BloorwestSiR

My sis checked the news and the police were telling locals to avoid the area around the show. The parking delays are being caused by the grounds being too waterlogged for cars to park on from some recent rainstorms. So they're having a hard time finding suitable parking spots. Hopefully they'll be a bit drier tomorrow.

Well I failed at getting to the show today. Got off the highway and spent 45 minutes to get 3 blocks so gave up and went back to my sister's house. The line up was completely insane and this was at 845 in the morning. I'll try again tomorrow but earlier and hopefully have better luck. Carl

Richard, we'll be arriving Sunday at my sister's place. Discussing things with my wife, she's suggesting that I go on Monday and then we'll go as a family Thursday. Let's message here for the moment and figure a plan out I guess Carl

I would up for a get together Richard. I have passes to go for two days. I'll be with my family on one visit but I'm all myself on the second. Both days are pretty fluid as to what day we go so let me know what works best for you. As far as travel, we've made to Windsor and are meeting my wife's brother for a couple days. So will be getting to Wisconsin on Sunday.

We're an hour into the drive but have only gone 95 km (60 miles -ish). The AC is having a hard time with the extreme heat up here. Definitely pain before pleasure.

Jennings, I'm using a no name roll I got from Amazon at the moment. It's a bit stiff but usable. I can't find it in my purchase history but I see that Oracal makes one. https://www.amazon.ca/Oracal-Transfer-Adhesive-Application-Cricut/dp/B07HNPFBSH/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=transfer+tape+for+vinyl&qid=1563510752&s=gateway&sprefix=transfer&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 This should be what you need. The best transfer tape I used came from a Canadian company called XXXMain. They did some awesome masks for RC car bodies which is where I learned how to use masks but I don't think they're around anymore. I have also used squares of the actual masking material in a pinch. It works but may not be cost effective.

Got the rotor head all masked and painted up. Followed by the blades themselves. I painted the underside in black and the upper sides in green. Then everything was put together. At the moment the gun barrel and pitot are all that's left. I broke the Master pitot. It bent so nicely into a Z pattern so I will need to order a replacement. In the meantime, we leave for vacation tomorrow so it'll be a while before I finish. Carl

Thanks Dave! Thanks Rick! If you do get another, I have an extra set of the canopy masks for it that I won't need.

Same here! I wanted to see the Air Group bomb the Japanese task force and the Nimitz sail into Pearl past Battleship Row. I saw a pic years ago of the VF-84 Tomcat from the film with a Zero kill marking on it. Can't recall where though.

Frisket film is too tacky. There's something called transfer film which is what you need. It can be slightly frosty (my roll is) but has a much lower tack than frisket. For me, what I generally do when using masks is: 1- Remove any excess material around the mask. This way you can isolate each element on the sheet. 2- Apply a similarly sized piece of transfer film to the mask. I applied it on an angle so that the corners of the mask are still accessible. When you start to peel the mask off the backing paper, gently bend or roll the backing paper away from the mask. It may not initially stick to the transfer film but go slowly. Press the transfer film back on as needed. Once the initial "bond" between the mask and backing paper is broken, the mask should stick better to the transfer film. The transfer film will then hold everything in place and keep it aligned. Then it's time for placement on the model. I generally start with one corner, lightly press it down and check the alignment. Do not remove the transfer film until you're 100% certain on the position. Once you are, press both down and then peel off the transfer film. Theo mentioned using a mild soap or water solution to float the mask into place. This can be done but it means you'll have to wait for the water to dry before you can paint. I think there's a place for both decals and masks. Certainly larger elements are better served by using masks. Or if they have to go onto compound curves. Here's a recent F-16 tail I did with masks One thing I missed were some of the spots on the muzzle of the tiger. I was able to reapply the mask and touch it up. Hope this helps. Carl

Here's the movie that got me hooked on the Tomcat:

Looks like I'll be going with the family. We're ostensibly visiting my sister and her family who moved to Wisconsin in December. They're the next exit off the highway so nice and handy. But first I have to survive an 11 hour drive with my 6 & 8 year olds....

Or Xtracrylix. Turns to goo.

Tomcats over Hornets any day! There's a Tomcat in the very last shot of the trailer at least.

I don't know what primer you used but you could try removing it with Tamiya lacquer thinner. It's cool enough that it won't attack the plastic. After you removed most of the paint, use a polishing compound to remove the remaining residue.

I did one a couple years ago. The hardest part was making the deeper fixed canopy section. Yours is coming along really nicely. Carl

They still do I believe. I've seen them come up from time to time on eBay for around $500 as a set. Which isn't far off from the Bandai 1/72. They do need a bit of work correcting details though. But it's certainly impressive when done.

One of my favourite paint schemes on the Spitfire. I did mine using the Tamiya kit. The pink only stands out against the white of the invasion stripes on the wings. Carl

For Canada, Revell will be distributed by Borgfeldt. They're the same company that's distributed Tamiya here since forever.

It's looking good there. Sorry to hear about the paint issues. If you still have the masks, you can use them for the touch ups needed. They're generally quite resilient and I've reused masks many times.

Thanks! Here's the link to the build. The rockets were actually Aerobonus, not Quickboost. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/QAB320064 The rails they come with would work on a Typhoon but not on the Mossie. They also have decals for the rockets included.

Here's the Quickboost rockets on top and the Profimodeller ones below. I picked these up for my Banff strike wing Mossie. I've got the MDC stubs as well, just waiting for the rocket rails which Kagemusha just reminded me has been three years now... Carl

I got the decals applied to both sides. There aren't too many fortunately which is great for me. I also started working on the forgotten main rotor.

I only got the kit after I saw the masks come out. After I bought these masks, I asked to DN do a couple of custom sets of Tiger Meet masks for a CF-18 and Mig-29UB in 1/32. The CF-18 I'm hoping to start at some point soon. As for the Hind, It has been a really great kit to put together. The step in mine is almost certainly due to the fuselage having been crushed. Everything else has just gone together very nicely.

Thanks guys!