This is great!  I just stumbled on this last week.  I have most of the items you're working with.  I'm building the -1C version and was planning on vacuforming the section behind the pilot so that I could capture cleanly the windows directly behind the pilot.  Your detailed information is really helpful.  But now I'm inspired with the fuel tank and other detail behind the cockpit which will be visible with this model.  I'm very inspired! 

I've been looking at these Mattel Vac-U-Form machines.  I have a book on building vacuform machines so I'm thinking I may just build one.  But yours with the upgrade seems to really do a great job.  Especially with everything all in one package instead of messing around with the vacuum cleaner oven.  I'll have to give it some more thought.

Thanks and I'll be sure to keep on watching this thread.

Dave

Where on earth have I been? I come on the forum at least 3 or 4 times a week and I've completely missed this thread going on for so long!

Chuck, this is one amazing build. The best part of course is that you took the time out to take pictures and edit them as you build so we can see how you made those great details. I know that's takes some discipline to stop your build half way and take them - so my appreciation for your efforts. I'm sure learning a lot!

Your website illustrations looks great also.

Oh no! Another talking penny!

Gumball machine...pretty frickin' funny.

chukw wrote,

Now, do you fellas want me to stop this build?  If I'm discouraging you at all it'll break my heart!  I know you're really kidding, though- right?  Thanks- and cheers! 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I never kid around chukw, Had the models in the rubbish bin and my small change started talking to me just in the nick of time! Although it's not saying very nice things about me,

 You actually are my inspiration for a couple projects now. LOve that you have a Model room with a view! Keep driving on! Only issue I have is where are the girl characters? LOL

chukw wrote:

I have a better view of my neighbor sunbathing in her bikini as I hack plastic.  I'dve taken a pic of her, but it would have been awkward if she'd caught me- and fatal if my wife had!

LMAO... as much as I wish you had, I DEFINITELY understand.  SWMBO would have my head if I did something like that!!

leemitcheltree wrote:

LMAO!!!! Looks great, mate! Can I borrow your Vac-Form machine?  Doesn't matter that I'll have to get a converter to use it here.... What happened to the aftermarket vac-form canopies that you've got?  Weren't they suitable?

White Snake wrote:

Ahhhh....I have had my fix.  Unfortunately it will only last me for a day or so.  Brilliant work again Chuk!  I cannot wait until you begin painting and completing the turret!!!   Is there any place besides ebay in which I can purchase a Mattel Vacuform?

davew6003 wrote:

sfcmac wrote:  Yeah great work. I just threw my HellDiver away. Can't hope to compete with such fantastic work. Maybe I'll build the old Monogram one. Ok got it the garbage. I just can't bear it but am strangely fixated on your work. I was going to get a helldiver.....then I saw this tread...I took it off my list of kits to buy.

Wow, that looked the machine of my dreams. Doubt id ever use the thing, but you know the score, I gotta have one. Masterfull episode Chuck. Hurry up we want more. LOL.

...Guy

P.s Loved the Bomb hangers.

sfcmac wrote:

Yeah great work. I just threw my HellDiver away. Can't hope to compete with such fantastic work. Maybe I'll build the old Monogram one. Ok got it the garbage. I just can't bear it but am strangely fixated on your work.

I was going to get a helldiver.....then I saw this tread...I took it off my list of kits to buy.

Don't mind me....I have merely fainted!...........Thanks chukw, as per usual.....going back to re-read. I actually owned a vac 45 years ago.

Everything is on a higher level now! 

LMAO!!!!
Looks great, mate!
Can I borrow your Vac-Form machine?  Doesn't matter that I'll have to get a converter to use it here....
What happened to the aftermarket vac-form canopies that you've got?  Weren't they suitable?

Ah, patience, Watson- ALL will be revealed!    Thanks, guys!

KJ200 wrote:

Chukw, simply stunning, and inspirational. I used your masking tape trick to gauge the shape of a repair section. Worked a treat. Karl

 Excellent! It goes to show that if a dope like me can do it, and you can do it, too- then you're a dope like me!!  :D

Well, I'm calmly sitting before the screen, sipping the grapefruit daiquiri my lovely wife has just handed to me- it's summer!  But wait- is that the sound of distant combat I hear?  We'd better check in on Lil' Chuk and giant Penny Abe!  

I know.....I have HBO on but it's not on the sked!

(But it's rally not fair to pressure the build..............darnit!) 

.....I am frantically waiting for the next installment.  

Chukw, simply stunning, and inspirational.

I used your masking tape trick to gauge the shape of a repair section.

Worked a treat.

Karl

Here's an adjective that hasn't been used:

How about "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" or however the heck you spell that.

Seriously, fantastic and terrific as usual! And thanks for all the great pictures!

But the teaser about vacu-forming misadventures has me a bit worried...did "L'il Chuck" fall into the Mattel Vac-U-Form machine?

subfixer wrote:

Well, it's Friday! Only two more days until chuk's next installment. What is it going to be this time?? The suspense!

I refuse to speculate! That is part of the fun.....not knowing what's coming! (and there have been a few surprises!) But it's all good!

Still a very long way to go methinks! (and then, there is always the artwork and humor to boot!) 

chukw wrote:

Thanks, guys- you're da greatest!     ....... time spent working on some other aspect of this simple little bang-together.

Simple little bang-together, my nomination for understatement of the year decade  millenium!

Thanks, guys- you're da greatest!  

Namnedref- you can drybrush the various shades right after one another- that way you get a little bleding going on, which is good.  I scrub the excess paint off on the paper pallette you see in the pics, and when those spots are dry, I know the plane is dry- make sense?  It usually takes an hour or so- time spent working on some other aspect of this simple little bang-together.