Hi all,
Progress pics, as promised. Today I finished applying the decals (big wing crosses), got around the detail painting (running lights, trim tabs, guns) and applied the panel wash. Together these jobs took quite a while, with the wash needing two or three applications in difficult spots. Here and there are tiny bits that still need cleanup, such as the lower edge of the gun cover. Here she is at this stage:
And with the canopy finally unmasked:
I'll probably be dabbing and wiping at the finish until she goes in the display case, that's the nature of the beast. There's always a job left over when the model is ostensibly finished and this one is going to be stencil data. The kit-supplied stencil data was on a second, small decal sheet along with the green SG2 markings, and they were not up to the standard of the main sheet, which was in turn not up to the standard of commercial decals. One of the big double chevrons needed multiple applications of both Set and Sol as it developed some rather strange wrinkles that took a lot of coaxing to lie down. One of the wing crosses developed a similar effect -- maybe the two chemistries are coming into contact? Fortunately they both lay down satisfactorily in the end.
The stencils have tended to be very visible, with carrier film that was too shiny and was coated with Micro Flat to combat this, but which subsequently don't stick very well, curl up at the edges and go brittle. I did not bother with the wing walkways, they would be a disaster, and will probably remove a bunch of items and replace them with an Aeromaster set (148010) -- if I can find them. I thought I had no more to do than go to Squadron and drop them in the cart, but they're not in stock, nor can I find them in stock anywhere else. Why take a product like that out of production? There is never enough stencil data on a main sheet to cater to all subjects, so the mini-sheets of stencils are a necessity.
My next fiddly job is the last main decal, the spiralschnauze. I've been looking at spirals and the way they're meant to be applied, and on all the Aeromaster sheets it appears the spiral's base lies flush with the juncture between the spinner cone and the backing plate. Many spirals are made with a tapered base edge to lie flat against that juncture but the one in the kit is square-ended. Dose this mean it buts up against a prop blade apperture? I'll do a bit more research before I dip that decal, and any tips would be most appreciated.
The landing gear can be assembled, just the hydrualics to paint chrome silver, and I can begin the weathering process. I'm planning some fuel streaks on the droptank, dust on the landing gear, gun carbon and exhaust stains, plus metal chips where appropriate.
I'm hoping to have her finished this weekend, so look for gallery shots in a couple of days (famous last words...!).
Cheers, Mike/TB379