BloorwestSiR

I can't wait for the London Airshow set. I saw that plane in person at the airshow that year and enjoyed it. Of course that means having to add an F-4D to the stash. Jake, any hints on what F-4G markings you are planning to do? Carl

It could have multiple uses. Not only catches drool, but any small parts dropped off the bench too As for the Horten, I know this will be my must have purchase this year. Carl

A small update. I have painted the cockpit tub and seats in the main shade of grey: I plan to use the kit seats for now and maybe down the road, I'll consider replacing them. While the paint was drying, I got to work filling some ejector pin marks in the gear bay and on the burner can petals: Next up was the intake and the seam down it. I debated gluing the front and rear sections together into upper and lower halves, but decided that the seam would be too long and curved to fill properly so I have followed the instructions :mental:and done in two sections. Here is the rear section with a coat of Mr Surfacer 500 filling in the seam: And now the problem. I just picked up a new weekend job which will mean I will have close to zero build time at my primary workbench. This is where I build most/all of my LSP kits as I have plenty of space as well as a spray booth and compressor. Most of my tools and kits are here too. This is in the basement of my parents' house. I was fortunate enough to have them let me set it up when I was living in a condo at the time. Last year, my wife and I bought a house which has a small basement but the ceiling is low and it's not finished. I have managed to set up a small workbench there but can't do any painting, just building. Recently, I picked up a second air compressor so I am going to try and set something up a little bit more practical so I can paint here. That way, I will be able to get in more building time once our boys are asleep. So, hopefully next week we'll see some greater progress on this. Carl

Thanks for looking in. Hi Maru, Thanks, I'm hoping to be able to finish it in time for the deadline. I've got an interesting problem that I'm trying to work out which will either let me make that target or miss it completely You're right, Peter. Their primary focus has been 1/35 armour and more recently, 1/48 aircraft but this is their first 1/32 kit. They also have a RSAF F-16 kit which also uses the Academy plastic. I think that kit is the only source currently for an ACMI pod. This one is pretty much the Sufa kit with the additional resin bits. Carl

AFV Club primarily do 1/35 armour kits. They have recently branched out into aircraft but mostly 1/48 stuff and usually with some sort of connection to Taiwan as that's where they're based. They have re-boxed Academy kits on occasion but with new bits added like this kit. Their most recent 1/32 announcement is a new tool F-104 (and not a re-box of the Italeri one). Carl

Here's a view of the contents: The new tail with the parapack fitting: The other resin bits which includes a recon pod, missiles and new main gear wheels and doors:

I thought with all the F-16s being built, I would add one more to the mix: I bought this shortly after it came out. It is primarily the Academy plastic with some new resin parts. Although not 100% accurate, I plan to build it OOB. Carl

I think Hasegawa released them in 72nd scale. http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG02067/Air Nice to read about the story behind the markings. Carl

I don't know if you can build it without at least the engine block. I put together just the basic engine attached to the firewall, engine bearers and front mount for the prop. Even with the cowl panels glued in place, there's noticeable flexing. Maybe if you scratch build something as Ron suggested to takes its place it would work. But leaving it out entirely, I have my doubts about the durability of the assembly. Carl

There is a conversion set from AMS Resin which allows you to backdate the Trumpeter kit. It has the nose, intakes and decals for the C version, including some Argentinian ones. It might save you some of the work. Carl

Wolfpack does the Warhud and I think Isracast has a Block 40 conversion. Hope that helps Carl

It's all good now Derek. So no need for a trip to the glue factory. Phew. Forgot to mention that it's a great painting. Carl

Thanks guys! After reading this I've had You've lost that Lovin' Feeling stuck in my head all morning. Carl

The original Tamiya acrylic paints were known to have this problem. I had it happen to me when I put a heavy coat of clear red (X-27) over a gold base (X-12). It created a gorgeous candy red with a nice gloss until it fully cured and cracked. I had sprayed the clear red without thinning it to get a gloss finish which is what everyone figured caused it to crack. As a result, Tamiya made changes to the paint formula. The old paints came in a 23 ml size while the new ones are 10 ml. Fine Scale Modeler actually ran an article on this problem. I can't recall when it came out but it was at least a couple pages long. Carl

What Vaughan said! I can't wait for this to come out. According to the link, it will be October so I have time to save up for them. Carl

Great solution to the intakes. A different approach than what Brian used on his build. I think I'll borrow it when I start mine Carl

The Xtracrylics are a nice paint. I've airbrushed them and been very happy with the results. Most are semi-gloss so you can get away without a clear coat when it comes to recalling. I do recommend using their thinner though. Carl

I picked up a set of Master barrels for the P-47 to use since they're smooth and not drilled. They also have a nicely chamfered barrel end to them. Carl

I ran into the same problem except I'd already glued the wing spar together in the folded position. I'm going to leave it as is and not worry too much about it. Carl

Thanks everyone. I hope to be able to get some paint on it shortly, maybe even this weekend. In the meantime, I had so fun doing this, I've started another mecha kit from Kotobukiya and will post that shortly. Carl

That's what I figured seeing as I haven't found mention of it anywhere else. Hopefully it's a miscommunication. Carl

I just read on Hannant's homepage that Isracast has stopped production on their resin sets. Anyone else heard this? Carl

Great stripes there Kev! Which Gunze are you using? The acrylic or lacquer? I find the lacquers harden off fairly quickly but you're right about the acrylics taking a bit longer to dry. You can also thin the Gunze and Tamiya acrylics with either of their lacquer thinners and that helps speed up the drying time too. Carl

Hi Kev, The movie is a bit confusing at times. The first time I saw it was subtitled in Chinese with half the characters speaking English and the rest Japanese. Needless to say, I didn't understand much of it at all. I found an English manga of it which finally allowed it to make sense. Here are the pics of it in standing mode: The transformation process isn't too convoluted and could actually work. The limbs all come off still so the last step will be to paint it now that it's fully assembled. Hopefully I get a day soon and take it over to the workshop for paint. Carl

Here's the main turret and titular gun head: And then I got carried away with how well the kit was going together and ended up here: These are all in tank mode. I'll post some pics in mech mode shortly but first off to look after my son! Carl