CANicoll

Now that Rob mentions it, I do remember having problems removing the Micromask as well. Now if I use it, it is over a tape mask to make sure I don't have any gaps in the seams. If it is a 'fill in the blank' use with masks, I prefer to use the Neo if I can't easily use tape...

The captured Mustangs catch my eye in particular...Striking, as well as the Swiss Mustang... But "if desired remove decal cover varnish with Zippo Lighter Fluid"?? Has anyone tried doing that?

The WRX is no more... Picked up a 2021 Audi A4 with 24k miles on it. The WRX was a 2018 with 52k on it. Actually, it is quicker and faster than the WRX was, by over 3/4 sec 0-60. Who knew?? And it gets about 35% better gas mileage than the WRX. But so much tech inside - beyond Apple Car Play and Android Auto - that I'm still sorting out various things, like how to turn down the damn voice that tells me my 'mobile device is still in the car' when I open the door but haven't grabbed my phone out of the center console yet. The cell phone app tells me if I left the car unlocked (and can lock it or unlock it remotely, yay) or if I left the window/door/hood(bonnet)/trunk(boot), and or sunroof open. Haven't found remote start yet, however. Great to drive normally (Auto or Comfort Mode) but put it into 'Dynamic' drive mode (Audi-speak for "sport mode") and this thing really goes. 0-60 in 4.8 sec.

Oh, that looks GOOD. I keep threatening to start on my 1/48 ZM F-4C... You make that very tempting....

Paul, What are you going to be masking? Camo patterns or body panels? I have the NEO and Micro Mask products and usually what I use them for is filling in the canopy masks. Both do an ok job with that - just don't use acrylic paints (which you said you said you are not using) over the Micro Mask. I find the Mr. Hobby NEO mask pretty thick which can be a positive if you are trying to use it to create a camo pattern or mask individual panels. But the little brush that comes in the bottle doesn't keep its shape very long and is not very useful IMHO. The Micro Mask seems to be too thin for those projects, once it is applied, but it could be I'm not applying it correctly. I have not used the Vallejo Mask (strange, as I have most of their other products). Post your results, please!

"Do they come in blue?"

Thank you, Martin!

I'd say take artistic license and finish as you think best. Screw heads get a lot of wear and tear and are often not made of the same materials as what they are fastening so they could look quite different. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I know. Stuff like this drives me crazy, too. Pictures from the period are subject to fading and color problems, and even just lighting. The Blue/Green Lou IV Mustang discussion is a perfect case in point. But Nice work on your plane, regardless.

Really nice cockpit and metal paint work. I also like the lacquers for the same reasons you said - they cover nice, dry fast, pretty durable. I'm having drying problems with some of my Vallejo paints and some of the MM acryl paints I have, too.

Thanks!!! Definitely will be taking a look.

Flak Bait is still at Udvar Hazy, a 20 min drive from my place. SOOO tempting to get one of the new B-26 kits and have a go, using photographs from the museum here. I have a ton of photos of the plane in sections, and the patching and weathering is incredible. Few people know that when the plane sat after the war, people came up and autographed the bottom of the airframe. It is covered in signatures... Don't think there is a decal for those!

Turned out GREAT!!!

Perfect!! Nice work John.

I don't have any of the AK pens but I do have a few chrome and black pens. The Chrome Molotov pen was handy to do some quick touch-up on my recent F-4 SEA build. I could easily see doing the tires with the black pen and following up with shading, etc. I wonder if these pens will even get to the point where we could 'draw' instead of 'paint' parts like seats, cockpit IPs, landing gear bit, etc. Thanks for posting! Always good to see what others are trying out and what their experiences are.

Mike, PW, Rob - thanks for your comments! I was pleasantly surprised at how the chalk really toned down the camo - which is a very good thing. I see that I missed a few details but oh well. I will go back and do the tail wheel because it is easy to do, and I still have some leftover chalk (which was a mix of yellow with a bit of black and brown added). I really do like 1/48 scale. There is a good amount of detail but doesn't take forever to get through the build and I can get a lot of them in my display case. What I like about the 1/32-1/24 is the detail is MUCH easier to see - especially when showing to other people. With 1/48 you need a light and ideally a magnifier... (Or maybe it's my old eyes!) Rob - You know, I originally put down "Ellen", and then changed it to "Elleu", and have now changed it back to Ellen. Having a German background, I should have known it was 'Ellen' and not 'Elleu' plus even Eduard's information on this aircraft they say he named it after his wife, Ellen.... Thanks!

I have three coffee habits, including my (aging) Keurig. How did you do the descaling? I've seen different methods but not sure the one I use does a lot.

Scott, you are a scholar and a gentleman. Not to mention you've figured out the key to a happy life....

I have the "C" in this scale!! I'm already having to figure out what is going to be put away from my display case in order to fit the newer stuff getting built...

We should have had a sub-category for Sandbox Bf 109s.

PW, just awesome. Put that in a diorama and nobody will know its a model. Stellar work, esp with all of that added it, and your weathering.

The eyelets and turnbuckles are terrific, and one of the reasons I sold my WNW kits! Nice job, PW. Cool to see the WWI subjects.

Kevin, I'm very interested in how this builds. Good luck!

Nice to get something finished ahead of the deadline! Here is the build thread for my Sandbox 109 and thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. That was great. Aftermarket included Quinta interior and whose seatbelts won't stay flat. Guess I am going to have to glue them down. Also noticed, in the pictures, I forgot to weather the tailwheel. It is always something!! And some with and earlier Eduard Bf-190 that I did.

Thanks Mike!