P-47 Thunderbolt GB

KINGTHAD wrote:

Scott, When I start punching out the instruments I always have to remember to clean the desk first because They tend to get wings and fly all over the place and I have to go looking for them Thad

Excellent advice!  I'm working on 4 kits at the same time, so there are parts, tools, paint etc everywhere!  I'll clear off my desktop which is made out of birch, so there will be a lot of contrast if I one of those tiny instruments gets away from me!   

wing_nut wrote:

Scott, in the event you don’t have a punch for the instrument decals here is a tip to handling these tiny decals.  I nearly lost my mind trying to do this …. no need for you to.    With a sharp blade just score the sides of the dial so you have a bigger piece of paper to handle.  When you wet the decal, the excess, represented by the gray, can be pushed aside so you have just the dial.  Gives you a nice corner to hold on to with some tweezers.

Great!  Thanks for the tip!    I wouldn't mind trying to use a punch.  Is that something you get at the hobby store or something I can pick up at Home Depot? 

Whenever someone says “punch” I assume they are referring to the Waldron set of punches.  I have heard that they are going out of biz so they may be hard to get in the near future… if they aren’t already. I went to the Micro Mark website and came across this little beauty that looks like it should fit the bill.  Goes down to 5/64” which is a hair over 1/16” I am going to Home Depot today to see if they have this… if not I am ordering one of these.

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82524

wing_nut wrote:

Whenever someone says “punch” I assume they are referring to the Waldron set of punches.  I have heard that they are going out of biz so they may be hard to get in the near future… if they aren’t already. I went to the Micro Mark website and came across this little beauty that looks like it should fit the bill.  Goes down to 5/64” which is a hair over 1/16” I am going to Home Depot today to see if they have this… if not I am ordering one of these.   http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82524

Cool, let me know if you find anything at Home Depot.  If they don't have one I'll order one of these puppies.

Marc, Scott - I have the Waldron punch set and love it, (it is worth the $$ imho) I called there 1 800 # and it is still active.

Thad

Wing_nut, the wheel wells look great! Was it a hard fit? I hear that you often have to sand until things are paper thin. Because of this rumor (?) I'm too afraid to try one of those sets...I'd likely screw it up and waste the money.

On another note: I also have the waldron punch and die sets. They were fairly expensive, but have come in very handy multiple times.

Hope all is well with everyone.
Leon

She looks good Joshua, You hit the nail on the head, 3-4 light coats and it will turn out fine(no need to fear)

Thad

Joshua – looks great.  I have a 2^nd coat of black to put down… the 1^st coat crazed the plastic a little.  I used Krylon for plastic gloss black… says no primer needed but what is should say is, “made for plastic… just don’t use it on actual plastic.”

Leon – you yeah… paper thin.  When I sprayed the green on the interior… in some spots on the outside it was so thin, the green showed through like I had painted that side too.  But if you are careful it is worth it.

wing_nut wrote:

Joshua – looks great.  I have a 2nd coat of black to put down… the 1st coat crazed the plastic a little.  I used Krylon for plastic gloss black… says no primer needed but what is should say is, “made for plastic… just don’t use it on actual plastic.”

Joshua, your finish looks great! Nice job. Makes me want to try the alclad (I like everyone else seem a little afraid of the nmf...)

Leon

Had a small problem with the Alclad at a wing root that was sanded and reapplied.  While my 1st try t this stuiff may not have been flawless... I have to say that I like this stuff.  A nice hard, durable surface.  No way could I have taped it like I did if that was MM buffing metalizer. 

She looks good from here Darren

Thad

Darren and Marc, Both excellent work! Wow, I have to get to work on mine. Thanks for the inspiration!

Leon

Lookin real good guys. The Alclad work looks great Marc, and I really like the Zoot Suit on Darrens build.

Jerry

Work has been temporarily halted on my P-47 while I wait for my Waldron punch set to arrive.  I decided to get it now as I'm sure I'll be using it again and again.  Not much else I can do on it although I'll get the engine and landing gear painted this weekend. 

Scott, set a side some time when you get your Waldron set because you will want to punch everything in sight. Cant live with out mine

Thad

Starting to put on the decals.  The Tarheel Hal decal broke up into about 20 or 25 pieces and it was like a jigsaw getting it all in place… not fun.  The invasion stripes are the kit decals…. Each one an individual decal that went on great.

Marc the decals look great

Leon your engine looks good from here

I got my bird rolled out of the paint booth sun. Still have some touch ups to do before I go any further.Pics soon.

Thad

Darren, Thad, Leon and Jerry - Thanks, I appreciate the kind words..  These decals have been a test to of the limits of my patience.  Thge wings decal went on like a dream but the fuselage had some problems.  If oyu get a chance... have a look at my post in the decal section and let me know if have any ideas. 

http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/20/ShowForum.aspx

Leon -  great looking engine.