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Thanks Mike! With the kit ones being solid, I'd say you're right on needing AM exhasts for the kit. Thanms Rob! I'm definitely in the lightly used category when it comes to weathering.

Nice progress John. I've yet to build one with the wings folded but there will have to be at least one that way. Carl

Damn, glad to hear it was only on the tanks. Had a bit of an operator error myself tonight. Found a hair on the nose of the BF110 right after spraying the clear. In trying to get it off, I smudged the squiggle camo as I guess it was soft from the clear. So a bit of touch up for me. Carl

After seeing your pics, I took my set out. I'm not sure if it's any better. Sorta looks ok from here: But from the other sides... This could be quite the challenge. Carl

Next up was the engine. The backside of the cylinder halves are covered in partial ejector pins. These were quickly removed with a set of sprue cutters. And glued together. The ignition ring is a very thin part. My first try at removing it from the sprue caused part of it to snap. So I decided to use a razor saw instead and cut it loose in two steps. Using a razor saw, I cut the attachment points off with a short stub. I then trimmed the stub off with a sharp hobby knife. This way I was able to get it free without any further breakages. After a quick cleanup,I glued it to the cylinder bank. The last bit for tonight is the exhaust assembly. They're each multiple parts but after a quick cleanup, they fit together fairly well. Provided you don't lose the part and have to scratch a replacement up.

Ok, so thanks for everyone dropping in on this. Especially Ernie, since it was his build that got me onto this floatplane jaunt. First bit of hacking/ sprue cutting has happened. I started on the wings by making sure I drilled out the right holes for the floats. Then, seeing how small the locating pins are for mounting the floats, I added some styrene blocks inside the wing. This way I can use longer wire to replace the pins and get a stronger mount. I hope. I'll do something similar with the main float but that'll have to wait until I have an idea of how much is visible inside it. Speaking of the main float, I trimmed that free from the sprues and like most, promptly broke the bracing wires between the struts. So I did the only logical thing and snipped the remnants off. Using their original attachment points as reference, I've drilled holes where they used to be and will replace them with wire.

That looks like the rarely seen amphibious version of the Kingfisher.

Looks good to me Ernie. I'd be happy with those results. Carl

New mess on the bench: Wanted something that wasn't a twin.

Ok, so my bench is littered with more kits than it should be. What's one more in that case? This has been kicking around in the back of my head ever since I saw this pic in Dana Bell's book on the Kingfisher: Note the postwar style white only star and bar on the fuselage. On the tricolour scheme, it just looks cool. Plus there's the beat up main float. Only problem is I have no idea what the wing markings are like. After conversing with Dana, he wasn't sure about them either. Thankfully there's another pic in his book of a different Kingfisher with the same incorrect insignia. This one at least shows the underwing markings and they're the standard version. I might go with this one as a result. Carl

Really nice P-47 Rob! I like the NMF, something I find challenging. Carl

Cool! Maybe an Indiana Jones diorama with a horse and rider? Carl

Lastly, I installed the underwing rad fairings and MLG legs. There's a small strut- N5 that goes in the front of the fairing that's not on the instructions so make sure you don't forget it. Carl

I then cleaned up, painted and installed the Quickboost exhausts. Unfortunately these broke apart a bit upon removal from their pour stubs. I almost went and ordered some REXx metal ones but decided I had these on hand and might as well make a go of them.

Ok, so after being sick for most of last week, I've finally made it back to the workbench. After painting the prop blades and spinners, I realized I'd used the wrong colour. I'd used RLM 66 instead of 70 so I repainted them. At the same time, I did the front parts in white.

Thanks Gaz! Thanks! Good to hear you're trying with the grandson at least. Bandai kits are a great intro. They're well engineered, go together well and can be played with after assembly if they're gentle enough. I think I'm lucky as far as my boys go. They're both more interested in building/making stuff with their hands than video games at the moment. We've got all the game consoles in our house (they're mine actually) but they've only recently discovered Nintendo and they're happy to play it at their friends' houses. The biggest fight for their attention is just plain old TV.

Thanks Ryan! I've got the Trop as well as a third kit for the AiMs G4 conversion. I'll have to see when I get to those in the cue. Thanks Peter! I generally keep weathering light as well. This will probably be a bit heavier than my usual but not beaten to death.

Thanks Martin! Although being sick for much of last week means I guess I'm about even in terms of progress. Thanks Grunhertz! Thanks! I'm happy with the way it's turning out.

Crazy fast progress on this Cees. Carl

Very nice build Ernie. I think you should build more of these kerosene burners in the future. Carl

Looks good to me as well Gaz. You can always add a bit later once they're installed like Rob said. Carl

That's good to hear Peter. My wife occasionally complains about the smell of paint but I generally don't spray a ton at a time. Always nice to have one more option. Carl

Hey, Harv's back so that's good enough for me. Me, I've been too sick all week to go near the bench. Just a really bad cold the boys wanted to share with me and my wife. Hopefully I'll be functional and back at it this coming week. Carl

I found a listing for a house with a 6,000 sq ft garage. The bonus was the 4,000 sq ft workshop. My wife vetoed it as it was in North Carolina but was only about 20% more than our 1,200 sq ft house here in Toronto is worth. Carl

Glad you're almost home Harv if not there by now. Carl