Airfix Hawker Hunter F.6 1:48

Notice that the masking tape has left random marks on the surface, you should just be able to see them. This is intentional and great because it all helps later with random wear and tear to help create that authentic look I’m after.

I left everything overnight and returned for the final main paint job – the metallic undersides. RNAF Hunters look to be painted High Speed Silver (HSS) and not left in natural metal and so choice of Alclad2 lacquer comes next. I think that the manufacturer does now produce HSS in their range but I didn’t have any. No matter, I do have Duraluminium and Aluminium and they went on in this order.

All looks good but wait… damn! Can you see the faint ‘ghost seam line’ along the fuselage underside join. This is exactly what can happen when you push things along. Ideally I leave the model for at least 3 days after sticking the fuselage together before going anywhere near it for sanding and buffing. The glue takes longer to go off than you may think and I’m convinced this is what causes these ‘ghost seam lines’.

No matter, just a bit of a pain to mask out the centre section underneath and rub back the area to get rid of any sign of a join. Buff up using polishing buffers like the very nice ones from Ultimate MP.

Then it’s on with the black base again and when dry buff that back with MM cloth and then repeat the Alclad2 metallic painting.

Gloss varnish…