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This has been an interesting build. First time I have used an airbrush. (I know I cheated by using only one color, but give me a break.) Have had an airbrush for the last 2, almost 3 years that SWMBO got me for Christmas. Just haven't had the gumption to use it. It went remarkably well and was fairly easy. I chose this model to begin on as, (1) it was a single color (2) the color to be finished in was the same color as the plastic (3) an old kit I have had for decades and have 2 others in the stash and (4) my next kit will be the 1/24 Airfix Mosquito and I really don't want to mess it up by experimenting the first time. As for the kit. It is Monogram's version of the A-26 glass nose version released in 1996. Most of the newer releases have been of the solid nose version. I have the ProModeler version and the most recent release. The detail of this kit, being from 1996 was quite good. The fit was great with one exception, the undercarriage. (There is a build in progress for more details. If I was smart enough to know how to link it to this I would, but I am not. Go search the old fashioned way.) Of course, I left off the undercarriage to ease in painting and put it on the very last. It was painful. The nose wheel rested too low and the spot for the main undercarriage to attach was wide for the parts and the parts are a bit flimsy. The main undercarriage was put to rest with copious amounts of super glue. The nose wheel finally ended up being extended with some brass tubing to make it sit right. Even now, I think it sits a bit too high. The only completely daft thing I did; forgot to notice it was a tricycle undercarriage. Did I remember to use any weight, nope. So now have to decide to use clear sprue as a brace, or reopen the engine nacelles to fill them with lead weight. Anyway, here are the pictures, comments and criticisms welcome. I liked the glossy black finish so much that I only did a hint of light weathering. And here it is in its place in the kit cabinet. I must apologize for the photos. I shot them outside and it is 20 degrees (F) with ice so did not take a lot of time for composition and detail shots.

I have made the decision to experiment with my old/new airbrush on a model other than the 1/24 Airfix Mosquito being built. So, I dug out the old Monogram 1/48 A-26C Invader as I have the Promodeller version in the stash. Starting out slow and plan to do it in a gloss black finish. (Baby steps I know.) So, the shots of the box cover and sprues are: Okay, before I begin, a bit of a rant (I know, like I never do this.) All weekend I have been trying to upload pictures for this WIP. And all weekend, nothing but grief. I now can chalk it up to the wonderful Microsoft company that seems to be a bit peeved at us old folks that are not switching to their Chrome product as quickly as they would like. I truly appreciate (please read that with the heaviest amount of sarcasm you can) their upgrading basic Internet Explorer to make it impossible to use with forum such as this. While at the same time, if I use their new product, Chrome, it works like a charm. Not being cynical here, (oh yes I am), but it seems odd the same company putting out both products would have trouble with a new update for their old program not working while their new program which they desperately want everyone to convert to works fine. Okay, nothing I can do about it, is now out of my system. Back to the build The kit was done in 1993 (at least that is the stamped date on the lower wing). I am amazed at the level of detail that is in the interior of this kit given the time it was produced. Hope I can do it justice. Here goes with an OOB build. Start with the cockpit and interior. Again, the level of detail is terrific and the fit is good too. For your amusement and comment: Going to button up the halves and hope everything fits. This is the second try as on the first, I stupidly forgot to put in the top turret before closing up the halves. Pried it apart before the cement had dried, second attempt with turret in place. Well, it fits, but there is a seam. And I am chalking it up to me, not the kit. I don't know how there are builds out there that do not need sanding and filling. I always have to sand and fill. (Next to taping canopies, I detest filling and sanding). Started the rough sanding, will wind it down with finer grades of paper and more filler and primer. Okay, checked the fit of the wings to the fuselage and it seems as if I can paint and then put together if I am careful. (A huge assumption.) So the fuselage is in the last stages of fill, sand, and prime for painting. And the wings and nacelles interiors are being finished. Here they just have the base coat. Nacelle interior pretty well finished. Engines are up next with the beginning base coats. One still in base coats, one for the most part weathered. (Still need to remove a bit of the excess wash.) Okay, now the hard part for me. I have read the instructions for the air brush about 5 times; read three beginning articles about spraying and thinning paints; and picked out a very glossy black paint for this bird. I am hoping to avoid total disaster as I am just using one color scheme. How hard can it be to just spray on one color in an even pattern? (I guess the captain of the Titanic probably wondered how hard it would be to avoid a rather large iceberg? Custer probably wondered "Where did all these Indians come from?) And the results of my first ever use of an air brush: Not too shabby and not as difficult as I thought it would be. Even cleaning up was not that big of a chore. The wings are just slotted in and not affixed yet, but you can see the fit, when joined will be quite good. Just have to add the decals and all of the little nit picks. Have to also repair all the damage I did in handling the model. Have succeeded in knocking off the pilot's seat, bomb sight, gunner's chair and station, 4 of the 8 interior bombs and 1 of the 4 bomb racks. Also need to touch up some paint bleed on the wheel well doors that I did not tape up properly. Okay, to whoever cares, the finish right now is a very glossy black. With the red lettering, it will look pretty awesome. The question is, do I leave it in the pristine, just off of the assembly line, spit and polish finish . . . or gum it up with all sorts of weathering to make it ratty and tatty? Just do not know which way to go.