Thanks for the invite Louis! This will be my first group build ever as I essentially stopped modelling not long after I discovered the internet and bought my first PC - nearly 25 years ago! This is my first model started since then. I started this build already in January, but spending only a few hours per month on it, progress has been pedestrian.

Normally I build 1/48, but since I had this 1/72 kit laying about I figured it would be a good full-build mule. Its main purpose is for me to get the hang of my new equipment (Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus with Sparmax TC-610H Plus compressor and Mr Hobby Aqueous paints), which is a far cry from what I was doing in the 1990s. If it ends up being a presentable model, that's a bonus.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Next I decided, since it's a mule-build, to try creating stretched skin effects. No matter it's only 1/72 and these effects are usually reserved for larger scales. I wasn't going to waste my precious time scraping plastic away so I simply created the bumps by using Mr Surfacer over masked-off ribs, frames and stringers and sanding everything smooth when dry.

I estimated that adding some drops of AK RC 330 Japanese olive drab laquer to Mr Surfacer 1500 Grey would get me a reasonably match for RLM 02 - and it did.

Next the model was sprayed in Mr Hobby Aqueous RLM 75 and RLM 83 (sic) over RLM 76. Or so I thought! I accidentally grabbed the RLM 74 bottle, so I had to respray the grey. With H&S airbrushes being prone to tip dry, I use ample thinner and about 20 PSI pressure. I was able to hand spray demarcations and mottle and for my first airbrush job in nearly a quarter of a decade, I could've done a lot worse.

As the photos aren't great at showing off the stressed skin effects, I've uploaded a video: https://youtu.be/9hkvoJq6l4w

Next will be the various details, which is what I'm currently working on.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Welcome back to the modelling world, Ronnie.
A great way to start using your new equipment.
Looking forward to your progress.

The video certainly shows your stressed skin off wonderfully - nice technique!

It is hard to believe that you haven't been modeling for a while, Ronnie (@skyraider3d). Great start on your 190, especially the stressed skin.

Thank you very much for all the kind comments!

I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a Cameo 3 and so I decided to cut my own masks rather than use the thick kit decals. I'm impressed with the capabilities of this machine, even the walk way stencil came out OK. In real life this consists of dotted lines of 20 x 10 mm blocks, which at 1/72 gives a with of merely 0.14 mm! Not only did the Cameo manage to cut this, the paint managed to get through as well. The "A3" came out really nicely too and I managed to align the swastika and underwing crosses perfectly. Unfortunately I was slightly off with aligning the fuselage cross, so this needs a touch up.

All in all I'm pretty pleased for a first attempt at using the Cameo.

The self-made canopy came out looking a bit rough, as the Mr. Masking Sol R masking fluid I used left horrible jagged edges. From here on I'll only use this as temporary glue, as it's quite useful for that purpose. I will grab one of my spare canopies and use the Cameo to make a neat Oramask 810 mask for it too.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

This is looking very neat, Ronnie.
If you wouldn't tell about the fuselage cross, I wouldn't have noticed.

Thanks guys!

Erik, on the top wing picture you can just about see the mask on the right wing, still in place (sprayed black and secured by yellow masking tape). The Cameo actually managed to cut out whole rows of tiny 20/72 x 10/72 mm slots! It's quite incredible really and I was thoroughly surprised it worked as well as it did!