War In The Pacific Group Build 2009 - 2010

Jason,

Nice work on the Tbolt!  I probably missed it, but what kit is that?

Frank,

Look forward to more of the Zero, even if it doesn't have the special Mk.II Mod I IJA stand yet.

Mac,

Cartoon girls are SOOOOOO one dimensional!  Nice work on the I-boat.  Is she done yet?

lewbud wrote:

Mac, Cartoon girls are SOOOOOO one dimensional!  Nice work on the I-boat.  Is she done yet?

Well charging the Camera battery ! I left it on. DUH! Got it all together and painted. It needs decals and some rigging Crane lines and some railings to bring her up to the finished mark though. According to Dave's rules I still have another day though!

sfcmac wrote:

I saw a small Japanese tank something like those as a gate guard a few years ago, it was smaller than my Toyota pickup. It made a Stuart look like a Tiger, a Sherman would be like the Maus.

Well the Duck is shaping up, I think I might actually finish this one (that is a nice change). It has been awhile since my last post so a reminder is probably wise, this is a USCG Duck stationed outside San Francisco at the start of the war. 

 Ok Camera got enough charge to get a quick in progress pic of where it is after 24 hours.

 All Kit parts are on except the flag pole cuz I wanna put a flag on it before attaching.

Free time enough to catch some sleep ...er I mean work on the 262 now. Curses foiled again!

Aaron Great work on the duck. It is was always a plane I liked

Aaron the sub is really nice can't wait to see the finishing touches

Jason

 Wow I almost missed the Duck!  It's paint job really looks the part! 

 Finished the Sub but ran into problems with the decals. For some odd reason they are decals and not dry transfers but are reversed like that. Kinda works like an old cracker jack tatoo where you wet the back push it on and peel off the paper backing after some time. Losey system. Can't see it to position it and it wont move when applied. Add that they are old and it was not good.

 I don't wanna take the time to measure straight lines and such on a completed build to get things all aligned so I just applied the whole sheet to some metal foil to keep them from falling apart which some still did.

You can see how well they were not working. Had to paint the hironmusmooie things by hand. (meatballs)

Anyways I took my left over railings from the Gorizia and cut off the bottom rail and made it look like the pics. Not too shabby adapting 1/350 t0 1/200 scale. Had to give up on the cutting the decals the metal foil was just too finicky but I used enough to give it something to show for itself!  Also added another small single railing around the conning tower.

 So not bad for a quick 48 hr build. That Dave has his crazy ideas though!

 Thanks for tolerating me and when you least expect it I shall be back!

sfcmac wrote:

Kinda works like an old cracker jack tatoo where you wet the back push it on and peel off the paper backing after some time. Losey system.

OH NO!!!  Aaron is putting his Cracker Jack tattoos on his sub!   Those go on your arm silly!

Still can't believe you built a sub and teeny tiny airplane with PE railings in 48 hours!  YOU ARE A MACHINE!!!  Love the new avatar photo too.

Aaron soory to hear about the decals. The sub looks just perfect with the rigging and rails!

One questions though with the rigging like that how did they move the plane?

Jason

jay12472 wrote:

Aaron soory to hear about the decals. The sub looks just perfect with the rigging and rails! One questions though with the rigging like that how did they move the plane? Jason

Yeah the whole rigging was removable the forward part was only held on with the tripod up front. Actually the Aircraft should be stowed inside in that config as the forward Hydroplanes would also be folded inside atop one another as well. Just don't know where else to put the plane LOL! In the air maybe?

I wanted to include some of the refs on the directions. They are plenty confusing but have some great info on the sub class types!

Frank I am geared up and in shape for Dave's GB!  Just in case he starts it early too! 

Aaron - I just can not believe you have finished that sub so quick. Crikees I would still be fighting the cats for the yarn usage.. I really know less about subs then ships, where did they store the aircraft when they Dived ? The I-400 I have has a huge vault like door on the con that served as a hanger. Granted they had to attach the floats and wings ..

48 hrs   I am still working on the same ship now for a month plus and still not close to being finished...

Anyway, Fantastic job and you added P/E railings...thats really sick

Well I decided to take out the "El-Cheap-O" SBD try to repair it and bring it a few steps closer to completion. As you might remember I had an issue with the decals and needed some new ones. Thanks to Dave I'm back in business.

Both of the upper wing Roundels and both the fuselage Roundels needed to be replaced. 3 of the 4 red fuel cap tank decals fell off along with the right "S" on the tail. Oh, I forgot to mention that both the wing walk ways fell off also.

After getting all the new decals in place something still wasn't right. The "Black 5" was incorrect for Lt Swede's plane. I believe he actually flew "Black 10". I used the 5 because I couldn't find the correct numbers. Then I stumbled upon something.

This is a great product. One sheet comes in various sizes. All you need to do is cut them out, remove the backing, put in place, color over the letter or number and remove. After you are done seal the transfer in place with either dull cote or Future.

Oh, I forgot one thing. In order to achieve the red  in the dive breaks I dipped .20 aircraft safety wire in red paint and stuck it in each and every hole in the flaps. It was tedious but in the end will be worth it.

Ok, the next step with this "El-Cheap-O" SBD is building the twin .30 Cal for the back seat.

Here is Testors idea of a gun. :cry:

Well even with this "El-Cheap-O" model that is just not acceptable. Well its time to venture into waters I've never ventured into before. SCRATCHBUILDING:shock:

Here are some drawing to show what the SBD twin mount .30 Cal should look like.

Using some scrap Evergreen .020x .156 strip styrene I set to work making the armor plate for the gunner.

I cut the scrap to a manageable size and then using my pin vice I drilled a hole for the site.

I then rounded the top to the proper shape. Using a file I turned the round hole to a square hole. Next I put a "V" grove just below the site opening and bent the styrene to the approximate angle like seen in the photos. I then placed a little glue to hold it in place.

Next was the side armor plates. Using my snips I cut the styrene into the correct shape.

Next I painted the tiny pieces interior green and glued into place.

Better but not where I'd like it to be yet so A trip to my LHS was in order. Here's what I got.

Photo etch Gunsites

And photo etch gun belts to feed the twins.

The funny part is I just spent all this time on making the twins and this plane doesn't even have a cockpit. :oops: The way I rationalize this it with the canopy in place you would barely see the cockpit. The twins on the other hand are out in the open for all to see.

Once everything is set in place I'll touch up the paint on the twins and armor plating.

Till next time...

Holy Cow Dirk....!!!

for 1/72 not bad at all...huge improvememnt....although Im sure your eyes must hurt... I got great reference book on the SBD if you need some pics let me know.

Carlos

Well looks like the elves finally got that canopy cleaned up and mounted.....tell you the truth I am happy with the work those little buggers have been doing lately....although I have been hearing some gripes in the ranks....my Spidey sense tells me they are up to something.....

Well here's the completed Rufe...took a bit longer than expected but then again thats been the norm lately... enjoy and as always comments welcomed.

Carlos

Dirk- Good save on the SBD, and some great progress!  Love those transfers too, really help with things like that.

Carlos-   Now THAT is cool!  Love the paint effects, any tips on how you did it?  Getting that "look" of worn paint showing the paint underneath is an effect I really like, but haven't mastered yet.  

Aaron your semi-floaty thing looks great!!!! Pitty bout the decals but looks like you managed fine as always!!

Dirk, your SBD is looking really nice!!! Great improvement in the gun area!!!

Carlos, WOW!!!! That is a stnning build mate!!! Just.......perfect.

A lot of progress here...and none of it mine!

Aaronw-the Duck is looking good.  Can't wait to see more progress pics.

Aaron-nice build on the sub.  I really must add a sub to my collection.  Again, nice work.

Dirk-nice recovery on the Dauntless.  I am especially impressed with your detail work on the machine guns....and even more impressed with the fact that it is 1/72nd.

 Carlos-fantastic build.  Great job on the weathering.

Aaron, your work just gets better. And now even your photography skills are superb. If you can remember to turn the thing off LOL. The work on the deck was great. It started off looking a little dodgy with the big swabs of paint and ended up looking spot on. The washes and the blending worked perfectly. I think the official title of 'Modelling Machine' now goes to you, with flying colours.

Dirk, Loving the scratchwork on the SBD. The gun station just looks right now. The etched gun belts are really the icing on the cake. Mighty fine, my friend. Cockpit next

Carlos. WOW, Youve really captured the look of the sun bleached, paint faded plane. I love heavilly weathered Jap birds,

oops, how did that get there? Well they might be japanese. Superb build.

...Guy

Thanks everyone for the kind words 

Aaron - Really nice build on the sub. Looks excellent. I love the IJN Subs

Carlos - I need to learn how to weather like that. How do you do it? Spectacular work.

Luftwoller - I just recently go my hands on the SBD Dauntless walk around book. Too late for this build but looking at it I think I could do a scratch built cockpit some justice. Maybe if I make the Atlantic version I will but for now I just want to move forward. I've got two many projects on the bench I want to clear. I'm involved in another GB where I entered a HS 129 and I've barley scratched the surface with about a month left to go. I also have another up coming GB where I plan on building 2 B-17's.

Dirk -  Your outta control Step away from the bench and drink a cup of Decaf - using P/E on an "El Cheapo " kit.  I have never seen such craziness   Seriously though - What a difference you have made That SBD is looking Top Notch - I like your style, and I can hardly wait to see what you do next. Those guns WOW !

Carlos - The Rufe looks like it has saw plenty of action, I really like everything about it. The paint discoloration , chips. The only thing that really stands off is the props and hub ?. They look to new from the rest of the bird or is that from the backgroung light or flash ?  Not criticizing as I Never could do as nice of work as you have displayed.  

Thanks Summit and for the record I'm drinking half caf these days.

I think I have 3 WIPs going in the Aircraft section.

Summit wrote:

Carlos - The Rufe looks like it has saw plenty of action, I really like everything about it. The paint discoloration , chips. The only thing that really stands off is the props and hub ?. They look to new from the rest of the bird or is that from the backgroung light or flash ?  Not criticizing as I Never could do as nice of work as you have displayed.

Summit you know you are right..the wash on the hub is too light..the flash washed it out..i need to touch that up.

Carlos

Hi all, Ive been at the Corsair today. As well as doing absolutely diddly. Isnt it funny how when you get a day off work, you idle around the house doing nothing much and have to force yourself to the bench? No? Must be just me then LOL.

Anyhoo, its all coming together with the major assemblies done. I was just about to fix the canopy sections on when in a fit of madness, i decided i wanted a mirror! We dont have any in the house for obvious reasons, but i needed one in the plane. Heres what i came up with,

perfect to fit in the bubble of the opening section,

apparantly it opened with the canopy and wasnt attached to the windscreen. Cool.

Heres a pic of the cockpit before it gets hidden away,

 and one with the centre section in place. This was so satisfying as when i pushed it in place. It 'Clicked' in. No white glue to hold this baby,

see the mirror? Chuffed with that i am. And Now, the token gratuitous Propellor shot!!!

....Guy

#EDIT#, What colour would the drop tank be? The centre section on the fuse is white.

carsanab wrote:

....although I have been hearing some gripes in the ranks....my Spidey sense tells me they are up to something.....

Well I knew those little buggers were up to something...!!!!

Woke up real early this AM and as I was stumbling to the "Head" I heard a rukus in my workshop...As I sneaked up and poked my head in, there were all the Modeling Elves gathered...I overheard their leader mention something about the mission and the mission. As I listened closer I found out what it was...THEY WERE PLANNING A SORTIE AGAINST ME!!! they called it Mission:Get The Big Guy....a pre dawn strike.!!! Looks like I was the primary target and the dog was secondary (dont know what he did to them to deserve being targeted).... well they were surprised to see me thats for sure....after a lengthy negotiation they settled down....looks lilke al they wanted was to work on something else other than another floatie thingy...anyway Im glad I walked in just in the nick of time....heres what I found...

the little buggers were already completing their pre-flight checklist and warming up!!! 

The elf pilot was checking his maps already in the pit when I pulled him out!!

Got there just in the nick of time....well due to conditions of our truce my next build will NOT be a floatie thingy!!

Carlos   a.k.a "Primary Target"

cool effect Carlos! Looks very realistic to me! 

Guy!  Frank being the ol meany his his wanted me not to inform you that Corsair mirror all 3 of them are mounted on the sliding part of the Canopy!  Not like a rear view on the JAG!  I can't believe he is such a meany Can you? I think it looks grand as is and would call it a modification work order by pilot preference. 

Also said something about  sticking with in your limitations ol boy?

Ha just messing with ya! Yesterday was pick on Frank day now it must be pick on Guy day with all that macho manly charisma and modeling diety talents you have. That Corsair looks brilliant!  I like how the paint turned out and somebody musta gave some good advice there!  WOnder who? 

 Sorry bout using FRank's name in vain but I just have no idea what chuffed means?  Is it good or bad? Can you avoid it by wearing lycra? 

Dirk great work on the dauntless espically with the red dots and machine gun

Carlos that is just amazing and then to add the lights .WOW I've often thought of how you could put little colored fiber optic pieces (Like the ones on a bow sight) to use for the wing lights.

Guy Great job on the mirror.  How did you dirty up the engine and U/C if you don't mind sharing?

Jason