CANicoll

Hmmm.. That is strange that you have used all of the products before, with no issues. One problem I have had with fogging is that the CA gel I use seems to put off fumes for a long time. I didn't realize it until I started using it in confined areas like wheel wells and cockpits (attaching small parts and resin parts). I was getting the tell-tale white power residue after a day or so.

Hubert, Thanks for this. I soured on KH early after I had to butcher the P-39 once the nose armament would not fit, nor any of the wing panels. The KH folks came to our local model contest shortly thereafter and I asked the owners about the kit telling them about the problems I had run into and the response, in short, was "well, that was one of our first kits". I remember paying something like $85 for the kit and they just shrugged their shoulders at it. I was/am pissed that they kept selling the kit, and not trying to go back and fix the issues. I heard the F-5E and the Kingfisher were much better, but I just can't bring myself to buy another Kitty Hawk kit.

I have not seen too much lately about the demise of Kitty Hawk and the apparent resurrection by Zimi Models. I don't know if Zimi has done anything to improve the quality of some of the problem kits (like the P-39Q) or if they simply bought the molds and inventory. SB has the full range it seems like. BTW, SB is having some sort of sale on 1,500 items.

Ahh, the base. Maybe even just directing a small fan at the car while the CA cures would help? Get some ventilation? Your pictures look terrific! This is such a beautiful car and you are doing it total justice.

Periodically I wonder about the GB's but like you all said, I figure it's another avenue to share a build and see what great work you all are doing.

Rob, been following along and am still amazed at the quality of your work. Even if the fuel cap is (ONLY!) 18 parts, that it is workable is amazing to me. The wheels look fantastic. One suggestion on the fogging: run a fan while the CA cures. Sometimes I put the parts in my spray booth and turn on the fan to extract the CA fumes.

Thanks Mike!

Sorry for the delay on just been busy. The stencils driving me a bit crazy but there are not that many. Most are on the bottom, which means most of them will not be seen. THOUGHT I was done with the decals and missed what are some of the MOST obvious ones - the Unit codes! Working on getting them to settle down into the rivet detail and panel lines. The codes and the nose are Lifecolor decals. I could have trimmed the carrier film a bit closer than I did, but honestly, the carrier seems to have disappeared. I have not used Lifecolor decals much but am impressed with them so far. The cockpit door is just fitted into place for the painting.

That tank filler cap is TWENTY PARTS???? Rob you have the patience of a saint. OMG. Looks terrific. Does it actually flip open?

That really is a mystery. But the dash looks amazing as does the firewall.

Rob, That is amazing that the primer didn't take. ugh. I am feeling your pain, my friend. Regarding the CA fogging - how about using a marker to redo the black parts? No need to mask. Potentially. Good luck!

Hang in there Rob. The level of build may not be up to your usual standards, but the work you've already done is masterful. Regarding the CA fingerprint - oh yeah, been there, done that, smacked my head out of frustration. Can you polish it out? BTW, I use CA as the coating on my wood pens and I wet sand the CA to an amazingly clear finish. Maybe you will be able to do the same? Dry sanding seems to result in a frosted surface, but wet sanding provided a clear and hard finish.

Thanks Kevin! She's coming along. More work to be done tomorrow.

Hi Gus and Kevin, thanks but yeah, mine are from 2015 so can't lift the clear carrier film. These are currently shown before the top clear coat so hopefully the film will disappear. Here is how things look now, sorry for the out of focus pic: The decals are doing pretty well settling down into the detail. I've applied about 90% of the stencils so far. SADLY, This is one of two places where I've found parts of a fingerprint in the wash. And a little bit that didn't get painted. Coming together...

That is stunning!!!

Thanks Mike!! The MRP and Vallejo paints are playing well together. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together after this is all said and done. Still a ways to go to get there. Been applying the stencils...

I completely forgot that the canopy on this model Spitfire actually covers part of the rear fuselage. I've painted the camo, but underneath the masked canopy is still the bare-metal fuselage. Oops! Will deal with that after decaling.

Beautiful!!! And I see what you mean by the paint abrasion on the test fitting. But all good! Just fantastic work, Rob. The gauges and the Cobra Dash Placard look like the real thing. Such a pleasure to follow along.

Making progress on the markings. I tried to find some masks to paint the markings. However, I'm not sure what size roundels these are so rather than wait, I used the Eduard roundel decals as the AM decals I have for this aircraft are from 2003. At least the Eduard ones are from 2015. I've had bad luck with old decals in the past. Working on really getting the decals to settle down into the fine detail on the Eduard wings. LOTS of MicroSet and MicroSOL. Some pressure with a damp paper towel. Trying a little bit of Solvaset as well. Sparingly. For some reason, I don't seem to have good results trying to use a hair dryer... So far so good. Hoping the pictures show the decals snuggling down into the details. Once they are snuggled down as much as I think they will, will hit them with a gloss coat and then the washes.

Yep, I'll definitely be re-weathering over the markings.

Hopefully a slightly better view of the brown wash on top. As Rob suggested, it definitely blends in the camo nicely. One thing about the AK Washes, and this is not really any different than any other wash, but gotta watch handling the plane. SO easy to unintentionally wipe off the wash just by handling. I may end up doing the wings, top and bottom, while holding the fuselage, then sealing the wings with a clear coat. Then holding the wings while I work on the fuselage. Then the decal mess will start. Yes, I have the stencils for the Spit to apply. I'm beginning to question my build order here. Should have done the decals before weathering perhaps. I've worked it both ways before...

Thanks Mike and John! I'm slowly trying the AK products but like what I've seen so far. Playing with the AK washes, black/dark gray underneath, brown on top. Starting to work on the stains just with the wash. More to come. Trying the brown on top. Liking it so far... Very hard to see in the photos. I'll work on that. I keep knocking off the left aileron so finally just decided to leave it off for now, ditto the rudder.

Rob, Super recovery! I can't see what you do, but this looks perfect to me. That shine is unreal.

Carl, you were reading my mind! That is exactly how I was planning on duplicating the effect. Thanks for sharing your picture.

Thanks Rob!