Wow George (@georgeswork), that was some nasty gaps. Looks like your many sessions got them sorted though.

Okay...not impressed!

The model was washed for oils and any sanding residue and White Primer was sprayed.

The Model Master White Primer gave great coverage and coated the model very well.

After drying for over 36 hrs, the primer started to FLAKE off for some reason.

Just tapping with the point of an Exacta blade took off a bunch of paint chips; didn't even apply any Tamiya masking tape - just started flaking.

Pretty much all other areas the Primer bonded very well and no problem, can't see why this happened.

Sanded the rough edges down with 600/800 prepping for more Primer.

Never had that happen before - another reason added to the list of why I really do not like painting White.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Who knows why this happened, George?
At least it's not difficult to respray and move along!

Thanks again gentlemen,

— Spiros @fiveten

— Erik @airbum

— Allan @kalamazoo, the primer is Model Master 4622 with no thinning. I have used this paint/jar before with great results. It must be the plastic surface but I don't know why.

But the 600/800 sanding went well as did the primer recoat.

I used Model Master 4696 Gloss White for the upper surfaces and was very happy with the application and the nice sheen of the paint.

I taped up the model for the Painting of wing tips and boom/tail with Tamiya Red XF-7.

Then it happened again! The Tamiya Masking wasn't on for more than 20 minutes but large sections of paint came flaking off. UUGGHH!

I can deal with the bottom surfaces as I will be painting that are Yellow and Black. The Starboard boom is the problem area as I will need to repaint with white and red as the paint peeled of on both sides of the taping.

Considering the amount of taping required for the bottom surfaces I am tempted to just chip off all the White Primer and apply the Yellow directly in fear of the Primer peeling elsewhere.

Pretty frustrating, but I'll take it as a minor setback as I need to show this kit who's the boss!

Added a photo of expected finish - Whatever finish I chose, Navy or Target Tug I would have used this Primer on the model and would have had the same problem.

A good challenge to start the New Year.

Since the whole model was being primed, I guess I should have used an enamel/lacquer paint with the Paasche H-1 tip, live and learn I guess.

Back to sanding and some flake testing with an Exacto.

Looking at the XF-7, it might be a little too dark and will need to repaint with a lighter shade.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Pity about your mishap, George.
Great that you'll show the kit who the boss is!
I agree with Allan, the chosen scheme is AMAZING!

After going over the complete model, I must be the plastic is the issue.

Areas with putty had great adhesion with he primer. The sanded areas had decent adhesion.

The Gloss White and Red sealed the primer and created a toughtop coating.

The plastic itself reminds me of the old 'bakelite' plastic smilar to old electrical boxes.

Once I got under the primer most of the paint simply peeled off, other areas need i little bit of chipping to make the paint flake off.

The paint on the main fuselage and nose were well coated with he Gloss white and I left these areas alone as I was worried about chipping the plastic during paint removal which would have made matters worse.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

What a letdown. Rather annoying for you to have all that work, but as you say the plastic may well be the real problem. If you have any available, an aerosol can with Tamiya white primer may do the trick?

Nice remedial action, George @georgeswork! That stubborn old plastic found its mentor!
Looking forward to your camo!