Great work Tony! That looks like a really fun model: I love it when they have working parts. Your decal work is outstanding on that bird. It looks very big! Congratulations on dodging the Turtle award this year!
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Considering that Kenny is on an extended hiatus, I supposed that I might be the Turtle this year!!! LOL, I'm not sure, but I certainly feel like a turtle on this build. Aside from the white nose, you might not think that I have worked on this kit at all in the last two weeks. In fact, I've worked on it almost every day for at least an hour, usually more. Mostly I have been trying to blend the seams where the engine nacelles meet the wing. That was quite tedious and challenging, but it's finally done to my satisfaction.
Today I surpassed what I have long anticipated would be the final big hurdle in my build: painting the canopy section. Now that it's all one color (primer), I can finally fully see the results of my scratchbuilding efforts in this area. I was relieved by the results actually, because I thought the primer would reveal lots of problem areas that would further prolong my build. On the contrary, things look pretty good and I should be able to move right along now.
Strangely, I've found it advantageous to paint this aircraft in sections. The engine nacelles, for example, will now be entirely masked off during the main-body paint, as will large parts of the lower wing. I'll try to provide a photo of this next time. I cannot remember ever painting a model in sections before that was predominantly one color, but I think it might be something I try again in the future. I just make sure that when I mask off these individual "paint sections", I line the tape up to panel lines so that there is no noticeable discontinuities in the final paint finish. Hopefully I described that well.
With the exception of the leading edges, all of the upper wing surfaces are yet unpainted. Same for the fuselage. I expect that painting all of the different colored metal panels will be time consuming, however it should be simple and enjoyable. Seems like things are all downhill from here. I sure hope so! It's been a fun project but I'm ready to see it completed.
LOL, all that trouble for those two little triangle windows on top! I'm really not sure if it was worth it, but I know that I would have regretted not doing it.
By the way, I've added a third color to the engine nacelles: magnesium (darkest, besides exhaust). It adds another layer of contrast that gives the model more texture.
