Louis @lgardner

Something went wrong in spots of the Mission Models Blue-Grey on the fuselage, thought that my handling by accident had changed things to a darker shade. Even after two more coats, the dark spots remained. So I stripped off the spots down to bare plastic and shot again. Now have a more uniform color. True on the ailerons as in most photos where it is noticeable the ribs are these darker thin lines but I am going to exercise a bit of artistic license on this.. just like my interior is not quite factory fresh Bronze-Green since that repaint is more than a year in the past at this time for 2-T-4.

As for the Hobby Boss 1/48 TBD, I do not see how they will bring anything new to the table versus the Great Wall Hobby kits. Unless their molding is of the attrition replacement aircraft to make 8-T-14 and 8-T-16. If Tom @tcinla is right and it is a scaled down 1/32 Trumpeter kit then it will be missing the radios that are in the GWH kit. But I could be wrong. I've still got a couple Monogram TBD kits in stash also so one day maybe.

I see Brit Modeller has a thread started on Feb 6th of this year on the Hobby Boss TBD-1 with photos. HB seems to be eschewing any signs of PE as the canopy rails for the pilot's canopy are plastic. Also get a clear landing light instead of the GWH molded to wing one in grey plastic. In the photo, the clear plastic for the canopy seems cloudy. Not sure if open doors for the radio-gunner's flexible .30 is a selling point. And still can't build 8-T-14 accurately without modifications.

https://tinyurl.com/hobbybosstbd1

Things are coming along well, David (@kahu). I have never used Mission Model paints, but I have heard they can be very touchy. Sorry your decals disappeared. I try not to put decals, PE, or masks in a box with a kit unless I am ready to build it. But this has its own problems when I want to build something and can't find the decals, so same problem you have. I don't have a solution. I have worried about the corrugations causing problems with the decals and have considered making masks and painting them, but there may be overspray problems with the masks over corrugations.

David Odenwald (@kahu)
I can understand your frustration. I am still missing a complete propeller for a 1/48 scale Tamiya F4F... It just completely disappeared, never to be found again. My German Shepherd didn't eat it either.

I have successfully tried using hot water and a damp paper towel to help make decals conform to corrugations. I would get the paper towel damp with hot water, and press it hard against the model's surface holding it there firmly until it cooled off some. The down side to this, is that you could accidentally pull up the whole decal if it is a small one.

Hang in there.

At least you found a viable solution on this challenging situation, my friend @kahu! Looks great with the Monogram parts. Pity about the paints. The kit looks great and I look forward to see it done!

Thanks, I am going to keep plugging along on this kit until I drag it over the finish line.

Tom @tcinla. These paints went from suck to blow. As in they blow chunks.

Me - "I sealed the paint twice with Mission Model gloss coat. Then added a coat of floor wax. And the paint still runs when I apply a decal with Micro-Sol and Micro-Set?!?!?! Gimme my Model Master paints back!"

I am still clinging to my remaining stocks of Model Master enamels also. When the local Hobby Lobby had them on clearance I snagged as many as I thought I could use. But learning to like the Vallejo and Ammo stuff, but the Tamiya acrylics are still my favorites.