CANicoll

Thanks Carl. I heard from my other cousin (her sister - we are taking turns getting the word out to friends and family) and power and water are still out. They received word that water may be out for weeks as the water treatment plant has been severely damaged. Apparently some agency is making some sort of delivery to the neighborhood (water?). Regarding power, a neighbor has a generator that they are generously sharing with everyone to keep cells phones and laptops charged. Cell service seems to be spotty. But the mood seems to be pretty good. Everyone is cooking everything before it goes bad so lots of socialization and sharing. the neighbors pitched in to clear the trees that came down.

Finished the decaling, unless I catch a wild hair and go for all of those latch stencils (doubtful!). Finally attached the chin cooler and noticed that it looks like it would have been possible to insert the exhausts from the inside which would have saved a bit of masking. Oh well.

This would be a nice addition - I love the B's with the Malcom hood, and not sure I have seen one with the fin fillet added. Plus, there is something about an OD Mustang...

Beautiful job on the cockpit, Kevin and good to hear the fit seems better on the VI. I have the V 'Hi Tech' in my stash, but am reluctant to build it.

My cousins live in Fairview which is between Asheville and Lake Lure/Chimney Rock. I've been there a few times. They are completely cut off, but their place is on the side of a mountain so as long as the hill doesn't slide, they are ok. They reported no power or water but otherwise were ok a few days ago. 🙏 The devastation there is shocking. Chimney rock, which was on the side of the river and not far from Lake Lure looks like it is just gone. As is a lot of downtown Asheville. Very sad.

Rog, Beautiful and the colors are perfect. A lovely place you have there. Can't wait to see the finished product! No clear coat required...

I like it. I seem to keep forgetting that those pencils look so good.

I know!! I'm not too far off from the original camo, I hope.

Nicely done John. What did you use for the chipping? A sliver pencil? Looks good.

Thanks Hubert, Photography catches everything! 👍

Wow, I am still in awe of your 3D printing capabilities. Nice work!

Masterful work!

Started with some stencils which thankfully are far fewer on this aircraft than some of the others. However, it seems like very latch still has a stencil so will be coming back to that. Just was not up to it tonight. Had a worry that the Eduard decals would maybe not settle down into the extensive riveting on the aircraft. However, those fears were unfounded. Applied them over a base of MicroSet. Had to be somewhat careful as they settled into position fairly quickly. Close up shows a better view Also resprayed the exhausts with Model Master Burnt Iron Metalizer in preparation for the PE guards. The chin scoop is dry fitted at the moment. Attached the PE exhaust guards: The left side guide may need to be bent up just a bit.

It will!

Thanks Peter! I'm happy with how this is turning out as the Tornado I was doing in Sand Pink was a disappointment. It's fun to 'dirty-up' a plane. I have several of the Flory Washes and what I like about them is the wide range of colors they offer. The AK washes are not hugely different in color (except the white!) but I think on the right base coat they probably turn out well. HobbyNut has the complete line but don't seem to have the set that I have and for th elife of me I can't remember where I got them from. I thought it was HobbyNut. And I have two MIG washes that I like - Dark and Neutral. If you want to try out the AK Paneliners, I'll send you my set and you can try them out. Kind of expensive to just test out at $8 a bottle.

Can't wait to see how you do the paint on this. Nice build!!

The Vallejo Gloss is so so, but I really like the matte. And like you I also use them from brush touch-up. They are brilliant for that. Funny. I have that same bottle of Dullcote, too. Have not opened it in probably 10 years! I do LIKE to do two builds at the same time for the same reasons you said - I hit a roadblock, or need a change of pace or, like tonight, I put a clear gloss over the washes, and painted the 2 PE exhaust covers, then I was done. Ugh. So much lost bench time. I did try and do two mustangs one time and ended up mixing parts as I got lost where I was in each build. Ooops! Now I either do the same aircraft or different scales. And yeah, I constantly have a battle with where I put parts 'for safe keeping'...

Mike: Thank you! I'll take some better pictures here soon. I actually have two bottles of the original Future (yes that old!) but have only used it lately for dipping canopies. I'm with you - once you put all the work into a paint scheme you hate to ruin it with a bad clear coat. I have not tried any rattle cans as I'm not sure of the controllability. I'm really happy with the X-22 and it seems pretty fool proof for the gloss. I do like the Vallejo for the Matte/flat, but I invested in some of MRP's Matte and semi-matte so will give them a go. I don't know how you keep up multiple builds! I can barely keep one going.

Hang in there...

Making progress getting more bits together. First was getting the wash on the various flaps, Then clearing it off - wiping with a paper towel. Close up on the gear doors. Leading edge of the doors pre-shaded. Also remembered I needed to work with the PE exhaust covers - Folded here. Prime and paint tomorrow. \ The Eduard fit is REALLY good The ailerons and elevators are press-fitted here. Added the spinner Took a while but got the flaps in place. Underside, still have to attach the second aileron counterweight on the right side (left in the picture). Started on some of the oil stains.

I hear you on that. I used to use an old Monogram B-17 wing as a paint mule to try things out. I really like laying down a white base when I'm trying to fade a topcoat, or a black base when doing the same with a lighter top coat.

Mike, I am not a Tamiya Fan, but Peter swears by it (not at it.. LOL) so I tried it a while back and it definitely delivers better than any of my other clears. I have tried Vallejo (not bad but takes a lot to get a really glossy coat), Alclad - (I'm inconsistent with it), MRP (seems like I go through a whole bottle on a 1/48 aircraft) so Tamiya was kind of a last resort. I thin it about 50% with Leveling thinner. I love it the more I use it and am ordering another bottle. It does go on a bit splotchy when I do a wet coat, but if I just go away and leave it alone, I come back to a perfectly smooth, glossy finish.

Thanks Kevin!

Me neither! I had not heard of Hussar before anyway.