Second Annual USAF Vietnam Group Build

68GT

Ken, that second link was very interesting with those test photos. I would post some progress pics but the menu bar seems to have disappeared.

Yes, this site does have bad days.

Ken

Some recent work....

Monogram Skyraider: cockpit tub assembled.

Esci Skyraider: This may be a long term project.  Scribed panel lines on major airframe components and did a little scratchbuilding to fill out an otherwise unimpressive cockpit tub.  Plane will require some serious work with many sink holes to fill and sand.....should be interesting!

Dave

68GT, looks like you are off to a good start!

Ken - Thanks for the info and pictures on the Yankee extraction system.  I'll be using that to improve my Spads as well!

Dave

68GT

Not much to report but I did modify the seat to kind of look like a Yankee seat, closed up the fuselage, started on the wings and engine.  I was looking for a resin seat in 1/72 but couldn't find one.

Nice attention to detail Ed!  Shows you did your research!  Yes, the USAF Skyraiders had their seats changed to the "Yankee" seat.  Here is a link that describes it:

http://www.ejectionsite.com/yankee.htm 

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/10/yankee-tractor-rocket-escape-system.html 

Ken

Not much to report but I did modify the seat to kind of look like a Yankee seat, closed up the fuselage, started on the wings and engine.  I was looking for a resin seat in 1/72 but couldn't find one.

Tal Afar Dave

Hi guys!

Hope that all is well with you.  The completed builds look excellent.  I've been able to watch everyone's progress from 'the bench' and have enjoyed the show.  I got side tracked quite a bit by taking some college classes this spring in addition to my normal work load......so, I hope to restart my work this week.

Ken, I'll get some sprue shots up tomorrow some time.  A few parts have been taken off the sprues, but nothing major as of yet...........

Dave

Hi Dave,

The front page roster has been updated.  And again, welcome back!

Ken

Tal Afar Dave

Hi guys!

Hope that all is well with you.  The completed builds look excellent.  I've been able to watch everyone's progress from 'the bench' and have enjoyed the show.  I got side tracked quite a bit by taking some college classes this spring in addition to my normal work load......so, I hope to restart my work this week.

Ken, I'll get some sprue shots up tomorrow some time.  A few parts have been taken off the sprues, but nothing major as of yet...........

Dave

Welcome back Dave!    Glad to hear that your classes went well.  I do know what you mean by not having any free time.  I have done the same thing myself.  Enjoy your break!

Ken

Hi guys!

Hope that all is well with you.  The completed builds look excellent.  I've been able to watch everyone's progress from 'the bench' and have enjoyed the show.  I got side tracked quite a bit by taking some college classes this spring in addition to my normal work load......so, I hope to restart my work this week.

Ken, I'll get some sprue shots up tomorrow some time.  A few parts have been taken off the sprues, but nothing major as of yet...........

Dave

68GT

I just started this Hasegawa 1/72 A1-H and plan to decal it with Eagle Strike decals.  I plan to do it up as a 633 S.O.W. "Spad Dad" and would like to join in.

 

Welcome aboard Ed!    The front page roster has been updated.

Ken

I just started this Hasegawa 1/72 A1-H and plan to decal it with Eagle Strike decals.  I plan to do it up as a 633 S.O.W. "Spad Dad" and would like to join in.

mailwalker

Well, I'm calling this HUN done. Is it perfect? Nope. Did I have a blast doing it? Heck yeah. I've also learned many new techniques that I can try on my next build to make it better

So as not to leave anyone out, A big thanks to all who participated in this GB, especially the moderators and anyone who gave me encouragement and advice!

One question, the cockpit still has a little tape residue left on, Any idea on how to remove it?

I splashed some red on the skid plate because my uncle told me the crew chiefs in Nam would spray paint them red. When the pilot would scuff it off, he owed the CC a case of beer!

Another funny story is that when they brought the Huns over to Nam, his pilot said "There was quite a racket in the ammo bay on the way in. Could you check it out?" When my uncle opened the hatch it was filled with cans of .........BEER! The pilot had a big grin. They had filled them up on a stopover at a base in Japan!

Great job Mailwalker!  It looks fantastic!      And also thank you for sharing your uncle's story!  I really enjoy hearing those.

As to removing the adhesive from the clear parts, I have heard that WD-40 works pretty good.  Test it first on some clear plastic sprue to be sure it won't harm it.

Ken

Well, I'm calling this HUN done. Is it perfect? Nope. Did I have a blast doing it? Heck yeah. I've also learned many new techniques that I can try on my next build to make it better

So as not to leave anyone out, A big thanks to all who participated in this GB, especially the moderators and anyone who gave me encouragement and advice!

One question, the cockpit still has a little tape residue left on, Any idea on how to remove it?

I splashed some red on the skid plate because my uncle told me the crew chiefs in Nam would spray paint them red. When the pilot would scuff it off, he owed the CC a case of beer!

Another funny story is that when they brought the Huns over to Nam, his pilot said "There was quite a racket in the ammo bay on the way in. Could you check it out?" When my uncle opened the hatch it was filled with cans of .........BEER! The pilot had a big grin. They had filled them up on a stopover at a base in Japan!

Don't be so hard on yourself, MW, you're doing a great job! It's a learning experience for all of us. That's what makes it fun, and why we keep coming back   .

Cheers,

Russ 

Here's the bottom with all the landing gear and air brakes on ,a little weathering and staining also. Yeah, I realize I should have done this before the tail hook went on. DOH! Live and learn.

Almost got it. Everything but the wheels, pitot,  leading wing flaps and fueling boom assembled. Just gotta get them on and spray top coat. Thanks to everyone for your patience!

Not to sure about weathering, as that is something new to me and I don't want to mess up what I've got so far.

Tal Afar Dave

Hey Mailwalker,

That's a great looking Hun you got there!  Well done!  Can't wait to see it all finished up!

HI Ken and company!!

I have been missing from this group build due to taking too many college classes this semester (trying to make the most out of the GI Bill AND working full time!).  Just looked at the end date and thought that I had missed out on this USAF GB......and it looks like I'm still in the running!  I hope to get something up pretty soon!

I'm not dead; just missing in action!  Now, I'm back!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I know what it is like to work and go to school full time.  It equals "no life"  Kudos for you to suffer through that!

And it is very good to hear back from you again!

Ken

Hey Mailwalker,

That's a great looking Hun you got there!  Well done!  Can't wait to see it all finished up!

HI Ken and company!!

I have been missing from this group build due to taking too many college classes this semester (trying to make the most out of the GI Bill AND working full time!).  Just looked at the end date and thought that I had missed out on this USAF GB......and it looks like I'm still in the running!  I hope to get something up pretty soon!

I'm not dead; just missing in action!  Now, I'm back!

Dave

mailwalker

Thank you, Striker.

Here's my update for the day. Right side of "Triple Nickel" all decaled.

You are doing great work there Mailwalker!  She is really shaping up to be a great Super Sabre!

Ken

Thank you, Striker.

Here's my update for the day. Right side of "Triple Nickel" all decaled.

Man, that's really looking nice, Mailwalker! You're doing an outstanding job for just getting back into the hobby. How could your uncle not appreciate this beauty?  (if he doesn't, send it to me! )

Cheers, and keep up the good work!

Russ

Here is an update. My first decal application in 20+ years or so. These decals are nothing like I remember, laying right down. Plus Microset and Microsol, something I had never heard of until getting back into modelling with this build. The decals are Caracal and Aeromaster.

A little background for this is that I am making this as the craft my uncle crew chiefed in Viet Nam (Triple Nickle). The H and P and each 5 are all individual decals, nerve wracking for me as a rookie. I hope Uncle appreciates this.

mailwalker

Thank you, Ken, for the tip. That is what i kind of figured, but wanted to make sure.

No problem at all Mailwalker.  Ask any questions.  If I know the answer I will be more than happy to respond.  If I don't know the answer, I will point you to someplace that does!

Ken

Thank you, Ken, for the tip. That is what i kind of figured, but wanted to make sure.

mailwalker

I'm calling the camo done, now just mask and paint  the external fuel tanks. And here is a rookie question, how do I glue two painted parts together? Do I remove the paint from the attatchment points? For instance the bomb rack to the under wing. Thanks for the help.

Your Super Sabre is looking great Mailwalker!  Outstanding!     

Per your question about gluing painted parts; yes, you must have bare plastic at the points where the glue will be applied.  You can use an X-Acto blade if it is a flat surface.  Just keep the blade at a 90 degree angle to the surface and drag it across.  The paint will come off fairly easily.  It doesn't have to be perfect, just get enough paint off to expose the plastic.

Ken

I'm calling the camo done, now just mask and paint  the external fuel tanks. And here is a rookie question, how do I glue two painted parts together? Do I remove the paint from the attatchment points? For instance the bomb rack to the under wing. Thanks for the help.

Thank you, Ken.

Here is my update on my progress. I do need to touch up some spots where the camo pattern meets. My question is, can I do this acceptably with a brush, or should I remask those areas and spray them? Also I noticed the lighter green did not coat as well in some areas, so I have to fix that! Any comments or input always welcome.

mailwalker

Here's an update of todays work. The tan looks a little dark to me but it is the FS# from Vallejo Model Air.

Any comments welcome.

Hi Mailwalker,

I can't say if that is too dark or not, I never trust colors I see on my computer.

Great job on masking the color though!      I look forward to seeing the next one.

Ken

Here's an update of todays work. The tan looks a little dark to me but it is the FS# from Vallejo Model Air.

Any comments welcome.