This is a plane that I started several years ago. It is gong to be completed in a Pre War natural metal finish, based on a plane that I found a few photos of in the Squadron book that I really liked. I masked off the red, white and blue rudder stripes and started covering the plane in various shades of Bare Metal Foil.

It was coming along nicely when a small disaster struck, which caused me to park it on a shelf inside my display case where it sat for long time... at least several years.

Pardon the dust.

Here's a picture of the box top:

and the Squadron Signal "In Action" book I have for a reference...where the pictures are found that inspired this build.

Previously I had assembled the kit wheels, and did not like how they looked. So I ended up getting a resin replacement set that came along with a life raft, that I may eventually use on another A-20 build in the future.

Tonight I was able to saw the replacement resin wheels from the pour block. Then it was quite easy to sand away the excess resin that was left after sawing. Once the wheels were ready for paint I gave them a spray... along with all of the other wheels I was working on tonight for the planes in the Midway Group Build.

I mentioned above that a small disaster struck this plane when I was originally starting the build. What happened was as I removed some of the Bare Metal Foil that was adjoining the ailerons and elevators, the adhesive on the foil pulled away the "Aluminum Dope" finish that I had sprayed on the control surfaces.

While the plane was sitting in the display case, another small disaster happened...

We live in sunny Florida where it gets really hot during the Summer. Last Summer, we had our garage door open, and the sunlight was reflecting off the mirrors in the back of the case. The sunlight / radiant heat caused the Bare Metal Foil to bubble some, in one particular shade of foil. The others were not affected.

Thank God, the plastic didn't warp...

Here's a small photo of the areas I'm describing above:

I also had sprayed the engine cowlings using Model Master "Metallizer" paint, and then buffed it out.

Two days ago I sprayed the engines and started the base color painting process. The engines still need some detail paint work.

This is where I'm currently at with this build.

I had made a New Years resolution to try and finish up most of the started models that were collecting dust... This one is number two for the year, since I recently finished the M-60 tank that I was once a crew member in.

As usual, comments are encouraged...

The down side of foil! I'll remember that. I got excited by foil again recently when I was at an IPMS meeting and a guy I know had a Monogram F-104G he'd foiled. It really looked good!
I tend to forget how fragile our creations are.
Good luck with the removal process. That is a shame!

Bernard this is the first time I have ever had a problem with anything that I covered in Bare Metal Foil. It simply could have been due to exposure to excess heat / sunlight in my mirror lined display case. Or I may have had some contaminant on the surface of the model that didn't agree with the foil. Lastly it could have been a bad sheet of foil, simply because the bubbling effect was isolated to only one shade of foil, and so far I had only used one particular sheet as material on the plane in that color. The staining was caused by my attempt to remove the existing metalizer paint with oven cleaner.

Thanks for the words of encouragement... I'm not giving up on it.

Ferry, the residue left behind by this foil is very sticky. I'm going to attempt to remove the residual adhesive with rubbing alcohol in a small location first, to see what the results are. I really like the finish that the foil gives a model. It's a really cool way to replicate various shades of metal. Especially when you use very fine steel wool to make even more variations in the material. I normally use 3 different shades as a start and go from there.

Thanks for the compliments on the engines.

Louis, what about Goo Gone? That takes off sticky residue, provided it doesn't mess the underlying plastic. Just a thought.

How's it going, Louis? I agree with by Buddy Bernie - try Goo Gone or De-Solv.

You have waaaaay more patience & skill than I. Foil is still beyond my reach. It is beautiful, but not for me.

Yet.

Not a look you would immediately associate with an A-20 Havoc/Boston - an inspired pick Louis.
Looking forward to the next instalment...