Jamie Cheslo

There is truth in what you say, and I can only speak for myself. But as you can see from the number of posts I have made (nowhere nearly as many as yours, admittedly), I have indeed contributed to many conversations over the years, beginning in the days when it was "3 Steves." I needed to take an extended break from the forum and from building in general, for various reasons. Sometimes other priorities take precedent in life. Sometimes things simply have a natural life span. I dunno. I just don't think it's quite as simple as "if you build it they will come." However, be it known that this is

I am relieved to hear that ARC is not dead. I have also gone through times when every waking moment is spent working just to stay afloat.There literally is no time for anything else, let alone running a labour-intensive site such as this. I wish Steve all the best, and I hope for a time when he is able to return to the forums. Cheers!

Wow, that is stellar work! Love the camo and weathering, I think your post-shading is pretty authentic, as far as I can tell from the photos. Congrats on a really successful build after your hiatus from modeling.

Wow!! Sure is big!! Wonderful work!!

Fabulous work!! I especially love your faded/weathered OD paintwork. It looks very realistic. Cheers, and thanks for sharing your work!

That's some excellent panel line pre-shading!!!

People are people the world over. It does not matter what country you come from, or where you currently live. Human beings can often be incredibly kind, selfless, altruistic, charitable and empathic. The same people can get behind the wheel of an automobile or an airplane for that matter, and something bizarre happens to them, and suddenly they are the only people who exist or who matter on Earth. This is a human condition, not a national or racial or ethnic issue. The trick is to learn how to access our better selves more often, and to control our base desires that can be harmful to others.

I normally use a toothpick with a flattened end to avoid ripping the decal. Works a charm with most washes!

That looks fabulous, Dai!! Another great build! Can't wait to see it with the weathering done. The decals really did go down well, and zero silvering as well.

Getting close now. Looks great, Dai!

I do love those shiny metal objects!! Looks fabulous, Dai!

That's a really cool idea. As long as the decals are well-set and completely flat so as not to create any ridges. I think that would work!

If you look closely at the stencils on the model on the box, you can see that they also silvered. Don't know if that was because of the way they were applied, or it is the decals themselves?

Yes, your photo shows clearly what you are describing. Compared to the other decals, it's pretty bizarre. Almost as if they came from two different manufacturers... if that is even possible....?

Thanks so much for the info and the picture of the bottle. Cheers, Dai!

Looks very much the real deal!! Great paintwork and the cockpit is beautifully detailed. Really love following your builds!

Very nice and neat prep work! What primer are you using?

Agreed. I would never have been able to tell those are not recessed panel lines. I thoroughly enjoyed your build. Picked up a couple of extra techniques as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to share such a detailed build with the techniques! She deserves a special place in your display case!

I can sense that you are excited. This is very cool indeed!

Looks great! Can't wait to see the radio compartment and superchargers all painted up!!

Excellent progress!! I am thoroughly enjoying your build! This is inspiring me to pick up this kit.

Those Quinta decals really do look the part! Excellent looking cockpit!!

As I have been following your F-4 build and I am quite astounded by your skills, not to mention those Quinta 3-D decals, I am excited to experience this build as well!

Really excellent work on both those Skyhawks!! I need to pick up one of these Hase. kits. I don't have one in my stash!!

Yes, I see what you mean. So if the Skyraider's wingfold mechanism sits the same way as the Bearcat?? above then I can definitely see how the inner wing panels could become significantly more faded. Cheers!!