OK - all decals on, and the model has been sprayed with the clear matt, mixed from Humbrol Clear and Tamiya Flat Base, and the masking has been removed.
Having already made and sprayed a mix of the above, I wasn't satisfied with the result, which dried semi-matt, and it was evident that the Humbrol Clear required the addition of more of the FB, compared to similar mixes I'd got used to making from Johnson's Future and FB.
So some more FB was added to the remainder of the previous mix, and applied with the airbrush running at about 12-15 psi, to allow for an even coverage and reduce the possibility of a grainy, or pitted finish.
I think I must have been right on the limit of addition for the FB, as some small areas which had a heavier application have dried with a grey or slightly chalky appearance, which can be seen in the photos, on the port wing and intake, and in a couple of small areas along the top of the fuselage. The underside of the main wings (which I forgot to photograph!) were more badly affected, exhibiting a definite grey 'ghosting', and this might be due to being sprayed directly onto the gloss paint, in two coats, with only a few minutes between coats
However, this, and the areas mentioned above, might disappear once the model has been left to dry for 24 hours or more and, if not, then it's a relatively easy fix - a quick, thin, application of gloss to the affected areas, followed, when fully dry, by another coat of the matt clear, perhaps reducing the amount of Flat Base.
PICS 1 to 3. General overall view of how the model looks so far. Some of the small fuselage access panels and other areas need a bit of re-touching, which will be done once the clear coat has been sorted.
PIC 4. Some re-touching of the anti-glare panel is required, and also around some slight silvering which appeared under the code letters after the matt clear was applied. A small 'lump' on the canopy frame also needs to be removed, and the canopy polished to remove adhesive residue from the masking tape.
PIC 5. A minor disaster was averted on the starboard nose. The canopy latching instructions decal 'grabbed' as it was placed in position and, when trying to release it, using a wet paint brush, one corner folded under and would not straighten out. Fortunately, the decal sheet included a similar decal, with an additional stencil box, for use with the two-seat version, so this was adapted by cutting off the unwanted stencils, the ruined decal removed, and the replacement positioned without incident.
PIC 6. A general view of the cockpit area, showing the interior, the cobbled-together seat, spot-lamp, and the windscreen and rear glazing frames blended into the fuselage. A thin, light yellowish-grey sealing strip has yet to be added to the base of the 'Perspex' where it meets the lower frames, and this will be painted once I'm certain the clear coat has fully cured.
Next step is to detail the gun bay and hatch cover, before moving on to some minor detail work on the landing gear, painting this (the same colour as the airframe), and then fitting the gear and bay covers.
More just as soon as I have something to show.