David G.

Hello Everybody! Here's the next update for the Ford Galaxie. This time, just one more of the million little things that pop up in the process of a build. After installing the glass canopy a test fit of the trunk shows some interference issues. From the other side we can see the problem. The glass is keeping the hinges settling into their proper locations. A little careful work with a micro-saw and file provides some relief. Ah, much better! As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any comments you may have. David G.

Whatever you end up doing with it, I'm sure it will look cool. It's fun watching these builds develop. David G.

I'll have to look into those masks, the seem to work really well. It looks like the paint laid down quite nicely too. You have a great start on a cool looking roadster. David G.

Thank you Will. Thanks Carl, I hope to have 'er done soon. David G.

Dang! ? That's just too cool Donald! I love the hide-away headlights and the engine bay detail. Oh, the lighting! Yeah, that too. David G.

It looks great so far! Is the kit pre-painted or are you painting it? David G.

Hello Everybody! I feel as if I'm getting close to the end of this build, it's becoming a push to the finish line... At least in my mind. The wheel arcs have been foiled, the vent window trim has been detailed and it's also the first test fit for the rear quarter windows I made. I think I'll use them, I like the way they look. From this angle one can see the detail work I did on the windshield wipers using a Sharpie pen. I also removed the blue tint band from the top of the windshield. I also mounted the tail lights. It looks like I'll have to do a little touchup on the chrome. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to share any thoughts you may have. David G.

Hello Everybody! Here is the next update for the P-61 Black Widow. The fuselage is fused! I finally have the halves glued together permanently. There are however, some more adjustments to be made. Because... of course there are! The belly seam isn't too bad. Just a little sanding and a repaint. The top however, is going to need a little more attention. It's hard for me to imagine myself building this kit at the age of fourteen. I do remember some things about the build. I remember using Pactra gold leaf enamel paint because there was no zinc chromate to be found... anywhere. This was also the kit that introduced me to the concept of weathering and wear. The directions suggested (and still do) dabbing silver paint on the lead edges of the wings and props to simulate paint chipping. I did this and a few other things. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any comments you may have. David G.

I just ordered some lead shot yesterday, I should have it next week. Thanks for the suggestion Kyle. David G.

You got that beltline to blend quite nicely, nicely done! David G.

That sure is a pretty color, it looks great! David G.

Yeah, I was planning to cast a slug to place in the front section behind the radar unit but shot would be easier to work with. If I could get enough weight in the space. The drum is still included in the kit as is a clear styrene shaft to use as a prop to hold the tail up. Interesting information about the balance issue. I know that in aircraft, correct weight distribution is crucial but I had no idea it was so critical in this one. I'm guessing that there are more similarly balanced aircraft out there than I can imagine. Thanks for the information Alan. This is exactly why I like to occasionally step outside my comfort zone to build something other than model cars. I always learn something new. David G.

Thank you Kyle. That's a good idea regarding the ladder, I may decide to do something along those lines. I'll look into possible ground support items, ammo loading racks, scaffold stands, things like that. Thanks for the suggestion. Thank you Jonathan, I'm glad to know that you like it. David G.

Nice work on that! Everything looks as it should. David G.

That's a sweet looking interior, beautiful color combination and detail! David G.

Love the color and detail on the interior, that dash is a knock-out! David G.

It definitely has that Seventies Rake! I also like the plastic on the window, nice touch. David G.

That's an awesome mockup. The car has a great profile. David G.

Hey did somebody say "pigged-out rust bucket"? That's just what I did with that Monogram 55 kit. Here's a link to the thread if you want to see more. And then there's "The Reaver", my 57, 58 mashup. Knowing how you feel about 57s I thought you'd get a kick out of this one. The Monogram 55 Chevy is a nice kit, I had fun building it. Sorry for the hijack Jim but I thought you'd get a kick out of those. David G.

Wow, those are impressive Daniel! They're as good as any PE set would have given you. In that top-down shot can see how tight those headers are. It must have been quite the challenge to fit and fabricate. Doing both at the same time ? So tell me, do you have a startup day scheduled yet? David G.

That's a shame about the cracking, the rest of it looks so good. David G.

Hello Everybody! Here's the next update on the Black Widow. I'm trying to get an estimate of how much weight I'll need to put in the nose to allow the plane to balance on its wheels without having to place the clear styrene support at the rear of the fuselage. My initial guess was 2oz. According to this, I wasn't too far off. When supported farther back, closer to the ideal center of mass, the weight needed is less. I'm not yet sure what this means. ? If anything. Whatever it means, if I intend to put 2oz in the nose, it should go in the space behind the radar unit. The wheel weight shown weighs in at 1.7oz including the steel clip. It would seem that I have my work cut out for me if I intend to balance this plane using weight. As always, thanks for taking some time out of your day to follow along. Please feel free to post any comments and thoughts you may wish to share. David G.

I've used both of those types Jim. But after so many disappointments and errors, I'm just not confident enough to take the chance on messing up whatever I'm working when there are so many good, easier to use alternatives. I appreciate your effort but I've accepted that epoxy is one thing I'm just not going to be proficient working with. -sorry Thank you DJ! I've used PVA on clear parts and PE for years. It is much more forgiving and easier to clean up. Thank you Carl! David G.

Beautiful detail on the chassis, engine and interior! The lighting effects for the dash look great! David G.

Aw, that's just mean I know it's supposed to be that simple it just never really works out that way for me. It usually ends up sticky and never really cures completely. I can eyeball-mix ink and cosmetics colors and I'm really good at specking formaldehyde index ratios for edematous cases but epoxy just eludes me. If I have to be bad at something that's one of the things I can live with. And I use it so infrequently that it usually gets dried up in the tubes by the time I get around to needing some again. -D- I've tried that Len, thanks though. There are enough alternatives that I can usually find a work-around. -D-