current state of play glossed and main decals done discovered i didn't have the serials i thought I had, so tomorrow will try and create what I need from some US serials.
Don't mind at all John, Gunze Sangyo Aqueous hobby Colour H30 Clear Gloss,
Now took me my entire lunch break to do those serial Codes using a broad 60 degree US code set each was too wide so they were cut vertically in half and each corner of the 60 degree angle was very carefully trimmed to reduce the angular shape to appear slightly rounded, at a scale 4mm high this was not the easiest thing to do, and then each half slightly overlapped when applied to reduce their width from the original.
Even though these codes are probably a tad thicker than the real codes I think they will suffice....
Like tamiya they have an alcohol base and normally you should use their thinners or isopropyl alcohol, water would not be my first choice as a thinner even though I use water to clean up along with the iso alcohol.
Now, my progress has been great today but with nothing yesterday...i will take another 48 hours to be done, have added the undercarriage, wheels, cannons, rod behind the seat (not in kit) painted and glossed the canopy, painted the props and spinners too, plus the undercarriage covers.
There are various 'bits' still to do, another gloss coat tomorrow and flat coat the day after....hopefully to finish, the good thing is i have a weeks annual leave so it will be Finished no matter what.