Thanks Joe!  I consider you one of the really masterful modelers around here; that praise makes me feel good.  I really appreciate your kind comments.

Gary

I've been thinking about the different paints I have used for a NMF bird.  The first was Monogram's 1/48 P-51D in Humbrol MetalCote polished aluminum back in 1989.  I've also used Floquil Old Silver on the Monogram MiG-15, Testors Nieuport Type 17 and Testors Supermarine S.6B racer (still unphotographed), and Floquil Bright Silver on my Testors F-104 and F-5A.  SnJ was used on this F-80 and my Monogram F-86.  I really need to try some Alclad for the next "unpainted" build.   Gettin' itchy to try that...

Gary

Jim Barton

Beautiful natural metal finish!

 

Thank you Jim!  I appreciate that a lot sir.

Gary

Beautiful natural metal finish!

"Hahaha. Im trying to picture this scene."

Indiana Jones?  I think I saw that one!

GMorrison

"Now this ain't no *** " story I heard from a jet jockey. One emptied, the other didn't but would not be released. Guy opens the canopy and shoots a bunch of holes in it with his .45.

 

 

"Your build is no less a stunner Tex. I think I'd be just fine with the Monogram kit if I can turn out something even approaching what you've done. Bare metal finishes are scary!!"

I am trully humbled by those kind comments.  You will turn out beautiful metal finishes!

Gary

Texgunner

 

 

suomi39

Great work on this one. My grandpa transitioned from F-51s to these, flying strategic air defense stateside in the 50s, so obviously I need to build one someday. Would you recommend this kit? Or is there a better F-80 kit out there? 

 

 

 

 

Thanks suomi39 (big fan of the M-39 Finn?  Or, obviously, the Suomi!  Me too!)!  Yeah, that's a great family connection, you just gotta build one for sure.  It seems that the old Monogram kits may be most accurate.  As you can see from Mr. Steinbrun's YP-80A above, it can produce a stunning model.  I really haven't looked at any of the other P-(F?)80 kits so I can give much of an answer.

Gary

 

Ha! Thanks -- I am indeed a fan of anything Finnish and WWII related (or earlier for that matter). Odd how we get dialed in to specific periods/subjects.

Your build is no less a stunner Tex. I think I'd be just fine with the Monogram kit if I can turn out something even approaching what you've done. Bare metal finishes are scary!! 

bvallot

Holy crap Tex! I just took a peek at her...you should do it. =]  Sounds like a lot to drop, but she looks gorgeous.  I would even have to jump ship and go auto for a few months. lol  Seems like a NMF to me.  I say bring it!  In the rules it talks only of aircraft, but I don't think it would be problem to squeeze in something that beautiful.  

 

Isn't that a great looking model?  I've never spent that kinda dough on any model before.  That investment alone might be the motivation I'd need to get it finished.  In fact, I love their '54 Ferrari PanaAmericana racer too.  That might be a hard choice!  Man, one could wind up sinking some serious ducats on those kits...

Mike (Buckeye), thanks brother!  I appreciate that a lot.

Nathan, thanks for the kind words my friend.  I had hell getting that gunbay door in place.  There just wasn't much room for a good purchase for the glue, and I was afraid I'd smear glue all over the NMF with my clumsy work.  The copper wire worked great, though I'm sure it's not all that accurate.  But, hey, that's not the first time I've done somethng like that and won't be the last either!  Thanks again!

Gamera, thank you too!  Comments like these from great model builders like you guys mean the world to me.  And, they inspire me to get off my butt, and start building.

suomi39

Great work on this one. My grandpa transitioned from F-51s to these, flying strategic air defense stateside in the 50s, so obviously I need to build one someday. Would you recommend this kit? Or is there a better F-80 kit out there? 

 

Thanks suomi39 (big fan of the M-39 Finn?  Or, obviously, the Suomi!  Me too!)!  Yeah, that's a great family connection, you just gotta build one for sure.  It seems that the old Monogram kits may be most accurate.  As you can see from Mr. Steinbrun's YP-80A above, it can produce a stunning model.  I really haven't looked at any of the other P-(F?)80 kits so I can give much of an answer.

Gary

She's another fine lookin' bird Gary! 

I have one in my stash but I keep reaching for a new Tamiya or Hasegawa kit. I know Hans would slap me... 

Great work Gary. That Gun panel is right on! Don't see any modeled with that open. I believe SNJ is gone because Hawkeye Voight quit his business. Nothing due to regs that I know of. 

suomi39

Great work on this one. My grandpa transitioned from F-51s to these, flying strategic air defense stateside in the 50s, so obviously I need to build one someday. Would you recommend this kit? Or is there a better F-80 kit out there? 

 

Well there is the Hobbyboss kit, but it is exspensive and like all Hobbyboss jet kits, they got the intake shape grossly wrong

Nice job on this kit, very realistic finish.

Mike

Holy crap Tex! I just took a peek at her...you should do it. =]  Sounds like a lot to drop, but she looks gorgeous.  I would even have to jump ship and go auto for a few months. lol  Seems like a NMF to me.  I say bring it!  In the rules it talks only of aircraft, but I don't think it would be problem to squeeze in something that beautiful.  

bvallot

Sweet build Tex! You oughta' come over to the NMF GB happening right now and bring something fresh out onto the bench. =]

 

Thanks Brett, that's a great compliment.  You are so right, I do need to start  something fresh.  I was talking to my wife about that just last night.  I'm in a terrible modeling slump at the moment. I have three stalled aircraft builds right now.

As for the NMF GB, would a 1/24 1936 Auto Union C qualify?   I'm struggling over whether to drop $170 for a resin kit on Ebay.  It would be silver of course!  Man, with that much scratch invested, I would have to build it.

Thanks again, Gary

Great work on this one. My grandpa transitioned from F-51s to these, flying strategic air defense stateside in the 50s, so obviously I need to build one someday. Would you recommend this kit? Or is there a better F-80 kit out there? 

Sweet build Tex! You oughta' come over to the NMF GB happening right now and bring something fresh out onto the bench. =]

BrandonK

That looks really nice for an older kit. Great job. But, you need to speak to the crew cheif and let him know that there is a massive hydraulic leak that needs his attention.

BK

 

Thanks Brandon!  Yeah, that stain is from a radial-engined crop-duster that parks out there.   

That looks really nice for an older kit. Great job. But, you need to speak to the crew cheif and let him know that there is a massive hydraulic leak that needs his attention.

BK

GMorrison

Somewhere Hans is smiling.

Have you ever heard what happened to ol' Hans?

 

"Now this ain't no *** " story I heard from a jet jockey. One emptied, the other didn't but would not be released. Guy opens the canopy and shoots a bunch of holes in it with his .45.

   While full o' fuel?!?!  Uh oh. 

 

crown r n7

Snj is no longer available. so called hazardous to your health

 

I thought so...just another brick in the wall.  Thanks to our Nanny State.

Toshi

Nice build, I especially love the background!

Toshi

 

Thanks Toshi!  I love how they look at the airport too.

Snj is no longer available. so called hazardous to your health

Nice build, I especially love the background!

Toshi

Thanks guys, I'm glad you like her!

Mike, I've never used Alclad so I can't make a comparison.  I don't believe SnJ is still available, or is it?  At any rate, I think it's a great paint and really easy to use.  I have  one unopened bottle that I'm hoarding.

I don't really think it's a dumb kit. Old yes, maybe a couple fit issues but some "modern" kits have those too.  Like many Monogram models, there is a lot of bang for the buck.    A friend from another model forum has Bob Steinbrun's YP-80 in his collection now and he kindly sent me a bunch of pics of that masterpiece.  I would post a couple here but they make my bird look pretty shabby...oh, what the hell!  I hope Bob doesn't mind if he should happen upon them.

Somewhere Hans is smiling.

Great job on a dumb old model.

I was at an airshow where they had a T-33 with it's radio bay open.

My buddy Airman Jim told the guy, "I could rebuild that ARC-3 crystal set for you".

"Sure, that'd be swell, but who'd be out there to listen ?".

Those tip tanks weren't really drop tanks. They were prefered to stay on the aircraft. They made the plane fly poorly if one emptied and the other stayed full. In that case they could be jettisoned.

"Now this ain't no *** " story I heard from a jet jockey. One emptied, the other didn't but would not be released. Guy opens the canopy and shoots a bunch of holes in it with his .45.

Looks great! As has been said - good photography as well. Do you prefer SnJ or Alclad? I've not used either but just ordered some Alclad for my P-47M when I get around to building it.

Mike