CANicoll

GREAT USE OF TIME. I was never able to bring modeling supplies on a business trip and DO anything. But I never had to deal with much of an ice-storm as well - so good planning! Safe travels!

Hey Mike, I have not, but come to think about it I may have some in my drawer, I will take a look. You are right, seems like all of the other options do shrink to some degree. We have a rainy day - good day to be at the workbench! Chris

Thanks Gary!!! Much appreciated!

Good luck!!!

Rob, Watching your amazing skills and this build is fascinating. Never really contemplated building a ship - and watching all of the PE work you are doing, and the incredible detail it adds, NOPE! Not going there! Chris

Scott, this is such a fascinating build. Every step of the way is pretty cool - and I'm really digging the lighting and how you can really see the interior. And 1/128 scale figures?? Wow. Fun to watch! Neat progress! We have a full woodshop here where I live - really enjoying the woodworking too. The CNC machine is REALLY neat!

Bill, Fantastic tutorial! Thank you for all of the photographs and especially for showing what did and did not work. So helpful to learn from - thank you! I'm always looking for new ways to do things such as feathering the edges of paint. Kingfisher is looking terrific, nice job on the paint. Chris

Thank Peter! Now if I can only find some decals! 🙂

UPS decided, after missing the delivery time, that I needed to 'verify my address' - but they had the address correct. Actually, UPS didn't show up for the evening deliveries here (I can look out over the complex). Frustrating, but it seems to happen frequently, and I have to be here to sign for the package (thank you Tamiya!). Oh well. Worst things are happening in the world. Got the next bit of Mr Surfacer on the tail. Might go back in a few minutes and work on it. 🙂

Thanks Peter! Sitting here waiting for the Tamiya Spitfire to be delivered (unfortunately, have to sign for it!), but itching to get the next round of Mr. Surfacer going. And yeah, will also address the tail gap. Mostly likely Milliput.

Excellent tip!! Looking forward to seeing the result. I just gave away a huge handful of pipe cleaners. Will have to see if the ones I have left are the 'good' ones or the 'bad' ones.

Looking good and your cockpit adds work very well - nice! Interesting subject, too. Thanks for sharing. Chris

Carl, Wow, just amazing work! The painting is great, but the decal work is fantastic. 268? Stenciling an aircraft is nothing compared to what you are doing. Did you buy Micro Sol/Set by the pint? Looks like the decals are going down very well - any issues? Chris

Gary, you are THE wizard when it comes to foiling! Not sure I have the patience for doing this panel by panel. I'm sure you've already answered this, but what do you use for adhesive for the foil? Chris

Paul, Terrific job and nice recovery from the moisture trap problem! Chris

John, Awesome! Looks terrific and nice job on the decals!

In between working on the tail of the Catalina, got some paint on the Voodoo and ready for decals, which I just remembered, I have none! Probably have some stars and bars, but that's it. Will start a search... Landing gear and the weapons bay are together so about time to get those on. Chris

Mike, Wow, that was a gorgeous build! And he said he was going to bin it? Ugh! Looking at the tail on his Cat - the original panel lines look to be there, but I think he definitely either filled them in and rescribed them, or he partially filled them in. All of the rivet holes on the tail he added so I'm thinking he filled the lines in to some extent. Here is where my build is at: SO having forgotten Peter's original advice, I tried two methods on removing the Mr Surfacer : sanding and Mr. Surfacer. This side was done with Mr Surfacer and a ton of cotton buds: The result is extremely consistent and looks pretty good, compared to the troughs that were there before, but still too heavy so will do another round of Mr Surfacer. The other side was sanded down with a Flex-i-file, a 1/2" flat sanding stick and an 1/8" sanding stick. Not really sure which side went faster but both were not arduous. The result on this side is the panel lines were filled-in to a much greater extent. Either way, more Mr. Surfacer is on the agenda. But at least the finish line for the tail is in sight. The purple tape is covering the small window. Chris

Obviously I didn't remember these directions when I started on the Mr Surfacer! Will see how this turns out...

Mr Surfacer... to the RESCUE? Guys, thank you for the help! Here are three coats of Mr Surfacer 500 on the tail. Used a pointed brush, but still was not able to get it just on the panel lines (and did not want to use 10' of tape masking the individual lines.) In the end, decided to not worry about the panel lines and just go for a smooth tail. Going to let this dry for most of today and either this afternoon or evening will get out the sanding sticks. And the respirator. And the vacuum. Chris

Completely agree... Just had coffee and breakfast. Time to break out the Mr. Surfacer!

Beautiful Ernie! I think the first picture from Martin is of an aircraft at Udvar Hazy, about 20 min away from me. I completely forgot the aircraft is there. If you need photos, let me know and I'll take a run over there. Talk about shutting the barn door after the animals have left...

How about that!! Never occurred to me those lines would be out of whack, until I got the tail on. The black primer REALLY shows up the difference. Thanks for the hints on Mr Surfacer! Chris Carl and Hubert - Oh yeah!!! You know, I probably would have tried it, then after a while I hope to have had an 'Ah ha!" moment, but you both saved me from that. On to the Mr. Surfacer! Chris

Peter, Looking so good in primer and I'm amazed that those floats turned out to be the PITA that they were. Who knew? Happy the 'parts kit' turned out to be inexpensive - and actually was available! Nice recovery on the broken struts. Amazing the locator pins were in the wrong direction and you got the fix in. Seeing your canopies, oh yeah, you have a big job on your hands there, but you are well on your way. Looks good! Chris

So after the successful grafting of the Belcher tail onto the Cat, I see a huge (for my eyes anyway) issue: The panel lines on the resin tail are ginormous (and the join also needs some serious attention). The lines were on the unpainted tail, but for some reason that just didn't register on my addled brain. I think the next step is to spray them (brush them?) with some Mr. Surfacer 500 and try to fill them in as much as possible. There is such a huge contrast between those lines and the fine detail on the fuselage. Here is a picture of the Catalina based at Duxford, and the tail is very smooth. Zoom in and it is clearer - sorry for not posting the zoomed in picture. I guess I'm breaking out the Mr Surfacer, or maybe this is a time to see if the Sprue-Goo works? Maybe do one on one side, and the other on the other side? But off to dinner with friends first so will see if I get to this tonight, or tomorrow. Chris