Bulldog Racer

Peter Hardy
So Paul, were the alignment variations actually possible or probable?

Paul Stubbs
Variation very actual and requiring a fair amount of sanding and filling. Assembling the internal framework was pure guesswork really as the instructions are none existent and pictures pretty illegible. Not what I am used to but a challenge none the less. A nice subject though and one I want to do my best on, but after this is back to Tamiya I'm afraid. I like my modelling to be fairly easy and without major frustrations 🙂.

Peter Hardy
I'm picking up what you're putting down! Very different and interesting subject though. If you get through it without "walling it" should be an eye catcher. I'll be following this because it is different and you are doing it!

Gordon Sørensen
Looks like a lot of work, but also looks like you managed the challenge! Great work, Paul!

Paul Stubbs
Thanks Gordon, still more to do though and the not decided on the painting yet. Toss up between spray in gloss or spray matt with a clear coat. Only part of the black transfers are supplied so areas of black spray will probably have to be semi-gloss to match the transfers. Or I spray the lot with clear after the transfers have been fitted. For such a small simple model it's taken a lot of time.

Paul Stubbs
Switch to white primer now and some final filling and sanding. On to colours next starting with the white wing struts, then the main body red, black trim, decals and then final clear coat. Wish me luck 🙂.

Peter Hardy
Good luck!

Paul Stubbs
Still struggling with this one when I can find the time and work up the enthusiasm for what is a very frustrating project. Have sprayed it matt red and now spraying the semi-gloss black areas where they can't be arsed to give you decals. After that I'll clear coat the lot. It's a really poor kit and is exposing my limited skills as more of an assembler and painter rather than a modeller. I just don't have the time and patience for this type of model. Took me around 30 mins to apply 2 decals the other day trying to piece them back together as they just fell apart. Top tip I have deduced is to scan the decals first, then you can always (hopefully) reprint them onto new waterslide laser jet paper, if the originals are shot. I'll continue to do my best but it's not been an enjoyable build and not my proudest moment of modelling.

Dave Flitton
Watching!

Paul Stubbs
Mmm. More disintegrating decals tonight. I can touch up the large ones but the white pin stripes are just falling apart. Don't know what the complex side ones are going to be like so I need another plan. I'll be trying the scan I did to see what comes of that.

Paul Stubbs
Brief update with pictures to follow shortly. Unfortunately my efforts to re-create decals using scans of the originals and Laser/Inkjet waterslide printing paper failed miserably and could only be considered as a last resort. The good news though, was (although Willams Bros ignored two emails requests) I managed to order replacement decals from their website (at great expenses in postage from US) and they arrived over Christmas. WB did refund some of my Paypal payment without asking (which was very noble of them) but the bad news was they are not a whole lot better than the original decals. I came very very close at one point to bringing a sledge hammer down on the lot I was getting so frustrated. The other bad news was that the matt red base was not a great idea and is so delicate that I've ended up touching it up by brush where I damaged it and it doesn't match too well. I've made a fist of it though and whilst it's been far from a great experience, I should hopefully be able to see it through to some sort of completion and then hide it in a cupboard somewhere. I've still some bits of decals to do (the wheel pant trim lines are wildly optimistic in their 2D profile and so I'm going to have to cut and paste these from scrap parts off the old decals) and then I'll be clear coating the lot to finish.

Dave Flitton
I think you will pull a good build out of this one. Patience, my dear Padowan!

Peter Hardy
Paul, appreciate your patience with the decals. We will all be fascinated with your next steps. Don't give up and put the effing hammer down! Want to see this finished BADLY!!!!

Paul Stubbs
Thanks for the words of encouragement chaps.

Paul Stubbs
Can't believe this has taken me a year to do and I'm still not happy with it. It's at a stage now I'll call it quits and one day may go back to tidy up some of the rough edges. Can't say it's been a great build, very frustrating, the poor quality of the kit, instructions, mouldings and most of all the decals. Even the newly ordered set fell to pieces. Out of 10, 1 would be generous. Makes even old Airfix kits look good. I had plenty of my own problems toot though, it was not my finest hour. One for the die hard builders I think.

Calvin Gifford
Wow!