I did manage to get some time today to do a light coat of Rust-Oleum grey filter primer. This showed all the glue blobs and flaw. So I will need to sand, rinse ends repeat until I am satisfied with the results or am tired of the process.

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It is slow going in the winter waiting for weather to prime and paint in.

From the last post I sanded a lot of primer off with 200 grit sand paper. Waited for weather, then hit it again with gray primer. Closely inspecting the rocked caused me to grumble about the bumpiness of the joints and wood filler patches. More sanding followed, and priming when the weather permitted. The last priming was a light coat of gray, and then a light base coat of white primer. Followed by wet sanding with 400 grit paper.

Earlier in the week was a warm day, where I was able do a coat of white paint where needed to match the package paint scheme.

I have attach a picture of the edge masking for the blue paint I hope to do tomorrow. This is just 1/8 inches masking tape. I still need to rub the edge down, and mask the rest of the final white areas.

This is some tricky masking to mach the packaging. I hope it goes well!

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Nice work! It's coming along just fine.

Thank you for the words of encouragement. They were needed after unmasking the blue paint reveled unsatisfactory results. They were improved some with targeted sanding and some touch ups.

I proceded to mask, and paint the red last week. I have used Rustoleum 2X spray paints White, Apple Red, and Deep Blue Gloss. These seem to be a good match to the box, with the red maybe being a hint more orangy.

I followed the painting with 800 grit, and 1500 grit where needed, then applied some automotive polish before applying the decals. Lastly, applied and buffed out a coat of NuFinish for shine and protection.

Hopefully, I'll get to launch this new bird in March.

Overall this was a really fun build! I liked the complexity of the construction. With a little time I was able to prepare all the details very well and get the smooth. There were not any that were hard to reach, with the nosel removed. I did get tripped up on the masking, next time I will try some of the flexible Tamiya tape along with reading a practicing sealing the masking edges more.

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That looks like a great kit! You did an excellent job on the build! If I can ever get back in the flow I'll have to snag one of these! I currently have 2 large rockets and 2 blenders that have been sitting waiting for paint for months! I got some priming done a few weeks ago but haven't had time to continue.... I'll rectify that soon!

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SAM #0354

The Expedition looks like a really cool kit and you have really done fantastic work on yours. When I first saw this kit make its debut it made me think it would of looked at home in a Centuri catalog.

That turned out nice! Even better than mine.

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

I find the Expedition to be a somewhat strange design (I dunno, maybe it's the HoJo nose cone), but it does look like a very interesting build and yours came out great. Would like to see one in person.

It looks the result of the mating between between a Vostok and a HoJo (the HoJo must have used a chair--or something.)

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

In any case I assume there was a bit of HJNCSPEV action in there; John Boren has already abundantly shown his adeptness at reusing old nose cones in new designs. I wonder what else could be done with the top half of the rocket; might make an interesting kitbash.