Hello Kitty Group Build

I might hookup with a Tiger I. I haven't decided if I'm ready to do it though.

throw me in to.. I just got a 1/32 Wildcat and i'm cking out Yellow wings to Wake decals as we type.. humm...

I'm an armor guy,but I plan to take a break next year and build the Hobbyboss 1/48 Tomcat,I would be in 

Satch is still around.

I can't criticize.  I let distractions kill my SB Yamato GB that I started last year and when I checked for anyone still interested there was no response.

I'll still be keeping an eye on this one and have the Mad Cat ready if things pick up.  If it takes a while, I'll use the time to figure out if and how I want to build up an interior.

Looks kinda dead.

This GB still happening? 

Started some preliminary test-fitting of the big Wildcat tonight while letting the sealing coat cure of the 190.

Typical Trumpeter/Hobby Boss enfuriating sprue attachment points (along the join...). Extremely shallow wing mounting slot (that required filing to fit). But overall not bad.

And BIG!

Here's the inside view of the wing join. I'm planning to start this kit off by attaching the upper wings to the fuselage, then lower wings to uppers, THEN going to work on the cockpit and gear bay. Unorthodox, but I think it'll be much cleaner in the end.

DoogsATX

So according to the Yellow Wings sheet, the eleven Wildcats of 211 had their topsides repainted on December 3rd onboard the Enterprise, en route to Wake. Speculation is that they needed to mask the prop, engine, etc, so quite possibly just said screw it and masked off the whole cowl rim. 

Ironic, isn't it, that lazy masking 70 years ago is going to make for more complicated masking to represent said lazy masking?

Now that's interesting--an oxymoron of aircraft modeling!  But with military aircraft being similarily painted, I always appreciate the little differences that make a particular aircraft stand out.

Years (and years) ago, I built a Wildcat for my oldest daughter, with markings of her choice.  Here's the result (it was covered with dust that needed removal to reveal the true color).  I used MM paints for it, and the blue-gray appears quite blue. 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

And the Wildcat project I'm planning for this GB.  The decal sheet includes markings for the entire Lexington air group, with twenty-four fighters (sheet also includes all the Dauntlesses, Devastators, and some Buffalos).  I built the Lex (Fujimi)  this past summer, in her February/March 1942 livery, but not the aircraft.  Also have the Coral Sea Lex (Trumpeter) in the closet, so I ought to get enough planes for both

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

checkmateking02

Doogs:  Osprey's Wildcat Aces of World War 2 shows nothing like them--but maybe that's because none of VMF-211's pilots had a chance to reach ace status.  Anyway, it will make for a different look.  I look forward to seeing your build.  Your work is always top-notch. 

As for the gray or blue-gray, I'm wondering too.  Most profiles and paint manufacturers (including MM) show a definite bluish-tinge, but I picked up some WEM and it looks decidedly gray. 

So according to the Yellow Wings sheet, the eleven Wildcats of 211 had their topsides repainted on December 3rd onboard the Enterprise, en route to Wake. Speculation is that they needed to mask the prop, engine, etc, so quite possibly just said screw it and masked off the whole cowl rim. 

Ironic, isn't it, that lazy masking 70 years ago is going to make for more complicated masking to represent said lazy masking?

Doogs:  Osprey's Wildcat Aces of World War 2 shows nothing like them--but maybe that's because none of VMF-211's pilots had a chance to reach ace status.  Anyway, it will make for a different look.  I look forward to seeing your build.  Your work is always top-notch. 

As for the gray or blue-gray, I'm wondering too.  Most profiles and paint manufacturers (including MM) show a definite bluish-tinge, but I picked up some WEM and it looks decidedly gray. 

checkmateking02

Interesting paint scheme for the VMF-211 Wildcats, Doogs.  It appears from the photo that the undersurface color comes up and over the front of the engine cowling.  I don't know much about Marine camouflage; is that standard for the time, or somewhat unique?

Those Marine pilots were a courageous bunch.

I think it might have been standard at the time - I mean we all know that USN/USMC aircraft schemes went through like twelve subtle variations before they moved on to tricolor.

I think the topside might even be gray and not blue gray, but I need to double-check my refs on that one.

Interesting paint scheme for the VMF-211 Wildcats, Doogs.  It appears from the photo that the undersurface color comes up and over the front of the engine cowling.  I don't know much about Marine camouflage; is that standard for the time, or somewhat unique?

Those Marine pilots were a courageous bunch.

Well, I'm definitely down. 1/32 Trumpeter F4F-3 Wildcat, done up as one of the 12 Wake Island Wildcats. 

Wow this must've been meant to be. That is my Brother's B-Day and I'll do what I remember to have been his favorite plane. I have a 1/72 Lindberg Hellcat that I have been wanting to do in that hellcat face with the bloodshot eyes...

And as far as actually having a cat, My son's godparents decided to partner up and buy him a kitty a year ago. "Ivan" (after the rocky4 bad guy) now weighs over 13 lbs and the vet says when he is done maturing around age 4 he'll be 25 lbs+. He thinks he is a snow tiger. What he does to some of my son's stuffed animals can not be talked about in polite company.

Wow, stunning paintwork on that Mirage!

Since it is a longterm GB please count me in for maybe a 1/72 Academy F-6f Hellcat.

I have been looking for and excuse to build one for some time now and here it is LOL!

Theuns

Does the feline reference have to be in the name, or will markings on the car or aircraft suffice?

This is, of course, a Tiger Meet aircraft.  For car guys it's going to be tough as the only cars I can think of that would qualify would be the AMT Blueprinter Sunbeam Tiger (OOP and mucho dinero) and the Revellogram 67 Pontiac GTO in tiger stripe paint scheme (drag car from the 60's).

Of course a MadCat would qualify!  Didn't even think of Battletech stuff.  Well played sir!

Centhot

Might I suggest, this is a Grumman 'cat' GB? 

I thought we already had exactly that type of GB already.

I like this idea as a chance for those who usually hang out in different sections of the forum to get together.  Aside from the social aspect, you never know when some little technique that the Armor modelers use but you'd otherwise miss would come in handy for some plane project.

As for my potential contribution, would the MadCat from BattleTech be acceptable?  I'm still looking for something else to choose from, but am wanting to do something sci-fi to add to the range of likely subjects.  The reason I ask is because the "Cat" part of the Mech's name comes from the fact that it combines features of two other designs, the Marauder and the Catapult, so the origin of the name wasn't actually related to felines.

Might I suggest, this is a Grumman 'cat' GB?  It's still cats, but limits it to a common genre?  You can have a Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat, Bearcat, Jaguar, Tiger, Panther, Cougar, or Tomcat?  Or even the Tiger, Cheetah, and Ag Cat civilian aircraft?

I'll be in, probably with a Wildcat or Hellcat, or possibly a Jaguar or Panther. 

Six!! An abundance of feline activity!  Normally we have two, and they are older and less active--but it's the oldest one (17 years) that likes to sit among the model pieces.

The other two (in the picture) come when the youngest daughter returns from college to visit--which is happening this weekend.

My wife warned me to put the B-17 away.  Even a heavy bomber gives them no pause or caution.

checkmateking02

Why not?  We have four cats running around the house anyway. 

Six of them in the house here and one that decided to become a neighborhood cat that visits us frequently.  They're one of the reasons I avoid gloss enamels ( long drying time + 6 cats in the house = cat hair in the gloss ).

I'll keep an eye on this one and see if I can think of something for it.

Seams it should include the Hello Kitty be included somewhere on or in the model otherwise there's no common thread, its just a bunch of random models. Making how to integrate the Kitty into the model adds the challenge. Just a thought as I kinda have something in mind.

Why not?  We have four cats running around the house anyway.  I'll probably do a Wildcat.  Thanks for the opportunity.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Meow.

I like it!