SPA Modeler

This one is just about done. Clear dull coat is on. A couple minor details to do tomorrow before the big reveal to George when I present it to him later in the evening.

I agree. Academy decals do suck and very fragile - especially with 1/144 scale decals. Working on all those NO STEP stenciling is enough to make you go blind. I’m just glad it’s 99.999999999% done.

Medicman71 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 8:30 pm Nice save! Academy decals suck!!! Lately, they've been using Cartograph on some kits. Clearly that was not one of them.

Academy decals are hit or miss in my experience. When they are a miss, their biggest problem is lack of adhesion. The second is some translucency. But I’ve actually had more success with their decals than failures. And compared to some older Monogram and Revell decals I won’t gripe too much. The ones on my current Stuart project worked exactly as they should have.

Finally finished. Will deliver to George later tonight as his birthday present. He turned 84 or 85 yesterday.

That's a great looking build Tom and really nice of you to build it for a friend.