Well, since Berny was a Phantom Phixer, and my Dad was, at the end of his career, a Phantom Phlyer, I can see my way to making a break from my usual aircraft genre to do a Double Ugly...

Count me in with a Monogram 1/48 USAF F-4C/D...

Welcome aboard Hans!  It is good to have you.  I know Berny would be pleased!

Ken

Thanks... I haven't built a post-Korean War Jet since well, since I built one of Dad's Phantom about 35 years ago...  Hopefully, I can do it justice, for both Berny and th' Old Man... BTW, IIRC Berny was a USAF F-4 Maintainer, right?  Not Navy or USMC?

Hi Hans,

That is correct.  He was in the Air Force for 26 years and spent the most part on the F-4.

Ken

Here is a very condensed history in his own words:

I never was a crew chief on the C model.  I went from the RF-4C in Nam to the F-4D in Thailand.  From there to the 2952 CLSS at Hill AFB where I spent the next year and a half traveling all over SEA repairing battle damaged F-4's.  Then to Eglin AFB, FL on the F-4E, to Zaragoza AB Spain where I worked in QC on the F-4.  My next F-4 assignment was Kadina AB, Okinawa, Homestead AFB, FL, both on the F-4D.  From there to Spangdahlm AB Germany on the F-4E/G and finally to George AFB, CA on the F-4E.  The last aircraft I was Crew Chief on was F-4E 69-260 at Eglin AFB, but only for a very short time as by then I was a TSgt and became more of a supervisor than a mechanic.

Ken,

Thanks for the initiative on this, a great idea. I'd like to do something but I don't have any idea what to go with, I'd like something connected with Berny in some way and I don't have anymore Phantoms in the stash and really don't want to buy another right now.

Please list me a probable I'll have to give this some thought.

Is there any favorite aircraft, AFVs, Berny had other the F-4?

Hi Gamera,

Well, I do know that when we visited the U.S. National Air Force Museum he did mention that he really liked the F-84E.  Another aircraft he was associated with was the F-102.  I do know a very short list of kits he had on his shelves which included the following:

Republic F-84G Thunderjet

A-7D L.T.V. Corsair II

F-14D Tomcat

F/A-18F Super Hornet

F-8E Crusader

F-8J Crusader

F-100C Super Sabre

F-100D Super Sabre

F-100F Super Sabre

F-4B/N Phantom II

F-4C/D Phantom II

F-14A Grumman Tomcat

Like I said, this is just a short list, he had a lot more, so don't limit yourself.  I personally would just pick something that you would want to build.  I think that is what he would want you to do.

Ken

Ken,

Hmm, one thing I don't have is much in the way of 'century series' jets. 

As you said I'm certain there's something in my stash. I'll look though it see if there's anything that reminds me of Berny.

Thanks again for doing this for him,

Cliff

I would be pleased to join up.

Berny had some stick time as I recall in a TF-102 while stationed in Germany. I'll have to go back through his posts, but it had to do with inflight testing of radar systems, I think. He was working on that a couple of years ago. I am in for that one.

Hans PM incoming.

Hi Cliff,

It is great to have you join.  I am sure Berny will be happy to know you are here.  It is truely an honor to do this for him.

Ken

Hi Bondoman,

Very good to have you on board.  I am sure Berny will be glad to know you are here.  Yes, he was actually involved in a group build building an TF-102 when he passed away.  That would be a good plane to build.  I plan on building that some day myself.  I have the conversion kit from C & H Aero Miniatures.

Ken

Ken, I don't know if I will participate in this one or not as it seemed I had a hard enough time keeping up with the Rhinobuild II. I was considering entering my already-in-progress Trumpeter F-105G in 1/72nd scale, but if the build is calling for accuracy, this is not the kit for it. I know at least from what I have read that several things are wrong. Markings are incorrect, tail is the wrong size, bottom fin is wrong, and some issues exist in the cockpit. None of those things I plan to correct, though I am adding PE sets for both the interior and exterior.

Jim

Hi Jim,

That would not be a problem as long as you are pointing out the inaccuracies.  That is the same thing.  I know Berny would love to have you on board on this build!

Ken

Count me in with an F-4.A memorial group build is a great way to honor him.

Ken,

Nothing in my stash really jumped out as reminding me of Berny. If you would give me till the kick-off date of Feb 22 I'm sure something will suggest itself though. Please put me down for something to be decided by then.

Thanks again!

Cliff 

I'll definitely consider this one.  Since I usually build Sci Fi, the historical accuracy won't be something I'm used to, but I can give it a try.

About the only thing I can think of from the stash that's likely to fit is the "Strawberry B****" kit in the stash.  If I end up signing up for the build and decide on that as my contribution, it'll be a good excuse for a trip to the Air Force museum.

TD4438

Count me in with an F-4.A memorial group build is a great way to honor him.

Great!  Welcome aboard TD4438!

Ken

Hi Kugai,

Welcome, and don't get too caught up in the accuracy.  I think everyone is taking what I said the wrong way so I am going to edit that first post.  I don't think we need to be looking for perfection.  I personally enjoy doing the research.  Like I did say, I am not going to police anyone's model.  The main idea is to have fun.  If you simply want to just build something straight out of the box, that is fine.

Ken

I like the idea. So far, only aircrafts has entered. Any chance I enter with a German AA gun mounted on a 8 tone truck? I just started building it few days ago, I can hold it off untill, ummm, for almost two monts... maybe...can I have a head start

I also have a German recon wehicle, type escapes me, I am at work now

Cheers...

Hmm, its always sad when someone passes away. Never really knew him, but im sure he answered a few of my questions.

If possible, id like to enter with the Tamiya 1:48 F4U-1A/D. Ill be sourcing some AM decals and doing it as an RNZAF bird. But ill be doing it as authentically as possible.

If this is ok, can anyone else recommend any good AM for this kit? or is it jolly good as is?

Hi Castelnuovo,

You can most certainly enter a German AA gun!  Berny did a fair share of armor so that would be most fitting.  Welcome aboard!

Ken

Hi Scorpiomikey,

Very cool selection.  I did a quick search with Google and came up with this:

http://www.rollmodels.net/nreviews/airplanes/48TamiyaF4U-1ACorsair/48TamiyaF4U-1ACorsair.php 

It has a pretty nice write up of what to look out for while building the kit and a nice list of aftermarket parts.  Look forward to seeing it completed!

Ken

Thanks Ken. I might keep it OOB except decals.

Well, I am already working on this F-4 for the 2012 Rhino build, but can enter it here as well.  My Father was a Phantom Backseater, and was assigned with Bernie in Udorn...this was one of the squdron aircraft.

Scalecraft/ESCI 1:48 F-4E (w/AM parts & decals as F-4E-38-MC 67-362 "Paula 01" 58th TFS Gorillas, Udorn '72)

I'd like to get on this if possible, with a monogram F-86 Sabre, with some resin bits thrown in.  

I didn't know berny, but would enjoy building in honor of him.

SuperB60ce

Well, I am already working on this F-4 for the 2012 Rhino build, but can enter it here as well.  My Father was a Phantom Backseater, and was assigned with Bernie in Udorn...this was one of the squdron aircraft.

Scalecraft/ESCI 1:48 F-4E (w/AM parts & decals as F-4E-38-MC 67-362 "Paula 01" 58th TFS Gorillas, Udorn '72)

Hi SuperB60ce,

Great to have you on board.  Is your Dad still with us?

Ken

JailCop

I'd like to get on this if possible, with a monogram F-86 Sabre, with some resin bits thrown in.  

 

I didn't know berny, but would enjoy building in honor of him.

Welcome JailCop.  The F-86 Sabre is a great aircraft to model.  Look forward to seeing it being built!

Ken

Ken,

I wanted something USAAF/USAF since that's where Berny served but I don't have anything from the correct time period. I did pull out this 1/48th A-20 Havoc which is USAAF but a bit older than Berny. I don't think he'd mine though I hope. The box says Revell but I think it's reissued from the AMT/Ertl kit.

Hey Ken:

Count me in: I have a 1/32 Revell F-4P (P for putty) , or is that F-4RP (RP for Rhino-Plasty).

Berny had a laugh kidding me about all of the putty, and made some great suggestions, and he tricked me into building intakes and J-79s from scratch, so it belongs here.

If I can find the guts to trim down the intake ducts there is hope I will finish it this year.

Gamera,

I am sure Berny would be very happy with your selection.  When we were at the U.S. National Air Force Museum, we spent a good deal of time in the WWII exhibits.  So I am sure he would approve!

Ken

Bockscar

Hey Ken:

Count me in: I have a 1/32 Revell F-4P (P for putty) , or is that F-4RP (RP for Rhino-Plasty).

Berny had a laugh kidding me about all of the putty, and made some great suggestions, and he tricked me into building intakes and J-79s from scratch, so it belongs here.

If I can find the guts to trim down the intake ducts there is hope I will finish it this year.

 

Hi Dom!

Very happy that you are here!  I know Berny is happy too!  Now I know we are going to have some fun!

Ken

Following Rich's lead, I may have to try and replicate Too-Sick-Oh.

I heard a rumour it brought down two MIGs.

I hope Rich signs on.......

Son Of Medicine Man

SuperB60ce:

Well, I am already working on this F-4 for the 2012 Rhino build, but can enter it here as well.  My Father was a Phantom Backseater, and was assigned with Bernie in Udorn...this was one of the squdron aircraft.

Scalecraft/ESCI 1:48 F-4E (w/AM parts & decals as F-4E-38-MC 67-362 "Paula 01" 58th TFS Gorillas, Udorn '72)

 

Hi SuperB60ce,

Great to have you on board.  Is your Dad still with us?

Ken

Yes, He is still with us.  He retired from the USAF in 89 and now resides in SC.  Back in Nov, he said he had found decals for 67-362, and I had just found decals for the Lakenheath birds, can you believe he asked if I would have them done by Christmas....lol

Ken,

Thanks!

Cliff

West Germany flew the F-4,correct?

I have an idea for a custom paint scheme.

Bockscar

Following Rich's lead, I may have to try and replicate Too-Sick-Oh.

I heard a rumour it brought down two MIGs.

I hope Rich signs on.......

Yes, it would be nice if Rich can make it.

Ken

SuperB60ce

Son Of Medicine Man:

SuperB60ce:

Well, I am already working on this F-4 for the 2012 Rhino build, but can enter it here as well.  My Father was a Phantom Backseater, and was assigned with Bernie in Udorn...this was one of the squdron aircraft.

Scalecraft/ESCI 1:48 F-4E (w/AM parts & decals as F-4E-38-MC 67-362 "Paula 01" 58th TFS Gorillas, Udorn '72)

 

Hi SuperB60ce,

Great to have you on board.  Is your Dad still with us?

Ken

 

Yes, He is still with us.  He retired from the USAF in 89 and now resides in SC.  Back in Nov, he said he had found decals for 67-362, and I had just found decals for the Lakenheath birds, can you believe he asked if I would have them done by Christmas....lol

Very cool!  It is nice to have access to someone who can give some first hand knowledge on aircraft used during the Vietnam War.  As you may have guessed, it is my favorite era of aircraft to model.

Ken

TD4438

West Germany flew the F-4,correct?

I have an idea for a custom paint scheme.

Yes, that is most certainly correct.  In fact, if you are willing to wade through the pages in the "The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011" over in the Group Builds, you will find quite a few interesting facts about the F-4F, which is the designation for the F-4 used by the West Germans.  They in fact had some quite interesting paint schemes!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

 

TD4438:

 

West Germany flew the F-4,correct?

I have an idea for a custom paint scheme.

 

 

Yes, that is most certainly correct.  In fact, if you are willing to wade through the pages in the "The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011" over in the Group Builds, you will find quite a few interesting facts about the F-4F, which is the designation for the F-4 used by the West Germans.  They in fact had some quite interesting paint schemes!

Ken

Indeed! I ran across this old post where Berny helped another member with questions about the F-4F who happened to be doing a very interesting custom paint scheme:

/forums/p/126422/1271354.aspx

I would have liked to do this one myself if I didn't already have too much going on.

Hey Ken, I guess go ahead and pencil me in with my F-105G, I'll make up my mind for sure if I can get my own F-4F wrapped up and get going on my entry for the Rhinomania III Group Build.

Hi Jim,

That is great!  I am glad that you are here.

Ken

If I may point out:

Syhart Decals

They're a French company so they have mostly Mirages but a couple of really sharp airshow Phantoms.I haven't bought or used any of their decals but they look really cool.

Very colorful decals Cliff!

Ken

Gamera

If I may point out:

Syhart Decals

They're a French company so they have mostly Mirages but a couple of really sharp airshow Phantoms.I haven't bought or used any of their decals but they look really cool.

 

Interesting schemes, but I would be afraid of the costs shipping from France!

Bockscar

Awesome photo of Berny

Jim: Yeah, I keep looking at them but never get around to placing an order...

Sorry for the lousy looking cut n' paste guys, the previews looked good.

Just a taste of Berny's humor and generosity.

Greetings fellow modelers!

I thought I would share this since it reminded me of Berny.  Sunday evening I won an auction on eBay.  It was the Revell 1/32 scale of the RF-4C kit number 4662.  Typically I would have asked Berny what I needed to do to the kit knowing that he would know the answer without a second thought.  It is going to take some time to get used to the idea that he is not here to ask those types of questions any more.

I did however find a very informative document by Ben Brown & Thierry Laurent that gives very detailed modifications required.  Here is a link:

http://www.largescaleplanes.com/Marketplace/Tweaks/RF-4C.pdf 

Ken

Hey Ken:

MIne was the 1/32 Revell RF-4E kit# 4754.

It would be interesting to know if yours is the new tooling or the old kit like mine.

I checked out a build of the original like mine, and there must have been some problem with it.

The fuselage around the forward missile bays on mine is 5/32 too narrow, other kits it looks fine.

Please send a picture(s) of the main components of your kit if you get the time and inclination.

Thanks

Bockscar

Hey Ken:

MIne was the 1/32 Revell RF-4E kit# 4754.

It would be interesting to know if yours is the new tooling or the old kit like mine.

I checked out a build of the original like mine, and there must have been some problem with it.

The fuselage around the forward missile bays on mine is 5/32 too narrow, other kits it looks fine.

Please send a picture(s) of the main components of your kit if you get the time and inclination.

Thanks

Hi Dom,

From what I understand the kit I purchased is the new tooling.  I will be more than happy to post pictures when it arrives.

Ken

Thanks Ken;

I have an opened Revell 1/32 with new tooling, and the old kit's RF nose section,

I'm wondering how close that would be to a build.

Good evening fellow modelers,

I realized that I haven't announced what I will be starting off with on this build.  I will be continuing with the model I was building when Berny passed away.  Berny was in the same group build that a few others that are joining this one was in when he passed.  I just could not get back to the bench after that.  But now, with the renewed spirit of you who have joined this one, I feel I can get back to it.

The model I am building is the 1/48 scale F-4E 69-260 as it flew in Vietnam when Berny was a crew chief for her.  There is a nice story behind this bird that I will share once the build starts.  The kit I will be using is the Hasegawa F-4EJ Phantom II P2.  The reason I am using this kit is because it has the "hard" wings (non slatted) which almost all F-4Es used in Vietnam. Also it does not have that darn U.S. Navy lump on the top side of each wing that would need to be removed on all other 1/48 Hasegawa kits.

I will be also using a countless number of after market parts and will list them as I come to them.  I do have the Aires cockpit almost completed already and will post pictures when the build starts.

Ken

Well, that's two birds from the 58th TFS.  I have un-earthed some great photos of 362 the day of the double mig kill, let me know if you want them, could be some good reference material for you.

SuperB60ce

Well, that's two birds from the 58th TFS.  I have un-earthed some great photos of 362 the day of the double mig kill, let me know if you want them, could be some good reference material for you.

That would be fantastic!

Ken,

Sounds like a really nice model. I'm looking forward to the story behind her. Sadly I didn't really get to know Berny very well. I just read his comments and he helped me with a few questions I had on my Phantom back in the first F-4 GB. He was always helpful and had something nice to say about everyone's work. Great guy all around.

Cliff

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Very cool pictures!!  Can you give us some text for each one? 

Ken

SuperB60ce

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Picture 1:  Unkown

Picture 2:  8 JUL 72: Steve Ritchie's Paula flight gets de-armed after their return from a MigCAP mission in which Steve Ritchie and Chuck DeBellevue shot down two Mig-21s

Picture 3:  Captain John Madden (3 Mig kills) plays photographer as Steve and Chuck return from Steve's third and fourth Mig kills

Picture 4:  Steve Ritchie and Chuck DeBellevue on 8JUL72 after shooting down two Mig 21s

Picture 5:  Captain John Madden and Lt Art Stark wait to greet Steve Ritchie and Paula Flight after Steve and Chuck DeBellevue shot down two Mig 21s

Picture 6:  F-4 instrument panel

Picutre 7:  Steve Ritchie paints the second red star on the F-4E (of the 58TFS TDY to Udorn from Eglin AFB, FL) he flew as Paula 1 on 8 July 1972 when he and Chuck DeBellevue downed two North Vietnamese Mig 21s. These were his third and fourth kills, leading up to his fifth kill on 28 August 1972 when he became the first Air Force Ace of the Vietnam War.

Picture 8:  Members of Paula flight, 8JUL72, after Steve Ritchie and Chuck DeBellevue shot down two Mig 21s. Back row: Capt Bryan Tibbett, Capt Steve Ritchie, Capt Chuck DeBellevue, Lt John Hamm. Front row: Lt Bud Hargrove, Capt Dwain Houck, Lt Tommy Feezel, Lt Bob Hornack

Picture 9:  Photo of 362 prior to the Midas gun muzzle install

SuperB60ce:

Many thanks for the photo's, looks like they were taken yesterday!

Ken:

Good point about the '260, My kit has slatted wings. I would have to do an OOB for the 1/32 build.

Bockscar

SuperB60ce:

Many thanks for the photo's, looks like they were taken yesterday!

Ken:

Good point about the '260, My kit has slatted wings. I would have to do an OOB for the 1/32 build.

Hi Dom,

I am in no way trying to come off as a expert on the F-4.  This info was bestowed upon me by Berny through many question and answer conversations.  Then someone else and I wish I remembered who, gave me a link to a web page that gave all the sprue descriptions Hasegawa used in all of their F-4 kits.  From this I was able to figure out which kit was the best one to use for this project.

Ken

Ken

Well it bothered me not to remember who gave me the link so I went through all of my posts until I found it and it was Rex (aka TarnShip).  Here is the link:  http://www.modelingmadness.com/splfeat/kr/has48d.htm 

Ken

Hey,,,,,,figures it was TarnShip!

Bockscar

Hey,,,,,,figures it was TarnShip!

You got it!   Really glad he gave me that link.  And it is really cool that people put the work together on that link to show where the difference in each kit are.  A real help!

Ken

Rich and I will be working on a badge,

We will try to incorporate Berny's PhantomPhixer logo, his profile taken from a photo, and with any luck the 2Sick0, Hangar Queen and Fighter Supreme.

We'll keep all here posted.

I can't wait to see it!

Ken

SuperB60ce:

Wow those are fantastic photos! Thanks for posting them.

I have to agree they're bright and clear enough they could have taken yesterday but I can tell from the sideburns they come from the '70s

When I saw the title of this thread I felt pretty sad. Berny was one of the old hands here who really helped me along as I progressed in my modeling skills. Sad to hear he passed, but I'm glad he's being remembered. What a fitting memorial. If I can get my modeling area set up, I'd love to join. I'm not sure what I'll build, but I'll do my best to make it look as good as he could!

Hi RadMax8,

I am sure Berny will be happy to know you are here.  You got a month before we start, and a year to get finished.  We will be looking forward to building with you!

Ken

I had conversed a bit with Berny quite awhile back about the TF-102 he was building.  He mentioned that his conversion kit had suffered some warping from heat in storage or something like that.  Sadly, I don't think that he got to complete it.  I just received my C & H Aero kit for the TF-102, and though it looks like I might be in over my head, I'm gonna have a go at it.  I plan to replicate one that I had experience with many years ago.  I've committed to build it in Stik's Veterans GB, so would also like to enter it here in Berny's honor.

Ken

Hi Ken,

Welcome aboard.  I am sure Berny will be very pleased with having you here.

If you don't mind, I will be interested in picking your brain and watching your build very closely.  I also have the C & H Aero conversion kit for the TF-102.  It is always great to find people who have experience with the aircraft we are modeling!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Exactly 4 weeks until this group build starts!  I am getting fired up.  I am really looking forward to this build.  I think we are going to have a lot of fun.  I can't wait!

Ken

Damnit, i thought it started already lol. Ive only started the cockpit painting stage. Might have to take a 4 week modelling hiatus. Save up some dosh and buy something really cool.

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

Exactly 4 weeks until this group build starts!  I am getting fired up.  I am really looking forward to this build.  I think we are going to have a lot of fun.  I can't wait!

Ken

I have a Tamiya kit to use as a prototype. Once I get that done I can glue the wings to the Fuselage.....

I may have to cheat Ken, maybe do that over the next 4 weeks.

Yeah, looking forward to this alright.

Bockscar

Son Of Medicine Man:

Hi Everyone,

Exactly 4 weeks until this group build starts!  I am getting fired up.  I am really looking forward to this build.  I think we are going to have a lot of fun.  I can't wait!

Ken

 

First off will be the flame holders for those J-79's.

I have a Tamiya kit to use as a prototype. Once I get that done I can glue the wings to the Fuselage.....

I may have to cheat Ken, maybe do that over the next 4 weeks.

Yeah, looking forward to this alright.

I know what you mean Dom.  Getting hard to resist the urge to turn the lights on the bench and start working. 

Ken

It's true Ken, after Phixer's demise, I too could not get back to the bench.

Given everything that happened, how can I complain?

I'll never forget the lunches at the OC.

He is still laughing at my F-4P.......and so it should be!

I might even build a scale 'resignator' in his honour.

Paperwork included!...lol.....

Hi Everyone,

Okay, I know it is a little early to start talking about my "third" model I am going to build in this group build, but I just ordered it last night at a really good price.  It is the newly released HobbyBoss 1/32 F-84G.  I know it is not in my typical era of aircraft that I build (Vietnam) but I do like the early jets.  And I also have access to a really good technical source in my local IPMS club on the F-84.  I just could not resist! 

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

Okay, I know it is a little early to start talking about my "third" model I am going to build in this group build, but I just ordered it last night at a really good price.  It is the newly released HobbyBoss 1/32 F-84G.  I know it is not in my typical era of aircraft that I build (Vietnam) but I do like the early jets.  And I also have access to a really good technical source in my local IPMS club on the F-84.  I just could not resist! 

Ken

As Berny said at Dayton:

"I don't know why, but I really like the lines of that jet."

You can't go wrong with that Ken!

Here is the art from the top of the kit box:

Ken

I just realized that I had not discussed what I plan to build as my second build and I am already talking about my third build.  For my second build I will build the HobbyBoss 1/32 F-84E.  Here is the kit box lid art work:

I will be building this one as the "Hoosier Hotshot", which was flown by Don James, an IPMS member in my local chapter!

Ken

Those should be a couple of pretty F-84s, Ken.  I've opened the box of my C & H conversion kit for the TF-102 as shown below.  There are also two vac-formed canopies not in the picture.  From what I see now, I'll be glad we have a year to complete our builds!! 

Ken

Now I'm not sure what to build: just added HobbyBoss A-7D in 1/72 scale (It followed me home! Honest! Can I keep it?) Actually on sale at Squadron at more than 1/2 off and I couldn't resist! It could be a good kit for the Berny build, or continue with the "Thud" or another Phantom, or..... I seem to be developing a fixation for 'Nam era aircraft.

I"m having a hard time keeping my hands off the "SLUFF"

kbuzz01

Those should be a couple of pretty F-84s, Ken.  I've opened the box of my C & H conversion kit for the TF-102 as shown below.  There are also two vac-formed canopies not in the picture.  From what I see now, I'll be glad we have a year to complete our builds!! 

 

Ken

 

Hi Ken,

I have that same conversion kit but must admit, I have never taken that close of a look at it until I looked at your picture.  You are correct, it will take some work.  Still a lot easier than trying to make it from scratch but will still take some skill and patience.

Ken

jimbot58

Now I'm not sure what to build: just added HobbyBoss A-7D in 1/72 scale (It followed me home! Honest! Can I keep it?) Actually on sale at Squadron at more than 1/2 off and I couldn't resist! It could be a good kit for the Berny build, or continue with the "Thud" or another Phantom, or..... I seem to be developing a fixation for 'Nam era aircraft.

I"m having a hard time keeping my hands off the "SLUFF"

Hi Jim,

It is good to hear your humor again!  Congratulations on landing that great deal on that kit!  Very cool!  I have to be honest, I have the A-7D in my stack (1/48 scale) and also intend to grab it in 1/32 scale as well if I can catch a good deal on eBay.  But I think that is one of the most ugliest planes I have ever seen.  It was one of the great work horses of the Vietnam War but my gosh, if looks could kill!  In fact, I have the Two Bobs decals for the Molar Marauder.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

 

jimbot58:

 

Now I'm not sure what to build: just added HobbyBoss A-7D in 1/72 scale (It followed me home! Honest! Can I keep it?) Actually on sale at Squadron at more than 1/2 off and I couldn't resist! It could be a good kit for the Berny build, or continue with the "Thud" or another Phantom, or..... I seem to be developing a fixation for 'Nam era aircraft.

I"m having a hard time keeping my hands off the "SLUFF"

 

 

Hi Jim,

It is good to hear your humor again!  Congratulations on landing that great deal on that kit!  Very cool!  I have to be honest, I have the A-7D in my stack (1/48 scale) and also intend to grab it in 1/32 scale as well if I can catch a good deal on eBay.  But I think that is one of the most ugliest planes I have ever seen.  It was one of the great work horses of the Vietnam War but my gosh, if looks could kill!  In fact, I have the Two Bobs decals for the Molar Marauder.

Ken

They were ugly! I remember seeing them at an airshow, the Colorado Air national Guard was displaying a couple of their aircraft and thinking just how ugly they were and wondering if the pilots were embarrassed of them! LOL!. The COANG eventually were given F-16's and the A-7's were retired. There is an Airdoc decal sheet available I wish I had but don't know where to obtain on without ordering from Germany.

Hi Jim,

Hannants carries Airdoc at reasonable prices, so you might look there.  You do have to meet a minimum dollar amount to order there but I have found that they have other items that you can't get any where else so you can easily meet it.  Here is their link:

http://www.hannants.co.uk/ 

Ken

Thanks Ken.

I also found a place called Linden Hill Imports:

Linden Hill

Don't know much about them, but seem to have good prices.

Only info I could find here was several years old:

About Linden Hill

Thank you Jim.  I just added them to my Favorites List.  Always good to have another resource available! 

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Well I figured out something I can do while I am waiting for this build to start.  One thing that has been on my "to do" list is to run a line from my compressor in the garage to my work bench in my second floor room.  It will be so nice to have a line always ready to connect to when I need to use it.  So I will be doing that this weekend.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I found a pretty good article on the HobbyBoss 1/32 F-84G that I thought I would share with you.

http://www.modelingmadness.com/reviews/korean/cleaver/usaf/tmc84g.htm 

It is a pretty good read.

Ken

IM SORRY!

I couldnt hold on, i couldnt hold back.

The corsairs half finished

Might have to find something else in the stash to build.

Hey Ken,

I was wondering, what version of TF-102 are you going to build?  Case X or Case XX?

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Hey Ken,

I was wondering, what version of TF-102 are you going to build?  Case X or Case XX?

Ken

It will be case X.  I'm modeling the TF-102 that I helped maintain a few (actually, many) years ago.  It was an early version - tail No. 54048.  If I'm stubborn enough to get thru this conversion (!?), I'll also post a pic of the original.

Ken

kbuzz01

Son Of Medicine Man:

Hey Ken,

I was wondering, what version of TF-102 are you going to build?  Case X or Case XX?

Ken

 

It will be case X.  I'm modeling the TF-102 that I helped maintain a few (actually, many) years ago.  It was an early version - tail No. 54048.  If I'm stubborn enough to get thru this conversion (!?), I'll also post a pic of the original.

Ken

I look forward to seeing it.  Where were you stationed when you were maintaining it?

Ken

Joe Foss Field and Ellsworth AFB in S. Dak - USAF/ANG.  Radio/nav tech.

Ken

kbuzz01

Joe Foss Field and Ellsworth AFB in S. Dak - USAF/ANG.  Radio/nav tech.

Ken

It is great to have you on board to give technical advice on the TF-102.  Like I said at the beginning of this post, I strive to research as much as possible about each subject that I want to model.  It is people like you who are the best resources for that research!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

 

kbuzz01:

 

Joe Foss Field and Ellsworth AFB in S. Dak - USAF/ANG.  Radio/nav tech.

Ken

 

 

It is great to have you on board to give technical advice on the TF-102.  Like I said at the beginning of this post, I strive to research as much as possible about each subject that I want to model.  It is people like you who are the best resources for that research!

Ken

Whoa - don't get too technical with me,  the last F-102/TF-102 I touched was in 1963, before I gave it up and went back to college!!  I've probably forgot more than I ever knew about those birds.    (And, as far as that goes, most of what I learned in college,too.) 

Ken

kbuzz01

Son Of Medicine Man:

 

kbuzz01:

 

Joe Foss Field and Ellsworth AFB in S. Dak - USAF/ANG.  Radio/nav tech.

Ken

 

 

It is great to have you on board to give technical advice on the TF-102.  Like I said at the beginning of this post, I strive to research as much as possible about each subject that I want to model.  It is people like you who are the best resources for that research!

Ken

 

Whoa - don't get too technical with me,  the last F-102/TF-102 I touched was in 1963, before I gave it up and went back to college!!  I've probably forgot more than I ever knew about those birds.    (And, as far as that goes, most of what I learned in college,too.) 

Ken

I am sure you will remember more than I know now!  Since I have never worked on one, I have zero experience, so anything you would remember would be a benefit.  Anyway, I am very glad to have you on board with us.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Seventeen days until we start!  I am beginning to feel like a kid before Christmas counting down the days.

I rounded up the materials I need to install the pipeline from my air compressor in the garage up to my workbench on the second floor.  Unfortunately the blower fan in my wife's car went out so now that has forced its way to the front of my "to do" list.  I am hoping that it does not take too much of my time this afternoon so that I can at least get a start on running the pipeline.  It will be really nice once it is done to have the line available anytime I need it.

Ken

Greetings fellow modelers,

Well today I was stopped on both fronts.    I had to special order the blower fan for my wife's car on Thursday so that I would have it in time for working on her car this weekend.  After removing the old blower fan/motor assembly (which required quite a bit of disassembly of the car to get to it) I started the process of reassembly.  When I pulled the new unit out of the box, I was very dissappointed to find that the fan (made out of plastic) was cracked.    It is pressed on the motor, but on the old assembly it is bolted on.  So I could not even swap the parts.  And since it was a special order, I will have to wait until Tuesday for another one to arrive.

Okay, so I thought I would use the rest of what time I had left of the afternoon to work on running that pipeline.  Well I thought that the pipe size I needed was 1/4" but it turns out it is 3/8".  So I bought the wrong size.  I guess I should have looked at it first instead of relying on my memory!    Oh well, I guess I will have to plan on working on it tomorrow night instead.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I did get the correct size pipe fittings I need today for the pipe run from the garage to the workbench on the second floor.  That is al the time I had to spend on that project.  I got sucked into watching an episode of Dogfights on the Military History Channel and that is okay with me.  Evenings through the week are divided with exercising so it doesn't leave much time for anything else.

Ken

Uhhhh.....you gotta EPA license to install that pipeline son?

Yeah, gettin' a bit envious up here Ken........

Can you run a line northwise.....lol.......

Don't blame you watchin' those dogfight episodes.....

Sheet shingles......I get so much adrenalin watching that stuff i gotta take our bloody dog, a real fighter....lol, for an extra walk just to wear it off.....

Bockscar

Uhhhh.....you gotta EPA license to install that pipeline son?

Yeah, gettin' a bit envious up here Ken........

Can you run a line northwise.....lol.......

Don't blame you watchin' those dogfight episodes.....

Sheet shingles......I get so much adrenalin watching that stuff i gotta take our bloody dog, a real fighter....lol, for an extra walk just to wear it off.....

Hi Dom,

Even after a rough day at work you can make me smile!

Yep, I really get fired up after watching those Dogfight episodes.  Only 15 more days until we start!  I can smell that jet fuel now!

I did get my wife's car done tonight so that is out of the way.  The part showed up and was actually a closer match to the OEM part than the first one.  It had a bolt on fan instead of a pressed on fan.  I felt a lot better about putting that in.

Maybe I can get some work done on that "Alaskan Pipeline" tomorrow night!

Ken

Congrats on installing that fan....krikey....you were not the only one.......bastiges.......

Now you have me rethinking.....must be a way to Keystone a new arrangement......

Cripes A' Mighty I miss painting and decal' ating the kits......

Keep us updated.......oh yeah............okay

I'm still a Trumpy fan......not a cracked-plastic-fan-made-in-China fan.......lol......

Bockscar

Congrats on installing that fan....krikey....you were not the only one.......bastiges.......

Now you have me rethinking.....must be a way to Keystone a new arrangement......

Cripes A' Mighty I miss painting and decal' ating the kits......

Keep us updated.......oh yeah............okay

I'm still a Trumpy fan......not a cracked-plastic-fan-made-in-China fan.......lol......

Hi Dom,

I had every intention to get some work done tonight on that "Alaskan Pipeline" but aparantly I must of done something to my back last night while working on my wife's car.  By the time I got off work I was in so much pain there was no way I was going to do anything but lay down.  Maybe tomorrow night.

Hey, only 2 weeks until we start!!  I can't wait!

Ken

Ken:

Hope your back feels better. Get some rest. I need to get some bench area cleaned off before I start this build but I've been under the weather these last two weeks and haven't gotten much of anything done.

Cliff

Hi Ken.  Sorry I have been gone so long.  The last 6 months have been a nightmare, but we are at least settled in with my Mother in Law for now.  most of my stash and tools are in storage, but I managed to get together some kits and such so I can build again.  I am working on a badge for the build.  Dom had a good idea of incorporating an image of Bernie in his prime, the way I am sure he would want to have been remembered, and the Fantom Fixer graphic I did for his shirt.  I will shoot up a rough draft when I finish it.  I have been helping Dom get his hands on some kits from sellers who won't ship to Canada, and he has gotten me some nice kits for helping him.   I'm thinking of an F104 Kit.  I have a couple of nice ones here, or maybe a vintage Hawk 1/4" scale (1/48)) Banshee.  Anyways, I will PM you my new email address. 

Rich

Gamera

Ken:

Hope your back feels better. Get some rest. I need to get some bench area cleaned off before I start this build but I've been under the weather these last two weeks and haven't gotten much of anything done.

Cliff

Hi Cliff,

Thank you for the well wishes.  I don't know what the heck is going on, but my back is once again giving me pain.  I will just take it easy until it subsides.  I hope you start feeling better as well.  Maybe it has something to do with this crazy weather.

Ken

Sparrowhyperion

Hi Ken.  Sorry I have been gone so long.  The last 6 months have been a nightmare, but we are at least settled in with my Mother in Law for now.  most of my stash and tools are in storage, but I managed to get together some kits and such so I can build again.  I am working on a badge for the build.  Dom had a good idea of incorporating an image of Bernie in his prime, the way I am sure he would want to have been remembered, and the Fantom Fixer graphic I did for his shirt.  I will shoot up a rough draft when I finish it.  I have been helping Dom get his hands on some kits from sellers who won't ship to Canada, and he has gotten me some nice kits for helping him.   I'm thinking of an F104 Kit.  I have a couple of nice ones here, or maybe a vintage Hawk 1/4" scale (1/48)) Banshee.  Anyways, I will PM you my new email address. 

 

Rich

Hi Rich,

Good to hear from you!  I know when you and Dom get together your artistic abilities really come out top notch!  I am sure that badge will be one of the best this site has ever seen!  I am also happy to know you will be here for this build.  It wouldn't be the same without you.

Ken

Thanks.  I'll do my best.

Son Of Medicine Man

 

 

Hi Rich,

Good to hear from you!  I know when you and Dom get together your artistic abilities really come out top notch!  I am sure that badge will be one of the best this site has ever seen!  I am also happy to know you will be here for this build.  It wouldn't be the same without you.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

Hi Ken.  Sorry I have been gone so long.  The last 6 months have been a nightmare, but we are at least settled in with my Mother in Law for now.  most of my stash and tools are in storage, but I managed to get together some kits and such so I can build again.  I am working on a badge for the build.  Dom had a good idea of incorporating an image of Bernie in his prime, the way I am sure he would want to have been remembered, and the Fantom Fixer graphic I did for his shirt.  I will shoot up a rough draft when I finish it.  I have been helping Dom get his hands on some kits from sellers who won't ship to Canada, and he has gotten me some nice kits for helping him.   I'm thinking of an F104 Kit.  I have a couple of nice ones here, or maybe a vintage Hawk 1/4" scale (1/48)) Banshee.  Anyways, I will PM you my new email address. 

 

Rich

 

 

Hi Rich,

Good to hear from you!  I know when you and Dom get together your artistic abilities really come out top notch!  I am sure that badge will be one of the best this site has ever seen!  I am also happy to know you will be here for this build.  It wouldn't be the same without you.

Ken

Truth be known, he sent me photograph of way-back-when he was licensed on the Huey......

I'ld put it up, but he might not appreciate me stealing his glory.....

Yeah, I could not have been more humbled than to hear that Rich's and my artwork went to the grave with Berny....it kind of messed up my head for a bit.......deeply honored Ken.....I'll never forget his reaction when he saw the parking lot sign you had reserved for him at the Air Force Museum, and reception:

True Patriot:

Berny waitin' for his date....LOL:

Berny just found out he starred in the movie!:

The badge will attempt to reflect his contribution.

One day Ken, Rich, and I will 'spill the beans', that guy did stuff that can wake me up at nite dodging bullets.

Hi Everyone,

Another day filled with intense back pain.  If it does not start to subside by Monday I will have to go to the doctor.  Another thing about it is the fact I cannot exercise which I need to keep on top of.

Has anyone checked out the article about the Zoukei-Mura 1/32 scale A-1H Skyraider by Paul Boyer?  He mentions that Zoukei-Mura is planning a U.S. Air Force "Sandy" version.  I sure hope so.  I will be one of the first ones in line to buy it when it comes out.  It looks like a really nice kit.  Here is a link to the article if you didn't see it: 

http://www.finescale.com/en/Products%20and%20Reviews/Kit%20Reviews/2012/01/132%20Skyraider.aspx 

Ken

Hey Ken;

Not good man, hearing about that back pain.

Yeah, sometimes just a new truck can do that.

I'ld love to build a Sandy......another great unsung hero.......

Apparently the Sky Raider is one of the only aircraft to ever take off from a carrier's deck with an ordnance load heavier than the aircraft itself......

gotta' wonder about the bastiges it hit.......

Shissh........don't get sick with a back injury pal, unless you expect to spend all your recovery time monitoring this thread!!!!

Rich: It is good to hear from you and I really hope things work out for you eventually! I was concerned as It had been so long since we heard from you!

Ken: Is this a recurring problem for you or a recent thing? I totally feel (no pun) for you in your pain! I have had chronic back pain for the last thirty years or so. My last injury left me with permanent issues with my sciatic nerve. The front of my right thigh often either feels numb, or can bring burning pain that brings me awake screaming. I had a bad episode several days ago that left me sitting here crying like a little girl, it was so bad.. It is somewhat better tonight, but as I sit here, my right foot is numb and tingly and sort of feels a bit like ice water running down my leg. I work in a warehouse, of all things, and usually by the end of the day, I can barely stand. I don't know how much more I can do this job, but with my lack of skills, I'm not sure where to go at my age. It has been suggested to me more that once that perhaps I should seek disability. I can feel sympathy for anyone suffering any degree of back pain! Hang in there!

Jim

Dom:  Thank you for the well wishes.  Yes I agree about the SkyRaider.  An incredible plane.  Remember Berny's story about the toilet bolted on to it?  He wasn't involved with it but recounted the story.  I believe that there was even a kit made with that as part of the amament!

Jim:  Thank you for the well wishes too.  My problem has not gotten as bad as yours.  It did start a couple of years ago.  That is one of the reasons I have decided to start exercising.  For me, the problem is being brought on because of my weight.  So last November I have once again started back on a diet and exercise program to lose weight.  I have been doing pretty good so far.  But a big part is the exercise and I can't do it with this back pain.

I am so sorry to hear about your suffering.  That is terrible.  So on top of having to deal with a boss that is a tyrant you also are dealing with all that pain.  I sure hope things get better for you soon.

Ken

Back pain is no fun.  It's one of the plethora of pains I have to deal with as well.  You've met me so you know how overweight I am.  Which doesn't help.  The Diabetes and fact that I can't safely exercise doesn't either.  A few suggestions that might help.

1.  Make sure you have a computer chair that has a good lumbar support in it.  If you spend a lot of time in it like I do, it really makes a difference.

2.  They make special orthopedic shoes which relieve some of the stress on your back when standing or walking.  Ask your doctor about it.

3.  Ask your doctor about a cream called Voltarin Gel.  Depending on the kind of back pain it is, it may help.  It is prescription only.  My doctor gave it to me for muscle and joint pain in my arms, but it also works on muscular and joint pain in my back.

4.  At night, if it gets really bad, dampen a towel and either nuke it or hang it next to a heat duct or radiator.  Let it get really hot, then drape it over the back of your favorite chair and put another towel over it.  Now have your significant other spread a bumch of Bengay or IceeHot on your back and sit down and lean back on the heated towels.  I sometimes do this for about 15 minutes and it really helps.

5.  If you want to exercise for weight, then if you can afford one, get a recumbent bicycle, the kind that you lay on your back to ride on.  You get the exercise, without the bad back stress.

I hope some of these suggestions work for you.

Rich

P.S.  still working on badge.  I am trying to blow up just Berie's image on that image he posted a while back of his crew in the Air Force.   It's probably going to come out kind of like a relief since the image is so low res.  I wish I could get ahold of a real photo of him.  Then I could use my good scanner to do a good scan.  Dom can tell you how good I can make cruddy originals look.  I made him new decals for a couple of his kits from horrid yellower and faded decal sheets.  But images that need the detail of people are almost impossible to do without really high end hardware and software.  Oh..  And if anyone else needs images restored, let me know.

Son Of Medicine Man

Dom:  Thank you for the well wishes.  Yes I agree about the SkyRaider.  An incredible plane.  Remember Berny's story about the toilet bolted on to it?  He wasn't involved with it but recounted the story.  I believe that there was even a kit made with that as part of the amament!

Jim:  Thank you for the well wishes too.  My problem has not gotten as bad as yours.  It did start a couple of years ago.  That is one of the reasons I have decided to start exercising.  For me, the problem is being brought on because of my weight.  So last November I have once again started back on a diet and exercise program to lose weight.  I have been doing pretty good so far.  But a big part is the exercise and I can't do it with this back pain.

I am so sorry to hear about your suffering.  That is terrible.  So on top of having to deal with a boss that is a tyrant you also are dealing with all that pain.  I sure hope things get better for you soon.

Ken

Ya know...  the Skyraider is the one prop plane of that era that I have not done.  Maybe I'll see if I can get ahold of one before we start.  That and pick up a small toy toilet.  The kind they use in doll houses.....  Hmmmmm....  If not, I'll try and dig up another F4 of some kind.

Son Of Medicine Man

Dom:  Thank you for the well wishes.  Yes I agree about the SkyRaider.  An incredible plane.  Remember Berny's story about the toilet bolted on to it?  He wasn't involved with it but recounted the story.  I believe that there was even a kit made with that as part of the amament!

Jim:  Thank you for the well wishes too.  My problem has not gotten as bad as yours.  It did start a couple of years ago.  That is one of the reasons I have decided to start exercising.  For me, the problem is being brought on because of my weight.  So last November I have once again started back on a diet and exercise program to lose weight.  I have been doing pretty good so far.  But a big part is the exercise and I can't do it with this back pain.

I am so sorry to hear about your suffering.  That is terrible.  So on top of having to deal with a boss that is a tyrant you also are dealing with all that pain.  I sure hope things get better for you soon.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

My back pain is slightly better today.  But only slightly.  But that is a turn in the right direction.  I will see how it goes tomorrow at work.  I have been spending the weekend just laying around.  It seems that when I have to sit in a chair that the pain is aggrevated, which is what I do when at work.

Only 10 more days until we start!

Ken

Greetings Everyone!

The back pain is getting better.  At this rate I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  Just in time for the start of this group build.

Rich:  Thanks for the advice on how to deal with the back pain.  Hopefully after I lose this weight it will minimize any future impacts.  On the note of the SkyRaider, I think that would be a pretty cool build.  I plan to eventually build an Air Force version of an A-1E, A-1H, and A-1J.

Only 9 days until we start!

Ken

Hi Folks.

Well Ken, it turns out that thanks to my Wife's idiot cat, you and I are on the back pain express together.  The furry moron knocked my chair away as I was sitting down and I went thud on the concrete basement floor...  I actually had to reschedule my eye Doctor's appt because it hurts too much to sit in the car, going over bumps.

I'll see what I can scrounge up for a Skyraider.  The prices for them are ridiculous on eBay.  I may end up with something else though.

Who was it that originally scanned that image of Bernie and his old crew?  I really need a slightly higher resolution image.  I can clean it up a bit from the small image, but it's kind of small.  So if whoever sent that one up, has a larger version or can scan one larger, it would help.

Rich

Son Of Medicine Man

Greetings Everyone!

The back pain is getting better.  At this rate I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  Just in time for the start of this group build.

Rich:  Thanks for the advice on how to deal with the back pain.  Hopefully after I lose this weight it will minimize any future impacts.  On the note of the SkyRaider, I think that would be a pretty cool build.  I plan to eventually build an Air Force version of an A-1E, A-1H, and A-1J.

Only 9 days until we start!

Ken

Sparrowhyperion

Hi Folks.

Well Ken, it turns out that thanks to my Wife's idiot cat, you and I are on the back pain express together.  The furry moron knocked my chair away as I was sitting down and I went thud on the concrete basement floor...  I actually had to reschedule my eye Doctor's appt because it hurts too much to sit in the car, going over bumps.

I'll see what I can scrounge up for a Skyraider.  The prices for them are ridiculous on eBay.  I may end up with something else though.

Who was it that originally scanned that image of Bernie and his old crew?  I really need a slightly higher resolution image.  I can clean it up a bit from the small image, but it's kind of small.  So if whoever sent that one up, has a larger version or can scan one larger, it would help.

 

Rich

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

Greetings Everyone!

The back pain is getting better.  At this rate I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  Just in time for the start of this group build.

Rich:  Thanks for the advice on how to deal with the back pain.  Hopefully after I lose this weight it will minimize any future impacts.  On the note of the SkyRaider, I think that would be a pretty cool build.  I plan to eventually build an Air Force version of an A-1E, A-1H, and A-1J.

Only 9 days until we start!

Ken

 

Hi Rich,

That picture actually came from Berny himself.  I will give his wife a call this weekend and see if it is possible to get a copy of it.

Ken

Wow - too many people in here with back problems, think I'll bail out before it becomes a contagion!! 

Seriously, sorry to hear about your troubles.  I have some too, but I blame it on old age and my bad golf swing. 

Ken

kbuzz01

Wow - too many people in here with back problems, think I'll bail out before it becomes a contagion!! 

Seriously, sorry to hear about your troubles.  I have some too, but I blame it on old age and my bad golf swing. 

Ken

Too funny Ken!   

My back is still getting better.  I feel pretty confident that I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  And the weather forecast is looking pretty good too which is good since a lot of it will be outside.

My local IPMS chapter meets this Friday.  I always look forward to these meetings.  A great bunch of guys!

Only 8 days until we start!

Ken

I am still trying to make up my mind as to whether or not to blow the money to join IPMS.  They meet pretty close to me.  Do you think it's worth it?

Rich

Son Of Medicine Man

 

kbuzz01:

 

Wow - too many people in here with back problems, think I'll bail out before it becomes a contagion!! 

Seriously, sorry to hear about your troubles.  I have some too, but I blame it on old age and my bad golf swing. 

Ken

 

 

Too funny Ken!   

My back is still getting better.  I feel pretty confident that I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  And the weather forecast is looking pretty good too which is good since a lot of it will be outside.

My local IPMS chapter meets this Friday.  I always look forward to these meetings.  A great bunch of guys!

Only 8 days until we start!

Ken

Sparrowhyperion

I am still trying to make up my mind as to whether or not to blow the money to join IPMS.  They meet pretty close to me.  Do you think it's worth it?

 

Rich

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

 

kbuzz01:

 

Wow - too many people in here with back problems, think I'll bail out before it becomes a contagion!! 

Seriously, sorry to hear about your troubles.  I have some too, but I blame it on old age and my bad golf swing. 

Ken

 

 

Too funny Ken!   

My back is still getting better.  I feel pretty confident that I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  And the weather forecast is looking pretty good too which is good since a lot of it will be outside.

My local IPMS chapter meets this Friday.  I always look forward to these meetings.  A great bunch of guys!

Only 8 days until we start!

Ken

 

Hi Rich,

Of course every chapter will be different so there is no way I could say.  But you don't have to join to attend a meeting.  I would attend a meeting to see who is there and get your own opinion and then decide.

Ken

Ken,

Count me in.  I just finished the F-4C/D I have been building forever.  I am going to add another F-4 and then add a couple of F-105, a MiG17 and a MiG 21.  I have the models.  I have the plan.  I might even have the time.  We'll see what happens.

Jim

Son Of Medicine Man

 

kbuzz01:

 

Wow - too many people in here with back problems, think I'll bail out before it becomes a contagion!! 

Seriously, sorry to hear about your troubles.  I have some too, but I blame it on old age and my bad golf swing. 

Ken

 

 

Too funny Ken!   

My back is still getting better.  I feel pretty confident that I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  And the weather forecast is looking pretty good too which is good since a lot of it will be outside.

My local IPMS chapter meets this Friday.  I always look forward to these meetings.  A great bunch of guys!

Only 8 days until we start!

Ken

To do that we had a large overhead delivery boom, and the final 8 feet of hose was a heavy 6 inch diameter rubber and nylon-clad hose with a stainless steel delivery head that in itself weighed about 30 pounds.

You couldn't get ice behind the two weigh scale towers, so you had to stand on the SS step-ups and grab that python and bend it around the towers. to do that you had to take the support cable off and that hose was over a hundred pounds when it was pouring the slush ice. That probably took about an extra 70 pounds of lateral force but even more if you tried to bend it past the 'easy point'.

A few years of that and hefting 50 lb boxes of salmon worked their magic on me too. Lots of us did stuff like that to make the rent. Anyways, yeah like my fellow compatriots, I got more scar tissue that vertebrae.......and as Berny used to quip, I get regular visits from Arthur, Arthur Idas that is.

It is truly a shame when you realize how so much great quality pain killer is wasted on Hollywood and rock stars....ouch!

Buffirn

Ken,

Count me in.  I just finished the F-4C/D I have been building forever.  I am going to add another F-4 and then add a couple of F-105, a MiG17 and a MiG 21.  I have the models.  I have the plan.  I might even have the time.  We'll see what happens.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Welcome aboard!  We look forward to building with you.

Ken

Bockscar

Son Of Medicine Man:

 

kbuzz01:

 

Wow - too many people in here with back problems, think I'll bail out before it becomes a contagion!! 

Seriously, sorry to hear about your troubles.  I have some too, but I blame it on old age and my bad golf swing. 

Ken

 

 

Too funny Ken!   

My back is still getting better.  I feel pretty confident that I will be able to finish work on that "Alaskan Pipeline" this weekend!  And the weather forecast is looking pretty good too which is good since a lot of it will be outside.

My local IPMS chapter meets this Friday.  I always look forward to these meetings.  A great bunch of guys!

Only 8 days until we start!

Ken

 

For me the final straw was a two year stint at a huge grocery outlet. I was working in the seafood department, and I set up the ice counters in the morning. They were 24 running feet long and four feet wide, and we filled them with about 10 inches deep, on average, of fresh ice every morning.

To do that we had a large overhead delivery boom, and the final 8 feet of hose was a heavy 6 inch diameter rubber and nylon-clad hose with a stainless steel delivery head that in itself weighed about 30 pounds.

You couldn't get ice behind the two weigh scale towers, so you had to stand on the SS step-ups and grab that python and bend it around the towers. to do that you had to take the support cable off and that hose was over a hundred pounds when it was pouring the slush ice. That probably took about an extra 70 pounds of lateral force but even more if you tried to bend it past the 'easy point'.

A few years of that and hefting 50 lb boxes of salmon worked their magic on me too. Lots of us did stuff like that to make the rent. Anyways, yeah like my fellow compatriots, I got more scar tissue that vertebrae.......and as Berny used to quip, I get regular visits from Arthur, Arthur Idas that is.

It is truly a shame when you realize how so much great quality pain killer is wasted on Hollywood and rock stars....ouch!

Hi Dom,

That is quite a story.  I know many of us have done things in our younger years that are now paying the price.  I myself used to do a lot of manual labor when I was young that I am sure caused injuries to my spine that I am paying the price for now.  But when you are young you think you are invincible and as you said, most don't have a choice.

But I am glad to say I am even better today than I was yesterday so on with the show!  We are down to the last week!!  7 days until we start!

Ken

Hope you guys continue to improve. Ready to go here but as I'm commented elsewhere on the forum my camera is in the shop and they're telling me it may be a month or so before they get to it. So I'm afraid I won't be getting any interior shots etc if I start on the kick-off date. Not sure if I should delay or not here.

Rich- I went to several meetings at my local IPMS club before they asked me to cough up some cash Give it a try I think you'll like it, it's great to sit down with some other modelers and talk shop.

Hi Gamera,

We understand if you don't have your camera for the pictures.  That won't be a problem.  You can still participate by giving us a description of what you did each day (or not did, which ever the case!).  Just being an active participant is all that is required.  It is the fellowship that is important, not the pictures.

Ken

Thanks Ken!

Hopefully they'll be able to get to it sooner though. Pulled the kit out the other day and started a plan of attack on how to start assembly and figure out which decals I want to use. I should be ready to rock n' roll on the start date

Cliff

Greetings Fellow Modelers,

I have a lot of exciting news, at least for me!  That is the great thing about this forum is sharing news with other people with similar interests who understand why you would think it is exciting.   

First, I took the day off from work yesterday because the weather forecast was too good to pass up.  I was able to get a lot done on the "Alaskan Pipeline".  I had to re-plumb the piping at the compressor and add a tee to branch off to the second floor room where my workbench is.  I managed to get the piping completed to the end of the garage.  From there it will be a straight shot to the room so it will not take much more to finish.  It should be completed this afternoon.

Second, I attended my local IPMS chapter meeting last night.  I really enjoy going to these meetings.  A really great bunch of guys.  Don brought in several kits in 1/48 of the F-84G by different manufacturers and we compared them side by side.  Then we had some discussions about how we could increase the enrollment of our club.  IPMS has a "ABC" initiative that I mentioned and we discussed how we could try to implement it.

And finally, I saved up enough to buy the 1/72 Anigrand C-5 Galaxy!  I just purchased it!    I have been wanting that kit since Anigrand first released it.  And now I have to wait for it to show up.  Talk about a kid waiting for Christmas!    This kit is huge!  When completed, it will measure 41 inches long!

Only 4 more days until we start.  When we do start, it will be over in the "Group Builds" section, so be sure to look there and join the thread.  I will list everyone and their kit on the first page that has written to this post.  If I miss anyone, please do not take offense and simply let me know.  I am only human so I can and will make mistakes.

Ken

Sounds like you had a great day.  That's going to be a huge model!!  Do you plan to add another room to your home? 

Ken

kbuzz01

Sounds like you had a great day.  That's going to be a huge model!!  Do you plan to add another room to your home? 

Ken

About the only place I could put it would be to suspend it from the ceiling in my "Man Cave".  So it would be an engineering challenge alone in just that respect.  But I felt that the C-5 is so big, it should be modeled big to give it the respect it deserves.  It even beats the C-130 in 1/48 scale in size!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Greetings Fellow Modelers,

I have a lot of exciting news, at least for me!  That is the great thing about this forum is sharing news with other people with similar interests who understand why you would think it is exciting.   

First, I took the day off from work yesterday because the weather forecast was too good to pass up.  I was able to get a lot done on the "Alaskan Pipeline".  I had to re-plumb the piping at the compressor and add a tee to branch off to the second floor room where my workbench is.  I managed to get the piping completed to the end of the garage.  From there it will be a straight shot to the room so it will not take much more to finish.  It should be completed this afternoon.

Second, I attended my local IPMS chapter meeting last night.  I really enjoy going to these meetings.  A really great bunch of guys.  Don brought in several kits in 1/48 of the F-84G by different manufacturers and we compared them side by side.  Then we had some discussions about how we could increase the enrollment of our club.  IPMS has a "ABC" initiative that I mentioned and we discussed how we could try to implement it.

And finally, I saved up enough to buy the 1/72 Anigrand C-5 Galaxy!  I just purchased it!    I have been wanting that kit since Anigrand first released it.  And now I have to wait for it to show up.  Talk about a kid waiting for Christmas!    This kit is huge!  When completed, it will measure 41 inches long!

Only 4 more days until we start.  When we do start, it will be over in the "Group Builds" section, so be sure to look there and join the thread.  I will list everyone and their kit on the first page that has written to this post.  If I miss anyone, please do not take offense and simply let me know.  I am only human so I can and will make mistakes.

Ken

I still remember how your dad saved his plane and crew.........congrats on achieving that.

Well, nothing like a big airplane in the house......I always want to hang them......that kit would take up a whole lot of living room if it were parked.

Ummmm.....that T junction, Ken....you are falling down on the job pal......the other end of the pipline ain't show'd up a my garage pal.....what's up with that.....lol.....

By the way, being human as an excuse for imperfection is no excuse!- remember Nomad -lol

I take offense that you do not want anyone to take offense!

Please keep us updated on that C-5 project Ken.....Uuuhhh......you could always rent out its cargo bay and earn some extra cash man......

Son Of Medicine Man

Second, I attended my local IPMS chapter meeting last night.  I really enjoy going to these meetings.  A really great bunch of guys.  Don brought in several kits in 1/48 of the F-84G by different manufacturers and we compared them side by side.  Then we had some discussions about how we could increase the enrollment of our club.  IPMS has a "ABC" initiative that I mentioned and we discussed how we could try to implement it.

The club I belonged to many years ago in Marquette, Mi. used to have a day at the mall in January or February.  Just a few tables of finished models, a couple of guys building and information.  You can always get a couple of people interested that way.  There are more than a few model builders who don't belong to any club.  The problem is, and has always been, finding them.

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday was another good day.  The "Alaskan Pipeline" is just about completed.  The line is inside the second floor room where my workbench is.  I need to go back and add a few more support hangers and mount the air pressure regulator and it is finished.  It will be done before I lay my head on the pillow tonight!

Dom:  Thanks for the cudos!  Yes, that kit is the one that I have been wanting for a good while.  It is finally coming home!  When I do start on that beast, I can work within my workbench but the final construction will have to be done in the "Man Cave".  Once it is finished, it is not leaving!

Jim:  That is a good suggestion about setting up a table at the local mall.  I can remember my Dad doing the same thing with his R/C club when he was still alive.  I will suggest that at our next meeting.

Only 3 more days until we start this build!

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Well, sadly the "Alaskan Pipeline" did not get completed tonight.  I cut a piece of pipe from one of the few remaining pieces and used the wrong one which left me with one too short.  Since it was so late on a Sunday there was no chance of getting another so it will have to wait until tomorrow night.  But it will still be done in time for the start of this build on Wednesday!

I hope everyone else is getting as excited as I am.  Hard to believe it is almost time to start.  Three days to go!

Ken

Yeh, three days to go and the kit I'm going to do still isn't here..  I'll be doing a 1/48 Hasegawa F14.  Although USPS tracking says it will be here in the next mail on Tuesday I guess.  It's at our local PO.  Here is the kit I will be doing.

Now if I can ever get a decent F4 kit for the new Phantom Build..  I almost had a Black bunny but I got sniped...

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

Well, sadly the "Alaskan Pipeline" did not get completed tonight.  I cut a piece of pipe from one of the few remaining pieces and used the wrong one which left me with one too short.  Since it was so late on a Sunday there was no chance of getting another so it will have to wait until tomorrow night.  But it will still be done in time for the start of this build on Wednesday!

I hope everyone else is getting as excited as I am.  Hard to believe it is almost time to start.  Three days to go!

Ken

Ken;

Well, thanks for the consideration, it's a long way from the mid-west to Ontario....lol.....you'll need long pipe for sure.......

Rich;

Dang that's a nice looking bird......my second favorite airplane.....

So, tonight I cut the radial spokes of the flame holders,

and I created a mandrel to support the flame holder parts

as I glue them together. These won't be real pretty, but

given the overall accuracy of the Revell engineering on

this kit, they will be well within 'tolerence.'

Yeah, I agree with Ken, I am excited to see this GB start

and this puppy finished......I decided not to detail the interior

of the cans beyond what I have, again, that would be 'overboard'

to to that given the Revell tolerances.

I managed to put those flame holders together,

turbine assembly to follow, here's where it is:

Itchn' for Scratch II: F-4 J-79 1/32 Flame Holders

Well, they like the big lights at FSM....lol...

Almost ready to rock.....

Ken,

Good luck! My air compressor is on wheels and I have to drag it around, the pipeline sounds like a really good idea there. And congrads on the Hercules, that's going to be one heck of a kit. I assume she's in resin- she must weigh about as much as a small car.

Rich: Very cool! Hated to see them get pulled out of USN use.

I may be a little slow out of the gate since I've got all this other stuff piled up but otherwise I'm ready to go.

Cliff

Well, this kicks off for me tomorrow. Tomorrow is a special day all round for me. Its the 1st anniversary of the feb 22nd 6.3 earthquake that killed 185 people here in Christchurch. Should be an interesting day.

Bockscar

Ken;

Well, thanks for the consideration, it's a long way from the mid-west to Ontario....lol.....you'll need long pipe for sure.......

Rich;

Dang that's a nice looking bird......my second favorite airplane.....

Dom,

I am stll waiting for clearance to drill through the Canadian border from the government.  As soon as I get the permit, its coming your way! 

Ken

Bockscar

So, tonight I cut the radial spokes of the flame holders,

and I created a mandrel to support the flame holder parts

as I glue them together. These won't be real pretty, but

given the overall accuracy of the Revell engineering on

this kit, they will be well within 'tolerence.'

Yeah, I agree with Ken, I am excited to see this GB start

and this puppy finished......I decided not to detail the interior

of the cans beyond what I have, again, that would be 'overboard'

to to that given the Revell tolerances.

 

I managed to put those flame holders together,

turbine assembly to follow, here's where it is:

Itchn' for Scratch II: F-4 J-79 1/32 Flame Holders

Well, they like the big lights at FSM....lol...

Almost ready to rock.....

Dom watch where you point those things, you almost singed my eyebrows! 

Ken

LOL! -thanks for that!

It took all of 10 minutes a piece to glue together......

6 months pondering what and how, a month digging through my endless styrene resources to find the ring stock,

An extra trip to an LHS for the spoke material the same width as the Tamiya holders,

I got the idea for a mandrel last fall, but only figured out how to make it weeks ago,

All the while deeply tempted to pick up a resin set from Sprue Daddys........

I'll paint them orange red.........

I can hardly wait to see how the exhaust turbines turn out......I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I got the orientation wrong......

Gamera

Ken,

Good luck! My air compressor is on wheels and I have to drag it around, the pipeline sounds like a really good idea there. And congrads on the Hercules, that's going to be one heck of a kit. I assume she's in resin- she must weigh about as much as a small car.

Rich: Very cool! Hated to see them get pulled out of USN use.

 

I may be a little slow out of the gate since I've got all this other stuff piled up but otherwise I'm ready to go.

Cliff

Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the cudos.  Yep, my Dad was a flight engineer on the C-5 Galaxy.  We were stationed at Dover AFB Delaware.  Watching those things circle the base was something else.  Because of their size, they looked like they were closer than they really were so they had the illusion of no air speed and just hanging in air.  One time I parked at the end of the runway (this is way back in the early 70's) to take a picture of one when it came in to land.  I waited until it got close enough to fill the view finder before I clicked the shutter.  I didn't realize how fast it was coming in and all I got was a picture of the main landing gear!

Well tonight all that got done on the "Alaskan Pipeline" was a mount for the air pressure regulator and air filter.  I had to invent something myself since the one I bought did not come with any mounting hardware (including any ears for screws).

Ken

Well.  The F14 I procured is the first Hasegawa Tomcat I have built.  I am hoping it is somewhat less problematic than the usual Revell/Monogram.  The two body pieces on the R/M kit are very poorly fit.   And Dom.  Just tell them you will be sending oil or natural gas down the pipe.  That will cut the red tape. :)

Rich

Scorpiomikey

Well, this kicks off for me tomorrow. Tomorrow is a special day all round for me. Its the 1st anniversary of the feb 22nd 6.3 earthquake that killed 185 people here in Christchurch. Should be an interesting day.

Hi Scorpiomikey,

That is sad what happened there.  That is good for you to bring that to everyone's attention lest they forget.

I realize that where you are February 22 arrives 18 hours ahead of me.  Feel free to start when February 22 arrives in your time zone.  I will start the build Wednesday evening in the Group Build section.  Look for it around 8:00 PM EST.

Ken

Ken.  Looks like I won't be building that F14 kit after all.  It turned out to only be 1/72 which is too small for me, so now I have to try and find another one that I can afford.  Does anyone have any suggestions on a kit that's less of a hassle than the R/M nightmare F14 in 148...?  The other Hasegawa F14s are just too pricey for me right now.   I wasted like $25 on this 1/72 poj. 

Sparrowhyperion

Ken.  Looks like I won't be building that F14 kit after all.  It turned out to only be 1/72 which is too small for me, so now I have to try and find another one that I can afford.  Does anyone have any suggestions on a kit that's less of a hassle than the R/M nightmare F14 in 148...?  The other Hasegawa F14s are just too pricey for me right now.   I wasted like $25 on this 1/72 poj. 

Hi Rich,

Here are a few I found on eBay.  I can't say how well they build or if they are anything you would be interested in, but they are cheap and are "Buy it now" so you won't be sniped!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lindberg-LAIRD-TURNER-METEOR-Aircraft-Model-Kit-1-32-/350460358453?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519910af35

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hasegawa-Messerschmitt-Me-163B-1-32-Kit-/220959342675?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3372340053

http://www.ebay.com/itm/REVELL-85-4565-BELL-X-1-CHUCK-YEAGER-1-32-/400277666382?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d32687a4e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-32-Trumpeter-China-PLAAF-F-5-fighter-02205-Mig-17-/270897631234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f12c1d002

Ken

Hi Everyone,

I totally scored on a book yesterday!  I purchased the book "Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - Warbird Tech Vol. 36".  I got it for a really good price.  I am really pleased.  Now I have the reference material to go with the kit that I just purchased.  Outstanding!

Also, I got the "Alaskan Pipeline" completed tonight.  All that is left is a few pipe hangers which should take just a few minutes when I get home from work while there is still daylight outside.

Tomorrow is the big day!  We officially start the group build.  It will be a blast. I am already enjoying the banter we have started in this post so the group build should be a lot of fun.  Remember to look for it over in the Group Build section tomorrow night.

Ken

Ken:

Good man!

That's a bit of Karma happening, Kant Always Remember My Address....lol

Kant only remembered categorical imperatives.....lol...dumb bassige........

Looking forward to that C-5 build......

Hey, WTF....where's the air feed man.....airbrush is sucking, not spraying....lol....

Hmmmm.....MIG Beijing looks great.........

not sure which will take more time...

buy it, build it, or buy a new pellet gun to shoot it....lol.......

Ken,

Congrads on getting the 'Pipeline' up and almost ready to go and the Galaxy book. Walked into a few of them and Hercules at airshows and good gosh they're big friggin' planes.

Rich, Sorry to hear the F-14 turned out the wrong scale, I've heard the Monogram F-14D is a pretty good kit, and I built the old F-14A years ago and it went together pretty well.

The A-20 Havoc has perhaps the worst painting instructions I've ever seen, It just gives the interior as semi-gloss green which could be about five zillion different greens! Looked all over the web for a better description and ended up back here with two excellent builds of the kit by B-17pilot and Femis. Why didn't I start here to begin with!?! Full circle!!!

Thanks for the ideas Ken.

I've done the Monogram and Revell F14 kits a few times.  I can never seem to get the top and bottom fuselage pieces to line up properly.  One always bows in in bad spots.

Has anyone ever done the Fujimi F14, F16, or F15 kits in 1/48?  If so, could you give me your impressions on them?

Thanks

Rich

Hi Everyone,

I just posted our build over in the "Group Build" section.  Please feel free to check it out and subscribe to the replies so you won't be left out.  And as I said before, if there are any mistakes or there need to be any corrections, please feel free to let me know.  It's on!  And oh, by the way,

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERNY!!!!!   

Berny would have been 68 years young today.  Let's remember him the best way we know how.

Ken

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

What a coincidence.

Bockscar

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

What a coincidence.

Hi Dom,

That is one heck of a coincidence.  I am sure that is very special for you.  Here is to your Dad.   

Ken

Many thanks Ken!

I was honored twice that my father and Berny

shared that date.

Berny taught me a thing or two about keeping things

real, and not getting too impressed with one's

own self-impressions or accomplishments.

And not getting too opinionated about things.

As I know you lost your own father not too long ago,

again these are the coincidences and realities

that remind us how important it is stay on the humble side,

and reflect on our relative luck in life.

I had a chance to discuss how well they finished the

titanium spot welds on J-79 turkey feathers with Berny,

and I know my dad wishes he could have been there as well.

My dad always joked about "Matt Neffer, Boy Spot Welder...."

I'll try and finish the aft turbine blades on those scratch J-79's

this weekend, then I'll have a go at this GB.

Berny is still laughing at all the putty.........

Hey, how often do you get to post on February 29th?

....lol.....

Rich and I are wondering about some combo builds, like F-4's and MIGs in German colors.

So I'm halfway withe the J-79 aft turbines, I posted them on the Itch'n for Scratch post:

So now I need to double up the number of blades.

I'll then assemble the J-79's and paint with....Gosh forbid.....a paint brush.

Of course, i still need to ad about 100 little bits to the turkey feathers.....

the little 'resignator' parts....lol....

Today finished chasing the undercarriage surface and wheel-bay cover/flap details, and broke open a more recent Revell 1/32 F-4G

for guidance on re-scribing the wing panel lines.

I figure Ken is about to post.....hmmmm..........lol....

Bockscar

Today finished chasing the undercarriage surface and wheel-bay cover/flap details, and broke open a more recent Revell 1/32 F-4G

for guidance on re-scribing the wing panel lines.

I figure Ken is about to post.....hmmmm..........lol....

Hi Dom,

We are all over in the "Group Build" section now. 

Ken