In My Stash GB : Threepeat

My appologies for no progress from me so far, i have not even taken the kits out of the stash yet. Life has been getting in the way somewhat. Ive been having great fun with trying to find a job, lots of interviews but no offers yet. Some dont even get back to me. Im also having fun learning to drive, that is an interesting experiance. Also our house is a building site at the moment and i have nowhere to spray as the space i normaly use is occupied by some concrete blocks. To top it all off my partner has not been well and i have been spending as much time with her as i can.

Rest assured i will get around to this model some time though. The little  modelling i have done recantly has been trying to finish off various half finished models and tidy up ones i built a while ago. 

I been slowly plugging away on the Hind kit, still stuck on the detailing of the cockpit and cabin areas such as rolling small wires to make troop seat springs (when do I quit?) but I have started on some of the other sub-assemblies i.e. engines and weapons as a break. Still trying to match the paints to the Eduard instruments panel color with little luck, will just try to match it the best I can. My weekends are on Weds and Thurs and I will try to post some updated pics then.

Scott

I'm still in here, moving slowly along. I followed the instructions for the light grey on the Essex  - they said RLM65 light blue. That can't be right - it looks very odd. I'll have to do a bit of research to find what grey it is supposed to be and respray.

Started a new job that is taking up most fo my time though. In a few weeks the steep learning curve should be over and I should get some time at the bench in the evenings.

Paul

Ah, great to see people still around.

Jeff, thanks for posting the progress pictures.  The extra bracing should keep everything from moving. 

I spent some time this afternoon researching the colours of USS Essex in 1943-44. Turns out the kit instructions are just plain wrong for the 1944 period.

They said use Measure 36; there was no 36, it only went up to 33! The Essex was in Measure 32-6-10d during 1944, which is 2 greys and black, not the sky blue & black of the instructions. Essex was the only carrier in this scheme and I can't find any reference photos for the pattern, so I am going to do her in Measure 21 as she was in 1943, navy blue.

Research thanks to www.shipcamouflage.com and www.paint4models.com. Paint4models is well worth a visit - it lists any colour you care to think and matches it to all the main paint suppliers equivalents.

Paul

Paul, I know I have some info from when I did my Essex.  I'll see if I can dig it up.  In the meantime you might also be interested in this article.

http://www.steelnavy.com/essex_data.htm

Paul, I believe someone from the ship forums sent this image to me.  Maybe you'll find it useful.

Time to check in.

I have just completed a small ship in a bottle for a friend and the M88 ARV. I took the CH46-E Sea Knight out of the box and washed it down. I looked over the instructions and the Big Ed instructions. This is my first time with complex PE parts. Photos will follow.

Tony

nice work fellas

i am still lurking about watching what is going on  and trying to find a place i can start building .also been busy on my site trying to get things running but i am not that computer savvy lol.

i hope you are all doing well i always enjoy this build how it starts slow and then comes the frantic building going on lol

see you all soon

kenny 

Small progress update.  I feel like I'm plodding along, but it is steady progress. 

I've completed the seam work to my satisfaction (I think), and have preshaded the panel lines.  Could there be a few more panel lines?  That would be great.  Sheesh, crazy looking at this stage!

Next I'll paint the gear bays and landing gear RLM 02.  But before I can begin painting the fuselage, I need to install the cockpit and glazing.  And that means more PE work and masking.  Yea!

Thank goodness for pre-cut canopy masks!  Absolute necessity with this much canopy framing.  Also painted the exhaust and main wheels.

Removed the lumpy ammo holders from the machine guns and replaced them with a better PE version.  Still need to attach the PE handle to the top of the container.  In hindsight I wish I had "cut" the containers into the gun as they seem to just sit there.  But that's hindsight and won't be noticeable later with paint on and behind glass.

And some misc instrument panel work in prep for closing everything up.  Still have more PE to fold and install, but am getting close.

Cheers!

Great progress Arki. Its really beginning to take shape and look forward to the paint stage. Those masks look great and your right they must save a lot of time and headache. I did mine the old fashoned way and did it with tamiya tape.

I have started my JU-52 a few weeks ago but am working on all the subassemblies so very little worthy to show pics yet. I will be breaking out the A/B very soon to get most of the main colours done. Pics should be up soon.

Steve

Looks good Arki,

Well pulled the mammoth Libby outta the stash and got everything primed.  After a whole rattle can it's ready for paint.  I have to hit the LHS and stock up on Interior Green.  It's gonna take alot.  THis bird is Huuuuuge!

Thanks fearless.

RLM 65 underside has been applied, and I've masked and painted the RLM 71 top side color as well.  Next to begin masking the splinter camo scheme.

Sorry I am taking so long guys, this type of build is just out of my element. I am very use to single engine fighters. But still I enjoy it. I have filled, smoothed the seems. I have lots of nose wieghts in and I have the elevators painted and many smaller parts painted the turrets built(not shown) and am ready for paint with the exception of masking the black leading edges.

Comments welcome of course.

You do realize that your "taking too long" is about what the rest of us average?

No worries, there is still plenty of time left in this build.  Which is somewhat unfortunate as clearly everyone else is waiting till the end to start.   Need some life in here!

I am moving along at a blistering snails pace! My plan for 'have it done before summer' has changed to squeeze it in before the end of the year...same as last year.

I have to build a Bren Carrier for my Dad (he drove around Germany  in one during conscription in the late 50s) and a P-38J for a friend who brought a print of one back from Hawaii for me.

I hope (and I don't want to comit myself here) to get some paint on the USS Essex and maybe an update later tonight.

Paul

I apologize for the work stoppage on the Hind. On the 6th the wife and I took my mother in to Urgent Care for flu like symptoms and a distended belly, she was than admitted to a near-by hospital and on the 7th were informed by the hospital doctor that she has the worst case of sclerosis of the liver he has seen and it's terminal. Doc says she has from several months to maybe a year to live. It was a real blow! particularly since she never drinks???  

One brother whom I have not seen in 30 yrs flew in from Boston on Weds to see her and I took him back out to the airport just a couple hrs ago for his return flight. Note to self...don't take brother to Nico's for Mexican food on day of flying. Poor guy got sicker than a dog an hour after lunch. On my way home he called from the terminal saying he was still heaving up lunch. Since I talked him into lunch at Nico's, I probably won't see him for another 30 yrs. 

I really need to sit down and break the stress with an hour or two of model building.

Scott

Scott, ouch!  Sorry to hear about your mothers condition.  Best wishes that the remaining time is a full of life as possible. 

Couple of progress pics.

Next to begin masking the white and yellow ID bands.

Arki - sweet splinter!

Between my mom still being in the hospital and all the other assorted life-related things, haven't been able to bang out builds as fast as I'd like. Sloooooowly working my way down the pile though, and before the year is up that Cobra will be on the shelf!

Looks REALLY cool, arki.  Keep up the great progress.

I'm planning to finally get a start on my Ka-50 this weekend.

Scott, very sorry to hear your news.  My prayers are with you and your family.

Arkii, you're on the homeward stretch.  The camo looks great.

I'm just putting the finishing touches on my current build and should be starting the Snowberry very soon.