Ok, here we go. This kit mostly fits well, but the rear wheel insert was kind of a chore, and the molded-on landing gear doors in the open position made it impossible to fix the inevitable seam, which of course doesn't fall on a panel line.
So, out came the razor saw and off went the doors. I glued it in, then had to work up the seam before I could proceed.
Once I got the seam right, I gave the rudder a light gray base for easier coverage of the tricolor stripes.
For the stripes, I used Model Master Intermediate Blue, Insignia White and Insignia Red. Nothing special here, and this pic is pretty bad for color representation.
With that masked, the horizontal stabilizers went on, and then I slid the cowling into place (you can mount the engine before attaching the cowling, which I did).
I also added the Ultracast (or maybe it's True Details) seat once the cockpit was in and fuselage halves together.
The canopy shouldn't have vertical framework up front, but the spare I have from my Airfix P-40 is about 2mm too narrow, and I just don't care that much.
Next up, it was time to paint.
I went with Model Master colors for all but the brown on the topside, which was straight Tamiya Brown.
Light Blue Grey takes care of the Gris Bleu Clair for the bottom, sprayed over Mr. Surfacing Finisher 1500 Black.
On the topside, I decided to use Vallejo Chipping Medium. Much like I've found with Vallejo model color, this is awful to airbrush. Thinned with distilled water, it beaded up on the surface and left a texture about like a basketball. So I wet a rag and wiped it off.
My next attempt was to thin it with Windex to break the surface tension, which worked, and it layed flat after I misted it with Windex and let it sit a while. (end result is this works, but is way too much effort for me to use in the future. I'd rather just add "chipping" with paint after the fact).
Once the chipping medium had dried, I went ahead and sprayed the topside colors freehand. I'm not overly thrilled with the paint depth, but will use oils, washes and filters to break it up.
I chipped off paint at the wing root with a toothpick, proving that it does work with enamels, which is good, I suppose. I did not wet it prior to chipping as I was afraid I'd have a gummy mess on my hands.
At this point, I have clear coated it and will be putting decals on it this evening.
-BD-