CANicoll

After the last two detailed builds, thought I'd try something different, hence the Revell Dale Earnhardt #3. Mostly because I want to see if I can get a nice, shiny NASCAR body done with all of those decals. Not going to spend hardly any time under the hood (which will remain closed) but want to do a reasonable job on the interior. NASCAR engines are not all that interesting anyway, but the interiors can be somewhat interesting, not that anyone will get to see much of it. Plus, somehow, I've come down with Walking Pneumonia so need SOMETHING to do while I wait for the antibiotics to kick in. This kit is from 2000, which is the year before he was killed at the 2001 Daytona 500. I picked up the kit that year. Kept it shrink wrapped until opening it a few weeks ago. The decals still have yellowed a bit... I guess it is good a lot of the decals are grouped together, especially with not a lot of clear carrier film noticeable. The current plan is to paint the gray lower panels with the red pinstripe. And we will see how 24-year-old decals respond... Laid down a coat of Vallejo Gloss Black Primer first, which was a HUGE disappointment - splotchy and would not lay down. Looked like crap. So covered that with the usual Vallejo Black Primer which I have found always goes down so smoothly. Covered beautifully. In the background are some of the gray interior parts and black primer for the wheels Right after finishing the last coat, I somehow managed to airmail the body across the room so there are a couple of small nicks I need to clean up. Tomorrow this will get a nice coat of X-11 Tamiya Gloss Clear in prep for the decals.

Beautiful work, and the detail and painting are terrific, but WTF is going on with Aires?? That is just amazing how bad those parts fit.

Hopefully! It is being held in Southern VA at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay: Hampton Roads Convention Center. About 4 hours from DC and Northern VA, close to the border with North Carolina. August 6-9, 2025

Beautiful work! Love the Eduard kits and you did a masterpiece. The finish is excellent.

PW, the finish really is amazing. Nice work!

Peter, Happy birthday my friend! I was trying to look back to when we first met, but I think that was well neigh 15 years ago at the other place? So good to have met you and enjoy watching and learning from your excellent work. I really enjoy your builds, and your latest foray into the railroad buildings is just fun to watch. Many happy returns!

Rob, the sand effect is very cool and I'll have to keep that in mind. But despite the problems with the hairspray, I think your plan B looks AWESOME. The Metal looks perfectly worn. Also like what you did with the clear window - not sure I would have thought about using Tamiya Extra Thin like that but perfect effect. I was wondering if the glass would have been penetrated? Regardless, the total effect is terrific. You have a real talent. Love the look.

Thanks for posting, Maru. Maybe see you there next year. Coming over for Nats anytime soon?

I'm getting the feeling that the fit of the ZM kit is really terrific...

Thanks Carl! I think this needs to go into a pinned 'Hits and Tips' thread for posterity.

And this is "An update but nothing spectacular to show"??? OMG, I don't get half this much done on a complete build!! Your work is amazing to follow and is far beyond my simple capabilities. But fun to watch.

Beautiful 190!!!

If only my LHS was as well stocked....

I think I see F-4 intakes, and perhaps some tank spindle bits? I'm with Scott. I'd lose what little is left of my mind. Heck I can't keep ONE kit organized!

Nice job!! I have never heard of using thinner as a decal softener, but the results are fantastic. These panels look amazing, without the cost of a 3D Printed set. Beautiful. Following along and you may force me to get my ZM F-4C out of the closet....

Nice work! What did you use for the formation light on the tail? Is that a decal, Eduard PE or something else? Thanks!

Very cool!!

PW, You know, not my favorite subject but you really did execute it so well. What a looker. Love your metal work and weathering, nice job! Really like that you built a 'test kit' to try out the paints, but my efforts trying out paints/weathering are nothing like what you did. Beautiful!

Rod, Beautiful job on an impressive kit. Love the B-17G but have only built the Monogram/ProModeller kits. Your finish and weathering are top-notch - well done. But your photography really pulls in the subject. Looking forward to more pictures.

Nicely done! Agreed with everyone on the 'less is more' when it comes to the diorama. And with Mike on watching your work, and learning from it.

Awesome work! Love the details and the story and seeing how you stage something, then get it painted and set in place. Fantastic work and great to be able to follow along. Thanks for sharing!

Martin, That looks awesome!! Nice work on the weathering.

I have the RB Productions metal Wood airbrush stencil set as well as the plastic AK flexible airbrush stencils - just have not used either of them yet... I would think you would have to be careful to lift the stencil straight up to avoid smudging the paint? I go through a lot of low-tack home DIY tape when I'm masking camo lines. Inexpensive and comes in big rolls.

Somehow or another I've stumbled across Propeller 77 and their product line of stencils and work bench accessories. Has anyone used their stencils? Check out here and here. They also have some paint and glue holders. The stencils look very interesting, especially the squiggly line one for Luftwaffe planes. Any thoughts? Thanks! Chris

Kevin, I'm with Mike - I think the finish is terrific. Nicely done!