Thanks Spiros (@fiveten).

Here is the initial painting of the yellow and the pylons

Thanks Spiros (@fiveten). I was getting somewhat burned out with the foiling but adding the paint has got me warming up to this model again. What I really like about the paint is it makes the foil look more metallic in comparison. I am excited to get the oil filters on the metal to see the final result.

Thanks John (@johnb). One advantage of foil over metallic paint is that it is considerably tougher when it comes to handling. No need to worry about it rubbing off. There is still a potential for it to peel away at some points, especially when de-masking.

Thanks George (@gblair). This foiling has been a useful experience. In addition to giving me a new tool for metal finishes, it has helped me better understand how to weather metallic surfaces (or at least I hope it will after I do it).

Another really useful part of this is the realization that using foil in this way is idea for representing overlapping panels or raised details on the model. Some things to spring to mind are wing fillets, overlapping access panels, overlapping aircraft panels instead of butt joined panels.

Another idea I have which I will experiment with in the future is using my vinyl cutter to cut templates which I can then use to make custom shapes in the foil. This something like initially laying foil onto an elevator, then using the template created in the vinyl cutter as a cutting guide for the foil to cutout the underlying rib structure that might press against fabric covered elevators. The foil is so thin that it should work. As I said, it's an idea that I want to experiment with. If it doesn't work for this, it might work for something else.

Today I got one of the coolest steps accomplished on the Thunderbolt. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but it adds a huge amount to the look of the model. I'm talking about the cowling and engine. Adding this completely changes the character of the model.

I'm going to be doing the anti glare paint on the fuselage top tomorrow. Getting close now.

Engine and cowling do make it look much better, Carl @clipper
I like the idea of using the vinyl cutter, that might definitely make life a lot easier.
Looking forward to that experiment.

Thanks George (@gblair), John (@johnb), and Spiros (@fiveten).

Sanding with high grit (3000) seems to not be a problem on the foil other than wearing out the sandpaper quickly. This is heavy duty foil, so it can take a bit of sanding without issue. Bare Metal Foil would have probably torn.

Got the anti glare area painted today.

Thanks George (@gblair),

I am going to experiment first with the decals on a test mule that I have foil on. If I can apply it directly to the foil, I will.

As for a clear coat over the foil, since I will be applying some oil filters over the foil, I had planned on using clear coats as well. I'll probably start with the bottom side in case that isn't going well.Experiments on the test mules seemed to indicate that it would however. I am using Alclad Aqua Gloss which is made for this purpose and it seems to look okay on the tests. For the final clear coat, of course, it will be a semi matte finish.

Really good result, Carl @clipper
Looking forward to the decals.