learning things again . returned to scale modeling after long time in '24 . then again did almost nothing up until now . steep learning curve all over again 
for gluing them I used Tamiya Quick-Setting cement . extra thin , dries fast and do not leave stains ( if you do not let it )
and thinking about buying this for making them look more clearer . used something similar long time ago
agree , I totally stopped siming right now . all my spare time goes into scale modeling . as you have pionted out @speck , so rewarding
The holy grail is Pledge floor gloss. Unfortunately no longer made but you might be able to scrounge some up. I had my dad send me a bottle from the US a few years ago. It’ll last ages if you’re just using it to dip canopies in, but I know some people have used it for the entire gloss coat.
Meanwhile, working on another Zero, this time 1/48.
I did mean those four red/blue teardropped things though, cool little detail
(edit - that cockpit on the 1/48th zero is insane)
for sure, lots of re-learning here too!
funnily enough I just used that deluxe materials stuff for the first time last week. I tried the usual ‘future’ method of dipping it and putting in on a paper towel but the result wasn’t so great; stayed kinda thick even after a day. I tried again using less and brushing it on, seemed much better but the proof will be when I finish and pull the masks off. Will let you know how it goes-
I didn’t know extra thin a ‘quick-setting’ variety, I’ll have to try that out some time.
The four colored ones are formation lights, apparently. I painted those with a fine-tipped brush.
The F4U also has formation lights on the upper wings. I don’t think any USAAF aircraft did during WW2 though. I guess it’s a naval thing?
Neat, hadn’t heard of that before.
Ha hope not too bad?
Panel line wash, or no?
Tried that ‘oil paint dot filter’ technique, and assumed like most of the times I’ve attempted it I’d just wipe it all off in the end, but I kinda like it. A little more smudging around on the wing maybe, still looks a bit ‘brushy’, and then…. skip the panel line wash?
Would feel sacrilegious, practically, since that’s just ‘what you do’ but it looks close (ish) to the pictures I’ve been going off of so I’m tempted.
I am not an expert here . did panel lines with oil paint on my Focker which is wip . and just panel lines and also not all . went with the photos of the real deal which is Flug Werk 190A8 . fortunately new birds from factory , so only light weathering .
so added some exhaust fumes dirt behind the exhaust and thats it .
plus ’ imitation of chipping ’ where I unintentionally ( too long in wip state ) damaged the paint work
Thanks, that’s a good point about not having to do all of them - maybe I’ll do another coat of clear over this and then experiment some more.
I have a few spots like that myself!
I don’t know how I feel about panel washes. Penels generally aren’t that visible to my eye on real aircraft. Sometimes I skip the wash, sometimes I do the wash, but very rarely to I get a clean wash that only fills the panel lines without unwanted staining outside the lines. Then there’s rescribing the areas where I had to sand things down, like seam lines. Sometimes I don’t feel it’s worth it.
Yeah I hear you. I think I’ve been doing it too reflexively, and will try to decide on more of a case-by-case basis - helps to have a photo you like to go off of too.
Finally got around to getting some pics of the Tamiya A6M5 (1/48)
Added some goodies:
Top notch!
noice ! what a speed of building
… but Tamiya has reputation as lego of scale models world 
anyway great speed .
in my stash I have Pony B/C in 1/48 . but I am more into the smaller scales now .
on the other hand this Lockheed L-10 Electra from Karaya in 1/144 is different story ( not a lego by any means )
Fantastic!
If I was a scale model builder. I would hate you right now 
