Thank you for the kind words, all. I appreciate it, really.
Bvallot - I thought about using Blu-Tac for the demarcation, but knew it would be a bit too fuzzy, and figured that even though the real one probably had some fuzziness to it, in scale, a sharp line would probably work. I do like the idea you suggested, and hadn't thought of going back and shooting it with thinned paints per your suggestion, but by the time I read this, I'd already gone too far. But thank you, as I will keep it in mind for next time.
I got a lot done on Sunday, and I just didn't have time to post last night, so here is a decent update.
First, some teasers - stencils applied:
I normally detest using decals for wing walk lines, and I still do, but I have to say the Eduard-printed stencil sheet worked extremely well for that. They took some straightening, and they aren't perfect, but I'm generally happy with them. Next time, I'll probably mask and paint, however.
I've found that it's best to do stencils first, and in this case, three decals went over stencils (both upper wing roundels and the aircraft marking on the starboard side under the rear canopy glass).
Then it was on to the decals, and you know the saying, "You can't miss what you've never had"? Yeah, that's how I feel about Cartograf decals, and I now see just why everyone raves about them. These things were perfectly in register, went down easily, responded to Micro Sol and actually sunk down so tight that the rivets managed to hold a wash on top of them. I'm really impressed, and happy that Eduard supplied markings for six birds, as now I can use the RAF roundels on my Spitfire Vb, and I can probably find a use for the USAAC national insignia, assuming I don't buy another Mk. VIII and build one of the American variants.
I forgot to take a pic of the decals pre-wash, but they were laid down atop Alclad Klear Kote, then oversprayed with the same.
And then the Flory grime wash, which always makes me nervous. What if it doesn't come off?!?!
But of course it does, and it looks more and more like a plane.
You can also see that I've got the elevators on in the down position, and the rudder is glued in position. I knocked off the starboard cannon, which is nice since I already knocked off the port one and had to reattach, so now neither one thinks it's special.
This evening I hit it with a tack cloth and sprayed the Tamiya dull coat and removed the mask on the canopy, attached the PE shock absorber bits, assembled the wheels (save for the PE wheel covers that need paint first) and got the prop together. I'll need to clear it and the landing gear doors, then wash and dull coat them, but that shouldn't take too long. I also need to attach the pitot tube and radio mast, but she's in her final stages.
-BD-