Thank you all! I appreciate the feedback. It is very encouraging. However, this build is anything but top notch. The NMF finish, especially on the underside, is subpar and there's plenty of more seam work i should have done. Also, I stripped at least four prior paint jobs, before deciding the last would indeed be THE LAST - good or bad. I was ready to be done with this build! The good thing is that I believe I've learned what to do and what not to do regarding NMF. I'm expecting a much better shiny build with my next kit, a Revell 1/48 AT-6 Texan.

soulcrusher, julez, simpilot - I like the olive drab/NMF combo as well. I considered trying the Big Beautiful Doll version but chickened out because of the large checkerboard. Maybe next time.

maxfax - I used 101 Aluminum all around with 103 Dark Aluminum on the flaps, canopy frame and lower engine cover. I ordered my paints from Squadron.com before I started the build. Overall, I was pleased with the fit, especially compared to some other kits I've built, but the air scoop gave me difficulty too.

b17pilot - You got me! haha. I didn't even notice that mistake until now. Did I say I was ready to be done with this build? I guess I rushed the decal phase, not examining the instructions closely enough. Needless to say, there are no decals on the wing undersides. lol

vetteman - I painted the red fuselage stripes and the black wing stripes - all just for fun! Those colors were painted first, then masked, before the green and NMF was painted. I sprayed a coat of Future over the enamels, just to be sure the colors wouldn't lift under the mask. Several of my re-paints were due to lifting! I cut strips of normal-tack masking tape using the decal measurements. I found the blue painters tape didn't cut well and the thin, pre-cut Pactra tape didn't stay put where the tape curved too much. 

Scorpiomikey oh no dont pull out yet ! You never know what the future holds ya know. A wing or kit may show up on Ebay or if you put out the word someone may have one laying around they can donate.

Soulcrusherthat P-35 is looking sweet gotta love that Talon finish. The contrast between the cowl and fuselage came out perfectly. I will be ordering some Talon paints in the morning, I gotta try them out.

Nicefit this Mustang is coming out very well indeed. Did you paint the red stripe on there or is it the decal. If its the decal can I send my decal work to you ? As I cant do those long thin ones to save my life.

NiceFit, great looking Mustang!  Those group markings are my favorite Mustang paint job.  One question though, what's up with the other star and bars on the top starboard wing?

Hey Nicefit

Nice job! The construction and paining look top notch! I'm building the same plane, and I had a number of fit issues-the whole bottom of the fuselage was slightly warped, the front cowl required lots of work as well as the part forming the airscoop. Did you paint the ailerons/flaps a different shade, or is it just the photo? If so, what shades?  My LHS has only a few shades, none of which is appropriate for me, so I just have polished aluminum and duraluminum to work with.

Rob

NiceFit she's looking real purdy!!!!

No problem Julez. He has alot of other neat products that he sells.  Gerald the owner of the company use to post here regularly but I have not seen him post in a while. He also has instructions on his site on how to obtain the best results with his products. If you are going to do the alluminum NMF do'nt forget to get the polishing powder! It is messy to use but you can get some nice results with it.

Soulcrusher

Nicefit, Very cool build I love that scheme.....

Hey Crusher thanks for that link buddy i'll contact Hawkeye and see about getting some Talon sent over here.....

Nice work there Dobby! I love the Mustangs with the NMF and olive drab camo.

Soucrusher

Hi all. Here's a quick WIP photo of my Revell 1/48 Mustang. Almost done! I'll post more photos and comments once the kit is complete.

Julez Squadron does not carry them but here is the link to the home page that you can order all of their products from. http://www.hawkeyeshobbies.com/  I like to use Talon acrylics due to less fumes and easy clean up. Plus it also allows for some minor mistakes when painting the silver if you use the polish afterwards to shine it up because you can buff out any small imperfections. I also think the amount of shine it produces is more realistic than some of the other products that produce a unrealistic mirror finish on a military aircraft.

Richie thanks for posting the picture. Thats cool that you ran into another P-35. Though I have to say I think my finish looks far better and the markings on that plane contradict what is printed in the instructions?

Mike the Talon acrylics do take some pratice to spray. They are very thin compared to other acrylics. I usally drop the air pressure down to about 20 psi and use a fine setting on the airbrush to keep the flow of paint out of the airbrush at a level so it does not come out to heavy. You definetely have to build it up with many mist coats slowly allowing a minute or two between coats for the best results. It also takes alot long to dry than any other acrylics I have ever sprayed. Drying time is closer to that of enamels.

Soulcrusher

Crusher -- fantastic! I wish I could get the hang of the Talons! I got some and tried airbrushing it, but all I got was a splattery mess... I know it needs to be built up in mist coats, but nothing I did could get mist out of the AB... What's the trick????

Cheers, M/TB379

Crushlikins that is looking SUHHHHWEEEET!!!!! Very smooth and shinnnnyyyyy!!!! I thought about alot of my friends here on the forums while at the Model Expo just by seeing a certain plane, AFV, or ship. When I saw this one I smiled and said 'SC's is going to look great!' 'Not a bad size either!'.

Crusher, she looks great i like the look of that Talon paint.....I might see if any is available here...Does squadron stock it???

Mikey, sorry to hear about your wings, that must be frustrating....

Got some Talon acrylics layed down Friday and gave it a good polishing. I am happy how it came out. Not to shiney but clean enough fora well maintained pre was aircraft. Tomorrow decals!

Soulcrusher

MaxFax- terrific looking cockpit!

Julez- WOW, she looks sharp! I really love the chipping of the invasion stripes around the trailing edge of the wing.

Scorpion- sorry to hear about your problems, warps are a pain to deal with. I've got an old scrapped version of that kit I'd offer to send you but I have a feeling that shipping it from the US to NZ would probably be about as expensive as buying one off ebay.

OH NO! Too much pressure... I'm so sorry about that. The good news is the Testor kit is the old Hawk moulds from the 60s, and they change hands on eBay for a very cheap price. You could scan for a replacement kit, you might find a bagged example, minus plans and decals, for a buck -- that would be a perfect donor for the necessary parts, and they might not be warped this time!

Cheers, M/TB379

Testors P-47 in 48 scale. major major wing warpage. i pegged it up to a steel rule and attacked it with a hair dryer. i went to check how the warp was and realised one of the pegs and flattened it against the rule. right up close to the base of the wing....FUBAR

Oooooooooo Scorp, I HATE to hear that!!! if it resembles anything like when I left a couple models in the car when I was younger I know exactlly what you mean. OUCH!!!! What were you building again?

Im sorry guys im gonna have to pull out, i was trying to dewarp the wings and got them a little too hot and screwed them up well and truly, beyond my ability to repair them. So unless someones got a spare set of wings from an old kit or a scrapper im gonna have to withdraw since i have nothing to enter in it.

Poos

Oh well, ill keep following, im enjoying watching everyones work.

Thanks guys for the positive comments, very much appreciated....Sorry the pics are a little grainy though....

Randy, it's another Tamiya kit, i used alclad and MM metalisers, decals are Superscale

Now it's on to the RAAF Mirage 111, my first fast jet

Julez72 what kit is your newest build so I can update the front page. The picture is there but I need the info.

Julez,

Beautiful job on the "Dirty Old Man". I like the wear and weathering touches also.

Julez72 you have one handsome "Dirty Old Man" there, the finish is stunning ! The stripes are perfect, can't believe you painted them, especially the rudder stripes, and the paint chipping and wear really add realizum  to the finish. Very very well done indeed

Daywalker

You guys are setting the bar awfully high

Your not kidding Daywalker, stunning builds so far.

Beautiful Mustang Julez... well done!!!

Great looking Mustang!!   Man I love the looks of the Mustang!!  Got nine of 'em myself, with more unbuilt.

MaxFax, nice detailed painting of the cockpit. Way to go! Keep posting more progress pics...

You guys are setting the bar awfully high, I don't know if I can see it from down here anymore.  Seriously, stunning work you guys!

Julez another stunning stang to add to the stable!!!!!! WELL DONE mate!!!!

It's those classic Mustang lines hey Randy

Bugger it i'll put a couple of pics up.....Hope you don't have dial up

Fellow group builders......"Dirty Old Man"

Maxfax WOW!! You have done wonders with that Revell office, your detail painting is amazing.

Julez I am not much of a 51 fan either, can you tell ? Thank you for the complement on Angel's Playmate. Ok so lets get this page to change so we can see Julez's finished pictures, cant wait too long for these.