Regia Aeronautica GB II (06/15/09 to 06/15/10)

Voidses wrote:

Hi folks! I'm searching high and low after any pics on the gunsight in early mc202folgores,it's wery annoying not to find any reference! And btw, how did the seat belts (correct term?) look in their fighters?   I'v heard Italy can be quite hot at times...

Well I do have a pic but I am not sure if I can release such info. Are you a registered member of the Regia Aeronautica fan club. Second if you are building a Macchi C202 then you should be posting your work here were it belongs. Well I will make an exception this time I will post the pic but when you build it you must post pics and join in or Sarge will hunt you down!

                                                                               Soulcrusher 

Mike thats some real nice work your doing there working that kit over. The camo looks spot on to me.

Frank I will never argue the fact that I am crazy. Just ask anyone I know and the will tell you. The USPS is extremly slow around here. Its no the fault of the individual workers Its the fact that most of them have to do at least two routes every day and some have to do three. If the mail is in the mailbox by 3 PM around here that is a good day. Somedays not it does not make it until 4. I have gotten packages from the Royal post in a week. It took 4 days for the G 55 Aaron sent me to make it from Texas to Conneticutt. I guess it is uphill.

Aaron you are right. The people on this forum are some of the best people I have ever known in my life. Especially the great bunch of people in this GB. Here is to all of you guy's [no pun intended] your the best!

                                                                                 Soulcrusher 

 Ok maybe I am nit -picking..... but now that I take a closer look.......

I think you got ripped off. The details on this project really look like they came from Hot Topic store in the mall. All USA.  The PE garters look Victoria Secret to me, and the cigarette looks like it was created by Phillip Morris rather than a traditional Italian Cigar.

The Iron work on the door is distinctly Victorian Iron works from a Pennsylvania furnace and the Mohagany door seems to have the properties of a mill in  Alabama.  Nope don't think you can pass this one off as Italian without some serious modifications. If you need any help or tutoring let me know. I have vast experience in such conversion kits.

soulcrusher wrote:

Well it looks like I have twice to amount of work to do now so I better make some serious bench time tonight.  Oh I almost forgot Aaron is Ace and I whish I was his son! Sorry Guy but he's earned it!

Hehehe... Another bloke building twins!  LOL...  Glad to see Aaron and I are not the ONLY crazy ones here.

Voidses wrote:

I'v heard Italy can be quite hot at times...

YOWZA!!!  I'm gonna book a flight to Italy to get one of those as soon as I'm through typing this!

Mikester- I love your tip on the tailwheel boot, looks perfect to me.  Gonna have to remember that one for my next project...   Bummer about the silvering, but I couldn't see it in the photo so hopefully it's not too bad?

Aaron- It's funny about the mail taking so long from there... Everything I have sent or received from the UK has taken 5 days or less (usually three).  Wonder why things run so slowly here in the colonies?

 Ok checking for info on a 202 gunsite. Man Mike I know what you mean about the silvering on those decals that have large areas of clear carrier in between.  On that 1/32 scale  Pacific Coast beast I completed I just let it dry real complete. Then I took a new hobby knife and stabbed very small cuts through the decal wherever I could see silvering. Then put a drop of straight solveset or any setting solution on it and let it dry. Took about three times to do this cycle but it disappeared. When satisfied I recoated the decal with future to level out any cuts that would show in the angled light and re dulled the finish with flat coat.  Long process but it worked.

 Now this is a strange coincidence. My Daughter Arianna is nick named NA NA ! Thankfully I know she is in her room still grieving the death of Dumbledore!  Whoops no spoilers!

 SC! I am so happy that finally got there for you. I joke with FRank and Sean a lot saying my mail takes so long because it is all uphill.  Like before please consider it a gift from all your friends here! As I believe anyone of them would have done the same. Good bunch of fellows this scale modeling tribe. The lot of them. Even the Liverpool fans! Perhaps it is time to raise our glasses and have a pint or 7.

Moving right along...

The tail wheel was smooth hunk of plastic where the protective leather boot should be, lead foil to the rescue.  Wadded it up into a ball to give it some contours and then glued it to the tail wheel:

And then finished product, much better!:

Exhaust stacks were drilled out, would have like to have gone thinner but was afraid of going through the side wall:

Wash and flat coat applied, some of the other major components installed, starting to look like a 109!

I have some silvering on the wing insignia, can't seem to get rid of it which is real frustrating.

Hi folks!

I'm searching high and low after any pics on the gunsight in early mc202folgores,it's wery annoying not to find any reference! And btw, how did the seat belts (correct term?) look in their fighters?

I'v heard Italy can be quite hot at times...

Yes Sarge it here! I opened it up and  looked it over and compared it to the Classic Airframes kit that is on the bench. The decal look great and they give you optional parts so you can even build the prototype aircraft with the machine guns under the engine. They got the dash shape correct unlike the flat one in the CA kit but the CA kit has a better resin cockpit. I am going to use the extra vac formed canopy from the CA kit so I can display the canopy in the open postion. I have wanted to compare the two kits side by side since the Special Hobby kit came out and now I can thanks to old Sarge! Well it looks like I have twice to amount of work to do now so I better make some serious bench time tonight. Thanks agian Aaron.

Oh I almost forgot Aaron is Ace and I whish I was his son! Sorry Guy but he's earned it!

                                                                                                       Soulcrusher

 Well SC! I just got back from watching the new Harry Potter movie with the fam. Shows as being delivered. Hopefully to the right place!

 Crazy work going on here! Guy is taking a toy and making it into something to awe about.

Frank and Mikesterola are doing work that looks more like the real thing than the real thing even. I do so need to do something myself.

Aaron the G 55 should be here today according to the website it is on the truck and out for delivery. That camo is one of the two options for the Classic Airframes kit. Mabye I'll do the CA kit in the standard ANR Luftwaffe camo colors and the Special Hobby kit in that camo.

This GB is really coming to life agian. There is some nice work going on here. I think I am getting inspired to get something done seeing all of this great work. 

Frank that 109 is looking good. Can't wait to see more.

                                                                                     Soulcrusher

Daywalker wrote:

Aaron- An oddball 109 you say?  That sounds quite intriguing.  Perhaps a Fieseler Skoda FiSk 199?

 Yep how'd you know Frank? Physco physic powers abound in this forum!

 I really am thinking it needed to keep Guy having fits!  I was trying to figure out which Harry Potter character Guy would be  and all I could come up with is Dobby. Elfs you know, right then.

 Look at my landing light!!!

Thanks fellas, glad you like her!  Somehow I knew painting a 109 would break that bad mojo.   As for the wingtip light in 1/48, I agree- it works beautifully.  I did it on my G-10 I built last year.

Aaron- An oddball 109 you say?  That sounds quite intriguing.  Perhaps a Fieseler Skoda FiSk 199?

Woo hoo, the paintwork on these builds is coming along swimmingly. Im almost at the stage myself.

SC, im planning on doing the standard looking ANR paintjob but on seeing Aarons pic he posted, that one looks yummy. I still think im erring towards a groovy mottle though. Need to hone my skills a tad. What Tamiya paints are best for RLM 74/ 75/ 76? Cant find my little note book.

As for my light lens Aaron, it works a treat on 1/48. You can also get away by using a piece of clear sprue and not chop up the toothbrush holder LOL. Just use a smaller drill for the bulb.

...Guy

Wow Frank I am actually taking copius notes and saving the pics you and the Mikster are simply working magic with paint. I Kinda am getting the urge to build some kinda odd ball 109 variant so it may come in handy!

I am wanting to try that light thing in 1/48 wonder how it will look? Guy you just drilled a hole in the back side and added paint you say?

Really looks good. I'll probably mess it up. Kharma from FRanks M1 curse no doubt.

SC! Here is that scheme I think your doing in the Special Hobby kit. You had better have it in your hands tomorrow or I am driving to New EnglaND!

sfcmac wrote:

Frank you seem to have beaten the curse as it looks like you are back in the groove!

Oh, no... you shouldn't have said that.   Now I am really DOOMED.   LOL

Guy- Great addition, and so easy!  Well done, you'll be painting in no time at all.

SC- I know what you mean about the slump, was in one myself for a couple of days.  Glad to hear you are feeling better and are back on the bench.  Sounds like the Sarge has you set up.

I sprayed the RLM 76 last night, and tonight did the RLM 75.   I was trying to decide whether to add the scalloped leading edge effects like Mike did, but opted not to for something different.  The mottle looks good to me so far, but once the RLM 74 is added I think it will really pop.  Then, some of that "Italian color" to paint out the crosses and such.  I must admit, it feels great to be painting a 109.  Bliss!

Hey SC! That G-55 is supposed to end it's 5 day journey from Texas  tomorrow at your doorstep. Sorry it tok so long I have no idea how this mail stuff works!

Hope that can give you some of your mo jo back!

Looking good there Guy. I bet you have been eyeing that poor toothbrush holder for weeks trying to figure out a way to use it on a model. Are you painting it up in the usual ANR german camo colors?

I have been totally uninspired when it comes to the workbench the last couple of days but tonight I sat down for a bit and got the resin cockpit installed cleaned up the ulgy seams on the fuselage and then glued the wing to the fuselage. I should be able to start laying down the putty tomorrow over all of the seams and I might have to slide some styrene shims in the large wingroot gaps to fill the space up before proceding to putty them. At least the Classic Airframes plastic is very soft and easy to shape. I can't wait to get to start painting the really cool camo.

                                                                                                        Soulcrusher

 Well Mikester keep on trying and one day you will  be able to paint as well as Helga Hooters the famous WWII historian painter that mastered the art of painting Luftwaffe mottle with beer bubbles and foam!

A few dozen or so more builds and you should have them looking as good as her!

Frank you seem to have beaten the curse as it looks like you are back in the groove!

 Although since you are not as far along you may need more than 1 beer.

Guy I love that light bulb thing. Way cool but since the English are so against wasting beer a special legal committee was needed to describe your techniques.

 Well that seems to be how I see things this fine July day!  Great work all!

Mikethe decals look great, and Frank the painting is looking awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Guy, that is how I am going to have to put lights on the Corsair I'm doing!!! Excellent tip!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!

Daywalker wrote:

Luftwoller wrote: ...I see your using the Frankenstyrostand Mk2. Very nice. I certainly am!  And remember, they are available for purchase for the small sum of $149.99 and that includes shipping anywhere in the world!

I hope for that price, it comes with cocktail sticks!!

Ive actually done some modelling this morning. Ive removed the horrid molded in wing lights and scratched some newbs. Heres what i did,

I cut and filed out the original light moldings, then i needed a piece of clear styrene/ plastic for the light itself. Luckilly in the bathroom we had an old (Old now anyhoo) toothbrush holder that was sufficiently thick,

then it was just a matter of cutting a small piece with a decent right angle that lined up with the cutout in the wing,

I then superglued the piece in place and sanded it to shape. Making sure the closer to the right shape it got the finer the grade of sander. That way when i come to polish it, it wont have large scratch marks in it,

It was at this point that i realised i wanted a bulb in it. So i cut it away from the wing with a scalpel blade and drilled a small hole in te back of the lens and blobbed some Tamiya clear red in. I painted the wing insert with some silver,

superglued the light back in, gave the lot a polish, and voila!

Cool. i reckon,

...Guy

You really should patent those things Frank before someone steals your idea and starts selling them. Glad to see the 109 finally has made it to the paint booth.

                                                                                         Soulcrusher

Luftwoller wrote:

...I see your using the Frankenstyrostand Mk2. Very nice.

I certainly am!  And remember, they are available for purchase for the small sum of $149.99 and that includes shipping anywhere in the world!   Thanks for the help fellas, I'm gonna go look for a Tamiya color that is close.

Luftwoller wrote:

Great info Mike, but are you sure that the Italians would have adhered to a strict colour code for painting out the crosses? Im not so certain. I reckon that they would have grabbed the 1st can of paint that was close to the surrounding paint..But hey, what do i know

I think that's pretty accurate (based on photos) up until this last few months of the war, after that all bets are off!  I ignored that rule on mine since the over painting was definitely done in a dark color and it's a late war plane.

Luftwoller wrote:

Anyhoo, the paint job on yours is looking fantastic. Did you have any probs with the seams on your 21st ct kit? I used Tamiya extra thin on mine and ive had a right game with them. Even after 24hrs it still seamed (Pardon the pun) a little soft. Ive ended up CA'ing them. Ill post a pic or 2 tomorrow morning before work. Hopefully ill be painting the thing in the next couple of days.

I'm not entirely happy with my seams where the wings join the fuselage, I used Tenax.  I also had a tough time with the leading edge of the wings.  Part of that can probably be blamed on me though too, I should have been a little more careful.  I've read some reviews on the 109 and no one else really seems to have any complaints about fit so maybe what you've got is unique to the Macchi.

Great info Mike, but are you sure that the Italians would have adhered to a strict colour code for painting out the crosses? Im not so certain. I reckon that they would have grabbed the 1st can of paint that was close to the surrounding paint..But hey, what do i know

Anyhoo, the paint job on yours is looking fantastic. Did you have any probs with the seams on your 21st ct kit? I used Tamiya extra thin on mine and ive had a right game with them. Even after 24hrs it still seamed (Pardon the pun) a little soft. Ive ended up CA'ing them. Ill post a pic or 2 tomorrow morning before work. Hopefully ill be painting the thing in the next couple of days.

Frank, your progress is looking sweet. I see your using the Frankenstyrostand Mk2. Very nice.

...Guy

Nope, RLM 02 has too much green in it.  Italian Blue Gray is closer to RLM 76, but has more of a gray tint. 

See here:

http://www.stormomagazine.com/Articles/coloricmpr_1.jpg

If you're an acrylic guy (like me) Pollyscale makes this color too.

Thanks for the help Mike!  I checked on a paint-cross reference site for a Tamiya match, and they are telling me to use RLM 02.  Seems fishy to me...

Frank,

They would have been over-painted in Grigio Azzurro Chiaro (Blue-Gray), MM carries the exact color labeled as Italian Blue-Gray.

luftwaffle wrote:

Yeah, kinda' new to this 109/Luftwaffe camo thing...

Well, for a NOOB you are doing quite well!

I worked on the G-6 todat, painting the white and yellow where they need to be, then masked over them in preparation for some RLM 76 tomorrow.  More to come!

Does anyone have information on the approximate color the Italians used to paint out the German crosses?  As long as I am close, I am OK with it.