Arc has a bit of a Tiff.. But he did it anyway

[flakmonkey]

Hmm. England appear to have caught the Blitzbau spirit. Blitztestmatch.

It's an absolute slaughter. But then again we have to bat on this track too, and before lunch in all likelihood. Surely… surely… we can't play THAT badly? Another quickfire 50 or 60 from Bell would be good to see. Straying away from topic for a moment, how's that model going?

[Arcwelder]

Aye, could be looking at another 2 1/2 day effort. Off topic, the model is fine and I resisted the temptation to bring it to work with me. I'll be back at the bench around 2.30, and I'll lob up some pictures. All about painting now..

[flakmonkey]

Looking forward to it. It looks a nice kit, I may have to get me one of those. Australia all out for 60. Astonishing. Just astonishing.

[Arcwelder]

Wonderful, isn't it? Now would be a good time for the top order to get some runs.

[flakmonkey]

Would be wonderful to see Bell continue his return to form. My favourite batsman, technically, since the great D.I Gower. Minus the Tiger Moth, of course.

[jssel]

OK, all caught up here. Progressing well and great sounds. One thing I notice about the new Airfix kits is that they have rather tight fits between the cockpit and the fuselage pieces. No complaint, just paying attention is required.

Press on

[Arcwelder]

It fitted nice and handily, but yes, quite snug. Thanks, Jeff.

Right, back at the bench, TMS on, tinnie opened and.. what am I forgetting?

Oh yeah. Some green going on.





Just realised I forgot to fit the tail wheel. Oops. Guess I'd better have another beer.

[Arcwelder]

And now we get to play a fun game called "What the hell did I do with the transparent sprue?"

[Arcwelder]

As play resumes in the Test, so we make progress here.. and I don't just mean with the Stellas.



Soundtracked by Aggers and Tuffers burbling on, I've cut off most of the fragile, fiddly bits. Still planning on using the rockets, but I'll prep the bombs just in case.



alternating coats of paint on the upper and lower surfaces..



There's a thorny decal problem ahead and I need to have a think (read: another beer) about how to deal with it. And, looking at the photo, I'd better fill that gap at the front.

[Old_Tonto]

Lots of small bits there mate. Don't feed the carpet monster.

[Arcwelder]

Lots of small bits there mate. Don't feed the carpet monster.

For a while I thought the CM had devoured an entire sprue! Luckily I found it, or the pilot would be feeling the wind a bit

[jssel]

Stella? This comes to mind.

[Arcwelder]

Forgot to add the clock.. three hours to go and we're looking... well, I don't know.

Last of the fuselage paint on.. let that dry and then a coat of mattcote to level it out and prep for decals.



A quick wash in the gun bay (Citadel Nuln Oil) to dirty it up a bit.. must not be tempted to fiddle around in there any more than that



Freehanding the canopy frames, will tidy it up with a cocktail stick when dry.



i dunno.. I think I'm on schedule? May have to fudge the decal issue..

[Arcwelder]

OK, that decal issue.. I don't know how well you can see it, but the roundel on the port wing overlaps the cutaway area, according to the scheme. I could try a bit of surgery to get it exact, but I feel like I'm inviting disaster in the closing stages of the build. Might just inch the roundel along a bit..



Any thoughts?

[Arcwelder]

It's a clear indication of how long I've been out of the modelling game.. I have no instinct of how to handle a model when there are wet decals on it.. keep knocking them off accidentally then having to fix. No photos right now, gritting teeth heading into last 90 minutes. Wish me luck.