Weekend GB: See you in November!

My fears were realized.  The decals are too old to go on smoothly.  Most have shattered at some point.  I may get some generic markings on her if I can find any but I don't want to ruin the kit.  I may need to source some aftermarket decals so I fear a DNF is on the way.  I still have a lot of time but I do need to work in the morning.  If I can get anything on her by 4 tomorrow I will post again.

Here is how it sits so far.  Done except the slats and two gear doors.

P1201910 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1201911 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1201912 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

Bufflehead and Caveman, you're both making great progress on those kits. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

Looking good Tim and Ernest!

Well, about halfway in and some progress has been made.  Starting to look like a jet now.  I hope to finish within 8 or 9 hours.  As per usual, need to let things dry for a bit before I can press on.

P1201908 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1201909 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

I am deviating from the instructions a bit.  I am adding the cannons even though the instructions say not to.  Simply because I think they look better.  If I have time I will be raiding the spares box for some ordinance but I don't mind the clean look either.....

You got this.  Most of your assembly done by the looks of it.  Can't beat fishing sinkers for counterweights.  A few bucks at the local dollar store gets you a few packs with various sizes and shapes and already contoured to fit the nose!

Looking real good Caveman.  That kit is definitely more complex than my little fighters!  I noticed that fishing sinker that you glued to the interior of the nose!   As an armor modeler, adding weight like that to an aircraft is something I don't typically think about until its too late!!

The MiG-3 assembly is now almost done.  Here she is with the landing gear and prop/spinner dry-fitted.

Running a little behind schedule...had to take a break for a couple of hours as my neck/back was killing me!

Just a quick update.   Six hours or so in.  Need to let some white glue harden up a bit then I'm ready to close up the fuselage.  Wish I had taken better pics. of the pit but forgot in the rush to get things together.  Simple grey base with black panels and dials with a few blobs of color to break things up.  The seat is a joke but I can pick away at that as I continue with the rest of the kit.

P1191899 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1191901 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1191906 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1191907 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

I also have started getting the wings together so by the next post I should have all the big parts together and it will start looking like a Scooter.

That's alot of work for 3 hours.  You are well on your way.

I have spent the morning digging out from the storm.  Can't complain, it is January after all.  Was finally able to start at 4.

P1191895 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1191896 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

Proof of unstartedness.  I still am worried about these decals holding up, but I will find out soon enough.

After an hour or so I have the pit together and some of the subassemblies necessary to close up the fuse.  I also fitted the problematic intake assemblies.  I knew this would be a make or break part of the build and I am happy with the way they went on.  Anyone who has built this kit is well aware of what I was concerned about.

P1191897 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1191898 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

Need to leave things for an hour or so to harden up a bit, then I can press on.

3 hr update.

Assembly of the P-40 is almost done.  Need to do some putty work, add the exhausts, mask the canopy and do some detail work in the cockpit and she'll be ready for primer tonight. 

Only mods I made to the Hawk was to drill out the cowling intake and the MG ports.  I think I'll add some styrene rods for the MGs. 

Next up is the MiG-3

And we're off!

Proof of unstartedness.  Even though the official end time is 9:00 AM PST on Monday, I'll need to get it done by Sunday night before bed! 

Caveman, Ernest,

I've updated the frontpage with your builds. Goodluck Gentlemen!

I had planned to start my F-104 yesterday, but fiddled around and ended up getting called into work on my day off. I will start when I get home this afternoon.

Great!   Misery loves company.   Good luck with the twofer.  Looks like I may also have to postpone until tomorrow morning.  My damn power went out and my air tanks are empty.  Lack of air really throws off my plan so I will have to wait it out.

Hey Caveman, I'll be joining you this weekend!  I'm getting everything prepped tonight so that I can start tomorrow morning. 

lewbud, my last entries for the GB will be a braille scale double:

AND

These Hobby Boss Easy Assembly kits are pretty simple with very low parts count so I decided to challenge myself and build 2 in 48!  Cross your fingers! 

I'll post starting pics in the AM!

It looks like you're on your own. I was wanting to do another kit but I can't find the kit in my stash that I wanted to do, even after doing a physical inventory, and life keeps getting in the way to disrupt my plans. With the storm coming tomorrow, this weekend would be perfect but work is taking up my time.

Good Luck. I'll be watching.

After some head scratching it looks like a Hasegawa 1/48 A-4.  Just hoping the decals hold up this time.  Anyone else joining me this weekend?

Like the Energizer Bunny, still going.  What are you going to build Caveman?

I hope to.  I was horribly sick last weekend so couldn't make it.  If we are still going I will start tomorrow evening.

Anyone building this weekend?

We'll keep the lights on for you GA. If the BA-64 builds as quick and as nice as their deuce and a half, you'll be done in a day.

 I said I'd keep this open as long as there is interest, so it will remain open.

How much time do you need?

I need time, I ordered an item for my BA-64 and it will be here in a short while.

Thank you for hosting Buddy it was fun. This year I'll be doing it from my home bench.

Yes you do. I'm planning one last hurrah starting Thursday.

lewbud, I know this coming weekend is the last one.....do I have the time for one more?!?

Bumpity bump bump bump!

Bill,

I missed your questions about kit size and types of paint. As for kit size, it's whatever your microwave will hold. Regarding paint, as I said in my earlier post I tend to use the microwave to cure Model Master International Orange. I don't know if it's user error or just a bad bottle, but it always remains tacky for several days after I shoot it. I've used this technique on enamels and Tamiya's spray can lacquers. The reason I did it on the Tamiya paint was not because it was tacky, but to harden it so I could sand it out and polish it (car body).

SD,

Nice job on the Jagdtiger! I don't think I've ever seen that scheme done that way before (usually the tan is the base color). I chose the middle pic for the front page. If you'd like a different one, let me know and I'll change it.  Your completion makes 18 finished so far, that's pretty doggone good.

I actually get two days off in a row this week so I'll start something Friday morning and be finished by the time I go to work Sunday morning. I was going to do a what if using Navy decals on a F-111, but then I realized that there were some very noticeable differences between the Air Force and Navy versions that might be problematic if I tried to correct them. I'll keep it simple (I hope) and build one of the Hasegawa F-104G's I have in the stash. One of the kits I have has markings for three specials, one is an Italian bird with a white fuselage on the left side with cat and mice markings with an orange tail (the right is standard Italian camo), the other is a German bird, and the third is a red Canadian bird. I think I have a Greek Tiger Meet special 104 decal set as well.  Decisions, decisions.