Nigel Heath Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 G-usa, KT is right, I misunderstood and would recommend the decal film product for decals still on the paper and not yet applied. As they are on the model a varnish like Klear is a better idea. Sorry for the confusion and my humble apologies. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted June 23, 2014 Author Share Posted June 23, 2014 Well that is just as well. Apparently the liquid decal film is an extremely potent explosive with a single small bottle able to completely disintegrate an entire 747 if ignited. How the terrorists overlooked this high grade bomb material is beyond me. I would assume now if you are a not so bright terrorist without access to the internet, you can just visit your local post office to find out what common every day materials you could convert to trigger an explosive or flammable reaction. Just think, the Post Office providing services to all!! Anyway, I ordered it and it has to be delivered by ground carrier. (I guess UPS or FedEx trucks are expendable in the war on terrorism and we can afford to lose them to the hazardous and dangerous materials that have been around for years without being responsible for the earth's mass destruction. Probably is tied to global warning) So, it will be awhile until they get here. I can always use it on some old decals I have in the stash. But, I have Future on hand always. So, I guess a few coats will be put on today. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Turk Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 (edited) It's always difficult knowing when good is good enough. After spending an eternity trying to build the perfect kit, I've come to the conclusion that it's generally better accept that the kit is never going to be perfect and move on. The next build will be better than this one, and the one after that will be better yet. I think the Hunting Cat is looking great. As a University of Texas alumni, I rather like the orange. Mark Edited June 24, 2014 by Mark Turk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 Mark, Go Tech!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Oh you colonials and your quaint folksy ways! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 Sorry, our version of football at the college level. Mark and I went to rival colleges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 Small update. I worked on the main gear doors some more and lathered on some future on the topside of this kit. I did, what I hope, is the last round of filling, sanding, priming on these gear doors to blend in the hump for the larger wheels on Italian F-104s. So, after a final sand down of the Mr. Surfacer . . . I then primed them to await their last coat of aluminum paint. While waiting for the primer to dry, I gave the top side decals a protective coat of future. I think this will help protect them from the light weathering on the starboard side and final finishing top coats. Next up, gear doors and weathering. As always, all comments welcome. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 That will be a very impressive model in the not too distant future, looking good. Duncan B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 It's rather eyecatching already! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Its certainly a looker. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 I certainly agree - lots of work but it's paid off 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Coming on superbly, top work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted June 25, 2014 Author Share Posted June 25, 2014 Weather update. It was storming outside, but the weathering inside went pretty good. I finally decided to limit the weathering to only the bottom of the aircraft and the starboard side that was not overpainted with the Hunting Cat scheme. Since I have already done the underside of the kit, I moved to the starboard side and proceeded to play. Out came the Flory’s Dark Dirt and it was liberally applied to the kit. Even though I have used Flory’s wash numerous times before with never a bad result or one that could not be cleaned up and reapplied, given the history of this kit and paint applications, I was a bit scared when I looked at the kit after I had initially applied the wash. I am waiting for disaster to strike. Next up, remove almost all of it using many Q-tips and paper towels. I think I have achieved just the right amount of weathering for a well maintained aircraft. I assume when the port side scheme was applied, the starboard side was not repainted, but just cleaned up. I hope you like the results. Okay, that disaster I feared would strike, it may have bit me after I finished taking the above pictures. It has been raining here all day. But, for the last 2 hours, it has stopped and the sun has been out. Given the size of this beast, I have no where inside that is big enough to spray a top coat on it. So, I took it outside, sprayed on a satin top coat, everything looking good, put up the airbrush, only to come out and find a drop of water had been blown off of the roof and was now pooling ever so nicely in the wet satin top coat on the starboard wing. ARGGHHHHH!! I have sorta repaired it and dabbed off the water. I must wait for it to completely dry to see how bad the wet finish reacted with the drop of water. I really don’t want to repaint the wing. As always, comments welcome as I grumpily go about my business waiting for paint to dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 That looks lovely to me, it is a really great piece of modelling. I love the look of all those stencils. I hope you managed to sort the water out and it has not done any significant damage. Nigel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Casually untidy. Very Italian. In a Pizza sort of way. I hate to mention this, But the speedbrake decal is reversed. Sorry, George. Hope the wing turns out OK. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted June 26, 2014 Author Share Posted June 26, 2014 Oops. Maybe the little Italian who applied the stencil is dyslexic like me and it looks the same forwards and backwards! I guess, Pete, that's a little secret between you and me (and whoever reads this mess of a thread). If someone notices standing a foot away, I'll buy them lunch. (All britmodellers and immediate family members are excluded, rules of the game subject to change, no purchase necessary to play). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I thought I was on for a free lunch there until I read the disclaimer. Not fair. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 When last left, I was dealing with water on wet cover finish issues. I have sorted that out and that has been taken care of. So the only thing remaining is to finish the bulged wheel covers and put on sharp nose thingy on the end of the nose cone. So, after much filling, sanding, filling, sanding, I ended up with this as my modified bulged wheel covers And they installed fairly easy. Initially I was worried as I could not get them to fit flush, but it seems as when the landing gear is deployed, these covers retract, but not to a completely closed position. So here is my representation of this situation. Sure hope it is correct. After removal of the canopy masking and placement of the sharp nose thingy, this kit is finished. Here it is in its new home. I still have to clean up a couple of minor paint issues with the canopy, then find a space large enough to take the Ready for Inspection photos. That will happen today or tomorrow. Thanks for looking in and thanks to everyone who has made comments and suggestions. I really appreciate them. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Heath Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 It looks stunning g-usa, what a colourful and attractive bird. Great job!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 That looks stunning! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basosz Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 That looks miles better than the thing that I made a billion years ago. The intervening years seem to have cause you some troubles but it sure turned into a damned fine looking model !! Well done mate, and thanks for the trip down memory lane 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 excellent build George. You managed to beat it into submission at the end of the day - well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 A superb job! Great going 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 That is a smashing finish George.....Your perseverance with the paint and decals paid off in the end. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenCJ Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Your F-104 has turned out smashing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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