OK, so I couldn't wait. Here are some progress photos, so you know I'm not just stringing you all along!

The Su-9 with paint:







A ways yet to go, but like I said, into the home stretch. Still have to paint and attach the landing gear, which I cleaned-up tonight. I've already created a replacement pitot boom, which awaits attachment as one of the final steps. I removed those funky "spikes" which characteristically adorn the tip of each missile pylon, and will be replacing them with metal. One problem I've come up against is the missiles, which I consider unusable. I checked my old ICM modern Russian weapons set, and the AA-2 missiles in there are even worse. I will have to check around and see if I can find some decent after-market ones.

Now, for anyone who has ever wondered what's inside your Aztek air brush, here you are:


And here is the cause of my current despair:


This little trapeze shaped linkage connects the trigger to the metal piston rod which keeps the needle pressed forward. Slide the trigger back, and it pulls-back the spring-tensioned piston, and allows the needle to open-up and let paint flow through. the little nub on the upper-left is broken-off, which prevents the entire linkage from working, so no paint flow. And, since Badger does not consider the internals to be user-serviceable, you cannot, to the best of my knowledge, order a replacement. I toyed with the idea of manufacturing a replacement part from rigid steel wire, but decided my time was worth more than the cost of just ordering a replacement. Actually a pretty lame design, if you ask me. It really is a wonder more of these things don't break, weak as the internal plastic parts are.

Ok quick new aircraft builder question. I a, getting ready to paint the su34 and a bit freaked out about doing he camo. I have sprayed on the master colour and have begun masking of some small portions. I have two colors to lay down, a slightly darker shade then a more darker shade. My fear is that the way that I am masking off, just covering up the base colors, is going to be an issue when I start laying on the third color. Any help please?

As far as I am concerned, a month extension should be just fine. I guess I have some say in this since I am heading this campaign. I haven't headed a campaign before so I think I am within the realm of possiblity. Russell

P.S. I still need to break open the Su-15!! School starts in a week. LOL