bashace

Do a search online for Aerofred F-5F, he has some nice line drawings of the F-5F. If you look at full scale F-5s, many of their panel lines are very difficult to see.

Had to reshoot some of the Silver on the fuselage sides, apparently that stickiness it has retained doesn't like to be touched very much

Work has been cutting into my hobby time, finally was able to sand the seam areas on the topside of airframe. This handy sanding tool really helps keep the sanding to the immediate area, almost a must to sand around the raised panel lines.

It's non-toxic water based.

I used to use Oven Cleaner spray (the foaming type) to remove the paint from pre-painted model railroad locomotive shells, sounds harsh but it worked well. A lot of toy grade models are painted in something other than Acrylic to make them more durable for playing with.

Toothpick drops of Zap Formula 560, doesn't dry brittle which makes weapons prone to breaking off if jarred, used to glue canopies on Radio Controlled airplanes, dries very clear.

It's probably cheaper and faster to have a master master make you the parts you want to cast, just my humble opinion.

Very cool! Looks like the box is tasty too!

With these raised panel line kits, it's important to minimize the amount of collateral sanding you have to do, I use the old trick of masking the putty area to preserve the nearby details. Make sure to remove the masking before the putty starts to cure.

The Tiger got some love today, did a general, light wet-sanding around the airframe. So far the only area that has received some putty is the nose cone to fuselage joint, just to big of a gap to try and work with. Shot a coat of Tamiya White Primer to see what areas may need a little putty, doesn't look like it will need too much (not counting the underside wing gaps).

You've gotten through most of the hard work, should be down hill from here!

More masked painting...

A little trick I use for those pesky masking issues, if you brush the masking over the tape when applying, it will easily pull the dried liquid mask off with it when removed.

Been struggling with this Corroguard issue, I mixed metallic steel (80%), light grey (20%), and a few drops of white together hoping to get some sort of match for this coating. After a couple of days fighting with it I just accepted what I came up with and shot it. It may have to change as I see more of it on the airframe...

You did a great job on those cowls! I can feel the anxiety building up thinking about messing with those on the kit I was building, in fact, that's probably where I put it back in the box for later...lol!