David M. Knights

I have the Skylancer sheet. I was trying to avoid a bare metal finish on this one. I'll look at the Wolfpack sheet. Thanks.

I am looking for decals that depict the F-89J in the overall ADC Gray scheme in 72nd scale. Preferably an ANG unit, but I won't be picky. Anybody know of any decal sheets that have this type of marking?

I think putting it on a base and attaching it to the base are both the better ideas. Makes it easier to transport and easier to move around the display table.

Don, That is a nice looking bird.

Great question. Revell 72nd scale He-177.

Mach 2 kits are very difficult and some of them are close to unbuildable. Check the on line reviews for each particular kit.

That is one of those cars you just have to love. Good job.

Post photos when you build it. That is a pretty airplane.

Mark, Beat me to it by 1 hour and 41 minutes. That is a great site for instructions.

Good luck. Can't wait to see it finished.

Didn't VLS/Verlinden do a similar bust a while ago? It is an interesting subject to get that much attention. Nice job on the painting.

I'd kill to build either one that well.

Jack, How could I edit something you wrote? Where would I start? The newsletter will be up on our club website http://www.mmcl.org sometime in the next few days.

I've seen this work. It is kind of hard to describe. Take a sharp xacto. cut a line where the missing panel line is. Have the xacto blade angled at about 45 degrees from the model's surface (i.e. the blade is not running vertically along the model, but is tilted to 45 degrees, left or right of vertical.) Once the line is cut, the xacto has raised a ridge of plastic directly next to the cut. Normally you would sand this off. DON'T. When subsequently airbrushing (priming), spray into the gap left between the plastic and the ridge left by the xacto cut. This fills in the cut and gives you a restored, raised panel line. It does work, but takes practice, as it is so different from rescribing an engraved panel line which is what we are use to.

You are a madman!

What a beautiful model.

Now that is neat.

Actually Jay, while us "photo freaks" enjoy getting all the bells and whistles, digital cameras and software today make getting good shots of models relatively inexpensive. The gadgets are nioce to have but not necessary to get very good photos for either posting here or using in print.

Try Sprue Brothers. http://www.spruebrothers.com

Can't wait to see this done

Dennis, When I am shooting models on the table at a show, usually for use in our club newsletter or my blog, I use the Puffer to take away harsh shadows and some of the color shift. This tends to give me an acceptable photo that I can then work with in Photoshop. I'd like to shoot with a tripod, or even a monopod at a show but find that it is just too much trouble given the crowds, etc. The photos aren't as nice as if I'd shot in a lightbox with a backdrop, etc. Here is an example from the Cinci show. It is Jack Bruno's JS II. I adjusted it a little in Photoshop, but didn't do much. It is a good representation of the original that I saw at the show which is what I am going for. Mostly what I try and avoid are the harsh shadows and radical color shift. This one was shot without the puffer which is why I got the flare off the turret.

If you are shooting models on the table, rather than transporting them to a setup like the one above, I highly recommend this diffuser. Works great.

Glad you started this one. These days we have a great ability only dreamed of a mere 20 years ago. We can get to see modelers efforts as they build. I've found this very helpful in learning new techniques. A picture is worth.....

I can't wait to see what you have done.

Chris, I haven't started yet. I've heard horror story after horror story about the kit and was looking for a sherpa who had led the way by building the kit. I've heard the wing engraving is all wrong and the fit is terrible. I love the aircraft, so I've decided to bite the bullet and build it. Part of that is your fault, I've been looking at the cockpit set and it has encouraged me to give it a try.