BlueNosers352nd

24" x 36" self healing cutting mat (double the size of my old one) Eduard P-51D-5 Eduard Hellcat F6F-3

As a kid/teen I don't think their was any influence. It was just building to build. When I started back in as an adult it was heavily influenced by a frequent Blue Noser (Moonbeam McSwine) showing routinely at the local air museum that made me want to build Mustangs. NOW it's usually what catches my eye. Either by another builder, or seeing an old B/W photo on Facebook or Instagram. I've been using the group builds as a way to force me to build. Then once I decide to join a GB I'll go find a subject. Usually I try to find a scheme that you don't see often. Something that is unique or different. Like the Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib I am working on. It wasn't for a GB, but something to tinker with while other things were drying. Color scheme wise it is nothing outta the ordinary, but the kill marks make it different......2 Italian, 2 Japanese and 2 German kills. For the Mustang GB, well I had to do a Blue Noser..........so off to my books I went. Found a pic that didn't have full D-Day stripes.......that'll be unique. If you look at my stash, other than a couple ships and one tank, it's all WWII Allied.

Update on the Typhoon. It's getting more work done on it than the Spitfire as the underside roundel decals on the Spit are giving me fits. Ready for a clear coat and some more weathering. Other than the pilots kill board, the markings are painted on using masks. Masks are not my thing, but neither are decals as of late. First real product with paint masks. They kinda make me break out into a sweat.........and these are just roundels, not Stars n Bars. 😓

Always in for a real humdinger of a build when Rod shows up! Lookin good so far!

I agree with others.............don't throw the beauty away! Make a diorama base or get the Small Conversions metal landing gear like suggested.

Well kids, I am not going to make this one. I'm close though. Decaling is in process, bottom roundels are fighting me tooth and nail. I've lost count as to how many times I've pricked, sliced, put softener (Mr Softer, MicroSol and Solvaset) on them. They are getting close though. But I will now be outta town for the weekend so no modeling time before the deadline. Look forward to seeing everyone else's when I return.

Very nice! Like the scheme! Chose a blue Malta scheme myself. Get away from the camo'd Spits!

Lately I do to......don't remember having nearly the problems like I do now. And I seem to struggle with multi part Masks too. Can't win it seems.

Since my long hiatus I seem to have nothing but problems with decals no settling, weird bubbles, etc. Part of me wonders if it's paint/clear coat. In the old days it was Model Master Enamels and brushed on Future clear coats. Didn't seem like I had as many issues. Now it's mainly Tamiya, although after using some Mr Color, I might switch to that if I can find stock, it sprays way smoother. So basically these are my steps. 1. Dip decal in warm water for maybe 10 secs and set it aside. 2. Maybe after 30-60 secs I check if it slides. 3. If it doesn't slide I give it a quick dip again, 1-2 secs. 4. Spread some Micro Set (Blue Bottle) over the area. 4a: In the past I think I did water instead of MicroSet. 5. Slide decal onto model 6. Roll with a cotton bud to release air (usually it looks great, minus sinking into the panel lines) 7. Usually let it set 5-10 mins until it looks dry, them moisten with MicroSol (Red Bottle) Then from there it just depends. Pin gentleman's parts here, little slice here, some more MicroSol. Old timer told me to run your finger nail down the panel lines, so I do that before another application of MicroSol. I did an application of Solvaset last night as these Print Scale decals didn't seem to want to settle much. Got real wrinkly along one panel line. Trying to fix that now. I do have some of the Mr Mark Setter and Mr Mark Softer coming to try.......never have used those. And the problem usually with the bigger decals like Stars N Bars and Roundels. Very frustrating!

Greeting! Where at in Michigan? Kalamazoo here!

Coming along nice...........just wrapped up the camo painting on mine yesterday. Pretty decent kit over all, fit wise. Except these separate fuselage/upper cockpit pieces. Had to do quite a bit of work to smooth those out.

Like this one.......less noticeable today, but it is still slightly visible. Had to get the right angle to see it better. I don't notice the ones on the wings. Just this one.

Trying to finish the Spitfire before the GB end. Fortunately it does come with a 3 blade prop.

Made some progress on the Typhoon over the past couple months, in between this and that. Today's progress while waiting for the Spitfire to sit a bit.

I also got a question. I did some hair spray chipping on this, post pictures. I'm hoping the water ring that is left will go away with a clear coat? Please tell me yes!

Been very lacking on pics for this build. Had some cockpit pics but what happy with them........photographically speaking. Only real issues I had was the trop nose piece and the wing to fuselage fit. The wing root need filling and rescribing. This is my interpretation of the Malta Blue, take it for what it's worth. I know, a big old can of worms when it comes to that. Mine was a mix of Tamiya Sea Blue and Tamiya Flat Blue. Think I started about 2:1 but I'm thinking in the end it was probably more close to 50/50. Then a lightened version to add some fade to it. Gray was Tamiya Sky Gray.

I should of been more specific.........never totally happy with them photographically speaking. In the process of painting the fuselage. I'll take some pics here soon before decals go on.

So is it bad that, other than the initial post of what I am doing for the group build, I haven't posted any updates? I did take some interior pics but never was totally happy with them so I deleted them. Guess I could cover only the painting process as I just started that.

Been gone all weekend and figured their is no way I was going to paint and weather by the 12th. Now I may have a chance if I can get some motivation!

Count me in!

Yes, the upper cowl piece. It's one part I always struggle with. Lose detail everytime I clean it up. Looks like you handled it very well there!

Dang! How do you make that nose piece work so well? It's one of the downfalls of this kit IMO.

Glad the deadline is the 12th. I was thinking it was earlier. Struggling to work on this one. It's ready for a primer to check. Summer hits and my motivation goes right out the window. Hasegawa Spitfire Vb Trop in Malta markings. Haven't really taken any pictures yet.

Sweet, a Spit/Seafire that's not Camo'd. Not that I'm opposed............just like seeing one not camo'd up. Thus why I am doing a Malta Spitfire.

I made it, I made it, I made it! First one completed in time, granted this was only my 2nd GB. Missed the first one's deadline by a couple weeks. Eduard 1/48 Hellcat is quite the treat!