War In The Pacific Group Build 2009 - 2010

Mucker, that is a sweet looking Claude.

Frank, that pit is looking stunning.

Have you built the Tamiya Zero yet? Well worth it.

Progress Update: Tojo!

All is not well.

I applied the NMF over the weekend, and gave everything a generous coat of Future to seal it.

However, when I went to mask off some panels to apply a different shade.........

....and went to re-position the tape!

You can see it better in this blurry shot, look at the wing root area.

The really annoying thing is, I tested this on an old Revell Fw190, and it worked fine with no lifting!

Obviously that gloss black was just too slick.

Karl 

Thanks my friends, glad you like her so far!  I am looking forward to working on this one again this weekend.

Jason- I use the Tamiya brand lacquer thinner, as it has a bit of retarder in it and helps keep the paint flowing instead of the dried, spidery spray with straight lacquer thinner.   Mr. Color is very similar I think.

I seem to recall someone else asking me to put together a toot on how I do Tamiya tape seatbelts.  I do not think I ever did though!   I am off this weekend, so I shall put one together and post it over in Aircraft.

Frank I love the custom color for the pit and the engine is awsome. one question tough do you use regular lacquire thinner? I've used mr color thinner before and had great results.

John The Kingfisher is coming along very nice, nice to see a US bird

Jason

 Hey Frank, The pit and the engine both look outstanding! Looking forward to the seeing the washes added to the engine. The Alclad metals look awesome as does the pit wiring.

 Tempest Johnny, Looking forward to seeing a US float plane. The Kingfisher is looking very good.

darson wrote:

Bob don't sweat the timeframe this build goes for a year so there's lots of time to finish off existing projects and get one or two done for this GB.

Yeah, but there's so many Japanese planes being completed.....we need some allied air support...soon!

John-the Kingfisher looks great.

Frank-outstanding work on the interior.  How about a quick tutorial on making seat belts out of Tamiya tape?

Beautiful Kingfisher so far, Tempest JOhnny!

Frank, your Zero is just downright nasty...as in nasty-good! Wow! Your work with the small pieces and wires is what really amazes me. I fumble the garden hose and here you get these micro-sized wires in just the right spots...incredible!

Frank, THANK YOU very much for sharing that tip!!!! Will have to experiment now!!!! One more question, ratios? You cut the same ratios as normal thinner to the consistency you're comfortable with???? I knew there had to be a way to make acrylics adhere better!

Sorry Johnny! Kingfisher is coming along VERY nicely!!! Looking forward to more!!

Thanks fellas!  Richie- Yep, I cut Tamiya acrylics with Tamiya lacquer thinner.  A little tip I picked up from Guy (luftwoller) and someone else, sorry can't remember who else it was!   Really helps the paint bite the plastic.

John- I am looking forward to more pics of the Kingfisher, always liked that plane.

OK Here is the first picture of my Kingfisher.  Fuselage and wings are on still have to work on the seams and sanding.

OK, here's some pics of the Zero cockpit so far.  I used the basic Hasegawa 'pit, and added wiring to the cockpit sides, and scratchbuilt the seat brackets, bungee cord suspension, and drilled out the lightening holes and seat adjustment lever.  I used Tamiya tape and fabricated wire hardware for the belts.  I managed to lose the leather boot part for the control stick, so I carved a new one from styrene.

Here are the bits painted up in a custom mix to replicate Nakajima interior bamboo green:

And finally, the engine so far.  I drilled holes for the plug wires, and made them from fuse wire.  I painted the entire assembly Tamiya gloss black cut with lacquer thinner, and then gave it all a dusting of Alclad II to leave some natural shadows between the cylinder fins.  Next up, lots of grime and washes!  I also gave the exhaust collector it's base coat of Alclad jet exhaust.

Thanks Mo, glad to be building with you again!

John- Thanks mate, may have a go at a certain 1/48 Hasegawa Ki-44 after the Zero.

 Glad to see ya here Frank, Looking forward to seeing your contribution!

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas!

mucker wrote:

Man am I looking forward to a Daywalker-built Zero!!!! Make sure to post a ton of pics, Frank!

Thanks Charles, your Claude is one of the reasons I am here!  After seeing your photos, I am wondering if I should take up stamp collecting!  That model was AWESOME!!!

darson wrote:

Whoa hold phone I completely missed your post Frank, so  to the build and please accept my apologies. Great to have you along mate and it's even better to have some partially built kits given a new lease of life, I'll be looking forward to seeing some pics coming through.

Thanks Darren, glad to be here!  Some amazing talent you have rounded up here.  Looking forward to building with you lads.

Daywalker wrote:

Man, there's some gorgeous work on these pages!  Do you have room for one more?  I have a Hasegawa 1/48 A6M3 Model 22 that I finished the cockpit on and wired the engine, but that's about it.

Whoa hold phone I completely missed your post Frank, so  to the build and please accept my apologies.

Great to have you along mate and it's even better to have some partially built kits given a new lease of life, I'll be looking forward to seeing some pics coming through.

Hey All....back from a long needed vacation...looking at the posts...great job all...Mucker...that Claude looks great....really crisp and clean...congrats...

That  Oscar is looking good...cant believe its 72...looks tiny next to your hand.

My build...well I started weathering the Seiran before I left, got the top pretty much done and will work on the underside next couple of days...will post some pics soon. Also when I got back I noticed the modeling elves left me a couple of packages....I got the Pete and the Hasegawa A6m3....looking forward to both!

Carlos

Daywalker welcome Can't wait to see that zero

Mucker fantasic build everything looks just perfect!

Jason

Hey all-a lot of great work being displayed here. 

Mucker-great job-you're setting the bar high.

I hope to get started on the P-40E by the end of the month.  Need to finish up a couple of stale projects first.

darson wrote:

Mucker that's a really lovely piece of work with a very attractive paint scheme, it's hard to believe that it's only 1/72 .  I can't wait to see the next one whatever you decide it will be. Cheers

Darson, it's a more realistic 1/48 scale... My eyes, fat fingers and dexterity can't handle 1/72!

Daywalker wrote:

Man, there's some gorgeous work on these pages!  Do you have room for one more?  I have a Hasegawa 1/48 A6M3 Model 22 that I finished the cockpit on and wired the engine, but that's about it.

Man am I looking forward to a Daywalker-built Zero!!!! Make sure to post a ton of pics, Frank!

KJ200 wrote:

As the Gunze metalics are very delicate, I've sealed all of the components with a coat of Future.

Karl that finish looks just fine from where I'm sitting and you are spot on about those Gunze metalics being delicate.  I've only used them a couple of times and they do look nice but they have to be sealed or your finish is doomed.

Justin we're all looking forward to seeing those pics published, so get a move on then

Mucker that's a really lovely piece of work with a very attractive paint scheme, it's hard to believe that it's only 1/72 .  I can't wait to see the next one whatever you decide it will be.

Cheers

 Hey mucker, Very nice finish. That is one cool looking bird. I like the open cockpit. Nice set of photo's too. Two thumbs up and a bow.

Justin, welcome back mate!!! Looking forward to some progress pics when you can take a breather.

Charles, that my friend is a work of art!!! What a little gem she turned out to be!! Love that paint scheme!! As for the next project, I would love to see the Val or Kate being built, but Ilike your reasoning behind the Ki-115.

Alrighty guys, I think I can stick a fork in this one. For once I finally approached kit with patience and avoided many (not all) of te dumb mistakes that have plagued me this year. FineMolds has created a dandy of a kit here. The white metal parts are nicely done and easy to work with. Without further ado, I submit my first build for this GB:

I am going to build another "smaller" kit before tackling the large 1/24 Zero. I should have plenty of time but I'll wait until it starts getting colder here and I am not required to do as much yardwork. My choices are (all in 1/48): eduard Ki-115 Tsurugi , Fujimi D3A Val, Nichimo B5N2 Kate or the Hasegawa Hellcat. I am heavily leaning towards the Ki-115 in green paint simply becuase it has the least amount of piece, so it won't drag out TOO long!