I'm hoping that some of you with a little more experience can help me out with the last few touches on a Revell 1/72 Spit Mk V I'm finishing off (as practice for a 1/24 Spit Mk 1a).
I'm going to tone the "chipping weathering" and I wish I'd bought some spray paint (I sprayed the bottom and it looks nice) rather than brushed the camo, but overall I'm fairly content with the result.
Here are my questions:
1) what do you use to mask the canopy for painting? I tried masking tape (general painter's tape) and then silver duct tape, but in both cases I could see some "seepage" beneath the tape and quickly put the canopy under water to remove the paint and start over.
2) it is nearly impossible to see inside the cockpit with the canopy on, so given the time I put in to detail the cockpit I'm considering cutting the canopy and having it in the open (slid back) position. Is this advisable? and how should I go about doing it?
3) What is the best way to apply the decals? I have some matte spray which I applied to tone down the glossiness of the green camo...
4) What should I use to make the radio aerial line from the post (yet to be glued just behind the 'pit) and the tail? really thin thread?
Other observations about this model, in case anyone is considering buying it:
1- If you look at the last picture you'll notice that there are no holes for the Hispanos (even though it is supposed to be a Vb). For some reason they put in two holes in each wing for the outboard .303s but neglected the cannons?!? Rather than try to make holes and botch up the wings, I am simply going to make this as a Mark Va (8 MGs).
2- there should be a bar between the back of the seat and the fuselage (over the radio compartment)... I'm not going to try to correct this at this stage).
3- while finish was OK, the two halves of the fuselage didn't marry very well... and I wasn't arsed to sand and fill to correct for this (I kind of regret that.
Overall a fun build though... looking forward to finishing it off.