HoolioPaulio

You are quite correct @mustang1989 getting away is very important for the mind. And wait no more, here is a small update Seats are ready for top coating, I did the main bit anthracite grey, and then just lightened it a smidge for the centre ribbing (doesn't look that different in photos, but in real life it is subtle but noticeable). A bit of Molotow chrome for the brackets on the sides. Some detailing in the tub done. Not 100% happy with the chrome on the door panels, but it doesn't look that ganky to the naked eye and I'm struggling getting it neat with the angle of attack with the paint brush required. I could have done a neater job if the side panels were separate pieces. Pedals are quite tidy though, done in aluminium. And the shifter (is that the US term for gear stick?) is ready for a top coat to protect the paint from the decal setting solution. Steering wheel is ready for top coat then decal. Dials have had a coat of Molotow, ready for top coat and decals, and thanks to the heads up from @Spiny about the speedo decal being too small for the opening I'll need to paint the speedo dial black before applying that decal. Or if I'm feeling brave have a go at his wash method... Dash done anthracite with Molotow chrome for the detail, ready for top coat before decal. And finally my switch is in place, using UV curing resin

My apologies peeps, all 3 of my current group builds got put on hold, I had a lot on in real life and didn't get much time for modelling. But I return from a family break in a lodge in the woods in North Wales all refreshed. Over the last couple of weeks though I have been acquiring various components for an upgrade I plan to add to this to hopefully make it stand out a little. I had also painted some detail to the door cards in Molotow chrome prior to going away, which need a bit of tidying up. Will get some pictures posted as soon as I can.

My apologies peeps, all 3 of my current group builds got put on hold, I had a lot on in real life and didn't get much time for modelling. But I return from a family break in a lodge in the woods in North Wales all refreshed. I just need to replace some of the detail masking tape that has kinked and moved during the time it spent idle, then I can resume painting this. FYI, I can't justify buying numerous specific paint colours, especially when I'm unlikely to use them again, so I will be mixing up the closest approximate brown and green I can for the camo.

My apologies @PlaStix all 3 of my current group builds got put on hold, I had a lot on in real life and didn't get much time for modelling. But I return from a family break in a lodge in the woods in North Wales all refreshed, so decided this would be best tackled first. I had already decided it would be best to mask the side windows before replacing the windscreen in case they came out again. Ready for windscreen refitting now, will fill the centres with liquid mask just before painting as it can be easy to scrape off accidentally...

Finally got round to masking the bottom off, and the new canopy And black primer down

I meant to add in the previous post that the replacement canopy arrived the day after I paid for it, and is being prepped. But thanks for the offer @2996 Victor most appreciated.

Underside is ready for masking when the top coat has fully cured

That seems like a really good plan actually. Unfortunately in my annoyance I already pulled the windscreen back out to do it. I fixed the broken side and strengthened the other side, and now I will mask them before re-fitting the windscreen. The only up side is I can clean up around the windscreen frame and try and get it seated a little better.

I really wanted this kit so will look forward to it. And Tamiya are a joy to build, I've been fighting a lot of Revell kits recently.

Great work so far Mr Lambert, mould lines on car bodies are my nemesis 😐. I've never tried wood effect before, no idea you could do it with clear orange over light brown. Might have to give it a whirl for my steering wheel, but will test on some sprue pieces first. Is there anything special to the process? I'm assuming the clear orange needs to go on streaky to give the grain effect...

Love the colour on this one

Well this build is taking a back seat as I focus on the more successful Spitfire and Mustang builds. I finally got that windscreen passable, then while trying to mask off the first side window the glue came loose and part of it popped off. It was attached from the inside as one long piece so re-attaching it will be a chore. I was really excited about this build as well

Thanks for the offer @PlaStix but Airfix are sending me one, £4 posted so don't go wasting build time rummaging for me

Well that was the most nerve wracking part of the build so far, taking this And with a small drill and file turning it into this Not perfect, but they look better. I wanted to just buy some resin ones and sand these off completely, but the only ones I could find (thanks to some elses thread in this GB but I can't remember who or find it again) are in the US. Very well priced at $3 a set but $26 shipping to UK is unjustifiable unfortunately.

Well I've emailed Airfix service to see how much a replacement canopy will cost. In the meantime I can still use this one to protect the cockpit detail so I can prime it up and see if there are any places that need smoothing or rescribing prior to paint. I've masked the canopy up just in case I have to use it. Luckily its a tight enough fit to not need glue but can still be popped out carefully if I do get a replacement.

We have a rolling chassis. I decided against doing anything with the valve covers as I forgot they were already fitted so didn't want to risk making things worse. Its getting a custom paint job so they are custom too

Absolutely gutted, I've split the canopy while trying to secure it to apply the masks for painting Its still in one piece, so its going to have to do for now.

Wings are on, and I'll sand the sprue nubs off and do any filling before I put the rudder and stabilisers on

Thanks, and thanks to the engine image on your build thread (which I'm linking for my reference if you don't mind, as I couldn't find any suitable engine pics) I see from the terribly ambiguous Revell instructions I've painted the wrong parts of my rocker covers black. Which is a relief, as I gave up trying to neatly paint the raised lines, and just badly painted the raised lettering. Will need to strip it and correct it.

Slow progress due to the heat recently, its still just over 30°C in my little hobby cave at midnight. But I have slowly prepped and primed the chassis and wheel parts, hopefully get them painted tomorrow.

Not much been happening on the modelling front due to the heat. As I said in my EC135 build, in my little hobby cave even with the window and door open and a fan behind me, my desk thermometer was still showing 30.6°C at midnight for the last few nights (there are also 3 PC's in here running all the time which doesn't help). But I have got around to fixing the paint mixup on the wings, and attached the lower wing piece to the fuselage. But the top parts appear to need some sanding back at the wing root before they will fit in place correctly...

Thanks Stix, although very little modelling has been done recently due to the heat. Unfortunately in my little hobby cave even with the window and door open and a fan behind me, my desk thermometer was still showing 30.6°C at midnight for the last few nights (there are also 3 PC's in here running all the time which doesn't help). The heat, and the thought of trying to do something with glazing issue was just a no go. I've got an idea what to do, but it involves filler and careful sanding so I'm going to focus on the Spitfire until the weekend when its meant to be cooler...

Thanks Stix. Well after much sanding of the box structure over the stretcher area I was able to close the body up Just need to have a think about the windscreen...

Got a lot of the engine assembled last night, just need to detail the rocker covers

So I got all the parts primed early evening, and that was supposed to be it for the night, so I went on the PS5 for a bit But here I am at 2am with all the parts painted and ready for top coating, then trying to detail the rocker covers.