1/48 Academy F-86F-30

Those look nice! :)

I'd also like to add another suggestion about painting a natural metal finish on aircraft.  I have had nothing but good luck using Floquil Silver Mist and Old Silver.  They are extremely forgiving, easy to use, tough as nails and holds up to masking.

Just a couple of examples...

Eric

Just my .02, I was terrified of trying Alclad products; they just sounded so technical, I thought there was no way that I'd be able to get a nice finish.  Granted, I haven't used a lot of the product yet, but what I have used has turned out really nice.  You can find complete threads on the painting board about using these products.  There is a ton of great information out there.  Also take a look at some of the videos on youtube.

I'm a Model Master Metalizer guy myself (cost), but you will want to check out the guys using Alclad. Simply great stuff, properly applied. There's usually a natural metal finish group build going on, or one that's been completed which should give some info on how it'll work.

Looks like I will need to be on the look out for some after market decals.  The build has been interesting.  While it came together fine, there was just enough issues to cause frustration.  Mostly dealing with cockpit and pilot fit issue with the canopy.

Mustang, the Academy kit went together so very nicely for me.  I hope it's treating you the same way.  Are you going to be using the kit decals?  Let me put it this way...I hope you're not planning on using the kit decals!  When i built my Academy F-86, the quality of the kit was phenomenal but the decals pretty much caused me to trash my build.  The kit decals were so unresponsive to the setting solutions I used that they might as well have been made out of Scotch tape.  They did not adhere to any curves.  They did not sink down into any of the panel lines.  They were pure garbage.

I tried lifting the bad decals off with masking tape.  It sort of worked but I just couldn't get rid of them.  The more I tried to strip the decals and paint off, the worse things got until I couldn't take it anymore and I tossed the whole works.  That was maybe five years ago.  I hope they're improved them since then.

Eric

Mustang8376,

I enjoyed building this kit.  Looking forward to seeing what you can do with yours.

Happy modeling!

-O

I love the look of the F86. Looks great so far. The NMF finish is finicky at best but I enjoy trying. Can't wait to see how this turns out.