Hi Ho Everyone and a Happy New Year. The activities and distractions of the holiday season are finally winding down for me and the wife. Ours gets a bit extended as both of our mother's birthdays book end the holiday season. So, hopefully I can get my attention and motivation drawn back into my Corsair, participating on the forum and modeling in general. I've admittedly been in the midst of a bit of modeling lathargy the past couple of months but, I'm sure I can get revved back up again. Also, the back strain has subsided so physically I'm good to go. Mentally, well, that's always been in question.

First, let me thank Bish for yet another outstanding GB. You are truly a top notch moderator and excel at maintaining a well oiled group. As always, thanks for the willingness to let your GB's linger on for lackadaisacal sots such as myself. 

Now, to catch up on some of the activities that's been going on here.

Moff: The very best of luck on your endeavors in college. It's no doubt that studies are insanely demanding on one's time. Yet, I do hope you find some time to get to the bench and find some relief from the rigors of studying.Certainly, do not be a stranger here. Keep in touch. I could not agree more with your assessment that FSM is by far the friendliest of all forums. That is the very reason why this is the only forum I participate in. By the way, what are you studying for?

Dan: Absolutely stellar work on your P-51. Beautiful finish in the face of obstacles. You really did knock this one out of the park. Thank You so much for sharing your outstanding skills with us.

Matt: Impressive start on your 262. You've done some right nice work on the cockpit.

Lost: Man, so sorry to hear about the flooding issues. I hope the damage is not to bad and that any recovery goes smoothly. The work you have done on your fasteners is quite remarkable. Very nicely done. 

Ed: Your efforts have definitely produced a fine looking 229. I'm looking forward to seeing the finishing touches.

As far as the Corsair goes, I'm still waffling a bit on whether to continue with Montex Mask scheme for VMF-214 or just move along with the kit supplied VF-84 scheme and get it done. I'm also working out drilling on the engine to accomodate the wires. Either way, I hope to get some progress going and posted here in the very near future.

I'm always grateful for the encouragement and inspiration that each and everyone of you provide.

Cheers, Joe

No explanation needed Moff, but thanks for popping in. I to would like to see that bhuild when you can.

Unfortnatly no, the maus didn't get done, i don't think it was started.

There are more important things than modeling? Man, I need to reprioritize  

Hey Moff, much as we joke about it I suppose there are more important things than modeling 

It is good to hear from you again, good luck with your studies and I'd love to see more of the monster 128mm Waffentrager on the armour forum when you get around to her. 

Hello everybody! All the finished builds look great, and the works in progress seem like they're coming along splendidly! 

By the way: I tend to guard my personal information pretty jealously online, but I feel I owe you guys an explanation as to why I've been missing most of the GB. I'm currently at the point in my life where I'm very busy preparing for college, so for the past six months I haven't been very available for modeling. Unfortunately, the next few years probably won't provide me with much time for scale modeling either  I'll still try to keep a presence on the FSM forums, or at least check back in every couple of months. I've really grown to love the FSM community (FSM is seriously the most polite forum out there) so I hope I'll be able to keep an eye on the goings-on. Thanks, and sorry again for being unable to finish the build! 

P.S. Did anything become of that Maus build? 

Thanks Bish: Personal best this year on completing ten models. 2017 might get close to fifteen. Thanks again for those this 1946 build.

Thanks Matt: Yeah the I was getting close to the finishing line, and then the decals pealed up. Nice seat belts and cockpit work.

Thanks Gamera: I really like the yellow in the back, breaks up the bare metal.

Thanks Lostagain: Sorry to hear about the flooding from the storm. Nice work on the MB5.

Thanks Johnny.

Thanks Jgeratic.

Thanks 68GT: Looking forward to the final touches on the 229.

Guys, i would like to thank every who has taken part in this and all the other 70th anniversary GB's. We have had some great builds over the last few years and its been great shareing it with you all. And i lok forward to the last few builds coming together.

I'd also like to thank Sub Revoloution, where ever he may be. He started this whole thing with a 1942 GB in 2012. While he carried it on with a 43 build, he hasn't posted on the site since late 2013. I only took over the reigns in 2014.

I very much intend doing the whole thing again, only this time starting in 1939 and going through to 1946 with a series of 80th Anniversay GB's run in the same format as this. So, only 2 years to wait, and by then we should all be refreshed and hopefully be able to recruit some new members to join us.

But for now, thanks again, happy new year to all and see you around the forums.

Really nice smooth paint job on the 229 68GT, and sharp looking camo.

Looks good there 68. A 46 GB wouldn't be the same without a 229. Looking forward to it being wrapped up.

Nice Mustang Dan!

Im done for thw most part with the 229 but do want to dust in some exhaust and gunpowder stains.  I also have to finish the base but there wheather hasnt been all that nice.

jack, no worries. Its been a busy year. But save the 262 for a later date

Dan, great looking Mustang, and as has been stated, the yellow markings are not seen often in builds, so was good to see that option.

--------------------

Unfortunately, time ran out for me and no 262 in Luftwaffe livery.  I could have started it this past week, but all that would do is create a log jam of builds to start the new year. 

So all the best to everyone in 2017!

regards,

Jack

Ouch, water damage can be pain to dry out- a guy I know ended up getting some nasty mold problems. Still as you say no one hurt which is a very good thing. 

Great to see you back in action!

And a very happy New Year's to you and everyone else too!!! 

Thanks guys, importantly no-one hurt. Wet rugs and clothes, timber floors swelling and water coming out of light fittings. Nothing that can't be fixed just a PITA.

There were a couple of earlier pics in PB. First shows the method of spacing the fastener points on the panels. Define the first and last points, calculate the required separation and mark up a piece of tape. Scribe off that.

Next shows the completed fasteners, and starting the access panels including the wings. MB5 was built differently, with a space frame that all the side panels were bolted onto, so the whole side could be opened up for great maintenance access. But all those fasteners need to be replicated...

Happy New Year to all, have fun and be safe.

LA: Hope you make it though without damage too serious. And enjoy your holiday!

Really, it looks like you can see the belts lifting up slightly from the seat. Thats a testiment to both the moulding and your painting.

Thats impressive.

Bish

Off to a really nice start Matt. Are those seat belts moulded on or did you use some AM ones.

 

Bish,

those belts are molded in.  This is the same seat that Lawdog uses in his amazing cockpits.

<Matt

lost, that don't sound good, especially as you are going away. Hope its not to bad and you all stay safe.

Dan,

She looks an absolute peach! Beautiful finish.

Matt,

If the start is anything to go by, I am looking forward to seeing it progress.

As for me, there has been progress - all the major panels are done and I have started on the access and maintenance panels.

I did promise photos, but that has been put on hold by a big storm tonight with flooding through our ceiling. Including my workbench... Sounds like other places have copped it worse though. And I am heading off on holidays so you will have to wait a while to see how it's going.

Dan: She came out fantastic!  The NM looks perfect and I love the yellow trim, you see lots of red and blue on P-51s but not yellow that often. 

Matt: You're off to a fine start! 

Off to a really nice start Matt. Are those seat belts moulded on or did you use some AM ones.

Dan,

That is one nice looking lil'stang for your collection.  I like the way you came up with positive solutions for the problems you encountered.  I am going to have to remember the decal save procedure, that was a clever one for sure.

<Matt

Bish

matt, i have added you 262 to the roster. I am guessing its 48th scale.

 

Correct, Sir!

So far it is a really nice kit, a needed break from the Skunkworks F-16XL I have been wrestling with for a while now. 

Here is where it was at a few hours ago.  Gloss coat applied in the cockpit and other areas that will be weathered prior to closing the fusalage.

Seat is from Ultracast, very nice details and is plug and play.

Next is finishing the Cannon bay and the Nose gear, then the fusalage will get closed up.  Want to get that completed tonight.

Dan, she looks a real beaut, was well worth it. Thanks for shareing all 3 builds with us. Look forward to seeing more of your builds in 17.

matt, i have added you 262 to the roster. I am guessing its 48th scale.

Thanks Bish.

Thanks Gamera.

Thanks Joe Rix: Hope the back is feeling better.

Thanks Lostagain.

Think I'm going to call my P-51D Mustang done. Final touches after the decal save where, a few paint touch-ups in the cockpit. Was going to add a antenna wire but the pictures I've seen of the D models don't have a wire running from the back of the canopy to the tail. The pilot did not fit, he is sitting in a straight up position and the cockpit seat is angled back some.

Over all this is a pretty simple kit to build up A special thanks go out to Bish for hosting this 1946 group build.

110 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

111 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

112 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

113 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

114 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

115 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

These last two where shoot with natural light through a window.  The Tamiya X-11 looks even better.

116 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

117 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

LA: Looking forward to the new photos. Love how things have been coming so far. 

Matt: Sounds cool. Guess I should try a weekend build some day, takes me sometimes about that long to get the cellophane off and the box open. 

lost,given what yourbuilding and howmuch yourputting into it,iam sure we all undertsand and it will be well worth seeing . So please keep posting.

Matt, noproblem, will add it to the roster tonight.

Ok, I'm going to try to finish one more.  I'd like to add a Tamiya Me-262 a1 to the list.  It will be OOB except for the addition of an AM seat and decals.  I already have the cockpit mostly painted and assembled, I'll post more tomorrow.  I'm approaching this as a weekend madness type build, so there will be nothing too crazy going on.

<Matt