4th ANNUAL SECRET SANTA GROUP BUILD: SANTA'S NEW SLEIGH: AIRCRAFT

Thanks Discostu.  I really enjoy the kits.  I should start building soon.  Thanks again.

Great looking build Aggieman.  Love the weathering.

Painklr, my wife and I recently discussed that same History Flight (well, I think it's the same).  Not sure yet if she's going to get me a flight on that B-25 just yet.  You have obviously got a great wife!

Having returned from the Independence Bowl (not a good subject for a number of reasons), I spent much of the evening finishing my work for this group build.  This is by far the fastest I have ever completed any model since I rejoined this hobby back in the 90s.  Usually it takes me a couple of days just to gather all the paints and other supplies and to build enough enthusiasm to even begin work.

This is the older Tamiya Zero kit - I've seen it at Hobby Lobby but never picked it up for whatever reason.  It goes together well and despite its age is representative of the usual Tamiya quality.  I built this as a Pearl Harbor A6M2 from the Akagi (per the kit instructions and decal sheet).  Wheels are up and this will be hung from the ceiling along with my other "in-flight" Axis warbirds (a Betty plus a bunch of Luftwaffe aircraft).

It is painted in Model Master acrylic light gray, not technically the Imperial Japanese Navy color but actually German licht grau, with the cowling painted in semi-gloss black.  Light weathering with some Tamiya pastels (oil stains and soot) and a panel wash.  Decals settled down nicely with solvaset over a Future finish, which was then sealed with flat clear.

Painklr, great deal on the B-25 ride! Tell us how that goes.

Looks like everyone got some great stuff

Can't wait to see it all built.

Good deal Carlos,whoever leads in the build can tell of the problems or shortfalls for the other. Which scheme do you plan to build, as of now I am thinking of the blue 13

Steve

Merry Christmas everyone.  I know it's a lil late, but now that things have calm down again.  I have some time to post my secret santa pics.  Not sure who my secret santa is.  I recieved a card, but not sure who sent it to me.  Who ever you are Thanks so much for sending me not just one but two.  WOW!!! did not expect that.

So here the are:

Academy's F-89J Scorpion with eduard's express mask.

Accurate Miniatures F-4C/D Phantom II

Once again, thank you sooooo much secret santa.  I look forward in building this upcoming year now that I am working one job.  Progress pics will be up soon.

On another note.  My awesome wife hooked me up with a flight in July on a B-25 bomber. 

Steve...Looks llike you and me hit the same jackpot....could be interesting to compare our progress and results...good luck....its a great looking kit,,,cant wait to get into it...

Carlos

DiscoStu, I'm glad you like the F-105.  It is a good kit and builds up pretty well.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with all the aftermarket goodies.

DUH, forgot the pic.

Steve

DUH, forgot the pic.

Steve

So here is my mugshot with the brilliant kit Jeaton sent me. Think Im gona push this up to the top of the build list

Steve

Glad you like it Carlos.  I'm sure that you, the elves, will do it justice.  Hope that you have some fun with it.

A couple of days late....been busy....first of all, I was blown away when I opened my gift. I've got to hand it to you Mike (swingr1121) you sure know how to pick'em!! Its funny cause when I unwrapped it i noticed i had it backwards....the back box to me...so more of a surprise when I turn it over and there staring back is a Butcher Bird in all its glory...Eduard profiPACK  1/48 Fw-190A-8...wow....you hit my weakness on the head...mottling and Luft camo!!! So many options...then I opened and saw color PE and masks!!! too much!!!

The truth Mike..I am speachless....I hope to do your gift proud when I get going on it...you are right, there are sooo many posibilities with this kit! I might go crazy!!

My camera is down for the count but will post some pics soon.

Again thanks to all for a great GB especially our big boss Lofweir..it has been and will keep being fun as we all see our gifts come to life

MerryChristmas to all and a very very Happy New Year to everyone

Carlos

PS...After seeing the FW the elves decided to sign their contract renewal afterall and stay on for another year!!

This is the third SS I've done and never have I really had a desire to even get started until well into the next year ... until now.  I have the remainder of this year off from work but have several activities that my family and I are going to do that will keep me away from my bench.  So I decided to dive head first into the gift I opened on Friday from SkullGundam (thanks again!).  It's the Tamiya A6M2 Zero in 1/48, which I believe is an older mold but one can never have too many Zeros (I already have a 1/48 and 1/32 A6M5 in my stash).

I've done all of the interior painting and put together all of the major components.  There will be some seam work before I get the airbrush out for the exterior paint job, which will be overall light gray with the black cowling. 

Hopefully in between our trip to Shreveport, LA tomorrow and San Antonio, TX on Wednesday, I'll be able to get to the exterior painting.  But who's in a rush here? 

All I can say is Wow! (not sham wow)

I didn't sign up this year  and I was Painklr's secret santa last year. He sent me this massive boxfull of kits and I wasn't even his recipient. He gave kits for me to build and some I can give to others(who I am going to introduce this hobby to). Painklr is a really good guy, I guess I will be building in this build. I will for sure join next year.

Thanks for looking.

So, finally, a chance to get the pic posted.

My thanks to Bill, aka bondoman, for the Moskito.  I must have passed this model a dozen times on the shelf at the hobby shop, and never managed to pick it up.  Very cool that I'll get to build it now.

Nothing wrong with swapping presants. I might make a start on it soon actualy, ive only got one project on the bench and ive lost all motivation to finish it. Its a Sanger models 1:48 Airspeed Oxford. Im sure i will make the photo etch fit somehow, it should be interesting to use it.

Well, Oliver I guess this year we swapped gifts, as I am you Secret Santa.

I'm glad you like the kit I sent. Unfortunately the PE is not specific for this kit, but it's the only one available for the BF109G-14.
I'll be looking forward to see you progress on this one.

As for me I'm already building two SuperCobras so I won't start straight away, but I'll do my very best to finish it within 2010!

John, I was pretty sure it was you by simple deduction. Thanks a million for the FW, its right up my alley and its a great looking kit and cant wait to get into building it.

Dennis, glad you liked the kit and I look forward to your building it

Steve

Well, I finally got to open it and I want to say thank you to Francisco (Painklr) for an awesome B25J Mitchell Bomber.  I already pawed through the manual and looked at the parts and I'm really excited about this one.  Camera was not available to take any opening shots, but I will get some of the kit up soon.  Thank you again, and happy holidays everyone!!

Just logging on and trying to get my head around this new layout that i do not like. I got a Hasegawa Bf109G-14 but i am not sure who from, i will try and post a photo soon. This should be interesting as i have never attempted german camo like this before. And having just opened the box there is some extra Eduard Etch brass which i look forward to using and my sender has kindly added a CD of referance material which will be very usefull.

Avus,

Im glad you like the kit. I dont know alot about Helicopters but the box art looked very nice. Im looking forward to seing what you can do with it, i might be tempted over to the dark side by it.

Steve--you must have mystic powers my friend! That very kit was sitting right at the top of my "The next winged-thing I build" list.

 Sorry I didn't get the pic up yesterday but we had a housefull, and 3 spoiled grandkids can sure keep a fella hoppin' I tell ya!! 

As soon as the season winds down I'm gonna tie into her, already scouring the instruction manuel and plotting.

To our host-Thanks for letting me in. This was my 1st SS GB but not my last, already picking out what to send next year!  To Steve (aka Sidure) Merry Christmas! I couldn't be happier-love it man, great pick.

And to all the members of this elite squadron of renegade styrene junkies--MERRY CHRISTMAS ! !

Hope you enjoy the build, Bondoman.  It looks like everyone had a very enjoyable Christmas, and looks like it will be a great year of building, gluing, and painting.  I spent the day, unfortnately, working, and am stuck at the office again today, so we'll be doing the grand reveal this evening.  Pictures, of course, to follow as well.  However,  would like to share some things I have learned during this group build.

1.  It is, indeed, a great deal of fun to give the secret santa gift.  It is also quite enjoyable (and frustrating) to stare at that box under the tree, knowing it's a model, and wondering what might be in there.

2.  It is a great deal of work to run a group build, and a greatly appreciate everyone's patience with me as I fumbled my way through it.

3.  This group build is possible because all of you are willing to come together, as a community, year after year, and keep it alive.  My hats off to all of our group build members from this year and from years past that have made this group build a success.

4.  And finally, and this is the most important thing:  Every gift I send out next year is totally getting wrapped in Disney Princess wrapping paper!  :)

Merry Christmas, all, and a Happy New Year!

sidure

No pics to show yet as I am home alone in an ice storm so I will post some pics tomorrow. I believe Jeaton is my Santa and I want to say a big thank you for my present. It is a Eduard FW190A-8 and what a beauty it looks to be. Its gona be a great build, thanks Jeaton if you are my Santa

Steve

Steve, I thought I put a note with my name in the box.  Oh well, yes I'm the guilty party and I am pleased you like it.

mph34

To Chris {kg4gpg} thanks for the Su-25.   I have been looking to buy this kit for the Bear Trap GB. 

Sorry - no photos from the opening.

Merry Christmas to everyone!  

Glad you like it, I don't have or build a lot of 1/72 and really like the Su-25 and just happened to have that one.  I'm planning to do the two seater in 1/48 one of these days.

As for me, satch hooed me up as well.  Very humbled.  Gave me a nice classic airbrush compressor that I opened early because I though the big box was from someone else.  But inside there was a plain brown box and it clicked...GB, Do Not Open!  I waited patiently for today and wound up with the pictured item below:

Not just an awesome kit, but resin and PE to boot.  Gonna start the build in a couple days.Thanks to all, this is fun.

Chris

Aggieman: I'm glad you like it.  Ive seen some of your work and I know you will do it justice. 

Bondoman: I built that Corsair as my first plane not too long ago.  Its a nice kit, I just wish I had had more talent at the time.

I am not home 'till tommorow to open mine but I can't wait.  It's driving me nuts!!

No pics to show yet as I am home alone in an ice storm so I will post some pics tomorrow. I believe Jeaton is my Santa and I want to say a big thank you for my present. It is a Eduard FW190A-8 and what a beauty it looks to be. Its gona be a great build, thanks Jeaton if you are my Santa

Steve

Thany you James (Lofweir) for hosting this SS and for being my own Secret Santa as well.

A little beauty; the Academy F4U-1 Corsair AND Squadron "ins action" book! The model came wrapped in paper labeled "Power" and the model marked "knowledege". That's pretty cool!

I look forward to adding this to my Navy fighter collection.