[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

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!

[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

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.

 

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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...

 

[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

That is stunning!!!

 

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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...

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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.

[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

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.

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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.

 

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

20 hours ago, DocRob said:

Nice finish, but you are right about the decals, Chris. It would look strange to have a weathered airframe and the decals are new and shiny. 

Cheers Rob

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

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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...

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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.

[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

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

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

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

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

Thanks Rob!

[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

Rob, 

FULLY understand your frustration but agree with everyone else.  When I have something like this happen, (more often than I care to admit) I put it down overnight and sleep on it.  Come back the next day and think again about what my options are.  Time doesn't cost you anything and I'm willing to bet that you will come up with a few thoughts on how to address.

Good luck!!

Chris

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

Making progress.   Applied the nice Tamiya X-11 gloss coat in preparation for the weathering and washes.  Liking the AK Interactive Paneliner series which flows really nicely over the X-11, and wipes away predictably making weathering easier. The Eduard kit has some beautiful rivet and panel line detail which the washes pick up very well.  Still have a lot of the rivet detail to appl the wash to. Masked the panel and sprayed MRP yellow along the leading edge of the wing.

Showing off some of the wash detail in the rivets.  Lots more to work on.  Out of the box, found there is an interesting divot near the wing tip at the bottom. Not sure where that came from, but rather than try to fix it, I'm leaving it.

Here is the contrast between washed areas (both sides of the wings) and pre-wash (center of the fuselage).  I've seen how heavily oil stained the center section of Spitfires are so will be looking to replicate that look.  Also have to fix the underwing cooler flap that came loose on the right side of the photo.  Left off the cannon covers on the wings to keep from knocking them off.

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

5 hours ago, DocRob said:

Nice and smooth Chris. Are you planning further weathering on top, maybe a unifying wash or a hint of brown sprayed veeeery lightly overall?

Cheers Rob

Hi Rob and thanks!  Yes, definitely looking to do more weathering on top, but have not thought about the direction yet.  Like your suggestion of the hint of brown veeery lightly sprayed!  I'm open to other suggestions, too.  Thanks!!!

[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

5 hours ago, belugawhaleman said:

Looking great Rob. The decals really bring the care to life!

About 20 something years ago I found myself looking into

The factory Five Coupe ...yes, it was available back then. I even

purchased the assembly manual ..I decided it was a project way

beyond my abilities.

I did the same.  My father had a three bay-two lift gas station.  But looking at those instructions, I thought better.  But man I love that body style...

[Cobra Coupe - Le Mans - Model Factory Hiro 1/12]

Rob, just beautiful!  The color and stripes are perfect.

[Tamiya P-51D ANG]

Your IPs always look fantastic.  Great Dry Brushing.  Funny, I saw the gauge and the filler and was just pondering that when I scrolled down and saw your message.  Saved me from getting up and checking the Mustangs in my case.

[Another P-40E to P-40K build!]

Wow, Scott, that looks amazing.  I do like the Quinta stuff, but you've integrated it perfectly.

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

After letting the Vallejo Model Air cure for a few days, bit the bullet to lay down the MRP Dark Green.  I hope the effect comes through the pictures.  I'd like some of the demarcation lines to be more faded, but I may try working on them in a day or after I'm sure the MRP is fully dried.

With Masks:

Masks removed:

Had a little bit of paint lift on the top cowling.  Will probably paint a fresh square over the area like a patch.  Or might just see about touching it up...

More to come!

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

Mike, I think its an 'age' thing... 

[Eduard Spitfire Mk. XVI Bubbletop 1/48]

Applied the masks, which are not specifically for the Eduard kit, however I didn't think they would fit this poorly.  The tape is to hold down the vinyl masks.  You can see how far off the model the masks are.

Also did a minor overspray with the flat aluminum to see if I can replicate the Ocean Gray spray effect.  Was getting ready to spray the RAF Dark Green when I realized I didn't have any Vallejo RAF Dark Green. I have MRP Dark Green, but wanted to say with the acrylic Vallejo.  Went to the LHS and the Vallejo Dark Green was... Brown.  I've run into this before where the Vallejo color was just not close. However, picked up the USAF Dark Green to see if it was close.  

Close, but it bothers me that it isn't the right color.  Now I have to wait for the Vallejo Flat Aluminum to cure before spraying the MRP Dark Green.