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Ben M
👀

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👍🏻

Michael Kohl
Welcome mates, thanks for the nice feedback.
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@Frank: no way I build something like this in a week. This has been on and off my workbench for a couple of months. Now with the final touches ongoing I summed up the process.

@Ben: being such a characteristic area of the Phantom I strifed to represent that striped portion of the tail as realistic as I was able too. I am happy with the result and of course happy too if others deem it well done too.

Michael Kohl
Note to self: cut the thin stripes first and paint them separately. When painting first and cut second the paint crackles, when only the carrier film is cut and the decals are painted then the decals are difficult to separate from the backing and from one another. Often the paint tears then - leaving uneven edges.

CaptGPF
Beautiful build! The gray panel lining does a great job of accentuating the details - as well as the numerous warning your have given us along the way. 😀

Michael Kohl
Thanks CaptGPF, hope I didn't sound like a Cassandra though. 😉

Michael Kohl
Sooo. All the touch ups done, the small wheel well doors glued into place a third time and the Sparrows (?) attached with blue tack only as I consider to display the bird as seen on display in Mikasa any time in the future. And if so, it will be depicted without the rockets. And of course some final shots are mandatory.

Mr James
What a lovely build. I agree with CaptGPF on the panel lines. Im impressed with the rear end also, looks like metal

Michael Kohl
Thanks Mr. James. I have to admit that I like the rear of this bird a lot too. I hope I recall some of the techniques applied there for my next jet build.

bughunter
I like the worn paint finish 👍 It looks 110% like the tornado in the "Deutsches Museum" in Oberschleissheim!