Looks good Rob, how did the academy kit build up

Thanks Alex!
The kit has nice detail and the only issues I had were how the nose is assembled it left a ridge underneath that needed filling where it joins the rear of the fuse, came out ok.

Cheers Rob.

Well...

After applying the last clear coat before decals, the plane fell to the floor before the clear had dried but the damage is minor a bit more painting should fix it. I have already sanded down the areas that needed it.

Cheers Rob.

That's happened to me before; I feel your pain and clearly understand your second language.

Thanks Ben.

Luckily the future dries fast and there was only a couple of hairs on the fuse, however one stab broke off and landed on the carpet. Now sanding it down and re-painting was easier than gluing it back on without damaging the paint.

Well, after getting everything fixed back up I have started to add the decals and another issue cropped up some of the decals have some splits in them the one pictured has 4 slivers split off that you can see if you look closely I have managed to get them down so that it is barely noticeable but it does take some time hopefully there are not too many more that are damaged.

Cheers Rob.

Well this has been quite frustrating putting on these decals I tried the large maple leaf and it did not go well I am going to keep putting on the rest of the decals and that will leave two options for the maple leaf, either paint it or find another set of decals.

Cheers Rob.

That's so sad, Rob. It's the very reason why I shy away from large decals being placed over compound curved areas. Paint is so much more satisfying, if you have the patience to mask off this complicated design.
If it were me, I'd remove the decals applied, repaint, and apply normal CAF insignia.

Bet your wishing you had gone with the F-86(noting yout first post).

Hi Ben,
I may do that eventually but first I am going to try the decals again as I got a second set.
The problem was not the compound curve but the decal itself it shattered before removing it from the sheet.
If the second one does not work than paint it is, the sheet does come with the white outlines separate.

I scored a new set of decals at a local hobby shop but I also got some online now I'll have an extra set

Anyways the new set is much better stayed in one piece till some time after application but I can work with this.

Cheers Rob.

Hey Ben,
I see you have been having some of the same issues with Leading Edge decals as I have.

Here is a pic that shows some of what I am dealing with. The decal on the left is the red rudder decal for the right side the two on the right are the blue decals for the left side the center one broke apart after applying to the model the right one broke upon soaking in water.

Troubles aside I am slowly getting the better of them. And I have one more set on the way.

Cheers Rob.

It's been my experience with Leading Edge decals that if they're more than a few months old they'll break up. I'm not sure whether it's an ink or a film issue, but nearly every sheet I've ever used has broken up. It's gotten to the point that I routinely coat the decals with liquid decal film preemptively now, regardless whether I've tested it or not; I'm that certain it's going to break up.

Turning to my tigerbird, I've had masking failure which may take more time to clean up than is left in this campaign. it may need to become a hangar queen candidate.

Thanks Jessica,
I read your advice in the Douglas campaign.

It seems a little hit or miss as to which one break and as I have two sheets and one due in a day or two I'm just going to go slow and patient. I may yet have to mask and paint the maple leaf, time will tell.

I just had the red rudder decal go on with no issues, go figure.

Cheers Rob.

Rob, I also had luck with many of my LE decals. It seemed the more I had to play with them, the greater the risk. Also, the thinner the carrier film, the more apt they were to disintegrate on water contact.
Next time I'm in the city, I'm picking up some liquid decal fluid as per Jessica's advice.. I'm thinking of coating all my LE decals at once, since I have to do it anyway.

How's everything going on here ?
Does anyone need a few more days to finish up ?

Just let me know !

Too bad about those decals Rob ..

Rob that sucks about the decals, I have a set of leading edge decals that I am now scared of using on my F-104.

John, I think a little bit of time for everyone to finish up would be appreciated, but I dont want to over extend the campaign by to much.

Ok, I'll extend it a few more days, Monday 3rd.
If there's any need for an extra day or two let me know.

Monday may or may not be enough time, but I'm determined to go down to the wire with this one

ok Jessie, if you need more time just let me know.

I got my Coyote build done, but still all the finish to do - I'm pretty sure I won't "get 'er done"!. Will post photos soonest of the build so far.

Jim

I got the blue on the rudder!
Took three sets of decals to do it.
Now it's just lots of work with Micro Sol to get them to settle.

Cheers Rob.

That's interesting re leading edge decals Jessie. I used them on my build with no issues but they seemed new... I'll keep an eye on them when I eventually use the remainder in a few months time. Hopefully I won't have an issue but if I do I'll use your advice. Love to see all these models finished

Well, this is as far as I got so far. Still want to make the new style spare wheel carrier on front and some turret stowage (camo net). Hopefully WILL get done for AMPS in April. First time I tried the newish Tamiya Quick-type epoxy putty (the tan/brown stuff), not bad - very similar to Kneadatite.















Cheers,
Jim

I have to tell you, Jim, that is incredible. Beautiful.
Well done

Hi James and Kevin,

The planes look terrific.

Hi Jim,

That is a serious amount of detail, the build looks terrific.

Graeme,

Great work.

Oliver,

Same detail.

Pedro,

Nice choice and finish.

Alex,

Looking good.

Impressive campaign folks lots of great work going on, hats off to all.

Cheers

Al

Still plugging away at the decals.

Cheers Rob.