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George Williams
Looks like a nice kit.

Alec K
Taking a seat for this resin extravaganza. And I agree, very nice kit 👍

Robert Podkoński
Watching, of course!

Treehugger
Question for OP:
What brand might be selling vacuum formed clear parts? Seems like you found some as seen in photo #11. I've seen some for airplane/jet canopies, but none for cars, so I wouldn't know where to look.

Alexander Grivonev
Hey Treehugger, the parts in the picture are part of the kit. But funny that you mention this topic because I actually dealt with this question myself recently. I finished two 964s earlier this year (Revell and Fujimi) and the clear parts in both kits were of very poor quality. Searched for aftermarket replacement and found nothing. So I decided to try myself at vacuforming and made the clear parts myself which turned out to be pretty decent (after countless tries and errors) I have not posted pictures of the builds yet but intend to, keep an eye open. You are right, there is definitely a lack of aftermarket windshields for cars...

Michael Kohl
Following

Alexander Grivonev
Ahem, let`s continue here shall we? Not that I was absent for three months or something...

Alec K
Nice! Glad you're back 👍

Alexander Grivonev
Well I wasn't "gone", just unproductive😄

Spanjaard
looking great as usual, love your detailed explanations

Marcel
Looks very good so far, looking forward to the end result. Very interesting to read your notes.

Luis Cabeças
Lets see

Ricardo Reis
Welcome Luis. 🙂

Martin Fischer
following! 😊

Ricardo Reis
Welcome also Martin! 🙂

Jose Costa
Great! Following 😉

Ricardo Reis
Welcome mate!

Desert Marlin
Looks good! These are always good to see!

Alberto
Cockpit looks great already 👍

Ricardo Reis
Thank you mates, welcome!

Nicolas
watching

Ricardo Reis
Welcome @Nicolas

Guy Rump
Following with interest. 👍

Ricardo Reis
Welcome @Guy

Lochsa River
sittin in...love a Hawkeye

Ricardo Reis
It's a strangely beautiful plane, indeed

CaptGPF
👀

Ricardo Reis
Welcome CaptGPF 🙂

Michael .
Following

Gary Victory
Nice work Ricardo.

Ricardo Reis
Thanks and welcome mates

Desert Marlin
The props look great!!! Nice Work!

Ricardo Reis
Thanks mate 🙂

Guy Rump
Looking great! 👍

Ricardo Reis
Thanks Guy, this boy is giving a fight! 🙂

James C
Looking fantastic 👍

Oversized decals in 1/48 appears to be a common problem with Italeri aircraft kits in 1/48. Despite the printing quality (Cartograph) it appears that Italeri are incapable of accurately measuring them for fit before sending off to Cartograph for printing. I have encountered similar decal fit issues with their 1/48 F-14A, Mirage III, Mig 21, S-3 Viking etc. Given that most (if not all) of their kits released these days are reboxings of older tooled kits; having to replace the decals as well is just a no go for me and so I now avoid the brand completely.

bughunter
As you may know I love wooden propellers by I must admit that your propellers looks fantastic 👍

Ricardo Reis
@James, I was not aware of this issue; I only started noticing when I started to apply the first decals and looking at the reference photos - there are 2 or 3 photos of this specific aircraft; now it's to late to go back, but I am alert for the future; @bughunter, I love this typo or propeller, like the ones we can see in the A400M, they are very beautiful and elegant and powerful at the same time!

Ben M
I agree with the propeller lust. This kit is just the way I like it, nothing fits.

Ricardo Reis
@Ben, and the instructions have some mistakes and omissions 🙂

Ekki
Watching.

KyMustang
Thanks Ekki. Hoping to get a black primer coat down soon. I'll be trying the marbling/black-basing technique for the first time.

Alberto
Following! 👀

Carlo
Following the marbling

Patrick Hagelstein
That's coming along nicely!

Martin Grafeneder
interesting I'm watching!

Guy Rump
Looking great so far. 👍

Shar Dipree
Looks very nice so far. Following.

Michael Kohl
Coming on nicely

Sergej I
In

Maciej Bellos
Looking good!

Neuling
Very well done!

Michael Kohl
Looking really good. I noticed that you painted the buttons in the cockpit individually. A technique that works well for me is drybrushing them as most are white/silver anyway, then to pic out some in the desired color.
Are you going to add ordnance? If I may add: I would flatten the wheels a bit to give it a more solid stand/feel.

Sergej I
A nice Viper there!! 👍

Martin Grafeneder
Great work👍

KyMustang
Michael, thanks for the tip. I actually used that technique on my Revell P-51 (check my other albums for pictures). When the detail is crisp I prefer to paint the switches individually.

Its done. No ordinance…I wanted to do a slick Viper.

Peter Mollenhauer
Very nice! I love it 🙂

Guy Rump
Great result! 👍

Guy Rump
Good progress, following. 👍

David Taylor
Watching.

David Taylor
Lovely build.Just got all the bits for a MK13.

Mr James
Very good build. The desert weathering is spot on. I like the canvas on the mantlet

Guy Rump
very impressive build. 👍

Rando
Gonna shift gears with a more straightforward Tamiya build. I wanted to make the all-black night fighter option, but thought the color scheme was too simple and I also wanted to try some camo painting. So I got decals for a night intruder option, which is the best of both worlds, and the camo with black underneath just looks really cool.

J35J
Mossie! I'm in👍🏻

Markus Antonius
There is nothing more complicated, to replicate a all-black aircraft not making it look too dull, in my opinion

Ludvík Kružík
Interesting choice. Both when choosing a machine and when choosing a kit manufacturer. Compared to the Crusader, we go back in time by choosing the aircraft, but it's a big step forward in kit quality.
I wish you a lot of fun and as little trouble as possible building this kit. And of course I will be happy to follow it 👀

Jennifer Franklin
Following 👀, 'm excited to see how this turns out.

Rando
Welcome friends! Yes Ludvik this is a "palate cleanser," I wanted to see how a nice Tamiya goes together, it's also the second kit I got so it's been sitting in my stash awhile. I'm already messing with ejector pin marks, we'll see how much trouble I create for myself 🙂 and Markus--yeah I figured the topside camo would add a lot more visual interest.

Desert Marlin
And so it begins!!! You have earned the right for a break from raised panel lines!!!

Rando
🤣 I guess I have! The Monogram Voodoo lurks around the corner. The Mosquito's fit sure is mostly nice so far

Rando
Wings and nacelles are glued together and been painting the many cockpit components. Drilled out the gun barrels on the .303 Brownings too, I like the look

Markus Antonius
Is that Tom Servo in you profile picture, btw? 😄

Rando
Oh yeah! Been an MST nerd since forever

Rando
Did some detail painting, and been pounding the instrument panel decal with micro sol. It's slowly conforming to the raised dials, but I have solvaset and mark softer on order since Tamiya decals are apparently known for this…

Gerald
👍

Rando
I improved the cartoony decal seatbelts by applying them to foil, cutting them out, and painting the black edges a similar color. Idea thanks to an old IPMS Stockholm article.

Desert Marlin
I have the FB and NF versions… I need to finish my P-8 and get started on a Mossy…

Desert Marlin
The belts look great!!!

Rando
Thanks Marlin! Definitely my favorite part of the build so far. Actually just threw the whole thing together today, now that the cockpit has been all worked out. It's not exactly intentional, but because this NF version I chose doesn't have the radar features, I've been breezing through construction since it also doesn't use the FB rockets/bombs/bomb bay. Next I need to get the canopy on ASAP since I keep breaking off gunsight 🤬 the only construction left is the landing gear, props, and the crew hatch and boarding ladder. Looking forward to painting

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Ludvík Kružík
Excellent work on the model. Looks great. 👍

I'm sure you're not the only one who breaks off small parts of the model. I have the same problem. All it takes is one very brief moment of inattention and one careless move and that's it. Although I try to handle the model as carefully as possible, for example, I have broken off the antenna on the bottom of the Gripen four times. 😭

Aman S.
Following...looks great

Rando
Thank you all, and glad to have you here Guy and Aman! No more breaking off the gunsight for me now Ludvik, the green strip decals are on the inside of the canopy and masks are on. Just gotta mask off the guns and then it's time for surfacer

Desert Marlin
Nice! I just finished the cockpit on the P-8 so, I really appreciate this step you have accomplished!!! Cheers!

Rando
Guess I'm onto the painting phase! I already painted the propeller caps ocean grey, then decided to hit the bottom side with matte black. Also getting the undercarriage painted and assembled too.

Desert Marlin
Love this stage! Looks great!!!

Rando
Thanks Marlin! I got it ready to paint the dark green. IDK what others do for camo like this, but to make a "hard edge" camo I used Tamiya curved tape to make the lines, and then used regular masking tape and paper towels to mask off the rest. Excited to see the finished paint job

Neil
It's looking good Rando! 👍

Rando
Thank you Neil! At first I was thinking the ocean grey looked too dark, but with the dark green I find it contrasts well. Just got to fix some overspray and touch up some areas and it's on to decals

Desert Marlin
Excellent work! The scheme is coming along nicely!!!

Rando
Decals are on with a gloss coat over them…maybe some weathering today?!

Desert Marlin
Oh yes!!! Great Saturdays provide the opportunity to focus on all those little details seen in the mind's eye!

Rando
Hell yes Marlin especially a rainy one like this! Working on the landing gear while giving the gloss time to cure

Jos Jansen
Iam in Rando.

Rando
Hell yeah bro! Finish line is near!

Desert Marlin
The MLG look great! Where are you that it is raining?

Ludvík Kružík
Marlin, it looks like Rando was visiting the Czech Republic today. It's been raining here all afternoon 😄

Rando, that chassis looks fantastic. Didn't you put pictures of the real chassis here by any chance 🙂

Desert Marlin
😆👍

Rando
If only Ludvik, I'd love to come out that way. Would have come by to say hello and see your workbench! Been a pretty nasty day here in eastern Massachusetts too. Was also a good day to bring the kids to a model train show, fun look at an adjacent hobby.

Here's hoping the chassis fit into the nacelles without too many swear words 😉

Desert Marlin
I spent the day painting here in Nevada.

Ludvík Kružík
Rando, I believe it would be a pleasant meeting. I'm sure we'd have a lot to talk about. And of course I would love to show you my desk 🙂

Rando
Indeed Ludvik we sure would, I'd be thrilled to meet you Marlin and all my modeling friends on here someday.

Mosquito is like 99% done! Landing gear went in surprisingly easy and now just some wingtip lights to install, finish painting the crew hatch, and attempt to rig the antenna mast. Pics soon!

Definitely looking forward to seeing painted the P-8 Marlin!

Desert Marlin
I'm starting gloss for markings…

Rando
So I have to say I'm disappointed with how the canopy looks. I used Eduard masks and they were a struggle to get on as they didn't fit great. In hindsight I should probably de-tacked them too, like I do with Tamiya tape, since it seems like they left adhesive residue. They left some rough paint edges. Not sure how to improve it, I've done some careful scraping with toothpicks and Leveling Thinner, which improved it some, but considering popping the whole thing off and repainting it.

Desert Marlin
Using a 000 brush, put a couple of coats of thinned out black along the bottom of the canopy glass then a similar thinned coat of color over the black. That would firm up the window frames. The rest of the frames look pretty good to me!

Rando
Thanks Marlin, so would that help with that weird splotchy white color, especially noticeable on the frames in back?

Desert Marlin
Those should be dressed with a thinner brushed on in very small quantities until the streaks relent. I had thought those were aluminum chipping which would also be valid!

Desert Marlin
The Mr. Color Leveling thinner with a stiff hobby swab would help clean the edges. The Mr. Color thinner doesn't seem to harm clear plastic…

Rando
LOL, amazing that my mistake looked like something good! Shoulda just rolled with it. I do have a stiff kind of swab, I'll give it a try

Rando
I actually got Leveling Thinner after you recommended it on my Crusader build and it's all I've been using lately. Good stuff, I like that it can leave a smoother finish

Ludvík Kružík
I can confirm. I have the same experience, Mr. Color Leveling thinner will not damage clear plastic.

Rando
I think I've improved the framing a good deal already, both with paint and the thinner. Now just gotta glue on some nylon thread for the mast rigging, which I've never done before. So far I managed to attach it to the mast with some gel super glue.

John
Get some EZ Line, you won't regret it. Nice Mossie too! 👍

Rando
Hey cool, how do you attach it John? And thanks getting close to final pics!

John
You use super glue, it just stretches nicely without putting a lot of pressure (i.e. bending) on antenna masts. So you can anchor one point and then stretch it easily so there is no sag when you attach the other end.

Rando
Got it! I'll order some. I've already had trouble with the mast popping off once.

John
The antenna on my Buffalo build is EZ Line, it's also handy for those annoying multi-wire antennas.

Rando
I see did you use thick or fine?

John
Definitely get the fine size. 👍

Rando
Basically done! Aside from the rigging wire, which I will attach when it gets in. After that I'll upload the beauty shots. Now to clean up my very messy workbench and get the next project going!

Desert Marlin
Bravo! 👏

Rando
So I decided to finally upload the glamor shots for this Mosquito. These were taken months ago but I was dissatisfied with how the photos looked at the time since it was difficult getting the plane to fit in the frame without ugly background. Looking closer though, I thought they actually turned out fine, and pretty nice actually with some cropping and brightening adjustments. So belatedly, here she is completed, the Mosquito night intruder. Great kit, most difficulties I had were my own doing. Eduard masks are not their best. Eagle Strike decals are great. If you have this one in your stash, pick out a cool scheme and build it!

J35J
Your Mossie turned out great! Congrats!👍🏻

John
Hey Rando, I can only repeat previous comment, nice Mossie! I think the canopy looks fine. I'd probably do a masking like this myself for the reasons you ran into. I don't like the "put the tape on the canopy then carefully trim the frames" technique because a mistake can be disastrous, but in this case since most of the frames are straight and well defined, I think I'll do that for this one instead of my usual cutting and taping dozens of little pieces of Tamiya tape to the canopy, which also works, but is time consuming. I did get this kit after seeing your build and I plan to do the NE D bird, I just like the scheme. Looks like the EZ line worked out really well for your antennas. 👍

Rando
Thanks John and Draken! Yeah I kind of gravitate towards cutting directly on the canopy for some reason, even though it's soooo risky. One thing that might be a good alternative to the Tamiya tape is scotch tape (suggested by Marlin), since I found you can more clearly see the actual place you're cutting into. I did that for some windows on my P-51 build and it worked out pretty nice. And also yes--the EZ line was a breeze, thanks for that! For some reason it fought me hard on the aforementioned P-51.

Shameless plug for my F-8 double build, putting the decals on tonight. So excited!

John
Wow, you really like your Crusaders! (I mean, who wouldn't?)

Rando
yeah it's ridiculous LOL. I'll be building other planes, I promise! At least after I try CAT4's new early nose conversion.

Desert Marlin
That looks perfect Rando!!!

Ludvík Kružík
Mosquito turned out very well. You did a really good job. 👍 👍 👍

Rando
Thank you Marlin and Ludvik! Who doesn't love a Mosquito? I sure do like the look of it on my desk at work.

Doubtingmango
Pretty skeeter

Jennifer Franklin
Mosquito is very nice. I can imagine that it looks good on your desk at work.

Guy Rump
Great job! 👍

LC
this sounds like quite a fun and unique idea

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks LC76. Welcome to the build!

Torsten
LOL, follow ^^

Robert Podkoński
Watching for sure!

Nathan Dempsey
Welcome Torsten & Robert!
I've started the fuselage assembly and clamps were needed.

Dutch
Nathan, I am following along as well. I have friends in eastern Ukraine, so very interested in this one. Kind regards, Dutch

Nathan Dempsey
Welcome Dutch! This build is turning into a slog. Clamps and super-glue "force-holds" galore. Luckily it is a tiny plane so I'm nearly done already, just completing all the seam sanding.

Nathan Dempsey
Working on the cowl. I had to use 2-part epoxy clay to fill a large gap on the bottom of the cowl that was created by making the cowl fit straight & level.

Nathan Dempsey
Working on masking the camo pattern today.

Dutch
Looking good. Keep up the progress. The splinter pattern will be stupendous when done.

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks Dutch! Man I just realized looking at pictures that the wing camo is a mirror image for the other wing. It won't be perfect… 😁

Ben M
Ah, amodel 🙂

Dutch
Ben, I feel you!

Nathan Dempsey
Welcome to the show Ben! I've applied the first color today. Now off to cut masks for the next color. I've been spoiled by those pre-cut masks…

Dutch
Nathan, quick question. Why not just spray the first color overall, then mask only the subsequent colors? Saves at least one step, I should think. Carry on. I am enjoying the show.

Nathan Dempsey
In this case I just got a little too happy masking. I even decided against my usual preshade since this plane's paint looks really new in all the pictures.

Dutch
Yeah, I can understand the excitement factor!

Dutch
Nathan, are you going to put kill markings on it?
google.com/url?sa=t&..e2eYFcXbT_ewibuKmesM

Nathan Dempsey
Well my printer is dead, but my dad has a similar one so I'm going to try… Wish me luck.

Nathan Dempsey
The second color has been applied. Slow going here as my workbench time has been lacking.

Dutch
Okay! Coming along nicely!

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks Dutch! Today I masked off the areas for the gloss black. The tan colored areas are quite small, but they're everywhere. Tamiya tape stock is going up!!

Nathan Dempsey
Well my gloss black was solidified, so flat black will have to do. Hopefully it will all even out when the clear is applied

Jennifer Franklin
Impressive detail work!

Villiers de Vos
Very nice work so far on the camouflage scheme.

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks Jennifer and Villiers!

Work continues on masking these tiny sections.

Nathan Dempsey
Well that was a whole bunch of masking for some very tiny pixels… I also added a coat of Future to help with the panel lining effort to come.

Nathan Dempsey
Today has seen the underside color selected and applied (Tamiya X-14 Sky Blue) along with masking/painting the cowl colors using Steel & Red.

Ben M
What are you using to do the panel lines?

Nathan Dempsey
I'm using both AK & Mig panel wash. For the bottom I used Grey-Blue and for the top I haven't decided whether I'll use a dark brown or black wash. Of course for the black areas I'll use the Stone Grey wash which I think is Mig.

LC
It's looking very good, keep it up!

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks LC & Guy!
More masking for the Ukrainian flag on the tail today.

Robert Podkoński
Looks great already, Nathan. Keep it up!

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks Robert!
Chrome Yellow has been applied for the first half of the Ukrainian flag on the tail.

Nathan Dempsey
The Ukrainian flag on the tail has been completed and the landing gear legs have been painted and attached.

Dutch
Slow and steady wins the race! Nice work, thus far.

Nathan Dempsey
Thanks Dutch! Today I completed painting the canopy framing and the wheels. Also my clear gloss arrived in the mail today, so I'll be able to apply that to the entire aircraft. After that I only need to paint the anti-glare panel on the upper cowl. Nearing the finish line.

Nathan Dempsey
Calling this one complete. Thanks for the interest and likes!

Dutch
Ooh-la-la! Well done Nathan. Definitely a special addition to the display case.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice work on your little hunter.

Oleg Smilyk
It`s great!

bughunter
Nice 👍

Robert Podkoński
Great job! I love the camo and propeller most.

Nathan Dempsey
Thank you very much for your kind comments mates!

Jennifer Franklin
That camo is sharp. Very nice job!

Guy Rump
Great result! 👍

Jennifer Franklin
Nice start, following.

Davy Vos
Thanks!

Patrick Hagelstein
Nice additions and cool colors in the cockpit! They liven up the basis kit parts substantially.

Ogre-Trombone
Impressive detailing! Following.

Alec K
Taking a seat. Nice progress so far 👍

Davy Vos
Thanks all!

Finn
Looking good, really like the detailing

Oliver
cool! following

Rona
Very impressive built! I think the most noticeable issue of the academy kit is the main landing gear. The legs are way too long (2mm) and the MLG doors are too massive. But this is relatively easy to fix. Following!

Davy Vos
Thank you very much! And Rona, thank you for those tips!

TH SCALE MODELS (Thomas Haberl)
I think I´ll take a seat here my friend 🙂 good progress 👍

Davy Vos
Nice to see you here too! 🙂

J35J
Great paintwork!👍🏻

Thomas Kolb
Great work on the riveting fading representation!

Guy Rump
Looking great, following. 👍

Davy Vos
Thank you all!

Nicolas
Very good so far, Joining

Alec K
Superb painting skills 👍

Michael Kohl
I like your efforts at detailing and painting. Mottling and oils lead to a good overall effect.

Oliver
Good Job

Moreno Baruffini
Your quality is truly impressive! Absolutely superb!

Maciej Bellos
Oh that's inspiring. Bookmarked for reference!

Davy Vos
Thank you very much all!

Mr D
Do you use copper wire??
I was watching a YouTube vid and the guy was using the wire out of sandwiches bag ties, you know the type they twist to hold new electric cables ect.
It looked ideal for simulating wiring n break lines ect.
Nice job on the seatbelt's looking good 👌

Davy Vos
Hi Mr D, i use copper wire from electric cables indeed 🙂 Thanks!

Alec K
The subtle panel shading and highlighting looks superb 👍

Łukasz Gliński
Impressive, following

Nicolas
Superb. 👍

Mr D
Brilliant job👌 made a really nice model out the Academy kit.... With all the extra effort you put in.
Very impressive 👍👍👍

Davy Vos
Thank you very much Mr D and Nicolas! 😊

Jennifer Franklin
I agree with Mr D. I love it.

Guy Rump
Great job! 👍