Helldiver! 2/08/09 Post Script

Hey, Snake- I picked up various bits all over.  The engine at the NATS, PE at The Military Shop (I'm headed there today!), True details stuff from Squadron (don't buy the wheels- they don't fit!), Stencils from Squadron (very nice)- I guess that's it.  Sprue Bros carry the Vector goodies, they'll get more of my dough.

As for the next project, I ain't tellin', but Abe and company will be along for the ride.  I'll be posting an update later- I've managed to get some work done.  Gotta clean the house, tho- company's coming for Thanksgiving!

You can also get the Vector engines at Linden Hill Imports and they cost a little less there too.  I paid $16.00 there and Sprue is $17.99. 

Dave

Thanks to both Dave and Chuk.  I order alot from Squadron, and have just started using Spruce Brothers.  Chuk, does the Military Shop have a website that you can order from online?  I look forward to the new installment tonight when I get home from dinner.

Chuk, not even a little hint?  1/48, 1/72, Aircraft, Armor???

Also, while searching through Spruce Bros. website, I found the photo etch I need from Eduards, but what is the difference in some of the photo etch that they offer, and the photo etch that is called "Eduard Color Photo Etch Zoom."  I am trying to figure out which ones to purchase for the (ACM) SB2U-3 Vindicator, and the (ACM) Dauntless that I just purchased.

Thanks guys!!!

Also, I found the Vector Engine I need from Spruce Bros. as well.  Only 2 left!! wooo!!!

Here's Eduard's web site.  You can find all their products, usually see a photo of how they fit in the actual kit , and also pull up all their instructions.  The color stuff is really nice.  It has a great finish and depending on the cockpit comes in layers that you can build up.  Give it a look.

Dave

http://www.eduard.cz/

She's beautiful chuk!  Here's to hoping that the ACM Vindicator and Dauntless projects that I am planning for turn out at least a quarter as wonderful as your HD! 

Hope all is well with the fires now.  Stay safe out there!  Look forward to next week and the coming months for the new project!

Amazing as usuall Chuck. Your attention to detail is just sublime, my friend. Whats left? A couple of hours? LOL.

Did anyone else notice who Little Chuck was talking too!! That looked very much like his twin. No wonder your going on at a pace. You never told us there was 2 of them

...Guy

Hi Chuk,

I'm not sure what you had in mind for displaying the finished bird, but may I suggest somehow incorporating your Little Chuk artwork into it somehow.  I've recently started laser engraving wood bases with art work and I'm very happy with the results.  I have some articles on how to color fill as well if you're interested.  I think that would be a great way to imortalize Little Chuk with this special project.

Dave

It is so great to see the Beast taking shape, even though it means we're getting close to the end of the story.

BTW, I didn't know about the detail of the anti-glare panels.  So, on the gloss sea blue finish, there were anti-glare panels of the same color, but just matte?  On the top of the cowl and forward fuselage, in this case?  I've never built any USN aircraft in the gloss sea blue finish, so I've never really read up on the subject.

Regards,

Brad

smeagol the vile wrote:

What can be said that hasent been said 100 times when you post a new update.

Well you could say, " OOOgla Boogla! Boogla OOOGLA! " which means when you die, on your death bed! You will receive total conscienceness. At least I got that going for me...

 Stellar as usual Chuck and a ditto on the question about the anti glar panel on the sea blue schemes. Makes me wonder what else I am missing? Those dive brakes! Man look like crazy work but to seem them in place ! WOW!  Looking as good as Biscuits and Gravy!

( dont think anyone has said that yet?)

Lots of kind thoughts and prayres for all in the fires!

Yes...devastating flash fires out there....even scary hearing radio reports!

I think the highlight of this update is the photos!....well, and the flaps.

But the pics show the superb weathering and decal work....and the usual great humor to very great advantage! Well worth the wait!

Thanks chukw!

I rather was waiting for 'li'l pilot chukw' to describe dive bombing a Zero, though!

You are a nut bar, but a very talented nut bar.

Don't forget to put some "good luck" charm(s) and possibly a girlfriend snap shot stuck to the instrument panel! I mean you've done EVERYTHING else, gawd knows.

White Snake wrote:

She's beautiful chuk!  Here's to hoping that the ACM Vindicator and Dauntless projects that I am planning for turn out at least a quarter as wonderful as your HD!  Hope all is well with the fires now.  Stay safe out there!  Look forward to next week and the coming months for the new project!

Those fires were nasty! I've got a friend that lives in Sylmar, right by where one of the fires took place. I've tried calling him a couple of times to see how he made out, but no luck. (Although he should be okay; his house is a bit away from the mountains). At night, I can pick up KNX-1070, a Los Angeles all-news station here in Phoenix from time to time, so I was able to get a bit of the play-by-play.

Back to the subject at hand: Looks like Li'l Chuk has a brother! Looks like he's a good pilot, too. What's the pilot's name?

What can be said about the Helldiver that hasn't been said before? Chukw, if you've got relatives with little children coming over, you'd better lock that thing up like the gold bricks at Fort Knox. I'm already imagining the horror: "Oooh, looky at Uncle Chuck's pretty airplane! I wonder if it flies!" Plane sails across hobby room and smack into the wall.

I'm going to stick my neck out and put in my two-cents worth on what chukw's next project will be: A 1/72-scale B-36 Peacemaker! I've always thought that was the best-looking World War II-era plane; I love that thing!

Holidays approach.....I feel that we in the peanut gallery shall be rewarded with some Thanksgiving or XMas/Chanukka treats before long. He must be as busy as we are!

Chukw,

It's just Beuuuutiful. Will be checking back to see how much better you can get this Beast to look (could it be possible, of course, it's amazing).

When I grow up I want to be just like you.......

 Take care and hope all have a good holiday season....

Chuk,

   I haven't posted in the Aircraft Forum much and I'm relatively new to modeling, but I've been lurking in the background following your build.  All I can say is that as impressive as the final model will be, one will not be able to fully appreciate it and the work and effort that went into constructing it without reading through your posts here.  So thanks for the ride and here's to ya...

 Don

Bump!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy thanksgiving to all my stateside buddies, and ,well, happy Thursday to all the rest!

I have had a bit of a setback with the Helldiver- I've lost one of the bomb racks! remember these guys?

I went to the container I've been keeping my sub-assemblies in and it was gone.  I searched, searched and searched some more, but with a cold-case file like this, I can only wonder where it went.  I've sent a letter to Eduard begging for spares, but haven't heard back yet.  I guess my options are to buy a new set (Augh- $$$) or scratchbuild a new pair of matching racks (not high on my hit parade, either).  We'll have to wait and see.  The family's leaving tomorrow, so I can get back to the project and tie up some other loose ends in the meantime.   Keep those fingers crossed!

Viper_MP: that's pretty amazing!  It's widely rumored that the Academy kit is simply a scaled-down version of the Pro-Mod original- and Eduard scaled their set down as well!   Academy must have darned good pantograph machine.... ;D

Thanks, HK!  

White Snake, I'm so closed to being finished it isn't funny.  Bets of luck with your Navy builds, bud!

Luftwoller:  It would be down to the wire if not for the missing bomb rack- oh well!  I discovered that there are armies of lil chuks running around- from different armies, no less!  Wait'll the next build- whoo, boy!

weebles  :  That's a mighty kind offer, my friend!  I'm thinking of putting her on a deck with a figure or two fro scale.  I may grab some sculpey and see if I can't sculpt up a decent mini of the little guy to stand on the shelf- lol!

the Baron :  Thanks, Brad- yes, it's quite interesting that the anti-glare panel was painted in the old matte dark seas blue.  I almost frogot, but a Squadron profile reminded me. 

tempestjohnny;  don't go looking too closely- there's flaws a-plenty!  It all matches up well enough for government work, tho- ;D

davew600:  yes, but so is a new beginning...

subfixer:  many thanks, pal!

smeagol the vile:  Aw, shucks... 

sfcmac:  What you said!   many thanks- and luckily nobody got pasted by any mudslides.  Whew!

namrednef:  Thanks, buddy- I must have picked up some sub-space subliminal messages from ya! 

wing_nut:  Dude- thanks!  :D

wyoroy:  Thanks, man- that finish line- where exactly is it? 

trexx:  What an awesome idea- thanks!  

Jim Barton:  Thanks, Jim-  sofar my sweet lil' niece has done nothing more than give me lots of "huggies"  The studio is a forbidden zone- and she knows it.  The fires were crazy, but all gone now- it's just a matter for us lucky folk to wipe up all the soot. As far as I can tell all those lil guys are called lil chuk- maybe lil pilot chuk?  Lil son-of-a-sea-cook chuk?   As fro the next project- keep guessin', keep guessin'...

cmixson:  Thanks- and same to you!  The smell of turkey roasting right now is severely intoxicating, I tell you!

pordoi:  Well, welcome to the party- and many thanks, my friend!  

Nam: Right back atcha!  

chukw.....the bomb rack is simply laying behind some other object on your work area......or in your washing machine!

well, that's MY experience anyway!

Chuckie-Boy,

I can bemember, seems like a hunnert years ago now, I saw your first thread of a pic of a boxed model and eleventy-twelve aftermarket sets....and I thought "THIS guy is a glutton for punishment"......How terribly droll.....I wondered if you were a hack and we were all going to be subjected to endless and interminable butchery with everyone gritting their teeth, saying "Great job!!"

But in truth, it's turned out to be probably THE most entertaining and awe inspiring build serial I've ever seen in the many years I've been wandering around this fine website.  Lil' Chuk is a hoot, although I want to know where you got Abe, the giant penny....

I've seen your other artwork (some of it in person...bloody fantastic stuff), and when assessing the quality of THAT, it's absolutely no surprise that your Helldiver is turning out to be such a little marvel (no pun intended).

Mate, you keep going just like you are....have yourself some fun, and if you would, please keep generously giving us some of your time by posting pics and providing us all with Lil' Chuk and his updates.  My fervent wish is that the kind people at FSM will see this thread for what it is and give you an author's fee as they do when a particularly well presented article is published in the FSM Magazine.

Cheers, Brother.

P.S.  Emma sends her love, hugs and kisses.......she loves her Iron Man