Thanks Spiro, the experience is quite different. Tamiya just had the builder in mind, and still provided an excellent accurate P-38. Nothing wrong with the Hase kit in accuracy, it just a bit challenging to build is all. Still pricey retail wise and on Ebay it is still a 25-40 kit. Just look for a deal.

Love the masking, my friend @uscusn!

Good to get back to this one, Chuck (@uscusn). I almost never build a kit without using pre-made masks, especially if I build something in 1/72. Looking forward to watching the natural metal finish take shape.

With the interior Green already applied over the canopy and windshield frame. AK Primer Black is airbrushed over the airframe, including the doors that are still on the sprues.

Then while getting ahead of myself in mixing up Vallejo Chrome started to airbrush BMF. Got most of the undersides done when I realized I need to paint the D-Day stripes first and then the OD anti-glare panels. DOH! So once what was left in the bottle was used. Cleaned up and started to airbrush the white areas under the wings and booms.

The reason I decided to paint the white/black D-Day stripes now as these are much easier to mask off without the chance of lifting paint from removing the masks. Though there is always the risk of that happening regardless. Masking off the metal finish is more riskier if I had went ahead and painted the overall bare metal and then mask off for the stripes.

Next the OD anti glare are painted on the nose and inside upper engine nacelle panels.

Next to mask off the lower white panels for the black stripes. I used NATO Black to airbrush the stripes. Reason being as the call letters on the booms are black. Photos show them clearly able to read them as they partially will be on the black stripes.

Next is to mask off the edges of the invasion stripes and the OD anti glare panels over the top side to finish applying the BMF.

After airbrushing the metal finish. It was to carefully de mask the anti-glare panels and the D-day stripes. Carefully as not to lift up any paint off any of the masked off areas.

The masks worked perfectly over the stripes as well.

A coat of future is applied.

next decal time.

More to follow.

Nice results, Chuck @uscusn
I'm also surprised how that black got cracked after applying it over white.
Could it be some remains of tape or fingerprints causing this?

Thanks Spiros, pretty much got the effect i wanted to achieve not so bright finish.

Thanks John, me too, did not expect that. Or never really experienced this type of paint issue before. I have used these two different type of acrylics before. In this Tamiya Gloss White and Vallejo Nato Black.

Hi George, so true in planning in which order to paint a particular scheme. In this case after applying the overall black coat. Next was to paint the OD anti glare panels. Easier to mask over painted sections then to mask the NMF which may peel off with the tape. I have not had any problems painting gloss coats on aircraft. I have on cars when trying to prevent orange peel. I did let the gloss white dry overnight. Then mask and paint the black. I don't really like to do invasion stripe schemes having only doing one on a P-47 previously. I just have the Tamiya Swordfish in the stash, it will be my very first attempt on building any sort of bi-plane. That will be interesting.

It's really funny, how Eduard tells us to set the shoulder harnesses, but every WW2 seatbelt I have strapped into the harness is the opposite, so those attachments on the end are close together so the lap fastener goes through them to hook everything up. (Not a complaint, an observation for future reference)

You've done excellent work on this and I'm sure you're now scratching your head asking yourself "Why do people say this kit's hard?" It's going to be a very nice result when you cross the finish line.

That problem with the black paint over the white happens when the upper color is not thoroughly stirred and mixed. Of course, it's hard to tell with black if it is thoroughly stirred. After I got told how that happened, I just stir black a little longer than I think I need to and usually all is well.