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Hello from a Newbie

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  • Member since
    March 2024
Hello from a Newbie
Posted by Rison51 on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 12:32 PM

Hello all,

I am new to FSM but not to modeling, as I have been building models for well over 20 years.  I mostly build cars (especially cars I have owned and muscle cars) but have recently decided to build my first airplane kit.  I have a 1/72 scale kit of the Monogram Grumman HU-16B Albatross which I want to build as Jimmy Buffet's Hemisphere Dancer.  Does anyone know where I might source a decal set for this version?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to interacting with the group!

Randy Ison

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 3:42 PM

Welcome to FSM

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Seattle, WA
Posted by Surface_Line on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 4:31 PM

Welcome, Randy!

Over the past 60 years, I've settled into building ships, cars, WWI aircraft, and not much else.  And in each of those areas, I have some pretty tightly focused interests.  So I understand this Albatross being outside your experience zone.

First, start by understanding that the Monogram HU-16 kit dates back to about 1964 or so, so it won't be made to the standards of excellence that everybody expects from manufacturers.  And I believe it is an odd scale, although I don't remember what that is.

As for decals, the best candidate I could think of for making decals for a unique civilian bird in an odd scale is Draw Decals.  So I checked there and didn't see what you're looking for.  However, I suggest you contact him, using the Contact Us link on the website and ask him directly - he makes odd subjects, and it may be that this one had never occurred to him.  He may ask if you have a set of photos of the plane in question.

At any rate, good luck.  It sounds like a fun project.

Rick

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 4:40 PM

Welcome Sign aboard!

I suspect you'll have to privately source the artwork and decal printing for 'Hemisphere Dancer.' Keith Davidson’s Red Pegasus Decals released sheets commercially many years ago, but when Keith passed away, his artwork went to Greg Drawbaugh of Drawdecal -- and he stated he had no intention of releasing any new printings due to legal and licensing issues. That was some time prior to Jimmy Buffett's passing...and I suspect those matters haven't gotten any less complicated, since then.

The good news is, I suppose, that if you can work up your own artwork, home-printing decals isn't terribly difficult. Lots of companies produce laser and inkjet decal paper -- Bare Metal Foil and Kodiak being among the best I've used over the years.

If you haven't seen it, there's an interesting build using the same kit here:

https://imodeler.com/2019/12/hemisphere-dancer/

Cheers

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 7:41 PM

Hi Randy! Welcome to the forums. Glad to have you aboard.

I've been building models for 77 of my 83 years. You name it and I have built it. My favorites are WWI & WWII planes followed by Sailing Ships. 

Stay safe.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 5:34 AM

Welcome to the group Randy. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    July 2008
Posted by Est.1961 on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 5:50 AM

Hi Randy and welcome,

I build planes, ships, cars and armour pretty much anything that captures my imagination.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 7:47 AM

Welcome to the forum, Randy! I look forward to seeing your builds.

Best regards,

Brad

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2024
Posted by David Clark on Monday, August 12, 2024 11:17 AM

Hello, I'm David. I'm a newbie too. It is glad to see all of you. 

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 4:14 PM

Well:

    Welcome aboard! I have built that plane, maybe about four or five different times just for the "Halibut!" I have never seen Jimmy Buffet's plane so I can't speak to it. It is and odd scale and old school tooling, but done right that can be a good thing. That, to me is one very handsome seaplane!

  I normally build nothing but Ships or as my modeling Son says, my darned "Floaty Thingies"I build in all scales from 1/700(Don't like this scale") to H.O.Scale. Many scratch Built. Freighters, Passenger, and Work boats from European and American Rivers. I also build the odd Paper ship if that's the only I can have that model.

               I will be following you . So again Welcome Aboard! Tanker-Builder

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