compressorman

Please, please, can you post some pics of these dirty aircraft? I have always thought that many models are overdone with heavy weathering. But, I DO NOT work on or around the real thing. I would enjoy seeing some down and dirty filthy planes. Chris

Wow, this looks great! Is it the Hase kit? I wanted one of these but they are so rare and when you do find one they are pretty high!!!! Sure looks good though. Chris

Not trying to change the subject but..... For some reason the P61 did not have ailerons as is common with most planes. It had what are called spoilerons, which "spoiled" airflow over the wing causing a loss in lift for one wing or the other. Does anyone know why the designers chose this over the more traditional ailerons? Chris

I also give a vote for closed panels. I agree that it is neat to see those glimpses of engines or radars that may or may not be accurate. But to me everything looks so much better closed up and ready to fly. I am torn on the canopy being opened though. You generally put so much work into the seat, seatbelts, and instruments that it is a shame to cover it up. Not to mention when one spends the same amount of money on a resin cockpit as the entire model costs!! Chris

I have treated myself to an Eduard Mig 21 SMT. Can anyone here recommend some good sites in which to see some pics of his plane (or any version of the Mig 21)? It would be great to find some walkarounds or maybe a few WIP builds. This is such a fine kit that I want to do everything I can to end up with a really nice end result. On a side note, are there any recommended books out there regarding superdetailing jets? I have looked at a few on Amazon with few or mixed reviews. Thanks, Chris

Thanks for the helpful replies guys. As soon as I got some positive opinions on this method I went ahead and ordered the plane. Probably wont start on it this year but any excuse to add to the stash right?! Hawkeye, I read your helpful articles. I noticed that you did not include the "sewing needle in a pinvise" that I have often read as a preferred tool for scribing. Do you not like this method? I was planning to try either that or the backwards facing xacto knife. Chris

Yay! thanks for the reply!! Chris

I am really wanting to build an F8 Crusader in 1/48. Unfortunately my first choice, the Hasegawa kit is exceedingly rare and expensive when you can find it. That leaves the Revell/Monogram kit which has raised lines. I have never before scribed a kit and am wondering if the following might work. Instead of sanding off the raised lines and then scribing, could you use the existing raised lines as a guide for scribing your lines and then sand them off? Like I said , I have never scribed a kit before and the thought of sanding off all of your guides and having to scribe a blank fuselage or wing i

Thankyou for doing what you do Chief! You help keep my family and me safe. Chris

Good gracious that looks good! I am building the very kit right now. However I did not have the courage to rescribe it :( . I am curious, I have never rescribed a kit before...how much time do you think you have in the whole rescribing process? The reason that I ask is that my modeling time is so scarce that I have been afraid that I would get stuck on that step for an eternity!! Curious, did you also sand off and scribe all of the little square hatches on the sides of the fuselage? Chris

I have never before used future but I have bought a bottle and plan to use it on my next finished model. I am an experienced airbrush user but I have read many accounts where people get great results simply brushing it on. I have heard that it doesnt tend to leave brushmarks and you will avoid the aforementioned pebbly texture that sometimes results from spraying it on. Do many people here brush future instead of spray it? And what kind of results do you get? Chris

I agree on the overworked panel lines. I will be the first to admit that the dark, dark preshaded panel lines look neat to me. I just wonder if they are accurate. I have never spent time around working military aircraft but in the pics that I have seen I have not noticed anything like that. If somebody has pics of this in real life I would love to see them so that I have an excuse to put them on my own models . Because like I said, they do look good to me! I just think that they may sometimes be overdone. Chris

I have seen so many aircraft builds that have moderate weathering and noticeably faded paint with brilliantly colored decals applied over this. I am wondering if there are some good techniques for fading decals? I have never tried to but I am wondering if one could use an airbrush to apply a transparent and infinitely thin dusting of white and accomplish this. Or better yet could you apply this while the decals are still on the sheet and avoid the chance of ruining a good paint job. Any ideas? Chris

Not to steer this post of course or anything but can someone tell me exactly what makes an Eduard kit be a "weekend" kit. What is the difference between this and one of their normal kits. Thanks, Chris