Stikpusher

Mark, it’s always good to see your latest additions for your motor pool here. That’s a nice pair of completions. Of course I’m a fan of most anything in Russian Green with a Guards unit insignia on the side. Well done my friend!

I love it! A beautiful classic Monogram OOB build! And quite a clever idea, I might add, to turn the mold ejection pin marks into some sort of intended detail, even if it is fictitious. Sheriff Bart and the Waco Kid would approve of your improvisation.

To add to what Gil said about gloss and applying Future if needed, it’s a good idea to coat the whole tank. Otherwise the area will stand out, even with a flat coat on top of the Futured area. Applying a coat of Future over the whole tank, after getting the decal snuggled down with Future as suggested by Gil, will give the whole tank an even tone.

Well, another day, another update: I found one more casting mark in some photos over the bow gunners position, so I added another casting mark decal. Some tanks had ‘em, some didn’t. But I figured why not for mine. And then later I created the dust cover for the mantlet using white glue and tissue paper. So next I have to come up with all the little clamps that hold the dust cover in place around the edges...

Yup, like Mark suggests. Make a few slices or take a pin and poke some pinholes in the silvered areas, then hit those decals with the decal solvent of your choice. That should get them to snuggle down properly. If you’re new to decal solvents, makes sure to read the directions thoroughly before use.

I had a mishap while adding the casting marks on the first go, so I stopped, ordered some Archer raised resin decals and awaited their arrival before resuming work. Monday and back in action with this one. I added some Archer raised resin decals casting marks to the turret and hull. We shall see how they look under a coat of paint soon. Yeah, these are for a Sherman, but most likely only a M47 fanatic would know that they are not proper for a Patton

I guess my seeing them at the MCAS El Toro open house every year that I want fro the 70’s to the 90’s influenced my model building. Every Harrier that I’ve ever finished so far in every scale has been USMC. I guess that I should finish my sidelined RN Sea Harrier someday to change that... 😉

All of my recent eBay purchases finally came in over the past couple of days Some Archer raised resin decals that I’ll use on my M47 project Some decals for P & F-80s and lastly a set that I had been looking for to use on my Hasegawa F-16A Block 15

Thank you James.

Only Sopwith and Spits 😉

What?! You don’t have any USMC Harriers in your collection?! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot my friend.;) You need to correct that ASAP!

Thanks Gil! Are you going to post the OA-4M build on here? I do hope to see this project of yours.

Thanks Mark! But that’s not Snoopy... it’s his English or Irish cousin 😉

This is Monogram’s 1979 issue 1/48 AV-8A/GR.1 Harrier kit. Of the Harriers in 1/48 available at that time (Tamiya & Airfix), this was the best kit out there of the subject. It’s only shortfall compared to the other two is in ordnance included. This kit has been in my stash for nearly 40 years, being one of my “original stash kits”. So it is time to change that. I’ll be using this decal set for markings options http://www.caracalmodels.com/products/images/cd48027profiles1.jpg The cockpit has very fine raised details, and is pretty decent, considering it’s age. Back from when Monogram was setting the standard in 1/48 detail. So far I have added the base colors using Humbrol enamels (go figure). Being that these were built in the UK, they were originally produced with BSC colors, which only changed when they were overhauled later in their service lives. Aside from decals and ordnance, this will be an OOB build. The kit does not appear to need any major additions or replacement of details.

Thanks Joe. You know me and my affection for the older kits.

Thank you Gil. The PC.10 is Xtracolor RFC Green, and Unbleached Linen is Testors Square Bottle Ivory over Humbrol Light Stone. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed following along on this build.

Beautiful finish Gil! That is some outstanding work that you did painting the dragon’s tail to replace the ruined decal. Bravo!!!! The NMF came out beautifully as well! I’d sure be happy with that one in my collection!

What is there to say about the Sopwith Camel? It is one of the iconic aeroplanes of WWI, probably the most well known from the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force to even the novice aviation buff. And helped out no doubt by a certain cartoon beagle and his never ending quest to defeat the Red Baron. This is Monogram’s 1979 retool of Aurora’s 1956 vintage kit. I added a few bits to the interior, and detailed a few exterior bits. Rigging is steel wire and EZ Line, paints are Xtracolor, Humbrol, and Testors enamels. Decals are by Eagle Strike for a Camel from 45 Squadron flown in Italy in summer 1918 by Lt. C.M. Masters. posed with my Oeffag Albatross, my first grown up biplane build from a few years ago And ready for the dawn patrol Thanks for looking, comments and critiques are welcome

I airbrushed on the topcoat a little while ago, and I’m calling this one done. It’s not perfect, it’s not contest material, but it is finally finished. I’ll get a thread up later on of proper all around view photos in the finished build section.

Final bits of touch up and detail painting done, propellor added... Flat coat is all that is left, and I’ll call this one done.

Thanks for the info Wolfman. I have a 117 sidelined for years after the canopy tinting attempt failed. I will have to look for some of that tape and try it out.

Today was a knuckle down session. The finish line edges ever closer. Two plus hours of gluing snipping, etc. and the rigging was done! EZ Line for the flying surfaces control cables, .008” music wire for bracing wires on the landing gear, and .010 music wire for the wings to landing gear “flying wire”. Next up, touch up painting, flat coat, add the prop and finito!

I know how you do all this my friend... you don’t sleep. 😉 Five pieces in that 1/72 ammo can? Can you say over engineered? But seriously I do love how you keep churning out these builds. Keep it up!

Nice progress! Related question, how clear is that Kapton tape? It looks suitable for the gold coating on a F-117 canopy.

Instructions sheet for San Diego is here http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/cl/cl-53/700-dr/dragon-review.html