SPA Modeler

Great technique - thanks for the demo. The micro-meshing makes a huge difference. I take it that that is a light buffing with a micro-mesh no?

Very nice effects!

Thanks guys!

keavdog wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 7:11 pm Great technique - thanks for the demo. The micro-meshing makes a huge difference. I take it that that is a light buffing with a micro-mesh no?

Yes, that's correct. Essentially wet sanding lightly with Micromesh. I used the 4000# grit.

Here's an example of some residual salt that has shown up as frost. This is removed with damp cloth.


A small modification made to the tail plane. The small plastic knob was cut off and replaced with a tab made of brass sheet.



The louver doors for the intercooler have been glued into place.



The painted drop tank.



The drop tank was mounted into place and the fuel lines were added. Not completely happy with the alignment of the aft line so I may re-do it.



Bomb racks have been painted.


The tail wheel assembly minus the wheel is glued into place. The rear landing gear doors are also attached.


Getting ready to put Eileen on her own legs so I've glued the landing gear covers unto the landing gear struts.

Superb realism, John! I love seeing that "dirt" inside the main gear wheel, against the fuselage side, where the tire must rub when in the closed position. Very nice touch, sir!

Thanks Gary, I appreciate it!

Nervous now, as I'm going to remove the masks from the windscreen. I CAREFULLY pick a corner up with the tip of an x-acto blade and remove each mask slowly.



Whew... windscreen looks ok!


Let's take a look at the cockpit from the outside.








There is a lot of light residue in the panel lines and rivets from the Micromeshing of the salt fading. I'll carefully scrub these areas with a damp brush and, if necessary, re-darken the recessed details with a wash.

Looking great! You must have a steady hand to risk using ‘ol #11 near that windscreen!

That's one of my favorite parts of the build. Close to done - but ya, kind of a Schrodinger's cat thing.

Thanks guys! Last update for today... getting ready to glue the landing gear legs into place.



I made up a new aft fuel line... I think it looks better.


Masks for the lights have been removed.



The light on top of the fuselage spine was formed with clear UV-activated epoxy. Surface tension creates a natural spherical shape. While the epoxy was still in its liquid state, I tilted the fuselage forward to create the tear-drop effect and locked it into place by shining a UV light on it.

If this don't win every award out there then something is seriously wrong. Incredible!

Fantastic… marvelous… beautiful… exquisite… I’m simply running out of superlative terms to describe your results here John. The appearance that you have created here has to be your best work yet.