jmel

As one of the small guys closing up shop, i can put in my two cents. Reid Air Publications/Speed Hunter Graphics has been very successful. Very. I'm closing the doors because i don't have time for it. I own a flight training operation in Cincinnati and it consumes my time. I recently bought a 4th aircraft and it is now a full-time job keeping up with that business. I love doing it. I love flying. I LOVE drawing decals. I LOVE researching. I LOVE going on photoshoots for books and magazines. I just don't have time anymore. I can't compete with Amazon. It's shocking to me that people will call me two days after they order, demanding to know where their book is and why they don't yet have it. Amazon Prime, I ain't. Or, USPS will throw their book around, damaging it, and i'm on the hook for a replacement, adding to my workload. Or, people constantly complaining about shipping costs as if i personally set them. I've even had people outright accuse me of inflating shipping charges as a way to profit more. Good grief. For the above reasons, It's just not fun anymore. I agree with dave's insight 100%. it is expensive, and sometimes i've printed stuff that i can't give away for free. But i've always enjoyed doing it, and it has always, as a whole, paid for itself and been profitable. But it just isn't fun anymore. If i could still draw decals and get them printed, do book projects, without having to deal with people constantly complaining, i'd continue to do it. Jake

I can send you a bunch of pictures if it’ll help.

Speed Hunter Graphics has a new sheet available. https://www.reidairpublishing.com/speed-hunter-graphics-132-decals/desert-phantom

Tesla Model S owner, here. I am a car guy. I build engines and race cars and i will NEVER go back to a gasoline-powered vehicle. I pay about $50/month to charge my car at home overnight while i sleep. I wake up each morning with a car fully charged for over 250-275 miles of driving. It took zero modification to my house electrical system, my insurance rates went down ( i had a Mustang Shelby GT500 prior to the Tesla), and i can outrun and outperform literally any car on the road, all with luxury and technology that is updated via the internet periodically, also while i sleep. And guess what? I bought it used five years ago and paid $36k for it. Are electric cars for everybody? Nope. Are they amazing? Yes. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. I have had no problems charging my car in the cold. Jake

YES PLEASE!!

Absolutely perfect in every way. Just phenomenal. Thanks for sharing your progress and photos with us. Jake

Richie I’m sorry to drag up a 5 year old thread, but I’m just now stumbling across this. man this is a SUPERB build. I can’t stop looking at the pictures. can you elaborate a little bit on how you lit up all of the jet’s external lights? I’d love to do something identical! great job!

That looks SUPERB!! What pilot is that? Jake

I assume you're referring to it as it appears in the kit? Those markings are (semi) accurate for the jet a few months prior to retirement. It received a different sharksmouth for the retirement ceremony, as well as SCAT markings in honor of Robin Olds, who was in retirement. Prior to Boise, it flew with the 35th TFW at George. Jake

man that is a lot of work but so worth it. I look forward to more progress! Jake

Wow, that is is really REALLY nice!!! Jake

FANTASTIC work. I'm really enjoying watching this come together. Jake

Great work! I love it!

I love this thread. I eagerly await your next round of pics. Great work! Jake

I love this thread! It's so cool that you can build the model based on your personal experience! Jake