Appreciate the info Jean, I think I will get it as a xmas presentvfor myself. 
Wow, that is a very detailed process. I’m looking for a better way than what I’m doing because, for some reason, I have not been able to 100% cut the tape cleanly on the glass like the youtubers make it look so easy. The kit I’m working on now, I bought a vinyl mask and it was great but at $15 for a little piece of tape, I’d like to figure out a better way.
@cbaltrin what is linkscape? Are you using a vinyl cutter/printer?
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She is finished, and after several late-game errors on my part, I’m calling this build done. I haven’t been overly impressed with a few other Finemold builds in the past, but this kit was decent. Not Tamiya good, but decent. A bulk of the kit fit nicely, but the fuselage side window parts took a lot of finesse and sanding to eliminate the steps. The decals were good, not great, but overall, I would recommend building the kit. (If you want to avoid the natural metal finish, the offer two other variants in camouflage. (If you do your homework, this aircraft, closer to the start of the war, was repainted after the military took control back from the newspaper that owned her.
The only outside the box I used was the window masking by Dead Design Models. After loosing the antenna mast, I had to make a new one from brass. Oh, I didn’t notice a couple of slight sink marks near the nose until I was almost finished. I’ll try and remember that for the future.
I have another kit in the stash, and at some point in the future, I may build this again. 
Wrink
PS, This may be a first finishing a kit this early.
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Looks great! I have built the same kit and it was a fun time. Wished they allowed an open canopy option.
Wow, she is beautiful! Congratulations on a show ready build.
Very nice. The prewar livery is cool.
Ahoy Wrinkledm. Very nice. Paint job and finish is super. I’ve always wanted to do this airplane. I’ve got it in my stash and you’ve inspired me to dig it out. Thank you for posting this one.
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Under the category of better late then never, the long awaited F-4EJ Kai has begun.
With the paint curing on the F-86 in the background, I’ve decided to begin the F-4. It’s extremely unlikely, we’ll not not at all likely, that I’ll finish this beauty before the end of the month, but I’m going to see how far it goes and share my exploits along the way. And who knows, there might be an extension?
I have more AM parts on this one than I’ve ever tried, so that is going to be interesting.
I think this is going to be a fun one, but I promise not to send updates out every night… Mostly.
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Looking forward to seeing updates …
Wanted to see how the Hasegawa F4 goes together. Was thinking of a Vietnam era build, but not sure what model would be correct for the time.
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I’ve done a couple of the 1/48 hasegawa F-4 kits. They go together pretty nicely. Their F-4J (Navy & Marines) showtime 100 boxing is a good Navy Vietnam subject - when Cunningham & Driscoll earned their ace status. I’ve also got the F-4E (Airforce) I’ll be doing as “Chico the gunfighter” - The Story of Chico the Gunfighter, the very unique Gun-Podded, Stormy Fast FAC F-4E Phantom II used during the Vietnam War - The Aviation Geek Club
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That’s an interesting read. 
thanks for the link
Very nice looking build @Wrinkledm and very sharp looking paint job! How did you like those dead design masks?
@Samphoto , Better get those burners lit! 
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I’ve more done than you, Sam, but I’m also staring at a looming deadline and wondering if I’ll make it. Maybe @cbaltrin can be convinced that if 10-20% already started was acceptable to join, maybe 80-90% finished is enough to warrant a … short? … extension… 
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FYI, I am currently working on a badge for this group build; however it does not seem like this new forum format supports badges? Nonetheless, I will post a badge for those who are interested in badges.
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Badges? BADGES?!? We don…yeah, yeah, nevermind.
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ahhhh you beat me to it!
I need my stinking badges!
I’m sure I’m not, I spent half an hour last night scraping off the details on the instrument panel in preparation for New PE stuff. I still have several to go, that that rate, I might not have the wings on by new years.
Let’s hope @cbaltrin will take pity on us.
No worries. You can always finish late. Or you can carry over your build to the Japanese Group Build XV 
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