CANicoll

Peter, impressive detailing and washing display! BEAUTIFUL!!

Ha ha ha!!! Thanks Scott. I was fortunate to be able to use the pen lathe that one of the guy's bought. I just picked up my own gouge and then all the pen bits and pieces and the wood blanks. But, yes, it is both a time and money sink. HUGE! Like - I could work on this cockpit, or I could do a pen. One or the other...

It is very satisfying to see a piece of wood (or plastic or whatever) get turned into something like a pen. The wood is actually fairly dull, until the final finish (CA if you can believe it!) is applied, then its 'wow!'. Give it a whirl! Takes me about 2-3 hours start to finish. Chris

Received a few things to help me get this project kicked off, and yet another example of the brain fading... Quick shipment from Ali at Aerocraft of his terrific clear resin canopies - top for the Revell 1/32 P-51D, and bottom for the F-4 for the GB. The polish up beautifully. And, this makes me sad. Ordered a full set of Quinta cockpit sets a while ago - took a while to arrive which was expected, but completely slipped my mind that I had ALSO purchased the set for the Tamiya F-4E. Now I have TWO sets I need to dispose of, or I imagine someone is going to suggest just buying a F-4E kit.... Chris

Thank you, Martin. I didn't show the pen blanks I cracked, shattered or otherwise screwed up. But it is a fun hobby. Having some really smart and helpful people in the shop (like the guy who showed me how to make the pens) is a huge help. Chris

Thank you!

We have a nice woodshop here where I live and a CNC machine. The box at the top I made for my mother's Christmas present two years ago. Made a serving tray for myself out of some extra cherry wood. One of the guys here showed me how to turn pens on a small lathe he has and that has been a lot of fun. I think I've made maybe 45 pens at this point.

Martin, The paint looks awesome! Love the mottling effect. Nice work! Chris

Now if I can find someone to take the J set off my hands!

Phil, I have the same H&S airbrush, but for some reason I keep picking up my GREX, which has the pistol grip. I LOVE it. The control over paint and air is so much easier than with my trusty Iwata HP-C. I'm not practiced enough with the H&S to take advantage of its capabilities. Eventually will get there. I need to put the effort into learning it.

Phil, Nice work! Looks smooth. Is that the kit canopy? Perfectly clear, wow. Chris

Yeah, I think I missed on the right Quinta Set. Have to reorder.... Gotta stop ordering late at night...

Well spent!!! Acrylic Asphalt?? Cool stuff.

Getting ready for the Twin GB, this arrived today. $155 in a VERY small box. And it is not even measured in carats....

Look what showed up today!!

Scott, Hope you get some relief! I have a broken vertebra in my lower back that if I gain too much weight (stomach) it pulls the spine forward and pulls that vertebra out of alignment. I hear you about the pain. Suddenly the legs just stop working. Have not wanted to go in for the surgery, so just keeping my weight down, best as I can.

Carl, Thanks!!! I think my GT Resin cans are showing up this week from SB. That is a major difference in size, but also in detail. Hope I can do them justice. I have the same stand you do.

Ha ha!! Not being a Ford guy, I accept my smack-down! Love that hood on the GT500, what a beauty!! And those Boss 302 was so cool looking. I drove a 69 383 RR for a friend who was scared of his car. Not a 440 or a hemi, but still fast enough. I owned a 70 Duster in that orange. Sigh. Those were the days! Thanks for the photo. Cool stuff.

Doh!! My bad, sorry! Nice on the Mustangs. I was always a Mopar guy, but my dad had a 67 fastback, dark green. I'd live to find a TA Challenger. Or a nice 69 KR500.... Of course, I'd have to live in it since I'd have to sell my place to afford one!

Even without the clear nose, I thought so too since it included your Resin intakes!

Thanks Peter! I'm definitely leaning towards the no-pilots setup. Esp with the Quinta set. Agreed on the closed canopy - which was a thought. Good to think this through ahead of time! THX for the cockpit color. Order is in...

Well, I've nearly doubled what I paid for the kit, in AM and paint. New exhaust burner cans (GT Resin), Quinta cockpit, MRP paint and Aerocraft canopy. Debated about the Quinta set but I think I'm going to go for an open cockpit. Now the question is whether to use the seats with pilots or without... I'd like to use with the pilots, but from building the Tamiya Mustang, the pilot almost completely obscures the very nice interior. I think the F-4 is different however, with those side consoles... Interesting that Tamiya and ZM call out different F-4E cockpit colors with ZM saying it is Dark Gull Gray while Tamiya says Sky Gray. Sources at ARC say it is Dark Gull Gray FS36231. Let's see, $95 for the kit with the resin intakes (but no clear nose). Spent $140 at SB and another $55 at Aerocraft (F4 and P-51D canopies). This doesn't count the rest of the AM I already bought.... This may be the most expensive build I've ever attempted...

Wow about the molding agent. For some reason, I still wash my parts in dishwashing liquid. Habit I guess. Interesting subject Peter!

This is EXACTLY why I'm not going my kit for this GB. Terrific work on the bombs (and everything else). The detail is wonderful and can't wait to see the texture you put on.