bhop

I live in an apartment in Los Angeles with neighbors all around. I paint inside (by a window) and nobody's ever complained of noise. I own the Iwata SprintJet, which I think is around $149 on dixieart. It's pretty quiet, has a built in moisture trap, and is well worth the price, especially since it costs twice as much everywhere else, and also considering how much I use it (which is a helluva lot). I personally wouldn't waste time with a refillable tank. Although I don't know how valid my opinion is since I haven't actually used one, I imagine the pressure wouldn't stay steady as you use the air inside up (edit: actually, wm seems to have mentioned that up there), plus the whole, taking it down to the station to refill it all the time seems like a pain in the butt.

I own an Iwata HP-BS ($105 on dixieart) and it's by far the best airbrush i've ever used, easy to clean (just takes about 4-5 minutes for a thourough cleaning.) The quality of the brush is excellent and it's also extremely easy to use. Even my girl who had never touched an airbrush in her life got excellent results shading on a model. You really just can't go wrong with the Iwata.

Possibly, one of the rules I live by is never paint when it's raining. Humidity is bad for paint, among other things, it can also keep paint from drying properly. Also, did you prime your model? If not, did you at least wash the plastic?

Some guy over at another message board said his dad or uncle or something was a chemist so he asked him to check out the differences between Tamiya thinner, and 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. The conclusion was that it was pretty much the same thing. If you smell both bottles, you get the same smell. Exactly the same smell.. I've been using 91% alcohol with the exact same results as Tamiya thinner. The only difference is in my wallet. Tamiya thinner = 46ml $3.00 91% Isopropyl Alcohol = 473ml $1.50 I don't really know how you manage to get a bottle of thinner to last 5 years. I go through the big alcohol bottle within a few months, but I also use it for cleaning too.

I use a fat paintbrush. It's a little softer than a toothbrush, but I guess either would work.

Hey guys, I was there and saw both of his winning models in person. His photos are great and do a really good job of showing what his models really look like, although when you see it in person, it's a whole different experience and you can truly appreciate the large scale of the dioramas.

I think the Hasegawa Battroid would be an easier build than the fighter versions. I haven't built mine yet, but i've heard that a lot of it actually snaps, kinda like a Gundam, but I can't back that up...since I haven't even really checked it out, just shoved it in the closet with all my other unbuilt junk..

I can honestly say, that in my opinion, that's the best Valk model that i've ever seen, including the ones i've seen in hobby mags.

Amazing.. I wish I could say more, but i'm practically speechless. Can't wait to see your 'sunny' pics. I hope mine comes out as well. Although it'll be awhile till i'm able to build it.

Man.. this is my favorite piece from you so far. I may not post much, but i've followed most of your buildup threads. This model is proof that practice does help. You just keep getting better. Anyways.. For the tires, i'd just sand it a little at a time and occasionally set the tire on a flat surface to test it out. It's best to do too little than too much. Once it's on the plane you may have to touch it up a bit. I actually used this method on my own VF1A. I think it worked out ok.

I do agree with you there, that it's overdone a lot of times. I just think it's a shame for such flawless work otherwise to miss this tiny detail, tiny as it is, it can add a lot to the realism. (and I do consider WM's work to be flawless..dang, it's awesome.. )

I love your models, and pretty much feel like you're my aircraft modeling hero. Your stuff always seems so perfect when complete. There is thing that nearly ruins it for me though, and that's the perfectly round tires. It just kills the scale to see all that weight sitting on the tips of perfectly round tires when the weight of the plane should be pushing the tire down. (just look at your car for a real life example) or here's a pic to see what I mean on a real plane...