1/72 Hobby Boss P-47D "Thunderbolt"

Hard to imagine it, but these two are the same scale!

We sure did build 'em big!

Still some seams to take care of on those drop tanks, but she's almost ready for escort duty.

So far it's the nicest spraying paint I've used from Vallejo. Low pressure, right out of the bottle, lays down well, and looks like metal. No clogging or sputtering issues at all. This is some dang nice paint and I wish all of their paints would spray this well lol. Besides Vallejo's Game Air series, that is. That stuff is magical. Still, this Metal Color series is sahweet.

Nice job with the NMF!  I think you're on to something with the Vallejo color.

Thank you my friend. After working on a 109 and then a MiG 3, which is a decent sized A/C in comparison to the 109, the Thunderbolt absolutely dwarfs it in size. At nearly 8 tons fully loaded, the P-47 was a monster! 

Ive got two more in 1/48 (razorback and bubbletop) and one in 1/144 which is still needing a ton of work. I'm gaining a fair amount of respect for this beast of a fighter. It has an intetesting lineage.

Based off of proceeding Seversky designs, such as the P-35 and P-43 Lancer, the P-43 ended up as an export only aircraft that saw most of its service in China and did not compete well against Japanese designs.

The P-47 has quite a lot of fascinating history behind it.  :)

This is turning out just great.  I love what you're doing to it.

Toshi

Well, this is one thing completed.

The decals are actually nice and thin and laid down quite easily. :)

Back on this one to see if I can finish it up real quick. I think I'm in love with this Vallejo Metal Color series. :) it sprays so well.

If this stuff is anything like Alclad II, then I get why it's so wildly popular.

Thanks guys, it has been an awesome experience.  I posted a bunch more pictures in the General Modeling section so as to not hijack Mike's thread and so that more people can see it if they like.  This class is quickly becoming my favorite hour of the day.

IKR, Toshi. This is one of the coolest things I've ever heard of to promote future modeling.

-------

back to the build however lol.

I've got the first round of Vallejo silver on. This paint is frustrating. I've ha to clean the nozzle three times just to get this far. 

I'll experiment with improving flow tomorrow. I'm two wine glasses deep into this frustration and I know I'd better quit while I'm ahead lol.

normally I don't have this much trouble with spraying Vallejo, so I guess it must be the wine.

Good night.  :/

silentbob33

 

 

M. Brindos

 

 

 

 

No, this is really fascinating to me! Hijack away!!

Decals need patience. That is a test all by itself lol. Getting them to lay down properly without silvering is no easy task! 

I assume you provide a few basics and lots of advice, tricks, and tips for those who want to do more than just slap them together and be done. Am I correct?

This is an assignment I would've aced back in school. Lol

 

 

 

 

 

That's right.  I've given them the basics and encourage them to read the instructions and I make do with paints, the colors aren't all correct, but I'd rather stress the fun aspects of the build with them.  There are a few that I give tips to and I can tell they appreciate it.  Somehow, only this picture saved on my phone so I'll have to get some more on Monday.  Sorry it has to be a tease.

These are the Hobby Boss Easy Assembly P-40B, F4U, P-51C, Hurricane, Spitfire, and Typhoon.  All in 1/72.  They also just finished kits of the La-7, Yak-3, and P-39, but the picture didn't save of those ones.

We also took a small field trip to the local airport back in February.  There's an aircraft painting business there that was putting the finishing touches on the CAF's P-51C.  As an extra treat there was also an F4U that came in just a day or two before we got there.  It was really cool to see the kids appreciate seeing the real thing after they'd built it.  Before the end of the year we'll also be taking a field trip to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo.

 

 

Toshi

P.S.  May I suggest for your next project to do with armour (Tanks) and such.

Thanks guys. 

What Bob is doing, in my opinion, is one of the best things anyone can do for this hobby. I have been wanting to find any interest in my community but so far I've not found any. We have one of the best comic/table gaming shops in the State in town and no one seems interested in building models or hosting a small class on the subject. 

Honestly I didn't try very hard, but most of the table gamers don't seem to like having to paint their figures. You can find examples of good and innovative painting, but they seem content with their work.

Washington State is a model building vacuum. The community appears content to keep to themselves around here.

Unless you're into trains it seems and that's okay. But where is everyone else??

So yeah, I am a little envious of Bob lol.

I should have some time to put some paint on this T-Bolt soon.  :)

M. Brindos

Alright. That is awesome! 

I think the impact of this is going to be tremendous. 

It really does look like you have a small Air Force in your classroom. Those look pretty good as well. 

I hope this is something you can continue to do.  :D

Id love to see more when you can find them lol. I'll grant you a free pass to hijack this thread at any time with more on this subject.  :)

I love this topic.

 

Alright. That is awesome! 

I think the impact of this is going to be tremendous. 

It really does look like you have a small Air Force in your classroom. Those look pretty good as well. 

I hope this is something you can continue to do.  :D

Id love to see more when you can find them lol. I'll grant you a free pass to hijack this thread at any time with more on this subject.  :)

I love this topic.

M. Brindos

 

 

 

 

No, this is really fascinating to me! Hijack away!!

Decals need patience. That is a test all by itself lol. Getting them to lay down properly without silvering is no easy task! 

I assume you provide a few basics and lots of advice, tricks, and tips for those who want to do more than just slap them together and be done. Am I correct?

This is an assignment I would've aced back in school. Lol

 

That's right.  I've given them the basics and encourage them to read the instructions and I make do with paints, the colors aren't all correct, but I'd rather stress the fun aspects of the build with them.  There are a few that I give tips to and I can tell they appreciate it.  Somehow, only this picture saved on my phone so I'll have to get some more on Monday.  Sorry it has to be a tease.

These are the Hobby Boss Easy Assembly P-40B, F4U, P-51C, Hurricane, Spitfire, and Typhoon.  All in 1/72.  They also just finished kits of the La-7, Yak-3, and P-39, but the picture didn't save of those ones.

silentbob33

It is a thrill.  Some of the kids are really enjoying it and getting into it.  It's also amusing to see them push through the frustration of certain parts of the build.  They tend to have the most difficulty with decals.  I've jumped in and helped when they ask, but the decals in these kits are really hit or miss.  Hope you've got some good ones in your kit.

I've taken a couple of pictures, but I want to pull the best ones out and get some good pics of those too.  Photobucket is blocked at school so I won't be able to post them until I get home.

Sorry if this has hijacked your thread a bit.

 

No, this is really fascinating to me! Hijack away!!

Decals need patience. That is a test all by itself lol. Getting them to lay down properly without silvering is no easy task! 

I assume you provide a few basics and lots of advice, tricks, and tips for those who want to do more than just slap them together and be done. Am I correct?

This is an assignment I would've aced back in school. Lol

Thanks BK. It's not that tiny, but the 1/144 P-47 I have put aside is tiny though! It's got wing root issues I have to figure out and it's been on the SoD for months lol.

This kit is pretty rugged in most respects. The landing gear are the weakest parts of the assembly. That tail wheel certainly proves that I think lol.

The one piece fuselage and solid wings make this a really heavy model for its size. Like I said in the beginning, it's very much like an up-sized 1/144 kit. 

Next up is the silver finish. I've got a plan that should work. I've just never done it with metallics before, so this should be interesting.

Stay tuned!  :)

It is a thrill.  Some of the kids are really enjoying it and getting into it.  It's also amusing to see them push through the frustration of certain parts of the build.  They tend to have the most difficulty with decals.  I've jumped in and helped when they ask, but the decals in these kits are really hit or miss.  Hope you've got some good ones in your kit.

I've taken a couple of pictures, but I want to pull the best ones out and get some good pics of those too.  Photobucket is blocked at school so I won't be able to post them until I get home.

Sorry if this has hijacked your thread a bit.

silentbob33

I'll take a few today during my planning period.  We're going to start the last batch of kits sometime next week.  We have a lot of standardized testing right now so that's making difficult to get going.

 

I think that's a little exciting. Finding out who gives it some effort and shows some talent. :)

Seeing who gets hooked on the history or just the build itself. 

Watching the "light" turn on has got to be a smal thrill! Especially these days when electronics are what we put in our faces so much of the time.

I kinda envy you a little lol.

Pictures when or if can find the time.  Please?  :)

That looks awesome. Great work on such a tiny kit.

BK

I'll take a few today during my planning period.  We're going to start the last batch of kits sometime next week.  We have a lot of standardized testing right now so that's making difficult to get going.

Are there any pictures??!

I'd LOVE to see some!  :D

I've been trying to do that very same thing with my kids. Pick a model and research it.  :)

That is my favorite part of the entire experience. Finding when where and who.  :)

Looks like your doing a pretty good job of that kit Mike!  I needed to teach a new elective this year, so I decided to bring modeling to school.  I pitched the idea of building models and doing historical research projects on the subjects of the kits.  The administration loved the idea so I was able to purchase a bunch of these easy assembly kits.  They're not great, but pretty good for a bunch of teenagers that have never built anything before.  As an added bonus, I have a small air force in my classroom.

Sorry for the black on black. These pictures are dark and not too good, but hopefully you'll still see it okay.

Not sure when but I managed to fold the tail wheel over and break it.  :/

i might have to build a new one With wire to make sure it will hold up.

Now that I've got a nice coat of primer on it, I'll do some touch up and start painting some silver.  :)

Thanks, Bish. Thanks, Toshi.

I noticed some gaps around the front windscreen after I posted last night. A bit of Squadron green putty worked nicely to fix that small issue.

So a little light sanding this morning and I'll be watching for a break in the weather.  :)

Stay tuned.

Yes, I agree with Bish.  It is coming along very nicely!

Toshi

Coming on nicely Mike.

Okay, last post for tonight.

I painted the pit. Not much to see but the headrest, really. That's some dang thick glass!

So I attached the canopy and masked it. I think it's ready for primer.  :)

Thanks for lookin-in. :)