All is not yet lost. I have 2 options, sand and fill with future to get a smooth surface.
And the other more crazy method I've heard. Apply a drop of liquid cement!
I've got a test model to sacrifice for these methods. I'll let you know how either
or both of these procede.

Right JP. I have to say both methods seem hazardous, but I guess the decals show way too much right now, so a big Good Luck from here. Following with interest.

Red letters look a lot nicer though. Red and black is always good together.

Tony

Don't they just! but what is live without a little danger, as for red and black

UP DOWN!

I agree with Tony, red and black do look good together. A black airplane with red lettering has always gotten my eye.


Robert

i'm sure you are all sick of hearing about my decals, but...
after a few hours of careful application of plastic-weld,
future, letting it cure, sanding and more future they look
no thicker than the tamiya decals well worth the risk.

i've learned something. the plastic-weld was really interesting
it just sucked them into the panel lines i would really not
recommend this though unless it is really thick decals.

i promise no more talk of decals from me. next time you see
them they will be on a completed 109.

JP: your trials and tribulations are well worth the comments. We all learn from the lessons that each have imparted to the others. Please do not stop until you are satisfied with the result. We get to learn with out the pain you endure.

JP:
I would have never thought to use plastic weld for that purpose. I am looking forard to seeing how it all turned out

Taylor

@JP: Nicely done with the custom decals, but surely you meant Red and White:



Up CORK!

JP, interesting to hear your decal trials. You might make some experiences the rest of us can steal - without having the risk of ruining a model

Looking forward to see the finished 109 night stalker.

@Mike: If we make it to Croke I'll be there.

@Jesper: I did try it on a piece of scrap first, but I was still a little nervous appling to what is probably make
best build so far.

I did an oil wash of white, ochre and very little black to create a little contrast in the panel lines.
I'll post a shot since I guess it is interesting to see the difference it made. But I'm mean
Got the in-laws over for a few days so modelling will take a back seat to boozing. Probably a good
thing as the oils take ages to dry anyway.

So here we are, a bit of cutting down of the decals in situ, tiny drops of plasti-weld on the edges, coats of future, sanding and buffing, more future. You can see in the port side shot there is not much difference no between the custom and standard tamiya decal on the wing walk. A coat of matt varnish sound even out the irregularities a bit as the gloss is very unforgiving.

@Mike As for Croke, I spoke to my brother in law last night and judging by the performance against Fermanagh Down need not so much a back door as a revolving door.

Following this with interest, meanwhile struggling with Roden decals that just fall apart when you even look at them. I lost one cockade of each type despite using Micro Decal Film, but managed to save all the smaller decals. Then decided to rob the Biff kit in the stash and replace the decals with after market ones. Shock horror, no-one makes after market WW1 cockades. Thats why I am following JayPee's adventures. Decals now done, PE started, all rigging points fitted but only the upper wing aileron control wires fitted



Andrew

JP, your extra effort on the decals really helped. It looks much better now.

Andrew, those decals look like they put up a big fight. However, they look like they are well in place now and would look excellent with a few paint touch ups.

AAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHHH!

I see that I have a Mosquito running in this campaign, and have forgot about it. I aim to crank it up again today. Hmm, I just wonder how far I've come with it.

Nice save on the red letters JP. I would have considered the bin for a while, but if the bin is an option - so is scary methods.

Tony

Bravo JP: the unique aproach seemed to save the day.

Andrew: Nice looking 11/2 struttter. It is going to look great with all that rigging

Taylor

Just finished the Pe-3 last weekend.
Still had no time to take some pics, maybe this weekend.

Don't recommend this kit, specially if you are a beginner like me.
Tons of cleaning up, lousy fitting and horrific plastic quality.
Sine it was used as a night fighter too, I toned down the colours a bit, light green changed for a dark green and the same for the light grey.
It took me a week to work on the canopy, and I think I will work on the weathering a little bit.

Can not wait to see the pics John, I have not seen this kit.

Good day everyone.
I have been following the builds so far with great interest, some great looking builds coming together.
I have managed to make a start on the "Widow". Just waiting for some photo etch belts to arrive top complete the interior.







I still haven't decided on which scheme to complete it with as of yet. Does anyone know of any AM sheets other than the Aeromaster OD scheme?

I will post more as I get the chance

Ted

P-61 looks pretty good so far Ted.
I have been working on mine on and off and hopefully get some pics up over the weekend.
As this is 6th model I have built it probably won't be near as detailed as yours. I personally picked model because I thought I would be interesting to model such a rare aircraft today. I also have see what will be the only flying P-61B when the restoration is completed. I probably will post some pics of the work that has been done so far with the restoration when I go to WW2 Weekend in Reading next weekend.

Ted:
The interior is coming along great. I am not even close to your progress. I just finished sanding and rescribing. As soon as i finish the 190 campaign i can devote more time. I noticed that in the picsthat yours appears to molded in gray plastic or is that just the primer?

Taylor

Thanks for kind words guys.

Chris: I too chose to build this a/c due to its rarity, I have not seen very many examples being modeled. I wish that I was able to see the retoration, I think in researching my build I came across a website that is detailing the restoration, but it will be nice to see your firshand pictures.

Taylor: The kit is molded in black plastic, you are correct the gray is primer. I look forward to see your build. I am not going to the great lengths of rescribing the entire kit as you have undertaken. Just the additon of the PE belts, and possibly some AM decals if I can find them, my build wil be OOB.

I am going to try and reposition the flaps to a 45 degree angle instead of the 90 that is supplied in the kit. Hopefully I do not destroy the flaps in the process.

Ted

Nice builds everyone, I especially like Andrew Beards Bristol.

My build has been progressing slower than I expected, but there's still time... I'm losing my mind with 1/72 photoetch



(no, the clamp is not huge, the part is only a few millimetres...)

Here's the bottom part:



Let's see if I can keep the antennas intact till the end...

And the same from top:

Petri the PE is hard for me in 1/48 and I use glasses with a hood magnifier. How are you able to see the parts in 1/72? Good job so far.


Robert

Thanks for the comment Robert.




I have to take my glasses off when working with the tiny bits

After hours working on the Su-11, I took some pics of the Pe-3 too.