This build even longer than the Bubbletop Thunderbolt. I definitely lost my mojo for a few while. One reason was that I custom made the canopy mask for this, using a Silhouette Portrait vinyl cutter. It took a while to get around to creating the SVG files for it.

This kit was one of a collection of bagged kits I purchased some time ago. As such, it did not have any decals. I decided to use up some aftermarket decals, and to try my hand at some simple weathering, which I have not done on any of my aircraft builds to date.

There isn't too much to say about the build. I used Model Master Enamel Engine Gray FS36076 for the RLM 66 in the cockpit. The underside was RLM 76, and the upper was painted RLM 75 and RLM 74. All of these were also Model Master Enamels, as was the RLM 04 on the underside of the cowling, the underside of the wing tips, and the fuselage stripe. I also used Model Master Enamel RLM 02 for the landing gear and wheel bays. The guns were Model Master Metalizer Gun Metal and the exhausts were Metalizer Burnt Iron. The spinner was part RLM 21 Semi-Gloss White and RLM 70 Black Green, with some black mixed into the RLM 70 to make it darker. These were also Model Master Enamels.

The mottling was applied by hand. I have used this before in 1/72 scale, and it didn't turn out any better in 1/48. I simply dipped a microbrush in the paint, and dabbled away. On the plus side, it was quick.

The tires were painted Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black. The wheels were painted with Liquitex Soft Body Mars Black. I was hoping for a little more contrast between the tires and the wheels.

For the pre-decal gloss coat, I used Future, sprayed through my Badger Anthem. The insignia came from Microscale 48-005, a sheet of just insignia. Surprisingly, they were a bit difficult to work with, and were very glossy. The individual markings came from EagleCals 37-48. Because I had no kit decals - or so I thought - there are no stencils anywhere, even on the drop tank. I say "or so I thought" because as I was writing this page, I came across a partial set from the kit that does have some stencils.

I decided to try some simple weathering on this kit. After decaling, I applied another coat of Future. I think applied a simple filter - that is, a wash over the entire airframe - of Davy's Gray. I just mopped in on with a wide brush. In retrospect, I should have wiped off the excess. I then flat coated with Model Master Acryl Flat Clear. This went on rather chalky.

As with the Thunderbolt, I manually created an SVG file for the canopy and used it to make my own masks. They really didn't fit that well, so I will have to work on improving them for the next tiime. I applied the canopy after weathering, which is why it looks pristine.

Page last updated June 15, 2023.