Don't forget to talk us through how you do the natural metal band on the cowling.  And I shall now start putting more coats of klear on my models before progressing.  One or maybe two had done me until now!

Hi All,
Well the metal cowling fixing is attached and the exhaust ports have been touched in.
At this stage there is no weathering, so the exhaust ports appear too bright, but once toned down and matt varnish applied it will look a lot better.
The metal ring is that. Cooking foil cut into a thin strip then a thumb nail drawn along its length to make it smooth. The side shown is the 'Dull side' the reverse 'Bright Side' is far too shiny to be in keeping. In fact the metal ring will also need some light toning down during weathering process.
The foil was attached simply by applying 'Kleer' to the moulded ring then laying on the foil around the fuselage, trimming to length, and then another coat of 'Kleer' over the foil to seal it.
It is a little fiddly to do, but worth it.
Some pictures follow:-
Next decaling and weathering.
Bigkev

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Hi All,
Just to show that still progressing with 'Rata'. I have now applied all decals, and only a couple of small areas where I need to deal with silvering, on the tail numbers, and fuselage inscription.
I have now pricked and re-applied Micro Sol where necessary and think that will do the trick.
Weathering will be next.
Bigkev

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..out of my league....

That is looking great, you are getting lots of hits on this one Kevin.

A few pictures to show process of applying Dark Wash to panel lines and 'Oil Paint' filters to break up top surface finish.
Flory Wash is applied allowed to dry and then excess removed by a damp brush/cotton bud.
The Oil Colour Filters are literally small 'dots' of paint applied randomly then drawn back using adry brush/cotton bud. If it goes wrong remove the paint with a damp turpentine loaded brush, allow to air dry then start again. Practice and very small amounts of paint are the key here.
Enjoy!
Bigkev

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More pics:-
Bigkev

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Are you taking it to the Northern Model show?

Sadly No..........

Still work to do on it, and work and family commitments( I've got a wedding coming up) means I am not able to finish it in time.
I'd rather take time to finish it rather than trying to rush and spoil it.
It will appear, I promise.
Bigkev 

...and my learning curve goes vertical once again...thanks Kevin

Very nice dirt, fits very well to the plane!

Thanks Gents,

Hopefully will get it finished very soon, just need to add all the fiddly bits and a final coat of varnish.

Bigkev

Hi All,

Well finally its over, finished today at last.

Model now done, worst bit of last leg was getting undercarriage doors in place, requiring two pairs of hands to complete.
Sprayed with Vallejo Matt varnish to seal everything then canopy attached last. For pitot tube I used 2 sizes  Albion Alloys hollow aluminium tubing, gave a very neat finish to this part, recommended to all.
Some pictures of finished model attached.
Bigkev


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Positive stroking aside, it looks good.

I agree with Zak, surprising how the varnish seem to bring everything together.
Haddock.