BN7149

Thank you! I did notice the behavior of the decals was slightly different between the two kits, despite being identical. They came from different retailers at different times, so who knows what environments they might have been kept in. That seems consistent with the prevailing opinion about Tamiya decals, though. Shame, since everything else about Tamiya kits seems to be the gold standard. Thanks! So I guess my username betrays my origin as a railroad guy! I knew someone was bound to notice. The SD40-2 predates me, so it doesn't seem too strange. What's hard to believe is that all those 6000 hp types from the late 90's are scattered to the wind on lease fleets, rebuilds, or scrap piles... THAT makes me feel old. -Ryan

Got the cockpit parts finished up and installed. After which, I pressed forward into closing up the fuselage of both jugs. I've also been doing some painting of the gear bays and engine cowling parts to speed assembly down the road, I hope. With any luck, this week I'll have the wings on and well on my way to addressing whatever cleanup needs to be done on the more prominent seams, of which there are few. This kit really lives up to the hype. -Ryan

Thanks, Ichitoe! Not sure if it'll break some sort of rule for linking to another forum, but my attempt is inspired by the expert work seen here: http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/149327.aspx -Ryan

Tonight finished getting the IP's in order. I also started getting the engines prepped to add some fine wire once my #80 drill bits arrive this week. The whole engine rigging thing could be a colossal failure... we'll see. Also did a little bit of painting on the engines. I figure they are probably adequate with the silver dry brushing since they were probably grimy with the operational tempo. I'm having fun so far, but eager to move beyond the tedium of cockpits and engines. -Ryan

Amen! New tooled 1/72 B-47 and RB-47 would be cool... New Frogfoot in 1/48 would also be awesome... And maybe a new tooled 1/144 KC-10. I'd buy all of that. -Ryan

Squeezed in a little work tonight, primed all of the cockpit parts as well as the engine components. I think I'm going to take a shot at rigging the radials, something I've never tried before. Also applied the kit decals for one of the instrument panels, and was surprised how well they worked. I discovered that the working time on Tamiya decals with Solvaset or Micro Set is minimal, at best, but so far so good.

With the Kitty Hawk 1/48 UH-1N coming, I'd think there could easily be a sheet of great options. Personally, I'd like to see some USAF options for missile field security. Profiles look like one such option from F.E. Warren will be included in the kit. -Ryan

Awesome! Love the looks of the typhoon. -Ryan

Starting my builds today, a pair of 1/48 Tamiya P-47D bubbletops. Starting off by adding some wiring behind the instrument panel since a bit of this will be visible through the windscreen. -Ryan

Thanks!

From imgur, because your watermark is stupid, Photobucket....

I'm planning to build two 1/48 P-47D bubble-tops. Both will be from the Tamiya kit. First is a clean natural metal plane, "Maggie V" from the 353th FG. Second will be a more weathered OD-overpainted jug from the 356th FG that has cowl artwork of Cupid peeing off of a cloud... awesome! Both of these are from the AMDG Decals set "Eight Gun Melody, Part II". This is the first time I've ever participated in a group build, so I'm excited to see how it goes. -Ryan

My vote is for the GWH kit, too. -Ryan

Just awesome. -Ryan

I didn't notice initially, but it looks like you'll be including a pointed nose cone option as well as the original rounded version... nice touch! -Ryan