amurray

I have a problem that has vexed me for many years: flat acrylics that don't spray flat. I don't have the problem with flat lacquers and flat enamels. But more often than not my "flat" acrylics sprayed on a gloss surface remain glossy. The brands are Gunze and Tamiya. Two questions: Why does this happen? Having put on 3 coats of acrylic that did not work can I go back with one of the Alclad flat products without doing harm to the paint job? Many thanks! Art

Been there, done that, thrice: 1st time: With a carpet knife. 2nd time: An Exacto # 11 blade. 3rd time: Reached out to grab the blade of a hedge trimmer that had kicked back on me. The Emergency Room doc was not impressed with me. As I have previously quoted my dear, departed Mother: "Son, you may not be the smartest person but you make up for it by not being very bright."

No big surprise but the "Weathered" version wins the vote. I'll start making corrections and adjustments.

In 1971 I learned to ski in Hoch Ybrig and Einsiedeln Switzerland. Being from Alabama I had on blue jeans, a Ban-Lon short-sleeve shirt, an alpaca sweater and a corduroy jacket. It was -5 degrees Fahrenheit. I almost died. I took a water hose at a gast haus and sprayed my jeans. The water froze but created a wind barrier. We were several groups. My friends from Miami and Atlanta - who couldn't ski - had girlfriends from Vermont and upstate NY who were expert skiers. A friend from the Swiss Army accompanied us and was assigned to look after me. At the top of Hoch Ybrig I asked, "What do I do?" He said, "I don't know. I can't ski. I thought you were going to teach me." A lesson in inflation: I bought my skis, gloves and poles from the Migros on the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich for the U.S. equivalent of $12. At the time the Swiss Franc was 4 to the Dollar (i.e equal to 25 cents). Today, one Swiss Franc buys 1.14 US Dollars. I have Googled Einsiedeln over the years. This week the temps are forecast in the 50's. In 1972 I skied the entire month of March in Einsiedeln and Hoch Ybrig.

Excuses, excuses!!!

I had made note of these items but thanks for reminding me. "And I flew over Switzerland once. I think." I gave Shoggz credit for 1.005 votes for having eaten Swiss cheese. But he was positive in his statement. As you are unsure as to whether you flew over Switzerland or perhaps the Bahamas I will assign a value of 1.0025 to your vote. Some advice: Next time flying over the area look for the pointy mountains and snow. If you see islands, sand beaches and clear blue water, it's the Bahamas.

Joerg, You have a sharp eye for detail. Depending on the vote I will make the requisite corrections to the best of my minimal talents. Having said that, as I mentioned in an earlier post J-4013 was painted, re-painted and painted yet again over its long service life. See yet another version below sans unit patch and target roundels but with different Day-Glo patterns on the nose and wings. I'm not sure there is an incorrect scheme for J-4013 unless it be Bubble Gum Pink. I tend towards the "Weathered" choice if for no other reason that I don't have the unit patch necessary for the "Pristine" version. But be warned: My wife has not voted yet. BTW I rode a Bonneville Triumph motorcycle through Bern in 1972. It rained both days. I think it always rains in Bern.

For eating Swiss cheese your vote counts 1.005. Could be a tie breaker!

Proof enough!

NOW WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING I'VE NOT SEEN BEFORE ON LSP: YOU WILL DECIDE THE FINAL FINISH OF MY MODEL!!! The Safety Orange on any aircraft (Swiss, U.S., Congolese, etc.) deteriorated at an accelerated rate. It tended towards faded yellow on upper surfaces but the shaded underwing stores stayed orange.There are photos of this aircraft in both Pristine and Weathered conditions (see below). You get to vote on which I try to replicate. One vote per modeler EXCEPT the votes of Swiss Nationals count double (i.e 2x). If you are Swiss you must identify as such. The email handle "Bubba 'Big Hoss' Jones from Gatlinburg" will not qualify as Swiss. Votes must be in via reply to this post on LSP by Friday midnight. In the event of a tie I decide. If no one votes, I decide. If my wife doesn't like any of the versions, she decides. You vote either as follows Pristine Weathered I appreciate your input! Pristine: Weathered:

The white primer has been applied to The Mummy preparatory to the Safety Orange.

In an over abundance of caution I've added more masking tape prior to the white primer for the Safety Orange. I have nicknamed this model, "The Mummy." The missing horizontal stabilizer dates from the drop while painting With all the handling necessary I thought I'd just leave it off until ready.

Revell Enamels - Spray wonderfully. But . . . BUT (here it comes) for the first time in almost 20 years when I removed the Tamiya masking tape the paint lifted. I'm stunned! A great kit that continues to suffer from human interference!

Question re: first photo down: Behind the spinning prop is a circular mechanism in light gloss color. What is that? I've never seen it depicted in kits as a light color. Instead it is always depicted as dark gray or dark metallic.

Bright pink would be my choice!

Outstanding!!!

Derek, I appreciate the comments about modifying the sequence but understand that with this kit there is no way to avoid an early installation of the front gear. I hold my breath every time I pick up the model and set it down. I can't tell you how many times i forgot and set it down in a "breaking" position but luckily avoided a break. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

I mentioned only two of many. No slight intended. As regards Mike, we likely owe him high praise for knowing the proper modeler to whom to entrust the build.

Base Dark Green is done as seen in the photo. I added the Dark Sea Gray camo. A word of caution about Swiss Hunters and J-4103 in particular. Many of the Swiss Hunters were painted, re-painted and painted yet again. [Likely the Brits did the same with their own Hunters.] Many aircraft vary, though slightly, from the original paint jobs when delivered by Hawker. J-4103 reference photos show numerous subtle changes over time. It makes sense - it was a test bed aircraft. With J-4103 the Day-Glo Orange especially varied on the nose and on the drop tanks. I masked the orange accents. WOW, was that a task! In viewing the reference materials I just assumed the orange followed panel lines on the wings, spine, nose and tail. NOPE! Fortunately, I found the scale orange lines on the wings and tail fin are about 6mm. I placed 6mm Tamiya Masking tape on the requisite areas, then laid down masking tape snug against the 6mm tape I then removed the 6mm tape. The nose is masked with Tamiya Masking Tape for Curves. The latter does conform very well to curves but the adhesive is lacking If you use it, be sure it is secure! In the photo below I've not finished masking but it gives one an idea of the complexity of the masking. Another note: See that I have placed the model with the nose over the edge of the foam. That is because this is one of the design features I HATE in models - the nose gear has to be installed very early in the build. So far I've not broken it. It is inevitable, but . . maybe.

This build just gets better and better! Your skills are without equal. But equally impressive are the number of fellow modelers who have lent their expertise to you to help you achieve this work. And there are those who helped with aftermarket parts and their own custom made parts (e.g., TonkaXV, Kerry, et al.). It is amazing to me how the internet has made our hobby what it is especially in the realm of one-on-one personal advice and assistance even going back to the old rec.models.scale in the early days of the web circa 1995.

Love it, absolutely love it! Is there a build article for this?

Cheering for you to build the Kate but the was for your great work on the Zero!

Much cheering, whistling and stomping of feet!

Oh! Oh! Oh! "-the Border Kate/Akagi which is enroute"