CANicoll

Thanks guys and especially for sharing your pics, Jerry. The overall encouragement is appreciated. I'll likely get some bench time this weekend so will see what progress I can make. Thanks! Chris

Thank you Scott! My raffle prize showed up today and I can pretty confidently say that nobody beats Scott's wrapping! And it came with a sweet, surprise - and I LOVE peanut M&Ms. And the goodies! Scott, thank you again - this was a terrific raffle gift and the extra bonus just as sweet. \ Happy holidays to everyone!! Chris

Well, biting the bullet and doing a quick build of this old model (copyright says 1990!). Going to do this in SEA camo so lets see how this turns out. Starting badly as I've made terrible choices on cockpit color (way too dark on the gray - the painting instructions are woefully inadequate...) and gear bays (green? Per the instructions). Oh well. Started on the interior - this will be interesting. The fuselage goes together in step 2 and everything goes in from the bottom. Huh. ALL raised rivets and seams - this will be an ugly build but I love this aircraft. I'm paying a bit of attention to the online resources - but mostly for the camo pattern and colors. Can't wait for someone to come up with a really nice Voodoo kit. Hopefully when I'm done it will look something like this - but I do need to find some decals for one of these birds. Here is a bit of a view of the instructions, and some of the initial parts I've started painting A bit out of focus - sorry! PITA doing each individual gauge. Still a lot to do, but it is a start! Vallejo paints and after a gloss coat, a black wash so far. Four days until the GB starts!

This is my solution and I do the same - close the window on it. So far so good!

Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

@Artful69 sending you a PM now. Happy holidays!!

Thank you, SANTA!!! Thanks Ernie. Really appreciate you doing this for all of us minions here. Merry Christmas everyone!

Just beautiful!!! Love the closed canopy - shows off the lines of the plane so well. How did you mask the spinner? I've had the hardest time trying to paint those curls! The base is terrific, too, and really adds to the build. I really need to learn how to make bases like yours.

I pulled out the old Monogram Century Series F101 kit I have to start as a parallel build to the GB but I can't decipher the instructions. Believe it or not, the sprues are still in the original bag (except the clear parts - the main canopy has some blemishes which can be polished out). The decals are aged and I wonder if they might fracture - but I'm not sure I can make heads or tails out of the instructions! It was made in WHITE STYRENE of all things. I might just have to give it a go anyway. Gotta find some new decals, however...

First things, first. What does Burl Ives say in his song? "Have a cup of cheer".

I finally went to Home Depot and picked up some flexible dryer vent hose to use with the dryer vent to exhaust my spray booth. I have the old MicroMark single fan booth which is 20x15. With the foam board I can block out the rest of the window so even on the coldest of days I can use the spray booth without freezing myself out of my hobby room. Do you have one or two ports off the back of your booth?

Peter: "Now if I could only actually remember where I put things - that's the challenge these days. " That is increasingly my problem, too!! Merry Christmas!

And this is the not-cleaned-up-yet part. I usually pull the paints that I'll be using for a build down onto the table. The paint shelves are from IKEA. I finally organized all of my sanding sticks using a silverware organizer.

Peter, I really like your paint shelves!! Did you make those?

I always start off this way, but it doesn't stay that way very long! The black mesh baskets are a huge help in keeping things organized, especially when I'm doing two builds at the same time, or have a lot of AM to keep organized. I didn't the wall rack of my paints or the wood table where I organized the paints I'm going to use and line up the parts to be painted. Like you, it helps me keep things in the same place so I remember what is where. Periodically I look through my other bins to remind my self what is in there. And also, can't have enough light! The magnifying ring light is my best and most used tool. I almost can't build without it.

Merry Christmas Gary!!

I've been holding off on starting another build until the GB on Jan 1, so this is what is on my bench right now: The desk is ready to go! Storage baskets for the sprues and bins for assemblies in progress is ready to roll: Happy holidays everyone!!

Martin, This is absolutely beautiful. Umm, keeping spare seats at the ready?

Nice looking build! I do like the triplanes and nice job on the multi-colored wings. That not easy to replicate.

Whoa, nice build! Paint looks terrific. Can't wait to see the wings attached.

It was 27 when I woke up, then the temperature dropped to 19 in about four hours and the windchill is 1. The wind is something! Ironically, it is very sunny outside. Gee, I wonder what to do now that its best to stay inside? Hmm.. I wonder if the boss will grant us an 'early release' to get started on the "Let's get Wet' group build?

Isn't that how it always is?!? Glad the part showed up. When this happens to me, I usually find the part months later, after I've done some other work around...

I was just going to ask where to get one from. Which Gundam store? I did a quick search and looks like Amazon is between 40 and 60$. Thanks! Chris

I have exactly the same problem: if I'm not that interested in the subject, I really don't have an interest in the build. I really have that issue with WNW kits. They are amazingly detailed, incredibly well researched, beautifully engineered, and just too involved to keep my interest. As much as I love the look of the WWI planes, doing rigging and turnbuckles and all just doesn't do much for me. Saves me a ton of $$ too!

Ernie, I had to go to my display case and take a good look at the prop. Aren't you just dazzled by the glare?!? I never tried to BMF props again, after this experience. People who foil entire aircraft just amaze me. However, far be it from me to turn down any supplies - I go through sanding sticks like babies go through diapers ...