Thanks for all the kind comments guys! I know I've got a ways to go, but I had a blast putting the plane together. And to be truthful, I'm right proud of it! I put a lot of time and sweet into it, and it turned out pretty nice.
I have an incredible amount of respect for the men who fought World War II on two fronts, and one of my next projects will be the two more Red Tails, but the "Gruesome Twosome's" P-51Bs. I have a feeling that I'll end up putting the tree planes together in a nice display case and giving them to my wife. I can always rebuild them for me.
Waikong, I actually used masking tape, but I don't think I got a good seal. I'm working on Greg Boyington's F4U number 883 right now, and I'm making darn sure that I'm sealing it down good. The first layer appeared to have much cleaner lines this time, so I'm hopeful. I'm trying to decide if I want to wait until I get my decals before I add the numbers and art. It may be a few weeks before I can get it though, so we'll see.
Keep any suggestions coming, and I'm having a blast! Thanks, Raymond