.

Gaz, the finish on your Leopard looks like your reference photo. Really great. I need to try all these filtering techniques. Carl

Any of Jake Melampy's books on the Viper are a great resource. I'm still learning myself. I've only learned enough about the versions I plan to build. That gets confusing enough.

The Tamiya Thunderbirds kit is long discontinued but GT Resin makes an NSI intake you could use. If going with the Academy kit, Zacto does the NSI intake for that kit.

I'm hoping for the best. The first try didn't hold and my second ended up misaligned. Which is why I decided to attach the wing panel hoping that'll help with the alignment. Thanks Harv! It's coming together.

I assembled the cowlings. After a quick coat of silver paint, these were attached to the engines. This way, I run less chance of snapping off any of the cowl fall rods. At the same time, I did a test fit of some of the cowl panels. It looks like I'll be able to leave at least a couple as removable and not need to glue them in place. I then installed the non display engine to the cowl. At this point I decided to tackle the broken wing spar. I inserted a metal rod but it was too springy and wasn't enough. I then added some doubler plates to either side of the spar and the upper wing skin. I'm hoping this will keep everything aligned and we'll see if it's strong enough. Worst case scenario, I display the fuselage like it was at the Smithsonian.

I've built one too and still have 2 in the stash. But I'm waiting on a XIV conversion before I build them.

Nice! You don't see too many XVI Spitfires get built. Carl

Oh and between Harv and Ernie with the 190s plus Jeff and Danny with the trucks, I'm constantly searching for kits of subjects I wouldn't normally consider. Even caught myself looking at wooden boats.... You guys are worse than squirrels!!!! Carl

Must have been mottled for it to sneak in like that.

Gaz, great looking Leopard.