OFFICAL NO AFTERMARKET Group Build

Heh vetteman42!

Being a excellent host of GB's I humbly ask to join if crossovers are allowed. I signed up for the 38(t) GB with a 1/72 scale Italeri Hetzer, had planned on building it OOB... who am I kidding? I can't and will scratch build something IE skirt armor, possibly a aluminum barrel?  Hopefully just those items to allow for a speedy build to my standards. Already thinking of a suitable base to depict the unit captured during the Warsaw uprising.

Oh one more, I haven't forgot about the NMF GB, just waiting for inspiration to hack away & get the foil out. Maybe it will qualify for the longest carry over in GB history? ECD (expected completion date...) 2011???

The Hetzer is in the mail! (Squadron just sent the notice) !!! This will be a first for me as I have never built one of their kits before. (Italeri)

Railfan, if you need a photoshop program may I suggest downloading GIMP from their website. Its free and features basically the same functionality as photoshop. I use it - though I'm not that savvy at it yet and the manual is as this as a dictionary. Did I mention it is free? Yeah, I think I did....

Now, your speakin my language, Oddman.  FREE is exactly what I'm looking for (I'm not too savy about the download part. I'm convinced that it opens the door for a virus)

Welcome to the group Supression Fire.

If you've got a good anti-virus software than you really shouldn't have anything to worry about. Especially since you would be downloading it from a legitimate website run by a legitimate software company. I've downloaded it to multiple computers without a problem. In fact, I've downloaded more viruses using that stupid Facebook account of mine than any thing else....

oddmanrush

 In fact, I've downloaded more viruses using that stupid Facebook account of mine than any thing else....

That's exactly why I don't have Spacebook or My Face (no that's not a typo. That's what I call em) I really don't need a virus.

You have set me at ease with the down-load things, though. I guess I'll check into it.

Probably a stupid thing to say but reading through your computerproblems i can't help but think: "Why not fix the original problem"?

I say this because any computer should be able to display the most common types of graphics and pictures. Have you tried the rollback function that windows offers? I would use the correct term in english if i knew it; my apologies for that...

Any time that windows performs a major task it creates a "restore point" so that the user can make the computer restore itself to it's former (working) status in case things go wrong

Just a thought...

Richard

I'll try that. I don't use my lap-top for internet stuff most of the time (other than to listen to music. the sound on the computer I'm using right now doesn't work) so most of the time I just use this computer.

Do you guys think it could be due to a printer? I installed a Brother printer a week or so before this all started happening, but I mainly used it for scanning articles and only a few print jobs (all free paper models).

 I don;t know if that's it, but it may be part of it.

Railfan 233

I'll try that. I don't use my lap-top for internet stuff most of the time (other than to listen to music. the sound on the computer I'm using right now doesn't work) so most of the time I just use this computer.

Do you guys think it could be due to a printer? I installed a Brother printer a week or so before this all started happening, but I mainly used it for scanning articles and only a few print jobs (all free paper models).

 I don;t know if that's it, but it may be part of it.

How old is the lap top and what operating system do you use?

Good question. I know I got it back in the 7th grade (I think) that was back in 2007-08 and I beleave the Operating system is the latest Microsoft system (it's current enough to run Microsoft Office 2007) That'[s all I know.

Jon - The wheel wells on your P-47 will look good with the added details.Some paint and a quick wash and they will really come to life!

SF - It will be great to have you aboard!!! I really enjoy watching your builds unfold... I can learn alot from you!

I managed to pick up the Flamingo again today. I felt that it was time for an instrument panel. So, the first task was to trim some sheet styrene the width of the cockpit, then trace the shape of the dash board on it and cut it to size.

Next was to glue some scraps in place to make a radio and some other gizmos that look important. Drill some holes in different sizes to replicate the gauges.

Now I paint the area where the IP will be attached with gloss black... just slathered on there. I then glued the cockpit in and glued the fuselage halves together.

Our new IP gets a coat of Floquil grimy black to offset the gloss black that will be beneath it. A quick drybrushing of grey helps add depth to the radio and other devices.

Glue it in and call it a day!

If I get brave enough, I'll try to add some dials to the gauges with some white paint or maybe I can scratch them in with a needle so that the white plastic under the paint shows throuh.  For now though, I think it will do.

One thing I wanted to get done before I glued the fuselage together was add seatbelts to the cockpit. It's not too late but it would have been easier before. My next update will cover the belts.

It's looking good, Jmabx,

 I never would have thought of using your methood for the instrament pannel. I can't wait for the next up-date on the belts

Thanks Railfan!!!

A great modeler and someone I consider a friend taught me how to make quick, easy and simple seat belts for aircraft... could work for any vehicle I suppose. Hopefully I can tackle them this weekend and share some more.

jmabx,

Great job scratch building the IP! Thanks for the welcome

Looking forward to breaking out the gear! (hitting the kitchen table) Recently received a package from Micro-Mark that includes a punch set and some other clever tools I have wanted for some time, should help with this scratch building fever I have developed!

Mmmm... punch set!  I've been wanting one for a long time too!

SuppressionFire

, should help with this scratch building fever I have developed!

You got the scratch-building feaver, too? (you didn't join in untill recently. Mabe this scratch-building virus is super-contageous, affecting people who havn't been exposed to the source)

Indeed it is!

Once the parts count doubles from OOB there is no help... models that should take a weekend to complete soon are in the weeks, months and (GASP!) years. Its ok only if this aspect of the hobby is your favorite part(s) ~ pun intended*

The only cure I have found is trying to finish a build for a contest, this way as the date approaches more OOB parts are used yet this can cause pain once this far into the affliction.

If the only cure is to finnish for a contest, then I'll never be cured. I don't like to have pressure on me with my hobbies, so it's no fun for me to know a deadline is comming up (I'm making good time with this group build, so there's no pressure)

keep on laughin. Once, I got a Testors SBD Dauntless, and scratch-built the whole cocpit, as well as a gun-shield for the tail-gun. The parts count rose so fast, I lost count after 50

Thought provoking...

One day I will scratch build a .50 BMG. Full break down with working parts in 1/3 scale. After that maybe a OOB build will have this affliction of scratch building returned full circle to where I started this hobby. Cured? Probably not yet it would be fun!

a 1/3 scale .50 M-2 BMG with real, working parts? is it going to shoot live ammo, too!?

Like you, I also have a list of "I will, one day" builds. One of them for right now is to build scale models of the fishing vessels featured on the Deadliest Catch TV show. (insperation here )

I don't know if I'll ever go back to OOB builds (and I'm definately never going to use after-market parts)

One thing that would be really fun would be to scratch-build a 1/1 scale model that is acually 100%true to the original

I also have GIMP – cant beat the price, but man its has a STEEP learning curve! Make sure you DL the latest version and the online manual. That is how I made the pic of my builds be part of the GB badges in my SIG. But I cant replicate what I did  lol…  and still figuring out how to make a giff

Jmabx – nice progress on the Flamingo; I got my punch set from micro mark from a sale some time ago.. yet to use it but soon!

Hi jmabx,

Great going, you put soul into the machine!

Cem.

Jmabx, thanks for the comments. Your bird is looking pretty good as well! I love the idea for the instrument panel and I may have to borrow it for the P-47. A night or two ago I put seat belts in the 'pit. I do it simply with masking tape and any spare bits of PE I have from other kits lying around. Nothing fancy so I'm anxious to see how you do yours.

My build hasn't progressed much. I have the wing halves together, the horizontal stabilizers are glued to the tail section and the cowling and prop are in place. The landing gear are gonna make me pull my hair out but that is what modeling is all about. The wing roots do not sit flush against the fuselage. If it was all easy, it wouldn't be as fun.

Any how, I found a cure for scratch building.....sleep. I was too tired last night to work so I don't have anything to show. But today is Friday (thank God) and thus the weekend is upon us. Therefore, more work should be accomplished and there is a lot of work to be done.....

One last note: This. Kit. Sucks.

oddmanrush

Any how, I found a cure for scratch building.....sleep. I was too tired last night to work so I don't have anything to show. But today is Friday (thank God) and thus the weekend is upon us. Therefore, more work should be accomplished and there is a lot of work to be done.....

If sleep is the cure, then I'm sort of in troubble. For what ever reason, I havn't been able to get to sleep for the past few days, untill 4A.M. or 5A.M.

That expains my sudden urge to scratch-build that HO (1/87) scale NW/2 locomotive and my sudden (and yet to be done due to a lack of knowledge on the subject) urge to scratch-build the Alaskan King Crab fishing fleet (mainly the Cornelia Marie, Morthwestern, and Time Bandit. I do want to try the Kodiak and Wizzard along the line, too)

[in hindsight, mabe that's why I've been loosing sleep, looking foward to both my scratch-building projects, and getting those kits in the mail I won off the internet last week]

Why are all of the cures to scratch-building are the ones that don't come easily to me at this time?

I attempted to build the Testor's P-51D... the pit was SO basic and required SOOO much SB to even bring it to a close resemblance of a P-51D that I binned the sucker.... maybe I should bring it back to life for this GB? lol  here are some pics, as compared to the Revell P51d and a True Details cockpit set (all 1:48)

Wow, Testor's interior looks identical to the one provided in the Italeri P-47 I'm working on! I do like the Revell kit though, not many problems to speak of there.

yes, the pit is, well, the pits! The "missing" radio is molded onto the interior fuselage. The other big problem that made me bin the kit, was the fuselage itself... soft plastic, no details, and HUGE recessed panels. Here is the same Revell/Testors comparison (Testors on top, Revell below):

 The Testor's kit is really useless

Mmmm, the difference is certainly noticeable. I've never assembled a Testor's kit, and likely never will. The one thing that irritated me about the Revell kit though is the lower engine compartment panel that isn't molded on. I modeled the kit twice and could never seem to get it to fit quite right (I never modeled it removed). It is a good kit for scratching detail though, for sure.

That reminds me, I could really use one of those self healing mats you cut on like you've got there in your picture. I cut on the kitchen table, not smart, not smart at all...

The lower compartment panel is a waste... bad fit when "closed" but not enough engine (good) detail to leave open.

The mats you can get cheap if you have a Michael's Crafts Store near you, and a 40-50% coupon :)  I find the mats in the sewing & crotchet section lol    I keep a black tile handy when I need to cut PE parts (black because I find it easier to see the PE that way).

I wouldn't say the Testors kit is 100% useless. If you feel like throwing it out the window, just model it as an artifitial reef, or a crashed aircraft.

I've used an idea from Sheperd Paine for aircraft with bad cocpits, and modeled them as being in a salvage yard. Just make a tarp out of tissue paper by drenching it in dilited white glue, and place it on the aircraft in a realistic way. Just let it dry, wether to taste, and done.

If I remember to take a photo of it, I got a Testors SBD Dauntless that I scratch-built the cocpit for (completely out of wood, too) It's not the best, but you can tell there's more than empty space in there.

Railfan - not a bad idea at all...  my plan was to build it "in flight", with some SB 'blur" instead of a propeller, just the pilot and barely any pit.. and hang from the ceiling. "Wheels up" would also hide the no-detail LG and LG bay areas. Down the road, I was going to have it chase a Bf 109

problem was the fuselage has such deep and wide panel lines....

maybe I can ressurect the idea in a couple months and scratchbuild enough to make it look ok from 6 feet away ;)

PS - in terms of "crashed" a/c, i would love one day to do a Corsair in water, like that famous pic...