Started 1 Sept. 2005
07/09/2005
Well I pulled the kit off the shelf and proceeded to remove the parts from the sprues and clean off the flash and mould lines (not much). I have decided to build this kit in-flight, as there is a pilot provided and the kit canopy is a one piece affair. So far all I have managed to get done is paint the cockpit and pilot. The pilot looks OK as a "1 footer" (ie from a distance ), but I definitely need to get more practice on my figure skills. I was going to drill out the Instrument Panel and fit printed instruments but with the closed canopy you probably wouldn't see it.
24/09/2005
After struggling with the construction, mainly the wing roots, I finally finished the major assembly. Next I sprayed the underside with Humbrol #90 (Biege Green) and masked it off. Then I sprayed the upper surfaces with Humbrol #29 (Dark Earth). I then masked off the camo pattern using a combination of paper, blu-tac, tamiya masking tape (see the Tempest build) and then sprayed Humbrol #30 (Dark Green).
After removing the major masking from the top and bottom, I touched up a few areas that had gone awry, and then proceeded to coat with several layers of Klear. The decals whilst not the best in the world did go down without a struggle. I am now letting them dry before applying a sealing coat of Pollyscale Flat Varnish.
After laying on a light coat of Pollyscale Flat Varnish, I removed the Blu-tac from the Cockpit and Wheel wells. After attaching the undercarriage I added the canopy and wing navigation lights. Next up the prop was glued on, and the exhausts. It was at this point I discovered the underwing pitot and step were missing. I have spent hours hunting round the office to no avail. So for now I have added the stand, and am calling it done.
