It feels like I've been in a holding pattern for ever on this build. The GB deadline is just around the corner and I've yet to receive my wing decals. I was hoping for delivery yesterday but it looks like today will be the day. Hopefully I'll be able to put the finishing touches in time!
To speed things up, I've given the bottom a pastel panel wash.
Had some issues removing the wash this time. Every once in a while, the edges of the wash will stain and be hard to remove. This resulted in more aggressive wiping and even some touch-up paint, making the effects of the wash less noticeable. This is not going to be a heavily weathered model due to the plane not seeing actual service so I'm ok with the results.
Exhaust stains were airbrushed in 3-4 steps starting with a broad brown base. A little bit of black is added to the mix with each step and sprayed in a ever tighter pattern. The trails get shorter and darker, ending with black.
The exhaust pipes are finally snapped into their troughs. Fit was very tight and permanent without glue... no way to get these out now.
During the weathering process, the usual snapping of fiddly bits occurred including the tiny glass elements of the gunsight and the long tail wheel. I will not attempt reattachment until weathering is finished.