I have just finished my 1/700 Victory ship and mailed it off to my Dad, and I just wanted to say THANKS to everyone in here who offered advice, suggestions, information or encouragement. I think I would have ended up in a rubber room otherwise.
It would never have occurred to me to use white glue to attach the little detail parts, or a pencil eraser to dull the flag decal, or to use gloss coat and then dull coat to get the star decals on the vehicles ... and the list goes on. Not to mention getting firsthand information about hatch cover colors, name board dimensions, deck cargo stowage ...
Again, to all of you, Thanks!