Fil d'information

Pepe
Nice job

Martin Oostrom
Another fine fire department truck

Goldman
Great looking model. Beautiful paint job.

Curtis Caden
Thank you Pepe, Martin Oostrom and Goldman. My only wish is that directions would show pictures of how the part looks after it is attached. Too many arrows pointing in a direction and not even showing which way the part should be flipped. I am convinced that to build a model correctly one should do two of them. One to learn on and one to have for a nice, finished product. I tell myself that I build it because I like the subject matter, and it is only a representation. I felt bad that I couldn't align the white decal stripes better.

David Orr
Very nice work Curtis. Looks like an absolute beast. How did the kit go together? I've got an AMT Kenworth Alaskan Hauler in the stash which I'm hoping to build soon. That will be my first truck model.

Villiers de Vos
Flawless.

Neuling
Beautiful!

Christian W
That truck looks really nice! Flawless pauntjob. This is what I like 🙂

Curtis Caden
David Orr the truck part went together fine. The wrecker part that sits on the frame was a bit awkward. There were two options for the hooking part that led to some confusion on my part. I liked having the long cable but having it molded in plastic was not ideal and I probably should have substituted a fabric rope cable. I did like the way the mirrors in this kit were molded.

Curtis Caden
Thank you, Villiers de Vos, Neuling and Christian W.

Bozzer
Did you have any issues with the hood alignment, Curtis?

Bill Newcomer
That is nice looking rig. I like the shape of the hood.

Curtis Caden
Italeri doesn't mold their cabs like other companies, and I did have trouble with Opal Blitz Classic cab assembly. On this one the hood lined up just right. Hood alignment has only been a problem on the Ford Louisville Series Delivery Van. If you like the hood you would also like Italeri's Classic Western Star 4964 and Australian Truck.

Bozzer
I had hood issues with mine. I couldn't figure out what had happened? It was like the hood, or cab, was twisted? Just wondered if you had a work around.

Curtis Caden
Bozzer I had no work around. I find positioning with tape helps. I usually tape the hood to the cab for painting and use tape to hold parts in position until they dry. I used tape for the hood on this one. I think I was just fortunate. My usual problem is getting a twist in the ladder style frame and all I know to do is be more careful.

Bozzer
Always check your frame rails, against a flat surface, before starting. Gentle heat from a hairdryer, will help straighten the frame. (Special note: The Mack R685ST kit has a frame that flares out at the front, DON'T correct it!)
To keep my frame square, I build a jig out of Lego and use that to line everything up.
I'll get back to this Western Star, in the coming months, and take another look at it. I may have missed something obvious, that I overlooked? She's been waiting far too long now, to be finished.

Martin Oostrom
I've been building the Australian Truck on and off for five years now. It won't get right.

Bozzer
I feel that pain too, Martin

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Harald Besold
Thank you Guy for your interest in my project.

Zbynek Honzik
Nice! I'm taking a seat. 👍

Harald Besold
Hello Zbyněk,
thank you very much for your interest in my project.

Robert Podkoński
Great job so far, Harald. Keep it up!

Harald Besold
Thank you Robert!

John Thomas
Nice work

Guy Rump
Lovely job! 👍

J35J
Great work!👍🏻

Ben M
Don't prime? Not even with my beloved tamiya?

Michael Kohl
Hi Ben. The engravings of this kit are so delicate that they loose depth with the application of primer to such an extent that panellining becomes quite tricky. I would continue to prime models where this doesn't seem to be an issue but modern airliners or small scale models with such fine engravings I will try to do without. I suppose propper surface preparation and use of colors with more 'bite' than acrylics would be a good idea to avoid issues with paint adhesion.

Petar Žorić
Not priming a model with fine shallow lines is a great idea. I would guess if you use stronger lacquer based paints its not an issue. Will try this on my next model with fine lines! Awesome progress BTW looks really good!

Ben M
Tamiya makes "fine surface primer" I think for this application. I find it does not level as well as the regular product though.

Michael Kohl
Almost done. Now I have to adjust the shine. Even with the use of flat clear from Mr. Hobby the paint appears too shiny. Afraid to use AK Ultra Matt as this will be as matt as matt can be and thus maybe a bit too much. Then painting the radon and mounting the exhausts.

Michael Kohl
I was cheerfully positive to finish this bird today. But the gods of modelling had other plans. After removing the canopy masks I discovered an area where paint/varnish has crept under the edge and marred the inside. Shit. But I will live with it. Then I recalled that the seals of the canopy were still to be done. A quick freehand job seemed to be a sure road to regret and disappointment. So I was in for another round of masking. Painting will follow tomorrow- hopefully.

Patrick Hagelstein
What the…! How could I miss this??? Beautiful! 👍🏼

bughunter
Built in a week? Holy moly, great workl 👍
@Ben The finest Primer I know are the MRP ones. It is thinner than many paints! On plastic I still prefer Alclad with micro filler, but the MRP sticks better on resin.

Ben M
Thanks! I'll see next time I'm at the hobby shop if they have MRP stuff. I have always found tamiya primer to stick to anything but I don't like how the fine surface primer can pool and not level.

This phantom one thing I'm really enjoying are the striped metallic portions showing the ribs. It's very well done. And I see lots of great surface detail despite the Mr surfacer.

J35J
Excellent! Congrats👍🏻

Ben M
I had no idea this aircraft existed. Nice build of an interesting subject!