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Recently I airbrushed some Testers Fluorescent Orange paint and had something strange happen. While the paint went on well, as soon as I started spraying, gossamer strands were floating in the air all around me. At first I thought the moving air had stirred up some old cobwebs, but I noticed that they had a slight tint of color similar to what I was spraying. They didn't seem to be emanating from where I was spraying, they just sort of "appeared" all around me. They settled on things and did, indeed, look like cobwebs but were easily brushed away and did not leave any residue. Have I unleashed some portal to hell or can someone give me a more scientific explanation.

Thanks Mark! This was a really enjoyable project to build! 😉

Wow, that is fantastic! Great job on the subtle weathering.

Thank you JM!

The eighth week of the F-35C was a slow week. I completed installing all the doors and finished all the details on the nose gear starboard door. I then moved on to paint. This is where the fun began. The instructions call out 75% FS36118 and 25% FS5237 for the main body and 80% FS 35237 and 25% FS36375 (not sure how make 105% of the paint. ) for the nose/highlights. I mixed up the paint and the color appeared to be off compared to the actual photos of the real VFA-86 aircraft. I then reviewed the aftermarket decal paint guide and they call out FS36170 also known as “Have Glass Grey”. I used Mission Models paint and made a swatch of this color. This came out to be more of a lighter grey than reference photos. This color was more like the grey for the F-22. Just a quick note about reference photos, some show the aircraft one color overall with the nose slightly lighter. This is the common scheme for most F-35C’s. Then there are a few that have all the RAM panels a lighter grey as well as the nose and finally there are a few where they are tri-color with dark on top, lighter on nose and underside, and only some of the RAM panels the light grey. I than contacted a Navy buddy who’s son is currently in VFA-97 and was able to obtain some color splashes of the paint they use. I used these swatches and began mixing different paints to match. After a few days of trying different colors of grey I finally ended up with 60% of Tamiya XF-53 Neutral Grey and 40% of Vallejo Metallic Medium. This was a near perfect match to the splashes I had. The metallic medium lightened the neutral grey slightly and gave it the metallic sheen. This also matched the reference photos very well. I changed the mix to 50/50 for the nose which gave the nose the slight difference as seen in the reference photos as well. This is the final paint scheme I chose to use. It represents most of the scheme of the currently operational U.S. Navy squadrons. I then finally painted the formation lights (slime lights). I will be starting the decal process this week then onto the building, detailing and painting of the weapons. I estimate about two more weeks to complete this build. You can see all the photos and details from the start in the build log at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-f-35c-vfa-86-sidewinders/

Thanks for the kind words! LOL agreed there's a lot of funny stuff in that movie "Can I give you a hand, sir?" "Already got one." 😂

UPDATE 130... Hi , here a pic of the projects I completed this week..it's in 1/48 scale WWII US GI (BANDAI) https://photos.app.goo.gl/19A2iENxUTRMWadq6 WWII RAF BOWSER (AIRFIX) https://photos.app.goo.gl/5xhTRk5HpUGRgUWB8 AVRO CANADA EMPLOYE (STEPH 3D) https://photos.app.goo.gl/nmSZrGimois7RV9c7 1950 ERA CANANDIAN MILITARY (STEPH 3D) https://photos.app.goo.gl/f845jHqMwpWEytk28 AVRO CF-105 ARROW MASTER MOLD DIORAMA (SCRATCH) https://photos.app.goo.gl/y7fd6KMxL1xMLm9q7 Like to view what I have done so far in 2026 season , just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/dJwnAmhVD15JPt9w8 Like to see more of my previous completed projects in 1/48 scale ..................... Like to see what I have completed so far this season 2025 (143 projects) , just follow this GOOGLE link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zKmRkgK19W2fPoin7 Like to see what I have completed so far this season 2024 (103 projects) , just follow this GOOGLE link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4d3DYFCkVLL64imq8 Like to see what I have completed in 2023 season (100 projects) , just follow this GOOGLE link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wbzocz4nrbgcPuAQ6 Like to see what I have completed in 2022 season (148 projects). just follow this Google link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/WniLxX42pzCF6JYH9 Like to see what I have completed in 2021 season (110 projects). just follow this Google link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/d89Abe6NeE8LJUEeA Like to see what I have completed in 2020 season (65 projects) ,just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/piTfBCtMXvf6g5zG8 Like to see what I have completed in 2019 season (35 projects) ,just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/wX42Q8pKRqwR7APR9 Like to see what I have completed in 2018 season (52 projects) ,just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/SnL7aiYFfHrV5JbA8 Like to see what I have completed in 2017 season (33 projects) ,just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/1RxEF7q89HnJUjGA6 Like to see what I have completed in 2016 season (33 projects) ,just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/299uiMnC7C2PDaABA Like to see what I have completed in 2015 season (33 projects) ,just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/e9kY3Gg1D3fxECtC9 Enjoy !

NNNNNNNNEAT !

Thanks for following this WIP, it's quite appreciated EDUARD 1/48 DFW-28 FLOH (JUL 31st).. Today I redone the strainteghner and gave it a coat of primeur ! ! If you like to view the complete WIP on this project , just follow this GOOGLE link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oh57EPPNx9Dc3zHY8 If you like to view the other WWI kits I have done just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/FUkTjEgHtdwVHJRcA Enjoy ! Jmarc

First I'd like to thank you for following this WIP , it's quite appreciated ! LOCKHEED WV-1 CONSTELLASTION in 1/48 (JUL 31st ) ..Today I continue reviewing the joints and panel lines of the fuselage ! If you like to view the complete WIP on this project , juts follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/GZvfX8dsdnYnsQ2W7 Here a pics of both projects Enjoy Jmarc

iFrst I'd like to thank you for following this post ,it's quite appreciated ! BOEING INCITUS MQ-27 / CU-169 SCAN EAGLE 1/48 ( 3dPRINTED +ADDITIONS) (JUL 31st ) Today , I add the latchs on the top section ! If you like to view the complete WIP on this project , just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/jrWyBiNZSJHCUknZ9 If you like to view all the DRONES I have done so far in 1/48 , just follow this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mjGm69hDKYaDuFNX6 Enjoy ! Jmarc

First I'd like to thank you for following this post , it's quite appreciated ! 1/48 LOCKHEED T-33 SILVER STAR (TESTOR) (JUL 31st ) Today I cut out the wing and glued the front section ! If you like to follow the complete WIP on this project , I have set up an GOOGLE page, just follow this link .. https://photos.app.goo.gl/mCtpo97pwYCFaYE39 If you like to view the complete STASH PARTS done so far ,just followthis GOOGLE link .. https://photos.app.goo.gl/NtNSgh1zJgx9jRSx5 Enjoy ! Jmarc

So I finally wrapped this one up a short while ago, and it is my 6th completion for this year. I’m almost on track for an average of one a month at this rate! This is the Tamiya classic Krupp Protze, with only minimal changes made. I did add the missing steering linkage, and of course added stowage items in the cargo bed. I also cut off and repositioned the windshield, then made a Zeltbahn cover for it using tissue and thinned white glue. The base colors are Mr Hobby Gunze Aqueous, and most of the detail colors are AK 3rd Gen and Vallejo Model Color acrylics. The mud is AK Splatter Effect Dried Mud with some Mr Hobby Dried Earth pigments to alter the shade, and Humbrol Dust Wash airbrushed on. Markings are for 24th Panzer Division in the Summer of 1942 that are combination of decals from my spares and kit decals. Stowage is mostly out of my spares bins, along with a few small 3D items that I printed. Thanks for looking, comments and critiques are welcome.

Final weathering on! I’m calling this one finished. I’ll get a finished multi view thread up in the completed section here shortly 😉

First off, a note of thanks to Revell for providing this kit to IPMS/USA! I have had the fortune to build just about every major manufacturer’s” Battle Penguin” since the mid-2015 period (excluding Tamiya’s, I am a 1/48 guy as I get older), and this new release from Revell Germany is a great example of the lower-cost, simpler variant with an excellent final result… it was a surprisingly easy build, and some features just stood out for me. (For the uninitiated, the official name “Lightning II” in my opinion is a lazy way to come up with a title, (same for “Beast Mode”, yeah, right) and the aforementioned “Battle Penguin” is what most people I know who work on the jet call it… There is another name that is less flattering in “FA” (look it up); I personally think it looks like a horny toad sitting on the ground, but whatever). Enough… View the full review

First off, a note of thanks to Revell for providing this kit to IPMS USA! I have had the fortune to build just about every major manufacturer’s” Battle Penguin” since the mid-2015 period (excluding Tamiya’s, I am a 1/48 guy as I get older), and this new release from Revell Germany is a great example of the lower-cost, simpler variant with an excellent final result… it was a surprisingly easy build, and some features just stood out for me. (For the uninitiated, the official name “Lightning II” in my opinion is a lazy way to come up with a title, (same for “Beast Mode”, yeah, right) and the aforementioned “Battle Penguin” is what most people I know who work on the jet call it… There is another name that is less flattering in “FA” (look it up); I personally think it looks like a horny toad sitting on the ground, but whatever). Enough… View the full review

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) provides resin and white metal parts for scale model aircraft, most of which are drop-in landing gear replacements. Their standard packaging is a card-backed blister pack that should protect the parts, though one gear leg in one set was slightly bent went I opened the package. The superb DBMK 1/32 Sea Fury kit was released earlier in 2026 and these sets from SAC are direct copies of that kit’s landing gear, including the main gear legs and various attached and associated parts. The early set, 32199, depicts the original Sea Fury landing gear that featured the Hawker standard landing gear leg, while the late leg, as depicted in set 32198, had an extra oleo section to better cope with shearing forces in cross-wind landings, and to help damp bouncing on landing. View the full review

Originally published in 2007, the revised edition was recently issued in 2026. The book's content is well sequenced, beginning with the battlecruiser's design history, the careers of the 3 famous battlecruisers HMS Renown, HMS Repulse and HMS Hood, a comprehensive review of all the well known scale models of these famous ships produced to date, a well photographed model showcase in various scales, five WW2 camouflage schemes for the 3 ships, a summary of modifications and refits for each ship documented by photos, line drawings and a selected reference. View the full review

First I'd like to thank you for following this post ,it's quite appreciated ! CANADAIR CL-327 ( 3d PRINTED) (JUL 30th ) Today ,I continue adding the last details ! If you like to view the complete WIP on this project , just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/3QPU8Ntb4dt57CuH6 If you like to view all the DRONES I have done so far in 1/48 , just follow this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mjGm69hDKYaDuFNX6 Enjoy ! Jmarc

iFrst I'd like to thank you for following this post ,it's quite appreciated ! BOEING INCITUS MQ-27 / CU-169 SCAN EAGLE 1/48 ( 3dPRINTED +ADDITIONS) (JUL 30th ) Today , I add the box top foam ! If you like to view the complete WIP on this project , just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/jrWyBiNZSJHCUknZ9 If you like to view all the DRONES I have done so far in 1/48 , just follow this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mjGm69hDKYaDuFNX6 Enjoy ! Jmarc

First I'd like to thank you for following this post , it's quite appreciated ! 1/48 LOCKHEED T-33 SILVER STAR (TESTOR) (JUL 30th ) Today I when true my box opf parts and located the bottom wing section so I can complete the fuselage ! If you like to follow the complete WIP on this project , I have set up an GOOGLE page, just follow this link .. https://photos.app.goo.gl/mCtpo97pwYCFaYE39 If you like to view the complete STASH PARTS done so far ,just followthis GOOGLE link .. https://photos.app.goo.gl/NtNSgh1zJgx9jRSx5 Enjoy ! Jmarc

Hi Tom, sending form your way. regards Mark

And now for my latest update on this project. The other evening, I airbrushed on the flat coat… Then yesterday I used tissue to make up camo rain cape of the appropriate size then added it over the folded down windshield like some photos show. After I painted up the splinter camo pattern, I glued it into place I just need to add final weathering and I can call this one done! 😉