Should be a fun project.

Joe

Nothing to fear about juggling multiple builds.

Much less stressful than juggling chainsaws.

Look forward to seeing how this one develops.

Nice scheme choice. Looking forward to your progress. 

fightnjoe

Should be a fun project.

 

 

 

Joe

 

Thanks for taking an interest Joe!

Best, 

Nikola

Hoss WA

Nice scheme choice. Looking forward to your progress. 

 

Thanks Hoss!

We'll see how it goes.

Best, 

Nikola

gregbale

Nothing to fear about juggling multiple builds. 

Much less stressful than juggling chainsaws. 

I have that kit in my stash, and also have been reluctant to start it- I sense it will be a major project.  My regular mode is too have two kits on bench at a time.  I normally use enamel paint and need something to work on during drying time.

The kit looks great in the box.  I haven't looked at aftermarket stuff yet- I have a hard time resisting that stuff

I'll be following this thread closely.

Should be fun project.  Will be following along.

Mike

I think it was someone famous who once said "You have nothing to fear but fear itself". 

Jim 

Stay Safe.

Don Stauffer

I have that kit in my stash, and also have been reluctant to start it- I sense it will be a major project.  My regular mode is too have two kits on bench at a time.  I normally use enamel paint and need something to work on during drying time.

The kit looks great in the box.  I haven't looked at aftermarket stuff yet- I have a hard time resisting that stuff 

I'll be following this thread closely.

 

Thanks for taking an interest Don. I will try not to disappoint. :)

Best,

Nikola

Buckeye2

Should be fun project.  Will be following along.

Mike

 

 

From what I've read in the reviews it should. Thanks for taking an interest Buckeye.

Best,

Nikola

fox

I think it was someone famous who once said "You have nothing to fear but fear itself". 

Jim 

Stay Safe.

 

Haha, no kits with ''Fear'' for nose art then. :)

Best,

Nikola

Hi gents,

Somewhere in the midst of cockpit works... 

Best,

Nikola

Looks like you are off to a great start. I will be watching this.

This is a very nice kit and is cheaper in price than the Tamiya one. I have this one in the stash and opted to update the tail to the filleted one. I forgot where I ordered the resin later tail but it fits like a glove. I also have the decals for “Contrary Mary”, a very colorful scheme. I read that Revell got the correct position for the main spar visible thru the wheel wells. Also the wing panel lines and riveting were deleted for a smooth look in the hopes of decreasing drag and gaining speed.

Got some leather on... 

Looking great Nikola! Love the look of the worn leather. I'm currently building the same kit. I'm having some issues with wing root fit but it may be user error on my part:)

Hi gents,

I painted the pattern on the to be exposed wooden floor using Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow for the base and Vallejo Model Color Red Leather for the pattern.

Next is the Vallejo chipping medium followed by Tamiya Rubber Black.

I hope for the best. 

Nikola

rooster513

Looking great Nikola! Love the look of the worn leather. I'm currently building the same kit. I'm having some issues with wing root fit but it may be user error on my part:)

 

Hi Andy,

Thanks, glad you like it so far. :)

How bad is it? Any other heads up? :)

Best,

Nikola

plasticjunkie

Looks like you are off to a great start. I will be watching this.

 I read that Revell got the correct position for the main spar visible thru the wheel wells. Also the wing panel lines and riveting were deleted for a smooth look in the hopes of decreasing drag and gaining speed.

 

Hi Plasticjunkie,

Thanks! Glad you like the progress. :)

Do you know if these early D's had the entire wheel well in YZC or just the spars and structural elements?

As for the wing being puttied, I will probably do it, as much as I hate the extra work, haha.

Best,

Nikola

Nikola,

     It wasn't too bad. The fit for me was actually too tight (better then massive gaps) but it may have been becasue I glued the cockpit sidewalls to the fuselage halves instead of building it as a tub first. Just took some sanding then test fitting and a little more sanding to get in. So far the only other place I've had a issue with is the tail fillet. They are separate from the fuselage and I wasn't able to get a perfect seam but some sanding got the parts nicely in line. I still had a gap around between fuselage halves by the tailwheel but a little filler took care of it.

     I filled the wing panel lines with spure goo and it worked pretty well. I have hit it with primer but it seems to have done a good job just lots of sanding:)

     I went down the wheel well rabbit hole too lol. I ended up painting mine overall aluminum except the spar which I did YZC. Ask 4 people what color they were and you will get 4 different answers:-D I think it comes down to what look you like best.

     The wings on mine were warped as well. How are yours? I'd like to build more of these but not if it's a mold issue.

Hi Nikola

From what I have read, early Ds had the ZC main spar only.  Complete ZC wells appeared from block 20 on. 

And here's the result:

plasticjunkie

Hi Nikola

From what I have read, early Ds had the ZC main spar only.  Complete ZC wells appeared from block 20 on. 

 

Thanks for the info! Appreciated!

rooster513

The wings on mine were warped as well. How are yours? I'd like to build more of these but not if it's a mold issue.

Hi Rooster,

Thanks for sharing your experience! Much appreciated!

I'll check the wings and get back to you.

Best,

Nikola

Nikola

 

 

As for the wing being puttied, I will probably do it, as much as I hate the extra work, haha.

 

The easiest way to putty the wings is using Perfect Plastic Putty. Apply it over the panel lines with a small spatula tool and let it dry 5-10 minutes. Use a damp paper towel and lightly wipe till the area is smooth and even, no sanding required. This is great stuff and you may be able to get it locally.

https://www.amazon.com/DELUXE-MATERIALS-BD44-Perfect-Plastic/dp/B0076LAVFK/ref=asc_df_B0076LAVFK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309770451066&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15517614809703945779&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011767&hvtargid=pla-526517629628&psc=1

Getting there slowly... Very slowly! 

Office soon to be wrapped up... 

First time working with PE seatbelts. Man some of those pieces are small!

Nikola

Office soon to be wrapped up... 

 

First time working with PE seatbelts. Man some of those pieces are small!

 

 

Fantastic work.

plasticjunkie

Fantastic work.

 

Hi gents,

The office is finally ready for closing up.

Best,

Nikola

Ooooooooo, niiiiiiiiiiiice!

That is some excellent paint work, for sure.

M. Brindos

Ooooooooo, niiiiiiiiiiiice!

That is some excellent paint work, for sure.

 

Thank you very much Mike! Appreciated! I am very glad that you like it. Helps to keep the momentum in a slow process. :)

Best,

Nikola

Simply outstanding 

Fantastic work with the wood grain and worn black. And purely fantastic on all fronts!

How are you finding the kit overall? I haven't built any large scale models and wouldnt mind doing some larger warbirds after I get over the sci-fi binge Ive got going at the moment.

Cheers,

Josh

Excellent!

Josh_the_painter

Simply outstanding 

Fantastic work with the wood grain and worn black. And purely fantastic on all fronts!

How are you finding the kit overall? I haven't built any large scale models and wouldnt mind doing some larger warbirds after I get over the sci-fi binge Ive got going at the moment.

Cheers,

Josh

 

Thank you very much Josh! Appreciated!

I'm very glad that you like it so far.

As for the kit, I like it so far. It's my first 1/32 build so I don't really have anything in that scale to compare it with yet. The plastic is really good to work with, not too soft nor too hard. Some parts cleaning is required, but not too much. 

I noticed some deformations on the canopy  glass though and will have to check what's going on.

Best,

Nikola

jeaton01

Excellent!

 

Thank you Jeaton! Appreciated!

Best,

Nikola

Nice looking office. Amazing detail and beautiful paintwork.  

Hoss WA

Nice looking office. Amazing detail and beautiful paintwork.  

 

Thank you Hoss! Appreciated.

Best,

Nikola

Exhausts drilled out. Turned out OK, although still too thick for the scale but I did not dare to use a larger drill. This was pushing it already. 

Best,

Nikola

Your cockpit it looking great. I'm going to enjoy watching this come together!

Hi Nikola;

       That is one fine job on the office. I bet the rest will be as good. Watching here just for that.

Hi Nikola;

     Here's a tip. Next time take the molded exhaust ports off completely and replace them with one of two things. Do you have Coffee shops near you? Use the little plastic coffee stirrers that are like little straws, very thin wall or brass tubing that you can thin with an X-Acto knife spun around inside or use a round file.

   That way you won't have to drill the scudders out anymore!

You can still go with a larger bit and carefully expand the hole. Don’t rush it, take your time and go light.

Another option more labor intensive is to drill out each stack and replace each with thin brass tubing, each glued on with thick ca. 

The easy way out is just to get resin am ones. Do what makes you comfortable and happy.

Tanker-Builder

Hi Nikola;

       That is one fine job on the office. I bet the rest will be as good. Watching here just for that.

 

Thanks TB! Appreciated. Glad you like it so far.

Will try not to dissapoint. :)

Best,

Nikola

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Appreciated.

I'll see if I'll dare to drill further since the plastic is kind of on the softer side and I am afraid that I'll mess it up.

Best,

Nikola 

Hi gents,

Fuselage buttoned up. The fit is very good and it all went together without any fuss, except that the top part of the fuselage required some extra pressure. Good engineering by Radu Brinzan.

Best,

Nikola

Question guys - did early D's have the entire wheel well in YZC or just the structural elements? 

Thanks in advance. 

Best, 

Nikola

Nikola

Question guys - did early D's have the entire wheel well in YZC or just the structural elements? 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

Best, 

Nikola

 

 

Lol you forgort you asked this same question in the early postings and I answered:

"From what I have read, early Ds had the ZC main spar only.  Complete ZC wells appeared from block 20 on. "

  
The Mustang is looking great  

plasticjunkie

 

 

Nikola

Question guys - did early D's have the entire wheel well in YZC or just the structural elements? 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

Best, 

Nikola

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lol you forgort you asked this same question in the early postings and I answered:

 

"From what I have read, early Ds had the ZC main spar only.  Complete ZC wells appeared from block 20 on. "

  
The Mustang is looking great  

 

 

Did I? Haha, man this is taking long.

Thanks PJ. Appreciated.

I also found this (an excerpt from a much longer text by Dana Bell):

''By 1944, the AAF was receiving complaints about corrosion in a number of aircraft, including the Mustang. Some unspecified action was required, particularly to reduce dissimilar metal corrosion between structural members and skin panels. Some manufacturers gave the structure a coat of yellow zinc chromate before adding the skin. Some left the structure unprimed and gave the inner surface of the skin a coat of yellow zinc chromate. It's not clear how North American handled the problem, but there is one undated color shot of a P-51D (or K) production line showing the entire wheel well primed in yellow.
This is just a general explanation - it won't help you know what color the wheel wells would be on any particular aircraft. But you can make your own informed decisions based on the date you suspect any particular aircraft (and not just a Mustang) was manufactured.''

''Desert Rat'' is from 1944 so I guess YZC all around. Not 100% sure of course. Revell shows all YZC.

Best,

Nikola

He also says:

''As part of the cost- and time-savings measures, all other non-cockpit interior areas were left in unpainted aluminum finish. Since there were several grades of aluminum present, this led to corrosion issues on the Mustang, and at some point (I've not been able to pin down a date or place in production) wheel wells began to appear in overall yellow zinc chromate. I know for sure that this happened late in P-51D production. The problems had certainly been identified during B and C production, and fixes were ordered, I just can't find proof that these earlier models actually got the fix.

If, for any reason, a second coat of primer was applied to the wheel well, it would have been green zinc chromate (by that time, the same as Interior Green). I haven't seen evidence of that during WWII, but it could have happened.

As for aluminum lacquer with a yellow spar, that's the one option that didn't happen and actually makes the least sense. The object was to save money and time, so most corrosion control finishes were eliminated. If aluminized lacquer WAS used, it would have been used to overspray the entire well. (Leaving the main spar in yellow in a lacquered well was made more difficult by wartime shortages of both Magic Mask and Parafilm.)

I'm afraid "current thinking" is wrong on this one - there is no evidence of aluminum lacquered wheel wells with a yellow main spar, while there are plenty of photos of overall yellow P-51 wells.
You've got to ask yourself how the manufacturer would have been able to paint the well aluminum without getting any overspray on the spar, or why anyone should even attempt such a thing.''

Best,

Nikola

Regarding the color question for the wells, it's your model and go with what makes you happy. 
I suspect that even the early Stangs got them painted as pm service occured.

Hoo Boy!

 I didn't know the radiator intake was so detailed in that kit. I will have tocheck it out on mine. But, I gotta say it's looking  good!

plasticjunkie

Regarding the color question for the wells, it's your model and go with what makes you happy. 
I suspect that even the early Stangs got them painted as pm service occured.

 

I agree PJ.

As one fellow modeller put it nicely:

"I think this is a case of - do what you want and are comfortable with. 

Who really knows what supplies were at the factory that day - Line Mgr says -"I don't care! Get it out the factory door! There's 25 more behind it!", at the staging depot for updates and corrections (we called it the "hospital" at the auto factory I worked with) - The painter says "Hey boss, I ran out of YZC/ GZC and that one didn't get done - Reply "I don't care get it on the ship! it leaves tonight!", at the front line the crew chief says "Hey Capt. Jones I can't let this one go up, the wheel wells might corrode. Reply - I don't care I'll take here up now and tonight you can paint it with red barn paint for all I care, just fuel it and arm it 'cause I'm on for tomorrow too."

Best,

Nikola

Well gents, it's finally starting to look like an airplane. :)

Wings are on, as well as the rudder, horizontal stabilizers, elevators and ailerons.

Wheel well is mostly finished with some touch ups and details to be done, but that's basically that, OOB.

The fit is very good, but I must say that the wings required some persuasion to fit in place since I had to do slight sanding and hard pushing in place (very tight fit). This is as close as I could get it. Some sandpaper will finish the job. 

The engineering of the stabilizer connection is interesting as they interlock between each other within the connection to the fuselage (pics below). Basically, there was no aligning required, although I think that the left stabilizer is off by a hairline. Not sure. I couldn't do anything about it though.

Thanks for looking!

Best,

Nikola

Wow, that's looking fantastic

7474

Wow, that's looking fantastic

 

 

Thank you 7474. Appreciated. Glad that you like it so far.

Best,

Nikola

Fellow modeller and I apparently got a bad batch since we both have bad shaped rudder (another fellow's kit had no issues) so there was some fixing to be done. 

Not perfect but good enough. :)

Best,

Nikola

Before:

After:

Nicola, You are doing a great job on this. I built this kit about a year ago and really enjoyed it. I have 2 more in my stash. One question, do you have a link on where I may be able to purchase that stand that is in your photos?

learmech64

Nicola, You are doing a great job on this. I built this kit about a year ago and really enjoyed it. I have 2 more in my stash. One question, do you have a link on where I may be able to purchase that stand that is in your photos?

 

Thank you very much Learmech, appreciated. Glad that you like it so far. I agree, it is very fun to build. :)

As for the berth (jig), here is the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/223618646971

Best,

Nikola

Hi gents,

Very slow progress on this one (as I promised). 

Nothing special done but I just wanted to share a small tip about tackling a slight canopy misalignment with those who are yet to build this one. I am generally not happy with the quality of the clear parts. Among some other issues, the windshield is slightly deformed meaning that it is slightly narrower that the fuselage and shorter by a millimetre. The bubble canopy has deformations within the ''plexiglass'' part (I will post some pics later).

I couldn't avoid the gap between the windshield and the cowling but regarding the joint with the fuselage luckily there is a way to keep filling and sanding to a minimum as there is space to insert a piece of toothpick fixed with CA which will not be seen later and keep the windshield at the proper width until glued to the canopy:

Cool tip, that looks perfect.

Hio Guys, concerning Model Photographie.... Please look at my Models in the Air. Model Aircraft Photos by Heinz Johannsen. Most 1/32 and 1/48 and 1/24. If you would like to get infos How I did it, come back to me  Get more out of your Models !!! Make them look real !! Put them in the Air !  stay healthy   Heinz Johannsen

Hio Guys, concerning Model Photographie.... Please look at my Models in the Air. Model Aircraft Photos by Heinz Johannsen. Most 1/32 and 1/48 and 1/24. If you would like to get infos How I did it, come back to me  Get more out of your Models !!! Make them look real !! Put them in the Air !  stay healthy   Heinz Johannsen Look at Galleries Nr. 5--7--8--13--43--28--38--48--62--63--67--73--77-- on Readers Gallerie.Thanks for reading

She is finally ready for priming! 

I had to do some windshield-cowling gap filling, and panel line and tire threads re-scribing, added some rivets where I thought appropriate...

I will go with white Tamiya Liquid Primer or white Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500, followed by desert yellow shades, my complementary pre-shading using various reds and aluminium where appropriate for future chipping. Then goes the OD base coat. I chose to go with white primer since it will require less coats to achieve good OD coverage without it looking too dark.

Best,

Nikola

Looks like you blended that canopy in really nice! Definitely on the way to being a beautiful Mustang 

Hi gents,

White primer and complementary pre-shading done 

Well, here is some contradictory information for you:

The painting instructions say that the checkered pattern only goes to the front end of the exhaust stack:

The decal disagrees since it has a cutout to go around the stack past the front end of it:

And if I see it correctly the truth is somewhere in the middle as the pattern only slightly goes past the stack front end:

So, I painted the nose yellow and will either bite the bullet and paint the damn thing or cut out only the red squares of the decal and apply them to the painted yellow (this should make the decal easier to conform to the shape as well. I'll see.

Neutral Grey base over blue pre-shading on the belly finished. I try to keep the pre-shading effect very subtle initially and then modify where required with post-shading afterwards.

OD finished.

My phone camera and the dining room light bulb just can't capture the subtle differences and tonal variations that well, but they are there, trust me. 

Oh well, pics below. 

Wow! That looks great!. Awesome work, Nicola!

I can see some of the variation in paint you've built in, looks great!

And a few more where the effect of complementary pre-shading can be seen slightly better:

Best,

Nikola

Now I can see it better. I sure do like an olive drab Mustang.

Mopar Madness

Now I can see it better. I sure do like an olive drab Mustang.

 

The hardest part for me now is judging how much to cover initially knowing that weathering and subsequent coats will affect it. It's just like regular pre-shading only more difficult because if it is with black, no risk of too much of it showing through since it only gives a darker tone of the base color with no hue modulation. Still long way to go until I master this one.

In reality, the red is more subtle but it's very hard to get it right with phone camera and regular room lighting conditions so you guys can see it properly. I'll keep trying to take better shots without all the fancy setup. 

Best,

Nikola

This is I think as close to reality as I could get with phone camera. I guess we'll have to wait until proper photos in the end. :)

lawdog114

Coming along nicely Nikola. Interesting preshading color choices. Are you planning on painting on the red nose checkers?

 

Thanks LD! Glad you like it so far. Yes, I am planning on painting the checkers. It's going to be a b#&ch but nowhere near as complicated as you had it on your P47. :)

Any tips for that?

As for my pre-shading, I started experimenting with complementary colours some time ago. If you are interested here is the link to the thread that I started in 2019:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/18/t/183439.aspx

Best,

Nikola

I love how she's coming along!

That's a nice looking Mustang you have going!

Also apologies for not chiming in on your complimentary color preshading technique that you have been developing in the other forum. I have found it very interesting and it has made me realize I need to start learning some basics about how color works. Looking forward to your next photos.

Back to the bench

That's a nice looking Mustang you have going!

Also apologies for not chiming in on your complimentary color preshading technique that you have been developing in the other forum. I have found it very interesting and it has made me realize I need to start learning some basics about how color works. Looking forward to your next photos.

 

Thank you! Appreciated. Glad that you like it so far. :)

Colours are very fun for me to work and experiment with in any medium, especially in scale modelling. :)

Best,

Nikola

I know that I might be boring you but as this is a very slow progress I am posting every little step.  

Invasion fuselage stripes done. Next are the wing and horizontal stabilizer white stripes. Then the clear coat and on to the decals. Yay!

Ah, yes, and the red checkers on the yellow... 

Looking great.  Starting to come to life!  Love the invasion stripes. 

All invasion stripes done, with some test weathering just for fun at the wing and horizontal stabilizer tips. 

"I know that I might be boring you but as this is a very slow progress I am posting every little step.  "

I follow a similar approach. Gives me a chance to stopand look at what ive done, slow down a little and see what the critical eye of the camera shows. Have found a number of goofs that i could fix easier during the build rather than after. The other thing I like is thinking about where to go next when i post a wip. Post away Nikola we all enjoy it I bet!

Hi gents,

Finally got some free time (when I am not too tired) to continue working on the pony.

My first checkerboard pattern masking and painting done. I screwed up in one place but it's an easy fix.

Next is painting the exhausts, then a gloss coat and then decals. 

Best,

Nikola

Nikola

Hi gents,

 

Finally got some free time (when I am not too tired) to continue working on the pony.

My first checkerboard pattern masking and painting done. I screwed up in one place but it's an easy fix.

 

Next is painting the exhausts, then a gloss coat and then decals. 

 

Best,

Nikola

 

 

 

THAT is an awesome looking checkerboard. Sooo awesome it deserved to be quoted and shown again! 

Hi gents,

Gloss coat on.

Exhausts painted with the first and main weathering pass complete.

Apologies for s%#ty photos.

Finally on to the decals 

Best,

Nikola

TheMongoose

THAT is an awesome looking checkerboard. Sooo awesome it deserved to be quoted and shown again! 

Одлично! Заиста уживам у вашим објавама и фотографијама.

Just found your thread and will be following closely.  Got this same kit last year, but couldn't start due to surgery.  Next week, school let's out and I hope to get back to the bench.  Thanks for the great tips so far in your build!!

Dave

Beautiful paintwork Nikola. Looks fantastic. 

You're welcome Dave. I learned a great deal from the gents on forums and I am very happy to contribute back. :)

Best,

Nikola

Hoss WA

Beautiful paintwork Nikola. Looks fantastic. 

 

Thanks Hoss. Glad you like it. :)

Best,

Nikola

Tal Afar Dave

Just found your thread and will be following closely.  Got this same kit last year, but couldn't start due to surgery.  Next week, school let's out and I hope to get back to the bench.  Thanks for the great tips so far in your build!!

Dave

 

Model Monkey

Одлично! Заиста уживам у вашим објавама и фотографијама.

 

Хвала Стиве! Драго ми је да вам се допада до сада. :)

Thank you Steve! Glad you like it so far. :)

Best,

Nikola

Nikola

Hi gents,

 

Gloss coat on.

Exhausts painted with the first and main weathering pass complete.

Apologies for s%#ty photos.

 

Finally on to the decals 

 

Best,

Nikola

 

 

 

Close enough for now:

Some tyre works (aluminium not treated and weathered yet):

It was bad enough that your amazing cockpit detail totally schooled me but now it turns out I've been doing wheels all wrong for 40yrs too!

Beautiful work.

JoeSMG

It was bad enough that your amazing cockpit detail totally schooled me but now it turns out I've been doing wheels all wrong for 40yrs too!

Beautiful work.

 

Thank you Joe, appreciated.

There is no right or wrong way, just different. 

Best,

Nikola

Decals - check!

Not super easy to soften. Great print and in register but kind of on a thicker side.

I used both Vallejo decal softener and Humbrol Decalfix to do the persuasion.

There is some minor silvering to fix.

We will see how it all looks after a clear coat.

Best,

Nikola

Hi gents,

Weathering has begun! 

First was the colour modulation (which I should have done before decals but life ain't complicated enough so I like to spice it up a bit  ) 

Lesson learned. 

Next are washes, post-shading, oils, pencils...

Hi gents,

Panel lines finished.

Started some streaking, stains, leaks,...

Best,

Nikola

Thats looking great Nikola.

I can't believe I've been missing out on this one for this long. Your work is always super nice and this is no exception. Well done. I stand in amazement.

BK

lurch

Thats looking great Nikola.

 

Thanks Lurch! Appreciated.

Best,

Nikola

BrandonK

I can't believe I've been missing out on this one for this long. Your work is always super nice and this is no exception. Well done. I stand in amazement.

BK

 

Thank you very much Brandon! Very glad that you like it so far. 

Best,

Nikola

Oil leaks done...

Prop ready...

I just realized that I made a mistake on the prop - the cuffs were apparently made from rubber so there wouldn't be any bare metal visible due to scratches in that area. 

Will have to fix that.

Fixed 

Wait a Minute!

 How is it that you got those leaks so good? The plane is upside down! LOL.LOL. Very nice job, and I like the fact you specifically located each leak start point that would be seen as such. Darned good Job!! Now, please be careful when spinning that prop. Spinning props do cut fingers, Everything looks great to me!

She's got wheels. 

A few more details before the final reveal:

Cool progress to watch! I really liked the weathering pocs. Those oil stains do look realistic, just like the air stripped it off in flight.

That looks fantastic Nikola. I like what you have done with the weathering. 

Excellent work so far Nikola.  Great subject too with the 357th.  You should try painting on the nose checkers.  It's not a tough as it sounds and looks great.  

lawdog114

Excellent work so far Nikola.  Great subject too with the 357th.  You should try painting on the nose checkers.  It's not a tough as it sounds and looks great.  

 

Thanks LD. Glad you like it so far.

I did paint the checkers, but not perfectly so there are some mistakes which I can live with as this is my first time doing it, but lessons learned. :)

Best,

Nikola

lurch

That looks fantastic Nikola. I like what you have done with the weathering. 

 

Thanks Lurch. Appreciated.

Best,

Nikola

TheMongoose

Cool progress to watch! I really liked the weathering pocs. Those oil stains do look realistic, just like the air stripped it off in flight.

 

Thank you Mongoose. Glad you like it so far.

Best,

Nikola

Next step - some slight chipping, scuffs, maybe some dirt and RFI beauty shots 

Nikola that is great.