The Obsession Begins..

An internet enquirer recently asked me what I did for a living, when I was not making models. The answer is - make models! This is my profession, my job, and it pays the bills.
When I was six, my grandad bought me my first 'Fixit' kit, a 1:600 scale Airfix Destroyer. I was hooked. At 2 shillings for an Airfix kit in a bag and sixpence for a tin of paint, I could do a lot of damage for five bob! As I got older, I did develop the occasional tangential interest in the opposite sex, and cars, as men will, but models have been the one consistency in my life. Usually model-building and women do not go well together - something about the dust and the bits of sprue that end up in a shoe, and the glue on my clothes. Women want ALL your time and attention, and I have another mistress.
My wife, however, is different. She does not consider my model-building to be her arch-nemesis. In her view, when I'm working, she knows exactly where I am. I am allowed to rub down joints and seams in the living room, on the settee, whilst watching TV. She is a woman to be worshipped and cosseted. She has just got her degree, First Class with Honours, and I have been able to reward her support for me with the same encouragement and belief in her.
This year, for the first time, I have moved into a room which is purpose-designed for model-building, with an array of work benches and light points, and endless storage for books and equipment. I am a lucky man.

The decals are a bit unresponsive and just want to lie there. However, a bottle of decal setting solution and a little persistence ensures a proper fit.
A second coat of gloss varnish now seals the decals and the following day it's ready to have its panel lines inked in. A medium brown matt paint was used for this job, and the panel lines are mostly deep enough to be effective.
Moving swiftly on, it's time for the final varnish stage where the gloss gives way to matt. This blends in the assorted textures on the model. The uniformity of finish really brings it all together. On drying out thoroughly, the model is ready to accept the balance of the parts. This was mostly accomplished without incident.
I decided to fit all of the underwing stores including two 250lb bombs, eight five inch HVARs and a 150 gallon drop tank. The rockets have their pylons moulded on, so may not be fitted separately. They are not a great moulding, but a good job can really make a difference.

Before closing, I must say that the undercarriage assembly is about the best moulding I've seen in this class - crisp detail and a positive fit. It can all be installed towards the end of the build, contrary to advice given in the instructions.
It's taken around 28 hours to complete. A very enjoyable 28 hours. There were some fit problems here and there and a couple of areas requiring filler, but these are minor problems, and a first timer would have no difficulty in building a lovely representation of this great aircraft.