Poppop

Checking the IPMS Stockholm site for Urban's Color Reference Chart shows FS36173 as the WWII Neutral Gray. I have used it on several B-17's and am very satisfied with the results.

What can I use to seal Gunze Mr. Metal Color? I have a really nice aluminum finish, but need to mask off a couple panels for a different shade. A small test showed that Tamiya tape lifted a little of the Mr Metal Color surface, but didn't go all the way through. Thanks

Just did a check on paint4models and they list Revell's Luminous Orange (32125) as a match for FS29813... worth a try.

The Caracal Decal instructions call for FS29813. This is Fluorescent Red-Orange and is very close to the pictures I have. However, only Testors makes a paint with that match (at least in my searches). It is enamel. They have discontinued making it and it is out of stock everywhere I searched except Sprue Brothers. I ordered one and it does look good. Duh... I just checked Sprue Brothers website and they are now out of stock! Testors and Vallejo makes one that is close.. FS28915 which is Fluorescent Red.. not the Red-Orange in FS29813. If you have the FS paint chips

And another

Another photo

OK... I did not disappear completely. Lots of distractions. But progress continues slowly. Remember I am building two of these.. the one I post pictures of is the first one and the test model if you will. Lessons learned are being applied to number 2 as well. Most of the time since my last post has been cleaning up seams, eliminating steps between parts (especially the forward and rear fuselage parts), rescribing, test fit, test fit, test fit. I am modeling the plane in the picture in Cal Taylor's book on page 282... outside the hangar at Leopoldville, Congo. Pilot was my fr

I know everyone knows.. but after some of this build I knows even better... test fit, test fit, test fit.... Do as much to the fuselage as you can before attaching the wings. Eliminate the seams and clean up the join between the forward and rear fuselage. I chose to close the loading doors at the rear. The old drill.. putty, sand, rescribe, prime.. check.. putty, sand, rescribe, prime, check .. and repeat until everything looks good. The main landing gear required a bit of work. The locator pins on the side of parts 4D, 6D, 9D, etc are not much help. Th

Use a very small drill bit to open a starter hole and then sharp #11 blade and patience.. clean out the two openings on each gear leg.. does make a difference.

And then we close it up and most disappears! Cockpit Closed.jfif

Cockpit pic - 3 Cockpit 5.jfif

Cockpit pic- 2 Cockpit 4.jfif

I copied pictures of the instrument panel, navigators, and engineers panels. Resized and printed my own decals. While not absolutely accurate, they do make a real difference.. Problem is that most of it disappears after the fuselage is glued together.. but I know it is in there (sound familiar). I did go back and touch up the back wall around the navigator station, but forgot to get new pictures.. duh It will take several posts to get the pics uploaded. Cockpit 3.jfif

OK.. where do I start? I was asked to build a second C-133 for a friend, so I am now doing both in tandem. And trying to see if the lessons from the first build help... YES they do. Will start with the wings that started this thread... the second build had the same issue... port wing had no nacelle gap.. starboard wing did. Filled with sheet plasticard, putty, sand, check, etc. Don't forget to open the intakes on the top of the nacelles... I found it easier to open before gluing the halves together. Nacelle Vents.jfif

Been sidetracked for awhile... some abdominal surgery that was successful and things about 90% back to whatever normal is nowadays. I've spent most of the time I had working the nacelles... putty, sand, check, putty, sand, check, repeat as needed! Mine did need a bit of work and I hope to rescribe tomorrow and then should be ready to move on. I did finish most of the cockpit. Copied some pics from Cal Taylor's book and resized them and printed on decal paper to get some detail on the panels. Also waiting for a response from a very good friend who put many hours in t