Craig Baldwin

Yes Gene, I could not believe I was looking at 1/72 intake parts. The bar has been raised out of reach for some manufacturers. I will keep an eye out for more eye candy. But in the mean time I've been filtering through my Kodachrome collection and found another to wet our appetite. A scan of a shot taken July 1992 of a 306 squadron aircraft shot by a very loyal trading partner of mine Toshikazu Nishizaka and former Mitsubishi F1 crew chief.

From the FineMolds FB page.

Inspiring work. Your pushing the envelope in craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The price looks reasonable if it is their usual quality. So many paint variations............ 😃

Thank you for these new images. There will be lots of opinions on that rivet detail but I'm really looking forward to this kit.

I don't check in here as often as I should. Very happy along with others you are carrying on with this build. Beautiful work.

To me the F-5s show in this picture look to be F-5E's. F-5A's vertical tail was blended into the fuselage dorsal panels, as well forward facing scoops would be visible on top the fuselage over the engine. The wing leading edge extension looks to be the larger variety they used on the F-5E. Correct me if I am wrong.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. Beautiful craftsmanship. You make it look easy.

I did notice in pictures that the front of the windscreen does not fit flush with the fuselage, and that is noticed on more than one build. If I recall correctly it was brought up and Raymond stated that was a mould issue and would be corrected. But I feel it still exists. You can see it in the last picture of the OP link I posted.

I like Brett but find his reviews are more of previews. Little information of actual fit issues etc..

Here is thread I was referring, go to post #9 for his opinion. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235060180-zip-da-dee-doo-da-148-kinetic-f-104g-starfighter/&tab=comments#comment-3433099

I did see a decent write-up on one of the forums but now I can't find it now. They were quite happy with everything, nothing overly bad. Have not even cut parts off the trees for me, getting hung up with a Sabre at the moment. If I can find it I will put in the link.

The newer companies that have sprung up in recent years give the impression they are businessmen looking for commercial avenues to ply their trade. They've found a market when some customers are eager for new products and very willing to spend generous dollars to get them. They are not modellers and don't understand that parts get lost, damaged and so forth. After they initial sale, any other followup just takes away from their next project and venture. Lets say they produce a 1000 kits, sell them. What difference would it make to support the customer, they just sold the quantities they produ

Look at the image they are are using. Likely was their easiest reference source.

What do you consider thinned paint? I've moved to thinning my base coats up to 75% thinner, even the ones said to be thinned for airbrushing. Using a tinted clear, I would consider similar ratios. Less clogging but you must be disciplined as to not expecting to complete the job in a couple of passes with the airbrush.

You sound like a guy who just enjoys modelling, nothing wrong with that. The problem with asking your questions on ARC is you will get all the expert opinions. The kit was good enough for Academy to box it and sell it under their label. I can speak as someone who fiddles with modelling details most people would not notice and maintained the aircraft with the Canadian Forces for several years. You will not lose sleep over the small dimensional issues with this kit. Go and build those kits and just have fun.

Sorry I do not always visit this subforum. You've got all the colours and details spot on. You have the eye for this workmanship. Looking forward to more work of yours. Craig

Why? When leaving them separate increasing the chances of people buying a second kit.

Congratulations on staying on course and finishing this kit with such perfect detail. It was my pleasure to contribute what I could to your efforts and others enjoyment. So many small details added, many great memories for me. A NODAK F-4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was very fortunate to visit that unit at Hector Field in the 1980's and photograph. Which paint scheme? Looking forward to more from you, Giovanni. Cheers Craig

Very well said. I would have preferred just hit a "like" button, so I've entered a post.

What, letting work and sleep get in the way of modelling talk.

In my work I am asked for completion times constantly. I learned very early in life to come up with realistic times. Never-ending postponements tells me some is not being honest or has not learned how to properly judge estimates.

You have far more patience than I ever did, great work on the adjustments.

My feelings exactly, I build my kits for myself.

I don't really have anything different in photos that show any better. The larger cylindrical shaft back of the pilot seat was the jettison mechanism for the canopy and the below it, out of view behind the pilot seat was an electrical motor that raised and lowered the canopy. Behind the radar operator rear seat, the small shaft is part of an accumulator in assisting raising and lowering of the canopy. This is all going from memory. We removed the canopy a few times and the large shaft behind the pilot seat needed to be safetied. The arresting hook was nothing more than a lar