Lend-Lease GB (1/1/09-7/1/09)

Ok, here's some pics of my progress on the M-3 Scout Car. Finished one of the axles, took longer then I thought it would, due to mold seams. Alot of putty had to be used on some parts due to some big dents and errors caused by Zvezda when they were molding this kit. Other then that progress is moving along nicely, most of the parts fit together beautifully. Sanded down most of the ejector pin marks on the outside hull of the cabin (as you can tell there were alot of ejector pin marks.) I plan to start work on the cabin itself later today.

All comments, suggestions, and questions welcome. By the way I'll be starting a WIP thread in the armor section on this scout car, so you can also check my build out over there.

stikpusher wrote:

Well I have some buildng done on my old Monogram P-39. I forgot how nice this kit really is, not having built one in over 25 years (probably closer to 30). I have the basic cockpit assembled and the wings, along with some other odds and ends. I replaced the kit seat with an Ultracest resin seat having the style of belt harness used on Lend Lease Cobras. But painting is now held up due to weather. My painting area is my garage and we have high winds the past couple days coing in to the direction that the open door faces. Not a good combination. But it is a beautiful sunny  unseasonable warm day out (mid to upper 70s) Once I get some painting done, pics will be posted.

Can't wait to see some progress pics!

 Hey mg.mikael, the M-3 is looking good. Built a Zvezda kit a little while back and had a blast with it.

 Stikpusher, looking forward to painting updates on the P-39.

 Bushi, Any updates on the M-10, looks like you've made pretty good progress with the build so far.

 Have fun and will be looking forward to post.

 Mobious

mg, bushi, nice work so far guys! Keep the pics a comin'!

stik, I'm using one of the Ultracast resin seats in my Hasegawa Airacobra as well. They are really sweet lookin'! I also was able to snag a set of their 12-stack resin exhausts (one of a few different types they offer for 'cobras). You should check 'em out. Lot's better IMO than the kit ones (as least as far as the Hasegawa kit is concerned).

stik, if those Allison stacks are anything like the Merlin ones I have for my 'stang (both shrouded & unshrouded included in the set), I'm sure they're awesome. Love that ultracast stuff!

.....and it does look like they have just the stacks you may need for your 'cobra......

http://www.ultracast.ca/aircraft.htm#P-39%20/%20P-400

chet wrote:

Just started my m16 motor gun carrier, i dont have a camera for pics. The 50 cal  guns with photoetch is a big pain in the arse. I have a question for you guys what kind of camera do you have, i am looking to get one for just this reason. thanks happy modelling

I have a Canon PowerShot A520. It was a very popular camera model a few years ago, but now you can get a digital camera with just as many features, more megapixels, and a cheaper price tag. But it does the job, so I'm probably gonna have this camera one more year at the latest (had it 4 years and it's soon gonna be time to upgrade.)

I hope others can give you more help, then I did.

I use a Casio Exilim. It is a cheap one though and am I thinking of getting a Canon. I was using a Kodak CX7330 but it broke.

Great progress everyone. Keep up the good work!

Anyway, while I was waiting on some paint to dry on some other projects, I started my M4A1 76mm Sherman. I just love these Dragon's Shermans! They are sooooo nice. It is a nice break after working on some frustrating aircraft kits. Here are some WIP pics:

The texturing for the cast hull is great.

I drilled out holes on the bottom of the hull for the fender attachment points. This is one thing Dragon ommitted.

The top has some really nice details. PE for grilles and such. Plus you have your choice of engine hatches. I went with the one with a fuel cap on it.

The air filters are very detailed as well. Along with seperate engine doors.

I only just started on the turret. It has a lot of parts for it.

Here is a pic with the gun assembly in place.

All in all, this is a great kit. I am really enjoying it so far.

ruddratt wrote:

stik, if those Allison stacks are anything like the Merlin ones I have for my 'stang (both shrouded & unshrouded included in the set), I'm sure they're awesome. Love that ultracast stuff! .....and it does look like they have just the stacks you may need for your 'cobra...... http://www.ultracast.ca/aircraft.htm#P-39%20/%20P-400

Yes, I was by my LHS a little while ago... had three types in stock. But I am gonna try my hands on the kit ones first. I am trying to keep AM stuff to a minimum on this kit.

Heres a close up of the finished ones on my AM Mustang from 2007.

 Hey chet, I was using a Sony DSC-H2, a nice easy to use camera. Nice optics. My kids got that one, so I upgraded to a Nikkon D60. I take alot of pics! A camera to use to post doesn't need to be a high pixel one, almost all the time I reduce the images in order to transfer them and reduce load time. The Nikkon has NEF file capability but I seldom use it because most software works with jpeg files. One thing nice about snapping a few WIP pictures is going back and reviewing my work. A camera can pic up on things I miss with the old Mark I eyeball. The older I get the more I miss!

 Mobious

No pics in my update today. Just got a little more basic work done on my build. Mostly the sanding and filling in of ejector pin marks. It seems everywhere on this build is an ejector pin mark, and they seem to be breeding .....not sure if ejector pin marks can do that, but it's starting to become quite frightful. Pick up a piece and there's 6 staring back at you.

I'll try to get pics up later this week.

Looking forward to the pics, mg!

stik, very impressive work on the 'stang, and those resin exhausts look awesome! Did a little more research on my build and it looks as though I'll have to go with the six-stack set instead of the 12. They've been ordered.

On my build, the 'pit is done and I've commenced work on detailing the landing gear. Pics are coming soon, I promise!

 Looking forward to seeing updates from everyone!

 M0

Pavlvs wrote:

The keel has been laid and all the parts are in for the Bogue kit. I am doing the HMS Queen since I have found some nice pics of her specific details. I am going in for Bariatric Surgery on the 28th so I am trying to get in all of my research in by then. I have a question. Did the british put Spitfires or Swordfish on these little CVE's and if so, does anyone know where I can get these planes in 1/700 scale. I have the F4F (Martlets) and I know they were used but I want the full variety. I was going through the thread and I saw a reference to DeHavilland Dragon Rapides. Can I do this kit as well? I have a Kiwi Models 1/72 kit of a Dragon and I would love to include this. If this is OK, put it by my name. I'm also doing an R/C model of the DH89.

Sorry Pavlvs, I can't help you with your question about planes in 1/700 scale, but maybe someone else can.

As for the second question, yes! You can build the DeHavilland Dragon Rapides...........roster updated.

 Hey mg.mikael, I made it into Michael's and they were having an "Artist" paint brush sale. 50% off all ARTIST brushes. I'm not an ARTIST, but I picked up a nice ARTIST brush. A W&N #4 black sable filbert that should work great for drybrushing. It's not as nice as my kolinsky but it is very nice ARTIST brush none the less, and a lot less expensive. Anyway, while I was there looking thru the ARTIST brushes, I took a look at the model section and immediately seen the Brewster Buffalo B339. Had to have it. Should build up nice, being a Tamiya. I know someone else has already spoken up for this aeronautical engineering masterpiece, but I was wondering if I could possibly attempt this build as well,  possibly before commencing with construction on the DUKW. I don't know if this particular variant served with the valiant pilots of the Soviet Union, but it did serve with many nations at the outbreak of war.

 M0BI0US

Mobious: Sounds like you got a good score on the brush. Not to mention, I can't wait to see that Brewster Buffalo B339, roster updated!!

stikpusher: Looking forward to seeing pics of your P-39!

 mg.mikael, Didn't mean to go on about the brush, just thought it's a pretty good deal on decent brushes. Looking forward to starting the Buffalo this weekend. Don't expect too much. If I can get the wings on it I'm happy Just stepping outside the armored box.

 Mobious

So far construction has had it's snags, but it's moving along at a nice pace. All four tires are glued and sanded. Both axles are sanded, and the incorrect moldings were filled in.

Those ejector pin marks have been sanded down and filled in. There sure as heck were alot of those dang pin marks.

A part of the engine I had the biggest problem with, as you can tell I couldn't go easy on the putty. There was so much space between the part I glued in and the main undercarriage, it was sort of unbelievable. That one piece took a good hour to fit, putty, and sand into place. Thank goodness it's finished, because that piece was nightmare.

Pavlvs wrote:

Did the British paint the flight decks of the Bogues they had or did they stain them?

I don't know alot of facts about ships, but a few years before and after 1942, US naval carriers wore blue flight deck stains as regulation. I'm not 100% sure if the British painted over this, or if they kept the stain color. I would assume they kept the color, but they did have different regulations and paint schemes. Sorry I couldn't have been of more help.

By the way I wish you the best of luck with your surgery, Pavlvs. Hope you recover swiftly and remain healthy. 

Hey Pavlvs, I looked around for some British carrier planes. All I found were USN and IJN. Sorry it wasn't much help. Good luck on the surgery. Hope everything goes AOK and Get well soon!

 mg.mikael, the gap you filled, isn't that supposed to be there? It looks like the transmission and a tranny mount. The tire set looks pretty good with lots of detail. Not planning on turning the front tires?

 Haven't decide which to build first the DUKW or the Buffalo

 Mobious

Mobious wrote:

Hey Pavlvs, I looked around for some British carrier planes. All I found were USN and IJN. Sorry it wasn't much help. Good luck on the surgery. Hope everything goes AOK and Get well soon!  mg.mikael, the gap you filled, isn't that supposed to be there? It looks like the transmission and a tranny mount. The tire set looks pretty good with lots of detail. Not planning on turning the front tires?  Haven't decide which to build first the DUKW or the Buffalo  Mobious

Nope, that gap isn't supposed to be there at all. Why there was such a huge gap I don't know, I guess it's a modeling mystery.