Nice progress, DJ!  It's fun to build this old kit, isn't it?  This was one of the first kits I built, when I got back in to modeling, and I have a couple more in the stash.  One to finish as an Atlantic bird, and one as a FAA Tarpon.

Polo_Sal

...I could not get the wings to glue correctly and the body seemed to be a little out of place. I had to glue the two pieces together 3 times in order for all the seam lines to stay together. As for painting, I don't have an air brush so I had to go with brushes. I have discovered that will take a while and doesn't have the same look all around.

It was my 4th attempt at building, so I just stoped working on it. I might come back to it and finish it. Maybe later as I improve my skills, I can make look at least half way as good as yours.

You should pick it up again, Sal!  I build the old Monogram USN aircraft from time to time, and the wings can be tricky.  I have the Wildcat on the bench, and I discovered that I didn't get the center section aligned correctly, it's off by about 2mm on the one side.  Not visible so much, and not visible from above, but it caused a gap between the inner wing stub and the outer wing on the underside.  Oh, well, I'm building it for fun, not for IPMS!

As far as painting goes, you don't need an airbrush, necessarily, but if you do want to get the same kind of effect, of thin layers of paint, have you tried using rattle-cans?  I used spray paints for most colors, before I finally got an airbrush, and I found it to be good practice for the airbrush.  The process is pretty similar, with the main difference being that with a rattle can, you can't control the pressure, as you can with an airbrush.  But you develop a "hand" when applying the paint, learning to avoid building up too much paint too quickly, which can happen with an airbrush, too.

But don't worry, if you like painting by hand and get results that you enjoy.  I also build kits from the sci-fi series Maschinen Krieger, and there are a lot of guys who build those kits who paint everything by hand.  Their finishes are indistinguishable from finishes achieved with an airbrush.

Hope that helps encourage you both!

Brad

Nicely done. My father is in Lakeland. Just visited a few weeks ago. I may have to transfer down. I'm sick of cold and snow. I'm from Connecticut the tax you to death state.  John

That does look really good. I attempted to build one of these, but for some reason I had a lot of trouble with the build.  I could not get the wings to glue correctly and the body seemed to be a little out of place. I had to glue the two pieces together 3 times in order for all the seam lines to stay together. As for painting, I don't have an air brush so I had to go with brushes. I have discovered that will take a while and doesn't have the same look all around.

It was my 4th attempt at building, so I just stoped working on it. I might come back to it and finish it. Maybe later as I improve my skills, I can make look at least half way as good as yours.

Looking good there. I'm in Gainesville

It has been a while since I was able to get some work done, but I am ready for some decals.  

I need to pick up some white paint to finish up a few items, and then get the decals on.  It had been a rough year and I did not do such a good job on this one.  I am just going to finish it and move on to the next one.  I'm happy to get some bench time for the first time in a long time.

Yeah, looks great DJ! I hate painting those three colour schemes but you've done a great job there. And good to hear the side business is doing well, too many empty store-fronts around here.

Looking good DJ!  

Eagle90

Got some more paint done. 

Next up is to finish painting the bottom pieces and assemble them.

That's too funny!  I don't like the heat now and you love the heat!  

Having your wife and daughter enjoying the hobby with you is awesome!  That is nice.  Makes it easy during birthdays and holidays!

Good to hear the business is doing well too.  In this economy, it's good to see that.

Eagle90

I'm just the opposite.  I grew up in Wisconsin.  I much prefer the heat to the cold.  We are currently driving a car without AC.  

So far, most of my business income goes into business expenses, but that should change pretty soon.  Then we have some expenses (like the car's AC) that need to get taken care of.  Then I'll be able to add to the stash.  

We did have a kind soul send a few models to us when he found out that I was not able to add to my stash.  Now I'm just trying to find the time to teach my wife how to build models.  My wife daughter and I each have one on the bench, although they haven't started theirs.  I also now have one in the stash.

That should keep me busy for the foreseeable future.

DJinFlorida

Right now I'm a little south of Jacksonville on the St. John's River.  Tampa to Vermont is quite a change.  How are you dealing with the winters?

My dad was born and raised in Fernandina Beach! My mom still lives in Brandon, and my sister is in Apollo Beach.  We go down about twice a year (or at least try to!).

Actually, I like the cold better than the hot!  I look back and have no idea how I ever drove to school during high school in a '73 beetle with no air conditioning!  Now, anything above 70 and I start to feel it!

With the side business going well, have you been able to get your stash going again?

Eagle90

Right now I'm a little south of Jacksonville on the St. John's River.  Tampa to Vermont is quite a change.  How are you dealing with the winters?

I understand DJ.  No worries.  Where in Fla are you?  I was born and raised just outside of Tampa (Brandon).  Live in Vermont now!

Eagle90

Sorry Eagle, I didn't read that right.  The side business is going great right now.  That's why I haven't had much bench time.  And apparently not enough time to read posts correctly. 

It's coming along slowly.  I've been getting a bit of side work lately, which is great, but it cuts into my bench time.

DJ, great work.  The canopy work is awesome!  And the figures turned out great!  How is the side business coming?

Eagle90

Wow, it's been almost 6 months since I got any work done on this one.  I did get the tail gunner painted yesterday.  

I'm not sure how much more I'll be able to get done this week, but I am hoping to get the top and bototm of the plane painted at some point.  I may even get to the wings this weekend.

Looking great DJ!

The fuselage is put together.  It needs some cleaning up, but nothing a little putty can't handle.

Fixed the turret canopy.

I should be able to get some work done on it tomorrow and I will post some more pics.

Sorry to hear about your wife.  I think most modelors would give a chunk of anatomy to get their significant other interested in the hobby.  Have you checked Craig's list or its local equivalent?  You might be able to find something there very reasonable.  Good luck, and I hope your wife is patient enough to wait until you can get something else going.

Thanks for all of the replies!  Yes, it does appear that I missed the bar between the ovals.  

I tried a new technique where I masked the whole part and cut out what needed to be painted.  It did seem easier than cutting a whole bunch of small pieces of tape and making them fit.  Especially one with this many panels.  However, it was hard to see all of the frame, and I missed one.  At least it will be a nice easy straight piece.

@Glenn: I am doing the tri-color scheme, the one that was flown by President Bush.

@pzl66: That's one nice looking Avenger.

@Nathan: Unfortunately, our budget has taken another hit.  I've got a side business starting, but until it is up and running, my modeling budget is stuck on $0.  And what really hurts is that my wife expressed interest in building one.  

One of my all-time favorite kits.  :)

Mark

Off to a great start.

Mike

Here is mine showing that part:

Great job on the canopy, noticed on the last picture there the part between the two ovals should be painted too.

It looks like you missed painting the horizontal bar between the two small ovals on the the left side of the turret. Painting that thing is tough, isn't it?

Won't be the last kit in the stash for very long if you're like me...

Good job tackling the hardest part first. Are you building the three-tone version or the overall dark blue?

Glenn