sidure , bondoman , mph34 - Thank you for your reply and kind words... I must admit this group is a lot more friendly that other "newsgroups/forums" I have been involved last few years... :)
Anyways, I would like to enter the GB with my (in progress) Rev 1:48 P-51D (aka the "test bed"); OOB with scratchbuilding anything I have managed to break so far... The build is already a success in my eyes because: (1) I came back to the hobby, and it IS an enjoyable relaxing endevour (2) I learned/re-learned lots of techniques; (3) I got my youngest kid "hooked" on (good) plastic!
I will post pics once I get photobucket account going.
Progress so far (kit has been on my workbench couple months):
1. Cockpit - learned to drybrush and "Future" the dials; however, cockpit slipped forward (inside fuselage) about 5-8mm between dry fitting and gluing the fuselage :(
2. Fuselage and primer done - sanded that seam until it looked as smooth as a baby's bottom. Upon priming, it still looked like a baby's bottom, except one with diaper rash. Rubbed the primer away on the seams, will re-fix using the putty/acetone method found in Swammy's site.
3. Wheel assembly - Done/re-done 7 times. Finally got a paint scheme that sort of looks like "tire" (you mean, we dont "flat black" the tires anymore?). Except I broke one of the wheel assembly thingies...
4. Panel scribing - read about Revell kits having raised panels ,decided to attempt to scribe them. Good, except I did them free hand with an Xcto knife at 90o angle (not 45). I sanded most of it down, who knows what it will look like after main paint/some weathering.
I seriously thought of using my 40% off coupon at Michaels and get another P-51D..but decided to finish this one (i sort of owe it to the kit!) as a "baseline" of my abilities..hopefully I can see progress on the next builds...
Im sure I will post questions in the near future.... Im bummed about that "slipped" cockpit, but cant think of a way to fix that short of opening the fuselage...
Cheers, Jim