Larry Wolf Memorial Close Air Support Group Build 2021 Needs YOU!

Ben, very nice looking build there and i do like how you have displayed it. One to both be proud of.

Nice work on both of those O.

Nice looking progress on the F-84 PJ!

Thanks CB. I'm waiting for Gauzy shine enhancer to shoot over the Alclad to protect it from masking since is says it will not change the metallic tone. The masking is a bit more complicated for using post notes so just want to make sure the tape doesn't pull up the high shine paint.

I tested Aquagloss on a test piece and wasn't completely happy with the look.

Well the Gauzy came in today and I shot it over the Alclad and I'm VERY happy to report no loss of metallic sheen. This stuff levels out like a champ leaving a glass smooth finish. I freaked out at first cause it was a bit gainy in a couple of spots but it just leveled out smooth. No pictures cause believe me, there is no difference in the metallic effect!

I will post some pictures once I shoot the yellow and white paint on the tanks and tail feathers.

I have finished the Academy 1/72 F/A-18F Super Hornet.  Markings are VFA-103 Jolly Rogers provided in the kit.  I Beat it up with some oils and Tamiya black panel liner to make it look like a work horse. This was one of the easier kits that I have built so far and it has really nice recessed panels and details.  Decals conform really well.  In much of the final assembly i didn't even need glue.  The parts fit like a glove.  Thank you to Lewbud for hosting the group build.  On to the pics:

Progress on the AMT F7F Tigercat. I saw two of these when my wife and I went to Oshkosh back in 2018. Even then, it never occurred to me how big this airplane is. Then I put the pilot in the seat. The F7F is big, even in 1/48 scale. Putting a pilot in the cockpit certainly adds dimension to the build.

Nice looking builds, gentlemen.

Philliephan79, had that exact Super Bug show up on the ramp where I work one day.

A little more progress on the Frog pit.  I think I have a good plan for making the right-hand instrument panel look more Ukrainian, so I started slicing up the Quinta Studio decal for the instrument panel to rearrange a couple of component locations.  Did a quick mockup today with Elmer's Glue so I could test fit the cockpit into the fuselage and make sure my modified panel details will fit.  The center and LH panel have their 3D decal permanently in place.  Just had to trim a little bit off the end of the .030 sheet styrene build-up panel I made for the RH sidewall in the cockpit...and everything fits!  WHEW!  Already have the Ukrainian-style annunciator panel ready using laser-printed clear acetate...just have to transfer that from my first prototype RH panel that was too narrow on the bottom.  Planning on making the 3 additional "mystery boxes" that go in that panel out of the same clear acetate.

Hey gang,

This is probably the last update on my AH-1G before I post photos of the finished project. Just a few small things to share.

I also got the wings and their armament assembled. I still need to flat them and paint up their lights.

Unfortunately, I ran into a few small problems during this final stretch. One, I broke the tail stinger while trying to remove it from the sprue. I had to scratch a new stinger, and I'm I'm pretty happy with my effort. It came out better than I expected.

Also, while prepping the main rotor for assembly, I had some trouble with painting and weathering the hub. My wash didn't want to come off. It had "stuck" to and stained the underlying gloss coat. So I'll have to repaint it. 

Also, for some reason, the stencils didn't want to lay down for me. Funny because they're Fireball decals, and they worked beautifully when I did my USMC AH-1G. I had to remove a few and source some random stencils from my spares. The stencils on the ammo bay doors are not the correct stencils for that panel. I pulled those off a Monogram Cobra sheet I had laying around. I used them to cover up some gouges that resulted from trying to remove the previous decals. I plan to "fade" them a little, so with that, I hope that no one will notice. 

Like I said, I think my next Cobra post will be the completed build. After that I can switch my focus to my A-10. Stay tuned!

-O

Nice looking hornet PhilliePhan!

Cobra is looking good oortiz 

Lots of good stuff here.  That F-18 looks great.

Got a start on my Breguet 693.  It is the old Heller kit and I knew I would have some work to do but I did not expect to find that the kit had NO interior what so ever.  So I've started putting in some bulkheads and floors.  I will only do a basic interior as you can't see much through the small and coke bottle thick canopy.  There is a PE interior availble but from what I can tell it only deals with the front cockpit and there is nothing for the gunners area.  Like I said nothing much will be seen so I'll pass on that.  I'll scratch a seat, stick and IP and I'll probably leave it at that.

Great job gents, made some progress with my F84.  So finally shot the tanks yellow and white on the tail feathers, Both will have checker boards on them. I also picked out a few panels and shot them in very subtle contrasting shades. I still have to mask and shoot olive drab on the spine along with red. 

F-84 is looking great Plasticjunkie.  I have always loved the colorful schemes that airframe had over the years.  I have one in the stash that you have inspired me to get out.

Thanks PP. I love the colorful schemes they had back in the 50s.

I'm calling this on finished. Monogram F9F-2 Panther. VMF 311, Pohang, Korea, 1953(?). Built OOB except for the white metal landing gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions. Camouflage is overall MM Glossy Sea Blue. Decals are from Blackbird and represent VMF-311 during Korea. Paint and decals are sealed with Alclad Semi Matte Varnish. I was going to have two bombs and six rockets but the eight bombs were easier to mount to the pylons.

"This F9F-2 Panther (BuNo 123451) of U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron VMF-311 Tomcats at the end of the Korean War, in 1953. This F9F-2 flew 445 missions with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Korea for 1,002 combat hours. Later the aircraft was used by the U.S. Navy for another 96 missions. According to (Naval Aviation News October 1953) the plane dropped some 1,814 to (400,000 lb) of ordnance and wore out 16 guns while firing 100,000 rounds." From Wikimedia Commons.

This is my first attempt at painting a canopy.  I used some 1mm tape for the edges, and liquid mask for the center of the panels.   My main concern was visable knife marks because I chose to cut some of the tape after it had been applied.  I dont think that turned out to be as bad as I thought.   What I didnt anticipate/think of was that the liquid mask I used has amonia in it, and that interacted with the Future dip, so the center of window panes are a bit foggy.  All in all I'm quite pleased with my first attempt at painting a canopy lines and I learned a lot for next time.

Masked and ready to paint:

Final results:

oh, another thing I will do differently is that blue tape "handle" was a bit too flimsly and the canopys pushed around when I hit them with the air brush.  I'll use blue tack on a stick next time to hold them still while painting.

These are for my Stuka

Peace-

Boris

A little more Future on top should clear the fog there.

Boris, nice work on masking that canopy. I'm sure it wasn't easy. I have an old T-6, that's practically finished, just sitting on the Shelf of Doom because I haven't had the motivation to mask its greenhouse canopy. Your work may have inspired me enough to get it out and finish it.

Speaking of finished stuff...

I present my finished Cobra for your review. This is my second submission for this GB. I won't bore you all with the build details since you've been following my progress all along, so I'll just go ahead and share the pictures...

lewbud, thanks for hosting the GB. I've had a lot of fun! Feel free to use this photo for the Glory Shot:

Now that this one's done, I can turn my attention to the A-10. I'll post progress on that one as it comes.

Cheers!

-O

Excellent builds every body, just outstanding!

Looks like my F84 is ready for decals

Fotofrank, that Panther is gorgeous.  I've never really thought about building one before, but now it's definitely on the list - beautiful job.

O, that's a good-looking chopper, I really like the paint job.

PJ, the metal finish is superb - something I can only envy!

And Boris - nice work on the Stuka canopy, too.

Some great work being done here.  I have a couple to finish, and one more planned after that, then I'll be joining the fun with a Beaufighter.  Keep on inspiring me!

Thanks Hutch. This is about 4 hours worth and enough for tonight. The tank decals are in 8 parts requiring careful alignment to get all the sections to line up.

Looking Great PJ!

Nice Job on the Cobra "O".  

Super work Oortiz. A bit of a progress here

Boom there you go - bombs and stuff.  Well done

fotofrank

I'm calling this on finished. Monogram F9F-2 Panther. VMF 311, Pohang, Korea, 1953(?). Built OOB except for the white metal landing gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions. Camouflage is overall MM Glossy Sea Blue. Decals are from Blackbird and represent VMF-311 during Korea. Paint and decals are sealed with Alclad Semi Matte Varnish. I was going to have two bombs and six rockets but the eight bombs were easier to mount to the pylons.

"This F9F-2 Panther (BuNo 123451) of U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron VMF-311 Tomcats at the end of the Korean War, in 1953. This F9F-2 flew 445 missions with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Korea for 1,002 combat hours. Later the aircraft was used by the U.S. Navy for another 96 missions. According to (Naval Aviation News October 1953) the plane dropped some 1,814 to (400,000 lb) of ordnance and wore out 16 guns while firing 100,000 rounds." From Wikimedia Commons.

 

 

 

 

Missed seeing this one, super work

I've been watching but not saying much. Boy I cannot remember a GB that ended has so many high quality builds! The F-4 and F-84 along with "O"'s Cobras, and the F-18, I can go on, but these are some wonderful results so far!

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

Still looking forward to the A-10, Corsair II, Stuka (with cannons), etc.

Ben and Jarrod

Ended? I  Think we have 10 more months . That's a good thing too because looks like our leader is missing in action - may have to send out the search and rescue team 4 Him..