Mike- I dunno, maybe an Abrams GB next year? That will allow me a little break before tackling the M1A1 with the mine plow.
Richie- You are WAY too kind! After seeing the armor displayed at our local model show last month, I don't know if this one would be good enough to share the table with them. Those guys are good!
Thanks for looking in everybody! Hearing that you are enjoying the journey helps keep me pumped up about it.
After a little break while I wrapped up some other projects, I pulled this one back out to add the decals. I was trying to decide whether to mask and paint the unit codes on the side skirts, but in the end opted for decals. I did take the time to trim all of the carrier film from around them before applying them. I used the Doog's technique he mentions in his Hetzer thread of tipping the bottle of micro-sol over onto a soft rag, then pressing it against the decal to help them snuggle down. It worked very well, thanks Karl!
I was trying to decide how to add the three black stripes on the main barrel evacuator, either by using the decals supplied or masking and painting them. Remembering how tricky it can be to add fuselage striped around an aircraft's tail, I opted for painting and masking. First, I measured the width of the stripes from the decal sheet. At 1.5mm, I took a straightedge and some Tamiya tape to cut a few strips 1.5mm wide. I laid the first in the center, then butted up two more on either side. By removing the 2nd and 4th strip, I was left with three perfectly spaced areas. A little scale black matched as closely to the decals as I could, I sprayed them and voila!
A simple technique I use when painting the striped tail hooks on US Navy A/C, and invasion stripes on WWII Allied aircraft.