This will be my entry, if nothing terminal happens during the finishing process. This is the old AMT/ERTL boxed kit of the 1/72 Northrup B-49 Flying Wing. I must say that for an old kit, it has not had one fitment issue. I have built newer kits offered by more 'prestigious' manufacturers that hade more fitment issues than this one. There is more excess flash present then we see in newer kit but is easily delt with. For a 1/72 scale aircraft, the cockpit has alot of detail that, unfortunately will barely be seen. I will be doing the bare metal finish using the Alclad process, by the 'book'. Meaning, I will be following the Alclad instuctions, both the video and printed instructions. I say this because of our recent discussion at the club meeting on this subject of metallizing and the products to accomplish a good durable finish. My intent is to build a Tu-95MS with a metalized finish but utilizing a less expensive, easier to apply and reportedly more durable method. Mean while back at the Wing.

After assembling, little to no fillers were required. I did spend much more time polishing all the joints and surfaces. I used MicroMesh polishing cloths thru the range 4000-12000. I used the Alclad Black Primer Microfiller. Alclad says to put 2 thin coats on, sanding with 4000-8000 Micro Mesh. This is the point I am at presently and reflected in the below photos of the first coat primer, pre-sanding. One thing I would like to add, a model this size really requires using a small spray gun to get a good even base coat. You will note in the photo below of the 1st coat of primer that it was applied with an air brush and not a spray gun. I do have a spray gun that I have not attempted to use yet but it is the plan to try it out soon, possibly on the Tu-95. Please check out Paul Budzig on You Tube on the subject of Airbrushes Vs. small spray guns, it is insightful.