Hey, Mark and Dave!
Dave, the kit goes together really well. the cockpit is a bit "busy," so I'd suggest that you first determine what extra bits and bobs you want to fit, then work out a plan to fit them, then start the build. I didn't, started, and
then decided to fit the rudder control cables, by which time I had the rigged side panels in place. It was just so much fun trying to chivvy my lengths of EZ Line from back to front along the minimal space between the side panels and the fuel tank! The only other minor problem I had was that the assembly didn't fit exactly into the fuselage: I got very small gaps at the front of the structure. But they were easily filled with thin white glue.
Mark, I really like Xtracolor, even though it takes a day or so to dry. I work this requirement into my schedule: paint one day, do other things on the build the next, and continue painting the day following. I usually use a 2:1 ratio of thinner to paint, with the thinner being lacquer thinner. This lays down good coverage, virtually no puddles (unless I'm particularly stupid) and the paint is pretty much dry the next day. BTW, I've tried the Xtracolor thinner, and that does require care in spraying because it does not "gas off" as fast as lacquer thinner, and so you have a much better chance of "puddling." I've used it from a 2:1 ratio down to about 7:1 for shading, applied at about 16-18 psi through an Iwata HP-C airbrush. Here's a photo:
Everything you see on this Spitfire is painted on, less the stencilling: cam pattern, weathering, squadron codes, serial numbers, national markings...everything, all with Xtracolor. For me, it just really works well. I do have other paints in the armoury, though: Modelmaster,Tamiya, Gunze, White Ensign, Alclad 2, Testors and Misterkit. I use these for specific builds or particular details, and they work all right for me. But if I were to go with just one line, it would be Xtracolor. Unfortunately, I have to buy it from the UK. Fortunately, having attended a few UK Nationals, I have enough here to float your normal-sized RCN corvette! Hope this blathering helps a bit!
PS: The Spit is a Canadian subject, and the Spitfire ale just sort of "turned up...!"
