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Second Annual USAF Vietnam Group Build

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6:26 AM

Thanks Ken. Will have more pics shortly.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 10:24 AM

I had forgotten how somewhat complex the SEA scheme is, specially in 1/72 scale but it's finally on the Invader. I still have to go back and retouch here and there but needed to take a break after about 2 hours of free hand air brushing. Most of the preshading was lost to the multi paint scheme but is still slightly visible.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Commonwealth of Virginia
Posted by Tal Afar Dave on Thursday, January 15, 2015 7:29 PM

Plastic,

Looks like you nailed that SEA camo on your Invader.  Can't wait to see it all dressed out in its markings and ordinance!

TAD

2022 New Year's Resolution:  Enter 1 group build and COMPLETE a build this year!!  Why Photobucket did you rob me of my one Group Build Badge???  Must be part of the strong anti-Monogram cartel!!!

 ]

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, January 16, 2015 6:58 AM

Thanks TAD. These Nimrods did not have much in the way of markings except for the subdued tail codes. However, 646 (happens to be the one I'm modeling) had nose art on the starboard fuselage side above the nose wheel.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 10:26 AM

Some progress on my Invader. Got the huge props and under wing weapons sprayed. These Nimrods operated in darkness and had all of the under wing loads painted od or black.

Markings were very limited. TA 646 had nose art

Again I glossed up the tail for the lettering but it was apparent that silvering was going to ruin things. I carefully removed them while still wet and brushed on Future. The decals were then laid over the wet Future and another light coat was brushed on 3-4 minutes later. They dried overnight and they look painted on.

Wing walks in place

Now I will let the decals cure for a day or so and shoot some Alclad clear flat to kill the gloss.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • From: USA
Posted by Striker8241 on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 12:04 PM

Coming along nicely, PJ.  Looking good! Yes Yes

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 7:01 PM

Thanks  Striker!

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:41 PM

plasticjunkie

Some progress on my Invader. Got the huge props and under wing weapons sprayed. These Nimrods operated in darkness and had all of the under wing loads painted od or black.

Markings were very limited. TA 646 had nose art

Again I glossed up the tail for the lettering but it was apparent that silvering was going to ruin things. I carefully removed them while still wet and brushed on Future. The decals were then laid over the wet Future and another light coat was brushed on 3-4 minutes later. They dried overnight and they look painted on.

Wing walks in place

Now I will let the decals cure for a day or so and shoot some Alclad clear flat to kill the gloss.

Looking really nice there Plasticjunkie!  Fine job with the decals.  And it looks like you added some wash to bring out some detail.  It is coming along very good!  Yes  Yes 

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 10:40 PM

Thanks Ken. No wash but I used a dark umber Prismacolor pencil to lightly trace the recessed details leaving just a hint of dark color.

I'm also scratching out some very early M31 Cluster Bombs, otherwise called Funny Bombs by the Nimrods. They  were loaded in the bomb bay and were very effective against trucks and other vehicles on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I will post some pictures once the fins dry and both bombs are painted.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Thursday, January 22, 2015 8:20 PM

I went to my spares box looking for anything that looked like the body of the M31and found some left over parts from a completed armor kit that fit the bill. I used the tails from two M117's and glued them to the parts I found. Then went back to my scrap pe left over frets and using the Xuron shears, cut the pieces to make the semi circled tail fins that were glued on after being bent to shape over a drill bit. I used a diagram from one of the B-26K sites as a guide and it looks pretty close to the prototype.

The M31's were assembled as described above and ready for paint.

The completed cluster bombs

Got all the armament ready to be mounted.

These Nimrods could deliver a very impressive blow.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • From: USA
Posted by Striker8241 on Thursday, January 22, 2015 9:54 PM

Hey, nice kit bashing and scratch building there on those M31s, PJ!  The Nimrods were like twin engine Sandies with all the ordinance they could carry. Your build is turning into one super fine and unique model!

BTW, here is a link to their history with the 609th SOS (my apologies PJ if you've already provided this link).

napoleon130.tripod.com/id119.html

Cheers,

Russ

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Thursday, January 22, 2015 10:12 PM

Thanks  for your comments Striker. and thanks for the link.

As a matter of fact, the Invader I'm modeling happens to be Major James E. Sizemore's aircraft, and there is an update to the crew's missing  bodies. I will cover that once she is completed.  

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Friday, January 23, 2015 5:54 AM

plasticjunkie

I went to my spares box looking for anything that looked like the body of the M31and found some left over parts from a completed armor kit that fit the bill. I used the tails from two M117's and glued them to the parts I found. Then went back to my scrap pe left over frets and using the Xuron shears, cut the pieces to make the semi circled tail fins that were glued on after being bent to shape over a drill bit. I used a diagram from one of the B-26K sites as a guide and it looks pretty close to the prototype.

The M31's were assembled as described above and ready for paint.

The completed cluster bombs

Got all the armament ready to be mounted.

These Nimrods could deliver a very impressive blow.

Hi Plasticjunkie,

Great work there on those cluster bombs!  And thank you for providing the details you used to make them!  You are showing a lot of heart and soul making this project.  Yes  Yes 

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, January 23, 2015 10:46 PM

Some progress here. All the hardpoints received their loads and the bay doors went on. The extra hand gizmo comes in very handy holding parts at the correct angle. Those M31s look very cool in the bomb bay.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Saturday, January 24, 2015 5:13 PM

plasticjunkie

Some progress here. All the hardpoints received their loads and the bay doors went on. The extra hand gizmo comes in very handy holding parts at the correct angle. Those M31s look very cool in the bomb bay.

Nice work once again Plasticjunkie!  Yes  Yes  I agree with you, those bombs do look very cool!  Smile 

Ken

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: USA
Posted by mailwalker on Sunday, January 25, 2015 8:57 AM

Everyone's builds are looking great. I've been looking in periodically. Haven't gotten much progress done in the past several weeks, as we've been at or below freezing (difficult to airbrush outside), and a slew of other distractions. Hopefully I'll be back at it soon, as I got some really great kits waiting in the lineup.

It doesn't matter that you ARE the best, but that you DID your best!

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, January 26, 2015 8:29 AM

Thanks Ken!

My Invader is finally done and here is a little info on my Counter Invader:

This particular aircraft was an A-26A, ex-4435375 that served in the Congo as RF 646 in 1964. Was transferred to the 609th SOS, SEA on 3-67 and was lost in combat on 7-8-69.

On the night of July 8th 1969, TA 646 flown by Major Elmo Sizemore hit a stone outcropping in the Plaine des Jarres in Laos, after making a strafing run on the VC, killing all aboard.

Major Sizemore and Navigator Major Howard Andre were the last Nimrod crew to perish in Viet Nam. The crash site was located in 2012 and the remains of both airmen were recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery the following year.

The final touches were done including the missing red light on the top of the tail fin and the wing tip lights. I found some self adhesive custom jewelry multi colored stones at Hobby Lobby a while back and had them in my junk box. They come in different sizes that looked very close to what I needed. Using a #11 blade, I carefully sliced the stones I needed for the lights and applied clear red and green Tamiya acrylic paint to make the colors a bit more brilliant then attached them to their respective locations.

The stones

Tail light and wire

Wingtip light

The strakes are just ahead of the front bay area. These strips dropped down once the bay doors were opened to create turbulence to prevent the bombs from sticking to their mounts at above 240 knots.

Unit patches of the 609th SOS

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: USA
Posted by mailwalker on Monday, January 26, 2015 5:27 PM

Nice looking Invader, Plasticjunkie. I like it.

It doesn't matter that you ARE the best, but that you DID your best!

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, January 26, 2015 8:50 PM

Thanks mailwalker

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Monday, January 26, 2015 8:53 PM

plasticjunkie

Thanks Ken!

My Invader is finally done and here is a little info on my Counter Invader:

This particular aircraft was an A-26A, ex-4435375 that served in the Congo as RF 646 in 1964. Was transferred to the 609th SOS, SEA on 3-67 and was lost in combat on 7-8-69.

On the night of July 8th 1969, TA 646 flown by Major Elmo Sizemore hit a stone outcropping in the Plaine des Jarres in Laos, after making a strafing run on the VC, killing all aboard.

Major Sizemore and Navigator Major Howard Andre were the last Nimrod crew to perish in Viet Nam. The crash site was located in 2012 and the remains of both airmen were recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery the following year.

The final touches were done including the missing red light on the top of the tail fin and the wing tip lights. I found some self adhesive custom jewelry multi colored stones at Hobby Lobby a while back and had them in my junk box. They come in different sizes that looked very close to what I needed. Using a #11 blade, I carefully sliced the stones I needed for the lights and applied clear red and green Tamiya acrylic paint to make the colors a bit more brilliant then attached them to their respective locations.

The stones

Tail light and wire

Wingtip light

The strakes are just ahead of the front bay area. These strips dropped down once the bay doors were opened to create turbulence to prevent the bombs from sticking to their mounts at above 240 knots.

Unit patches of the 609th SOS

Great job Plasticjunkie!  It looks fantastic!  Yes  Yes  And thank you for the history on it.  Great build!  The front page has been updated!

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 8:20 AM

Thanks Ken!

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: USA
Posted by mailwalker on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 6:05 PM

Well, not that this progress is going to impress everyone, but it is progress. I installed the external fuel tanks. I did this before paint because there was a huge gap in the middle of the pylons, and I was afraid that the glue wouldn't hold after paint. It took alot of pressure to get the gap to close. I mean alot of pressure! My hand cramped, on each tank.

And here is how the front console looks installed. I realize I need to paint the top portion black, I believe. Overall I am satisfied with the console, the way the dial faces and things turned out. 

It's taking awhile, but I will make it by the end of this buildSnail

It doesn't matter that you ARE the best, but that you DID your best!

 

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 6:27 PM

mailwalker

Well, not that this progress is going to impress everyone, but it is progress. I installed the external fuel tanks. I did this before paint because there was a huge gap in the middle of the pylons, and I was afraid that the glue wouldn't hold after paint. It took alot of pressure to get the gap to close. I mean alot of pressure! My hand cramped, on each tank.

And here is how the front console looks installed. I realize I need to paint the top portion black, I believe. Overall I am satisfied with the console, the way the dial faces and things turned out. 

It's taking awhile, but I will make it by the end of this buildSnail

Hi Mailwalker!

Your build is coming along nicely!  And I agree, that instrument panel looks great!  Yes  Yes 

No problem on speed on this group build.  Just have fun!  Smile 

Ken

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • From: USA
Posted by Striker8241 on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 2:45 PM

plasticjunkie

Thanks Ken!

My Invader is finally done and here is a little info on my Counter Invader:

This particular aircraft was an A-26A, ex-4435375 that served in the Congo as RF 646 in 1964. Was transferred to the 609th SOS, SEA on 3-67 and was lost in combat on 7-8-69.

On the night of July 8th 1969, TA 646 flown by Major Elmo Sizemore hit a stone outcropping in the Plaine des Jarres in Laos, after making a strafing run on the VC, killing all aboard.

Major Sizemore and Navigator Major Howard Andre were the last Nimrod crew to perish in Viet Nam. The crash site was located in 2012 and the remains of both airmen were recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery the following year.

The final touches were done including the missing red light on the top of the tail fin and the wing tip lights. I found some self adhesive custom jewelry multi colored stones at Hobby Lobby a while back and had them in my junk box. They come in different sizes that looked very close to what I needed. Using a #11 blade, I carefully sliced the stones I needed for the lights and applied clear red and green Tamiya acrylic paint to make the colors a bit more brilliant then attached them to their respective locations.

The stones

Tail light and wire

Wingtip light

The strakes are just ahead of the front bay area. These strips dropped down once the bay doors were opened to create turbulence to prevent the bombs from sticking to their mounts at above 240 knots.

Unit patches of the 609th SOS

Great job on your Invader, PJ! Thanks for the tip on adding those nav lights. I'm going to remember that.

Cheers,

Russ

 

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • From: USA
Posted by Striker8241 on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 2:59 PM

Looks like you're making good progress there, MW. The cockpit detail is looking really good. Keep up the good work!

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Thursday, January 29, 2015 8:48 PM

Thanks Russ!

mailwalker

Your Hun is shaping up nice.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Thursday, February 12, 2015 7:36 PM

Hi Everyone,

It has been a while since I have posted anything here!

I just wanted to pass along some info on a great reference book if you are into the Voodoo like I am!  It is a new book called "The F-101 Voodoo:  An Illustrated History of McDonnell's Heavyweight Fighter" by Ronald Easley.  I just received it today and have not had a chance to read it, but it is chocked full of color photographs.

It is also full of information about the Voodoo's life, from birth to death.  This includes the RF-101C that served in Vietnam.

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Saturday, February 14, 2015 5:18 PM

Hi Everyone,

Sprue Brothers finally received more of the Zotz 1/32 "F-4E Phantom II:  Part 2" decals so I was able to order a set. 

 

Ken 

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Thursday, February 19, 2015 8:03 PM

Hi Everyone,

Here is a great article about for once a plane returning to service FROM the boneyard!  And it is a B-52!

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/i-ll-be-damned-these-boneyard-b-52s-can-still-fly-4eec4c8bf5cf 

Ken

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: USA
Posted by mailwalker on Saturday, February 21, 2015 8:30 PM

Finally got some free time and got a little more done on the F-100D. Installed the cockpit, joined the fuselage halves,wings, nose and exhaust. Nothing really lined up perfectly, so looks like quite a bit of sanding in my future. Any tips on sanding seams while not losing detail in the immediate area will be appreciated! 

Will this be of any use for filling some of the unevenes along the seams, and a gap along the wing roots?

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=87075

I have it, never used it. I also have their putty. Have never used it either.

Still on the learning curve of producing better models.Embarrassed

At least it's starting to look like something that could fly.Smile

Thanks for the help folks, and everyone elses builds look great.Yes

It doesn't matter that you ARE the best, but that you DID your best!

 

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