Global Scale Modeller

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 19, 2025 6:02 pm Beautiful work Kev. The turn out continues to be excellent and it looks awesome.

Thanks mate

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 19, 2025 6:02 pm You may have found Tamiya's Achilles Heal with the poor decals. With some kits, or ranges, their decals, for some reason, are just not up to it. When they bought out their flagships 1/32 WW2 aircraft range, the decals for the Spitfire and Mustang were terrible. I bought both kits and got my fingers burnt twice. Since then I've bought another Spit and Mustang along with a Corsair and Mossie. Aftermarket decals for all of them.

I've got all those kits in my stash, I'll have to look for AM decals too, any suggestions?

Its a pity theres so many issues with a kit of this price. Top line Tamiya is suffering because of accountants I would imagine.
Still, it looks totally awesome, you've done well with what you've had to work with.

Kevthemodeller wrote: Mon May 19, 2025 6:34 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 19, 2025 6:02 pm Beautiful work Kev. The turn out continues to be excellent and it looks awesome.

Thanks mate

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 19, 2025 6:02 pm You may have found Tamiya's Achilles Heal with the poor decals. With some kits, or ranges, their decals, for some reason, are just not up to it. When they bought out their flagships 1/32 WW2 aircraft range, the decals for the Spitfire and Mustang were terrible. I bought both kits and got my fingers burnt twice. Since then I've bought another Spit and Mustang along with a Corsair and Mossie. Aftermarket decals for all of them.

I've got all those kits in my stash, I'll have to look for AM decals too, any suggestions?

There's so much out there. Barracuda if you can get them but they're very popular, but as I say, loads to choose from.

Stokesy44 wrote: Tue May 20, 2025 7:34 am There's so much out there. Barracuda if you can get them but they're very popular, but as I say, loads to choose from.

I'll take a look at them

Ok so I had another go at trying to clean up the creased decals, some rubbing down and a few heavy clear coats. It's the best I can get it sort of a complete strip and either finding new decals or making some.


I was having to push myself to finish the bike, the decal issue really peeved me
Then this happened, I've no idea how looks like a spot of cement the only way to fix it would be a complete strip and repaint I just couldn't be arsed so it going to stay as it is.

Anyway I didn't bother photographing the building of the handle bars I just wanted the bike finished

Finished kit in the gallery is HERE

Sorry the decals have taken the wind out of yer sails.

It still looks awesome and while I know that's cold comfort, you've done a superb job with it.

Kev, I cannot see what your seeing from the photos. I think it looks great! I can totally relate to what your saying though when it comes to things like that. Its still a wonderful looking model so I say learn from it and move to your next enjoyable kit.

PS: Nice build string throughout.... thanks for sharing it with us.

Ben

Awesome build Kev,
I have really enjoyed reading about your journey with this kit, I have read, (or seen) somewhere that Tamiya deliberately made the decals thicker to accommodate the ridges caused by the dual layer paint job required on the body work. Not sure how true this is.
The extra time you have taken with the clear coat has really paid off, and I think the red white and blue is my favourite version.

I look forward to reading about your next project.

Best regards
Keith.

Hi,

Impressive kit!
Impressive build!
What a beauty on an exhibition table!

Awesome job!

Pascal

pg265 wrote: Sat Nov 01, 2025 8:12 am Hi,

Impressive kit!
Impressive build!
What a beauty on an exhibition table!

Awesome job!

Pascal

My god how did I miss this ??!!!
Superb work absolutely gorgeous
That blemish that peeved you is just some rookie who took it out for an unsupervised spin and dropped her on a rock.

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Nov 20, 2025 7:42 pm My god how did I miss this ??!!!
Superb work absolutely gorgeous
That blemish that peeved you is just some rookie who took it out for an unsupervised spin and dropped her on a rock.

Scott much appreciated

Kevthemodeller wrote: Thu Nov 20, 2025 7:57 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Nov 20, 2025 7:42 pm My god how did I miss this ??!!!
Superb work absolutely gorgeous
That blemish that peeved you is just some rookie who took it out for an unsupervised spin and dropped her on a rock.

Scott much appreciated

Yes well deserved applause on this build.
So sorry to not add my witty repartee all the way through your build..or maybe that was for the better