Thank ye all for the faith! Admittedly, by tradition (well 15 years ago) this is the time in the build that I get bored and move on to new projects (such as the Ta 152E-1 - for which I have all the bits I need now!
)... I am still resisting though (despite the pile of now 12 Fw 190D's and 8 Ta 152's that keep trying to drag me away - I've decided to model ALL Five known JV44 Dora's at ONCE with Eduard kits; I figure I'll really cut down on time and resources if I 'production line' them).
But I am liking the look of the D-9, despite the fact my repaint obliterated the hint of RLM83 I had used (which I will re-add, not that the Lifecolor paints I am using - and liking - have much of a tonal difference between RLM82 and RLM83 : I feel 82 should be a few shades darker) - the diagonal grey-blue then mottling in RLM81 on the tail comes Next. I'm thinking the best way to achieve the mottles will be to cut out freehanding masks; I still havent come to grips with the whole double-action thing (a Badger 155 clone), paint consistency seems far more critical than it did with a single action! The diagonal should be pretty easy. Then we start to mess things up with the obliterated Rumpfband, 'repair grey' on the tail, fuselage and wing root... Finally the power egg! Suggestions (paint, colour, methodology, weathering, etc) welcome BTW...
Im actually REALLY looking forwards to gloss/decal/matte, so I can finally pull all the masking off and glue everything together! Then just those final weathering touches... Then I'll 'recharge' with an easy project - Ta 152H-0 'Orange' - tho this St./JG 301 Ta 152C-1 is nearing paint too...
On the subject if the hobbyBoss Ta 152C-0/C-1, I'm a bit dissappointed. While the kit is beautifully engineered, the list of gripes keeps getting longer:
i) Most annoying of all (because it forces your rumpfbands to look skew) is the fuselage plug! Those things were basically a box - top and bottom edges were at right angles to the join, but not on this a/c (point to DML)
ii) The surface of the plastic is a light orange peel texture, which is fine, until you finish that join with 1200 grit wet/dry! But with all the raised hinges, it makes it a challenge to wet sand the entire model. (point to Dragon)
iii) Joints - while most things so far line up ok, filler is a necessity - AND the joins in some places arent well thought out so you end up rescribing thru putty! That said, the gun colw/trough peice fitted SOOO WELL) (sounds like a Dragon!)
iv) Top of the radiator cowl join is a nightmare - two days work and Im still not 100% happy.
v) Tail Wheel - most if it needs to be fitted before fuselage mating, so it constantly be busted and re-glued (Dragon +1)
vi) Wheel wells are just a nightmare! This was an OOTB build, but I had to fix the engine blank, wing joins, etc
vii) HOLLOW! They obvioulsy put some effort into DB603 and wing spar, but that's all you get - no firewall, not engine moints, nothing! (Dragon +1) So you end up with a really nice DB603 rear, then NOTHING - you see the inside of the Gun Cowl and front egde of the cockpit. Also, the DB603 needs work as the supercharger 'pipe' is widly wrong, as are the suppercharger feeders and there are some noticable rear of engine accessories missing...
viii) The Revi is just solid, grey plastic! (Dragon +1)
And thats what I have discovered so far... I just want to finish and paint it ATM. Of course it does have a MAJOR advantage of the DML/Dragon kit - no major nose surgury!
OK Bed time...