LSP_Kevin

Silver bits are now done! I'll need to mask them off ready for the next colours, so I'll let the paint cure at least overnight before laying any tape on it. Kev

While I actually have the old kit in the stash, along with a ton of legacy aftermarket for it, with plans to do what I can with it, for people more sane than I am, I'd recommend grabbing a Dragon kit (or the Revell rebox), and sourcing one of the AIMS conversion sets. This will give you a better result with arguably less effort, but at probably significantly more cost. Kev

Including spaces, but not the quotes, "Silver Wings Fokker D.XXI" contains 25 characters. Kev

Just in from Laminar Flow Design: The contents look amazing! I'll be doing an in-box review soon. Kev

Great to see an update on this one, Iain. I still harbour dreams of a 1/32 Electra, but I don't think it's a realistic proposition at this stage. Model on! Kev

Brilliant stuff, Iain! Very inspirational, too. Kev

The latest update from DBMK on Facebook: Kev

Looks amazing, Si! You ever get one of those builds where the worst possible thing will happen at the absolute worst time? I'm still waiting for a build where this doesn't happen! Kev

1974, I believe: https://www.largescaleplanes.com/kitdb/details.php?kit=981 Kev

Looks fantastic, Dan! Kev

Excellent work, Rick! Kev

Lovely progress, Andy! Kev

A quick update, as this build finally makes it to the painting stage! SMS Light Grey on the wings and tailplanes: The strong studio lights make it look basically white, but it should have enough contrast with the white on the fuselage when it goes down - which will happen after the silver bits! Kev

It sounds like you might be happier somewhere else. Kev

I know the feeling! Good to see this one being worked on. Kev

Any idea on price yet, Jan? Kev

Personally I think Eduard would be making a mistake to trod the weary path to yet another 109/190/P-51D. With the kits that are out now or coming, those subjects are so well covered in 1/32 that it's going to be difficult to compete. Perhaps a Mk I Spitfire with a full engine done in the style of Tamiya's superkits might find an audience, in lieu of an actual Tamiya kit, and as a foil for Kotare's simpler extant release. But ZM has that base already covered as far as the late Bf 109s are concerned, and a new-tool kit from Kotare is just around the corner as well. We're sorely in need of a quality, modern P-51B, and it's still uncertain whether ZM is really coming out with one - plus, Eduard is obviously unconcerned about that kind of duplication. The Hellcat is in the same boat - nothing to choose from but a legacy kit or a Trumpeter hash, though obviously it wouldn't be as popular as a subject compared to the P-51B. The MiG-21 is a no-brainer, as is the rest of the early MiG family. All that said, if Eduard creates a new kit in 1/32 scale of a subject I'm interested in, irrespective of what's already out there, I will in all likelihood buy it. Kev

Incredible work as always, Peter! Kev

Superb stuff, Iain. I really wish I had the time to learn some CAD myself. Kev

Looks great, Paolo! Some very expert airbrushing there. Kev

Magnificent, Marcin! Kev

Excellent problem-solving, Chuck! Kev

What happened to it? Kev

Howdy folks, Plenty happening in this week's What's New update. Enjoy! Kev

The main benefit of using gloss or satin colour coats is that it reduces (or eliminates) the need to add a gloss clear coat before decals. If you've ever used Gunze (GSI) aqueous acrylics, for example, they're nearly all gloss or semi-gloss. I also think that gloss paints are more durable, though at least with some brands, they do seem to take longer to cure. They work better for panel line washes too, as well as some other weathering techniques (though others work better over a matte finish). And the final benefit is that I personally find most matte/flat paints a bit too much so, and Tamiya's range in particular can be a bit dead and lifeless. Achieving the flat finish at the end via clear coats gives you much more control over just how flat you want it, and for me, that's a tick or two shy of dead flat. Kev