Export Model Group Build 2020

Looking good BK 

Just a quick update on the Spit. I have it all built up now and I will mask the canopy and start priming probably tomorrow. This is an Italeri kit that is apparently a rebox of an old Ocindental kit. It's not too bad, but won't get it again, there are far better Spits available now than this kit. It will look good enough for the shelf when done, it won't be a show winner, but at least it will be done.

BK

Griffin25: Chaffee is looking good! I really like how you did the shading, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in camo.

BrandonK: Nice job on the pit. Looking forward to seeing the Spitfire come together.

Some progress on the Heinkel - assembled the pit, and finishing glue up of the bomb bays.

So I got the base coat and some shading done. At some point I will attempt the home spun camouflage they did in the field after the 10 Chaffee tanks were flown in disassembled and assembled at the Dien Bien Phu airfield. Each tank was camouflaged by their crews in individual patterns as they felt was best to break up their outlines on the valley floor. My model will represent the tank "Conti" which was the comand tank. With the cargo planes the French had at their disposal in 1954 Indochina it was a remarkable feat. The clandestine CIA air force assisted as well. The American tax payer paid for about 70% of the French effort in Indochina from 49' to 54'. 

BrandonK

I managed to get started on the Spitfire. Even though it's a Spitfire with US markings, the callouts are calling for all RAF colors. Not sure if this is correct, but I'm gonna go that route anyway. It will look cool when done. I have the pit completed, it's a tad low detail, but that's okay, 99% will never see it anyway.

BK

 

I think That pit looks real nice bk. Don't forget the PE footpedals. Lol

I managed to get started on the Spitfire. Even though it's a Spitfire with US markings, the callouts are calling for all RAF colors. Not sure if this is correct, but I'm gonna go that route anyway. It will look cool when done. I have the pit completed, it's a tad low detail, but that's okay, 99% will never see it anyway.

BK

Tony it does come with French markings but not the right ones for the battle of Dien Bien Phu. I'm getting some after market decals that will be correct. Turkish FW 190 would be different

Griffin, does that kit come with French Indo China markings ? That has garnered my interest.

Piers, that TAA Sunbird Catalina is right in my interest category. Any Australian civil aviation does, but particularly the early airlines. I literally can't wait.

I have too many choices for this GB, I'm a bit conflicted about a British or Japanese Me 163, or a Turkish, Hungarian or Japanese FW 190. Or a million other choices, lol.

Cheers

Tony

Mach1

Started in on the Heinkel.

Each side of the fuselage is a two piece assembly, so I've gotten them cleaned up and assembled.

 

BK

Started in on the Heinkel.

Each side of the fuselage is a two piece assembly, so I've gotten them cleaned up and assembled.

murph

I'm already planning on building a 48th scale Hasegawa or Kinetic F-18B in RCAF markings as an early CF-188B this year so I'll play along.

 

Welcome aboard, murph. I'll get you added to the roster.

Tanker-Builder

Hi;

    I am Thinking Malaysian Navy ! I Think?

 

That would definitely be something unique. Which era were you looking at? Also, which scale were you thinking?

Piers I can't see your pics for some reason. Tanker a Malaysian Navy vessel would be cool! What era? I'm plodding along. 

I'm already planning on building a 48th scale Hasegawa or Kinetic F-18B in RCAF markings as an early CF-188B this year so I'll play along.

Hi;

    I am Thinking Malaysian Navy ! I Think?

Griffin: Good progress.

lostagain: That's a good start on the Catalina.

Tanker-Builder

Okay;

 Question;

    Does it have to be from a certain era? Also, can it Float like a Boat? Can it be a Boat?    T.B.      P.S. I figure within one years time I could get the hang of pictures again.

    I have one Beautiful Model in Mind. No, Not bragging, Just, I think it's neat.

 

Hi Tanker-Builder,

In order on your questions: 1) there are no era constraints, 2) Yes, 3) Yes.

Were you thinking naval or maritime? It'd be great to have you along with either.

Okay;

 Question;

    Does it have to be from a certain era? Also, can it Float like a Boat? Can it be a Boat?    T.B.      P.S. I figure within one years time I could get the hang of pictures again.

    I have one Beautiful Model in Mind. No, Not bragging, Just, I think it's neat.

Griffin, nice start. Good save with the figures and weapons. I haven't been brave enough to start my resin figures yet.

This is my Catalina kit - originally got it for the RAAF markings before I saw the TAA decal kit.

The plane had the wheels removed for extra payload so I had to blank off the wells.

Then the body got a Tamiya spraycan white undercoat as a base, to check the patching and to cover the black plastic (even though I will probably need to sand it back to do the seams.

Making progress. This is the only thing I'm working on. This kit is a breeze to build. Pretty simple. Very little clean up and no gaps. I'm not messing around with any PE or metal barrels either. I did order friulmodel tracks however. I really enjoyed the last set I got for a T-55. 

Griffin25

So I am making a benign start to my French M24 Chaffee vignette. I decided to put a couple of figures together. I'm still not sure how my layout is going to go . Unfortunately the French paratroopers m-29 light machine gun immediately broke upon removal from sprue. Dang resin. Luckily I have a Tamiya M 29 light machine gun from the French infantry set. The scale is identical luckily. I had to carefully remove the hands  from the machine gun because they were molded to the weapon. The Viet Minh soldiers weapon is a Russian ppsh submachine gun so that fits the export genre of this group build as well.

 

 

I hear you on the resin. Good save with the Tamiya lmg and the hands, looks like the para will be back in action in no time.

stikpusher

I’m interested. Especially since crossovers are allowed. 

 

Welcome, Stik!

lewbud

Got the decals in for the Haitian Mustang. Might have to move to a later build as it used the cuffless prop of the K and the Tamiya P-51D comes with only the cuffed prop (to get the cuffless version, you have to get the F-51D and I have several on the way from HLJ). Was looking at Hannant's site and Xtra Decal makes a set of international P-51's with Italy, Sweden and Switzerland (which I don't have) and several that I do (Haiti, RCAF, RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, SAAF, and Somalia). Just have to figure out want else I want to make the minimum order. Lostagain's question has inspired me to consider an A-26 as a Canadian Fire Bomber as well.

 

Lots of options there, which is always a good thing.

So I am making a benign start to my French M24 Chaffee vignette. I decided to put a couple of figures together. I'm still not sure how my layout is going to go . Unfortunately the French paratroopers m-29 light machine gun immediately broke upon removal from sprue. Dang resin. Luckily I have a Tamiya M 29 light machine gun from the French infantry set. The scale is identical luckily. I had to carefully remove the hands  from the machine gun because they were molded to the weapon. The Viet Minh soldiers weapon is a Russian ppsh submachine gun so that fits the export genre of this group build as well.

I’m interested. Especially since crossovers are allowed. 

Got the decals in for the Haitian Mustang. Might have to move to a later build as it used the cuffless prop of the K and the Tamiya P-51D comes with only the cuffed prop (to get the cuffless version, you have to get the F-51D and I have several on the way from HLJ). Was looking at Hannant's site and Xtra Decal makes a set of international P-51's with Italy, Sweden and Switzerland (which I don't have) and several that I do (Haiti, RCAF, RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, SAAF, and Somalia). Just have to figure out want else I want to make the minimum order. Lostagain's question has inspired me to consider an A-26 as a Canadian Fire Bomber as well.

Excellent!

1/72 Academy Catalina in TAA Sunbird service.

lostagain

Howdy Mach 1,

Does the GB include Air Force planes that end up in civilian service?

I would like to build a Canadian Vickers Catalina that went to the USAAF for service, then to RCAF, then sold as surplus.

Ended up down under in service with TAA Sunbird Services from 1962 to 1966. This is the livery that I want to model.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers

Piers

 

I say go for it! A liscense-built bird that wound up in civilian service is too cool to pass up. Looking forward to seeing her come together.