CANicoll

Actually, I did notice that it was not an actual photograph, but I've seen a number of these skins and the amount of research that goes into these things is amazing.  I have a few cockpit skins I keep for reference as well for the same reason.  Good stuff!
 
CN

Martin, the pictures are amazing, Mark and Jennings thanks for weighing in as well.  I knew the smart folks here would know the answer!
 
I don't know why my research could not turn up the great references you posted here but very much appreciated.  I have a bit of a fear that I'll not be able to slide the canopy back to the open position, and still have it sit properly on the cockpit rails (I think the antenna will lift the canopy as I'm planning on using EZ Wire - but I'll address that when I get to it I think.  Roller in the canopy. Mmmmm.
 
Amazing stuff and I really do appreciate the help.
 
Chris

Hello all,
 
The “Wreckin Crew” was stationed at Korat RTAFB June of 1968. The jet was lost over Laos in June 1970. This is my Zoukei Mura F-4E early kit. This is my first ZM kit and I have to say I am a fan! The fit, instruction sheet and decals were outstanding. I also used Quinta cockpit, Hasegawa bombs, G Factor landing gear, Zotz decal sheet and AK real color paints. The Revetments are from USAF Flightline I purchased around 2015. After a little over 20 years of building this is my first Phantom (blasphemy right) and I enjoyed it so much getting another one.
 
 
 
Thanks for looking.
 
Rod

Well, I was going to jump in with the EZ Line and Uschi stuff but Brian and Bob covered it very well.  Like most things in our hobby, there are a variety of resources and tools available to use, and part of the trick is knowing which to use when to achieve the result you want to achieve.
 
One thing I've come to be very careful of with EZ Line is that is appears to be a two-part string:  an inner and outer core or sheath.  If not cut properly, it is possible to have it come apart.  Also, it also seems to only take to one attempt with CA.  If the first try doesn't take, need to snip off that bit and try again with a 'fresh' piece.
 
Having said that, I use it extensively on my 1/28, 1/32 WWI planes and my 1/72, 1/48 WWII Planes.  Have not used it yet on my larger scale stuff but I have the full line of Uschi for that eventuality.  Agree that the thicker EZ Line is actually flat, not round.
 
Chris

FINALLY!  Sorry for the huge delay.  This one has been done for a while, but I've been neglecting the photo side of things.  Here are a few now that she's in the case...
You can find the build thread here. 
 
The replacement Eduard resin spinner and prop arrived (well, the new spinner and baseplate) so I had to alter the already-glued props to the hub to make the prop diameter wider to clear the wider spinner.  I didn't quite get the spacing right on one of the props... BUT!  I did finally get the spinner properly painted!  And yes, the main gear doors are UP.  Little bits of red decal cover the gun ports.  Irregularly shaped as I've seen in some pictures.



 
View of those beautiful AMUR flaps and that crystal clear Aerocraft Models canopy by @Ali62.  Talk about a huge difference from the kit parts. Decals are from Kits-World for the nose checkers and Passion Wagon markings.
 

 
And the Revell Cockpit, augmented by lots and lots of Barracuda plaquards and stencils, Tamiya bits, Eduard bits and bobs.  Not to mention a CMK resin seat and Radu's worn cockpit floor decal.  I think there is more money in the cockpit aftermarket than the cost of everything else on the plane...
 




 
One of these days I'll get around to doing a weathered and faded aircraft again...
 
Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoyed!

Chris

103 pages!!  This needs to be an E-Book.  Super work!  Chris

A bit more progress on the outer nacelle. Some of the panels are pretty tricky to discern the shape, but I'd say I'm reasonably close...... The top big access cover is not stuck on yet; still needs details and some adjustment to get it to fit nicely.
 
Lots and lots of little tricky panels, only another 3 engines to go! At least the RH wing *should* be easier as I'll know the sizes and shapes of the panels......
 
 
 
 
The wing is starting to look more complete now!
 
 
Many, many more hours to get yet on this wing alone, but it is somewhat therapeutic!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

You know, the P-40 measurement and armor glass or not guy 

I am pretty sure that I do not need a SR-71 made in 1/32 scale.  It will be cool for some people. 

Blue!  

Blue!  

Blue!  

I think Home Depot has had a similar capability for a couple of years now, matching paint colors to whatever sample you bring in.

You forgot waaay too flat tires…
 
Cockpit details, especially instrument panels that are too clean, toy-like, bezels too tall and/or very wrong colors and or value (e.g., dark blue and or green for black grey).
 
anything that can go wrong using 3D printed parts… tire details, brand logos that stand too proud or are too large.  More details that cannot be seen after model closed up.
 
I will stop. I may be taking all the fun out of this. 

FINALLY!  Sorry for the huge delay.  This one has been done for a while, but I've been neglecting the photo side of things.  Here are a few now that she's in the case...
You can find the build thread here. 
 
The replacement Eduard resin spinner and prop arrived (well, the new spinner and baseplate) so I had to alter the already-glued props to the hub to make the prop diameter wider to clear the wider spinner.  I didn't quite get the spacing right on one of the props... BUT!  I did finally get the spinner properly painted!  And yes, the main gear doors are UP.  Little bits of red decal cover the gun ports.  Irregularly shaped as I've seen in some pictures.



 
View of those beautiful AMUR flaps and that crystal clear Aerocraft Models canopy by @Ali62.  Talk about a huge difference from the kit parts. Decals are from Kits-World for the nose checkers and Passion Wagon markings.
 

 
And the Revell Cockpit, augmented by lots and lots of Barracuda plaquards and stencils, Tamiya bits, Eduard bits and bobs.  Not to mention a CMK resin seat and Radu's worn cockpit floor decal.  I think there is more money in the cockpit aftermarket than the cost of everything else on the plane...
 




 
One of these days I'll get around to doing a weathered and faded aircraft again...
 
Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoyed!

Chris

Radu did a terrific job with the Revell P-51 so if he's been involved with the Hurricane, I'm in as well.  Can't wait to see it!

Radu did a terrific job with the Revell P-51 so if he's been involved with the Hurricane, I'm in as well.  Can't wait to see it!

Radu did a terrific job with the Revell P-51 so if he's been involved with the Hurricane, I'm in as well.  Can't wait to see it!

Radu did a terrific job with the Revell P-51 so if he's been involved with the Hurricane, I'm in as well.  Can't wait to see it!

Welcome back.  I have an older home I too am working on.  A real hair ball sometimes but when things are completed it all looks great.  

I was actually getting kinda worried about you, man! I even asked a few times on the forum to see if anyone had heard from you. Good to see you back!!
 
Tim
 

Hello guys !
 
I was off for a while ! Due to various life events, and especially because i moved to an old house where there is a lot of work (and it's not finished !) i was not able to sit down for several years. Actually i have not touch a model since 2019 !
 
But last week i cracked and made an order to my (former) usual shop and bought 7 model kits ! I cleaned some space and started to reorganize my hobby room.
I am now working on a trumpeter P-40M (almost OOB, just some Eduard PE for the cockpit), just to warm up and recover from more than a 3 years stop !
 
 
I am very sad however to see that in those last 3 years many great names of the model kit world have closed down for various reasons....  Kittyhawk, Wingnut Wings, Grey Matter Resin, Paul Fisher.... What a loss !
 
 
I am happy to start again that nice hobby and to see you again guys, and i will try to post something from time to time !

The oft-quoted statement that “the camera never lies” is just that, a total lie, which I’m sure is also “true” in this instance of wings and dihedrals.
 
An example from my own experience; when I did my Bf110G4 I went to extraordinary lengths to make as sure as possible that the FuG array on the nose was square and parallel in every plane…..not easy as those who have attempted it will testify. But come to taking pictures and……doh, the array looks all over the place! I believe this is a phenomenon known as parallax? Don’t trust photographs!! 

Waiting to judge when the kit is released. As with any kit “some modeling skills required”. Some have more than others. Just saying. 

It is simply impossible to make a correct and full assessment of a model kit from some pictures. I'm not saying they are not useful. They are to give hints about items requiring further investigation and may show inaccuracies regarding small details. However, never base your final assessment on a bunch of pictures to assess accuracy of the global geometry.