Oh man. It’s been a bit of a journey. I really didn’t think that would take quite that long. I also thought I was better at this than I am. I’m pretty rusty. I also learned after the fact once finding this outstanding outline resource that can tell you some about the kits you’re building ahead of time ( ).

I remembered and used old skills, but with a bit less deftness than I did back then. My paint brush didn’t seem to do what I wanted it too, too soft or something, and paint just didn’t flow or move like I remembered. The decals that came with the kit seemed much flimsier and breakable than I remember. I also ordered a third party decal kit from eBay.

I need some retooling with better brushes, some extra paint thinner, and maybe some better tools for sprue removal. Thinking back, I don’t think I worried so much about these things, but having access to lots of modeling information and seeing what’s possible now, it makes one a lot more critical of one’s own work.

That said, the dry brushing technique I used to use is working pretty well, despite a brush that seems more flaccid than a 95 year old. I seem to remember using a camel brush back then and this is sable. I’m not even sure I can get something like that now. I need to give my painting game a little upgrade though. Maybe some better paints too. I know, I know, it’s a poor carpenter that blames his tools, but golly, it’s not like I remember when I thought I had very simple tools.

The kit didn’t turn out so bad, but parts of it were a trial. The canopy was too small and didn’t line up with the fuselage, so there was considerable filling to be done. Some of the wing to body connection had to be bent into place and held for a long time to avoid giant gaps. Since the real aircraft was a satin or gloss finish, I have had to be sure not to damage any of the surface or have glue marks.

That said, this was the plan of a teenager to try to make a model in the way an adult would. Not so good. Reading up now that it’s done, I realize:

• Many modelers before me have experienced frustration with the same short-comings this kit has with gaps and too-small canopy.
• There are many ways to finish this kit beyond the bare plastic it came with. Actual gloss finish applied, a satin finish made by using dullcote without shaking the can, or actually painting the exterior. I don’t usually like to paint something the color it already is, but it sure could have hid mistakes on the plastic.
• There’s another version of this model by Hobby Boss that’s much more accurate that modelers are much more happy with the fit and finish.

That said, I was proud of my dry brushing, my masking the canopy in sections to keep the lines straight as I paint them with a brush (I know lots of modelers seem to use airbrushes now; it was unusual back in the 80s), lots of careful detail, and especially making lemonade out of the broken pegs used for the radio antenna.

For my next kit, I’m excited about a F-104 I found on eBay!.