Hasegawa 1/32 N.A. P-51D "Cripes A' Mighty" IV SN 44-14906.

[speedgraflex]

Mark, I am real glad you are here! Each time I place an online order with Sprue Bros, I think it is the strangest combination of elements: this one included sheets of styrene as well as fancy pants CA, Debonder, applicators, Microscale’s foil glue, a sheet of BMF dull aluminum, and two Floquil (!) NOS straight edge brushes. I guess this ain’t off for model making, but I do feel strange to ship these components by US Mail.

[speedgraflex]

Cockpit Details / Los Angeles, Calfornia



Bare-Metal Foil Co. / Farmington, Michigan

Bare-Metal Foil was invented in 1970 by Eldred Mason because of his desire to have a more natural finish on his model aircraft. Since that time the Bare-Metal Foil Co. has been providing both amateur and expert hobbyists with outstanding hobby products. Bare-Metal Foil is the original detailing foil used to duplicate the chrome on model cars and natural metal on model aircraft.



Bob Smith Industries / Atascadero, California / Established 1983 / "Super-Gold CA"

The Smith brothers were exposed to aviation at an early age; their father was a tail gunner on a B-17 during World War II and a private pilot. They were drawn to Radio Control in their early teens. Bob went on to become a National Senior Aerobatics (Pattern) Champion and a National Pylon Racing Champion.

Between 1984 and 1992, Bob brought all of their products in-house so they could attain more control over them. Within this time, they added Insta-Set accelerator and Super-Gold odorless CA to the ever-expanding line of goods.

Storing Superglue

The refrigerator is the best place if the glue will not be used for a while. However, refrigeration alone is not the answer, because moisture can be a problem. Use either a steel or glass airtight container with a couple of silica gel packets thrown in with the glue, just to be safe.

Microscale Industries / Fountain Valley, California



Floquil Brushes from China?

These look alright, although the "Floquil" name in script lettering does not match with my Dad's old brushes! I wonder if these are knock-offs.

[mustang1989]

BMF works like magic. Use it all the time and it is, without a doubt, "THE answer to a modelers prayers".

[Stuart]

I’m really excited to see you’re going down the BMF route with this one Bruce and I’m betting you’ll do a great of it.

I’ve been thinking about trying it out myself. One of the downsides of not using and airbrush is that it’s really hard to get a decent NMF. I can fudge it in 1/72 but I have a couple of 1/48 Jets I want to do that’ll show up the brush marks a lot more. I could and might well use sprays, but BMF is a really interesting option. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on what it’s like to work with.

[speedgraflex]

Thank you, Joe and Stuart for your replies! Happy Friday to you both. I am going to try a series of tests with household aluminum foil as well, but I was planning to use all of the self-adhesive BMF on areas of the fuselage. The NMF areas on the wing are much smaller. I was going to keep the engine cowl, propeller nose, rudder and wingtips in primer to prepare for painting them. So, hopefully BMF will turn the fuselage into something really special!

Stuart, go for it! Make your birds shine!! All the best to you, sir!

Acronyms: BMF for Bare-Metal Finish the product; NMF for natural metal finish

I marked off the fuselage side sections—thinking I will go panel to panel:

[Stikpusher]

[speedgraflex]

Popcorn! TGIF on a balmy SoCal evening, Carlos! I am comparing what I am doing to work of Kobayashi-San (top-me; bottom-his)




The work area features what is my red-green sections.

[Stikpusher]

Looking real good Bruce! Yes it sure is a lovey balmy evening out. One of the perks of my job is to be out in it.
I need to try foil for NMF one day myself...

[speedgraflex]

Thanks so much for your reply, Carlos! I was searching for parts which fit into the bottom of the fuselage. I found all of them on Sprue C; tail wheel doors, radiator and radiator “door.” Any idea how C-22 fits, exactly?

The relevant details





Whoa! The internet is an amazing place!

[speedgraflex]