OK here we are, I'm calling the paint job DONE warts and all, here it is! Alclad II is a very unforgiving paint to say the least- My last prime coat looked near perfect Sunday when I started squirting the Dark Aluminum, man that expensive paint took me to school. It magnified every blemish , scratch and whatever. I tried filling some items but had to drag myself away for fear of damaging the build itself.

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As you can see, the front took some damage from masking, maybe this will even out during the cure?

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It does have a good side, the right side! It came out near perfect, though this is not the side that will be shown...

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Left side is very presentable, but has some issues with the thickening of the wing ect..

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And finally the rear, here my amateurism becomes apparent, look at the left and then the right- the lower curves are uneven, nitpicking? YES! The body was assembled top first then the bottom in thin sheets (around .20 thick) that were clamped together. This was problematic as I intentionally made the sides unequal and then fixed this using the top and bottom as a guide. It worked, though not as great as i hoped.

For my first ground up scratch build I am pleased, my next one will be better I hope.  she'll rest a day or so an then I'll start applying the art.

After doing this, I think scratch building is the way to go. Not a bad ending to a year of returning to models after a decade break! Enjoy CR  :drinks