Jim S

Like the name of the company (Black Shadow Restoration) wasn't reason enough to not do business with them. Some people are clueless. A big "thank you" to everyone for sharing the great VF-102 Phantom pics. Jim S

FWIW, There is a model club on the Olympic Peninsula which would be a ferry boat/automobile ride away. NOPMS site link Congratulations on the assignment. Best regards, Jim S

Not to turn this in to an Airbus bash-a-thon but Air France 447 comes to mind. Wikipedia page

Somebody buy the guy a ruler...

A Dawn Like Thunder by Robert J. Mrazek Fact filled account of Torpedo Squadron 8 from the early days of WWII under the command of John Waldron to disestablishment in late 1942. Really good book. The book covers training on the East Coast, shipping out on the USS Hornet, time in Hawaii and on Midway. A large portion of the book was also devoted to VT-8's time on Guadalcanal, first flying in support of the Marine Landings and finally alongside the Marines defending Henderson when they had no serviceable aircraft. The author also provides an extensive epilogue and two Appendices.

"Bump" from a satisfied customer. Received the Prowler, PB4Y-1 and the Freeman book. Thank you, Jim S

Similar thread from last month- Tools and Tips post HTH, Jim S

Thank you for this comprehensive post. Between this kit, the Banshee's from Sword, and MPM/Special Hobby's Guardian, it's really nice to see all this Gloss Sea Blue "love" from kit manufacturers. Especially the 1/72 scale stuff. Thanks again for sharing, Jim S

Thank you for the recommendations ChessireCat.

Thank you for the heads up. The Aeromaster sheet will be a lot nicer than my kit decals. Have a good one, Jim S

Hey Anthony, I sent you a PM last weekend that is still unread so I'm just bumping this hoping you'll notice. Jim S

Thank you for the great tip! Being the ham fisted modeler that I am,I never realized that, but it makes sense. Thanks again, Jim S

Hello Triarius, I too have a big brown bottle of Zip Kicker,I don't know how old it is but the label says it contains Aliphatic Solvents. The problem I have is application. When I apply too much it runs beyond the CA and can soften the surface detail,or mar paint (like in a wheel well), or un bonds small detail parts. I guess the problem is more "me" than the "Kicker". Maybe it has been reformulated but I don't know, it just seems like you could bond styrene with it, if you had to. Thanks for asking, Jim S

FWIW, Though Mr. Surfacer was the "latest greatest" thing a few years ago I think (like Netz suggested) it is better used as a surface leveler. I think it is better used to fill minor imperfections across a broad area via spray can or airbrush. It seems if applied too heavy, it takes overnight to dry, and shrinks up requiring another application. The same thing if you put it on too thin, it shrinks up and requires another application. Your specific problem is probably related to mixing as Triarius suggested. I have found myself using Super Glue more and more. You can buy it anywhere, it's e

The Microscale liquid decal film Just4kiks posted is what you want to try for brittle old decals. I have a nice wide Filbert brush and work quick. The rounded tip of the Filbert works well because it is broad and leaves a "soft" edge that is easy to overlap. The film dries fast and it would probably be better to put a couple of coats on over the entire sheet. I have read it can be sprayed through an airbrush, but it needs to be thinned 70/30 with isopropyl alcohol. I have never tried spraying it though. Hope this helps, Jim

Just finished "Until They Are Home" by Thomas T. Smith. A personal memoir written by the Commander of the MIA search teams in Vietnam during 2003-04. The book highlights the search teams' dedication, devotion, and expertise. It includes numerous insights of Vietnamese culture and negotiations with the Vietnamese. The book also touches on political currents, repatriation ceremonies, and operations in adjacent countries. I was surprised to see the lengths that JPAC and it's predecessors go through to investigate and attempt to recover the unaccounted. Simply extraordinary. Good book but at

FWIW Hasegawa's F-8J PT26 has these markings. The Aeromaster sheet is for the Revell/Monogram kit like kg4kpg's fine example. I don't know what kit you have but if you can't come up with the Aeromaster sheet I'm not using my PT26 kit decals. That said, they are classic Hasegawa kit decals from 2003, and I'm not sure how well the rudder decal would fit if you are going the R/M route. HTH, Jim S

Hello, I've done oil washes a couple of times over Future and had good results. I am no expert so I guess you could put it down to beginners luck. Anyway, found this tutorial on YouTube and at 3:30 or so the guy talks about testing the consistency of the wash on a paper towel. Beyond that the only thing I can think would be to try mixing a little better to break down the pigment or experiment with a different type of thinner. Aigore has a really good point.Better quality paint has finer pigment so it is worth the investment, a tube should last a lifetime. Hope this helps, Jim S

Tuesday Bump.

I've been struggling through the Monogram EF-111 and with all the images I have looked at on Google for afterburner cans, GPS antennas, landing gear doors etc., I don't think I've ever come across one carrying full sized tanks. The outer wing pylon is pretty common, but it is usually empty. If the pylons are carrying anything they are carrying travel pods. Hope this helps, Jim S

Thanks guys, wouldn't hesitate to do business with either of you again. Enjoy, Jim S

Hello, Found this thread on a Russian site that might give you a better sampling of the artwork. It also contains some great cockpit photos if you go through the complete thread. I don't know anything about Mig 25's but post #109 has pretty good close up's of Red 46- Airforce.ru МиГ-25 page Hope this helps, Jim S

Hello David, Nice, that's a clean looking Scooter you have, and thank you for the story behind the name. I always wondered about that. The "hanger" backdrop pulls it all together. Thanks for sharing, Jim S

Couldn't find photo's but I found this- Creighton's Ordnance Loadouts The tenth load out down is remarked as "OIF FAC(A) Load" Seems 2 pods would be on a CVR as Netz mentioned and "Willie Pete" is White Phosphorus for marking targets. Red Flag loadout MAW Decals link Hope this helps, Jim S

Found this on Zone 5-Use water + Windex Hope this helps- Jim