When to paint?

Put it all together, mask the canopy, then start to paint!! Add the prop and wheels last. I've built a few of these...

John and Nathan,

Thank you both. I thought that was the standard procedure when building aircraft kits but I thought I'd ask anyway to avoid my typical disasters.

Mike

I will also add....at the point you are at, I would paint the gear bays...before assembling the wings. It's not 100% necessary though. Some gear bays are easier to paint, then mask off before painting the rest (especially when there's round edges)....unless you're brush painting the bays. I'm getting ready to take a few 190's to the paint booth myself. I'll be posting my process/progress in my WIP (http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/169367.aspx)

Should be updated tomorrow.

Thanks Fermis.

I've already A/B'd the landing gear bays. I suppose I should have taken that picture with the bottom wing section flipped over so all could see that but - at least in this instance - I followed what I thought would be a logical sequence.

As to the WIP thread you linked ... no need for the link. I'm following it with great interest! When I look at the engine you made I think I may want to take a trip to one of my favorite cities - Paris (France) - put some lead weights around my waist and jump into the Seine! Your modeling skills just make me green with envy, blue with depression, red with rage, etc., etc. Just kidding about the blue and red

Some day I hope to become more or less competent in the practice of this hobby and, if I get there, it'll be because of the inspiration and help from modelers like you.

Mike